Salcantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu |
code: CITTRE6- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Night
- Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventure
- Transport: tourist bus, walking, train
- Accommodation: Camping (5 Nights)
- Treking Grades: Moderate/Demanding ?
- Group Size:
- Type Service: We run only private groups ?
Highlights:
Machu Picchu, Inca archaeological sites, amazing mountain scenery, Salcantay High Mountain passes, quieter trails, less tourists, local villages.
Mountains, forests and Inca ruins on the road to Machu Picchu
This trek is as beautiful with even more variety; from icy glaciers to steaming tropical forest in addition to the vestiges of Inca culture you'll see life as it is lived in the mountains on farmsteads and in tiny hamlets. The first 2 days of this exhilarating hike are the most challenging, as you hike around the skirts of ice-capped Mount Salcantay (6271m/20568ft), we go over a high pass to continue on a back-country trail, rocky in places until we join the famed Inca Trail. Our support crew is made up initially of pack animals and the last three days our gear is carried by porters. Winding its way from the powerful Urubamba River, across Mountain passes and through cloud forests, the ancient Inca road passes several ruined fortresses before reaching the fabulous lost city of Machu Picchu.
Ask for our Price
- Additional Services ?
-
Day 1 - Cusco / Cruzpata / Salcantaypampa
Pick up from the Hotel at 05:00; private transport from to Cruzpata 4 hours. We cross the town of Limatambo (2100m/6888ft), then drive up a beaten track along the right shore of the Apurimac River, to reach Mollepata (2800m/9184ft), from where we continue on to Cruzpata (3100m/10168ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. From this point we start the ascent on foot towards Soraypampa, following a climbing trail with many level variations and along which we encounter little groups of houses, flora and small wild birds. We arrive at our campsite in Salkantaypampa (3895m/12776ft). From here we can appreciate the majestic Salkantay (6271m/20569ft).Total distance 10 km (6, 21 miles)
Estimated walking time 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point (3850m/12628ft)
Day 2 – Salkantaypampa / Pampacahuana
Breakfast; we continue our hike to start the four-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850m/15908ft), the highest of the entire route, offering impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. We then descend towards our lunch spot at Sisaypampa, a flat area from which one can observe the Salkantay´s neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we continue towards the Pampacahuana community, located next to an original Inca canal, where we set our second camp and spend the night.Total distance 14 km (8, 70 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point (4850m/15908ft)
Day 3 - Pampacahuana / Llulluchapampa
Breakfast; start a downhill walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana River following its course towards the Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft). On the way down we visit the Incaracay archaeological complex. After approximately 4 hours, we arrive to Wayllabamba, where we stop for lunch. This is the point in which our trek joins the Inca Trail. Since pack animals are not allowed in the Inca Trail, we say goodbye to our horsemen and instead, are introduced to our group of porters. We leave Wayllabamba to until Llulluchapampa (3850m/12628ft), where we camp and spend the night. Along the climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna, having the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichuTotal distance 14 km (8, 70 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point (3850m/12628ft)
Day 4 – Llulluchapampa / Chaquiqocha
Breakfast; hike up the highest point in the Inca Trail, reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca (4200m/13776ft) after about 2 hours. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600m/11808ft), from which we then continue to climb to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay (3970m/13022ft). Halfway up, we stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800m/12464ft, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624m/11887ft). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Only 20 minutes away is Chaquicocha, where we will set our camp.Total distance 12 km (7, 45 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point (4200m/13776ft)
Day 5 – Chaquiqocha / Wiñay Wayna
Breakfast; continue up an easy climb, to arrive at the third pass, Phuyupatamarca (3700m/12136ft). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. Phyupatamarca means “town over the clouds”. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft) where we spend the night.Total distance 14 km (8, 70 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point 3,900 m (12,792 ft)
-
Ask for our Price
Students: US$ 30 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
Teenagers: US$ 30 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Children: US$ 70 (up to 7 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
-
What is included?
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Private transport to Cruzpata, head of the Trek
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fee (valid from days 3 to 6 of this program)
- English Speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- 4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
- Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress
- Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person) – days 1 to 3
- One emergency horse – days 1 to 3
- Porters to carry personal gear up (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person) including sleeping bag and sleeping pad – days 3 to 6
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
- Toilet tent
- Accommodation for all our staff
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Return Backpacker train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Vistadome upon request)
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel.
- Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 36 for the 6 days trek)
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip)
- Visa fees (if required)
- Passport & Visa Costs
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Drinks
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
- Machu Picchu extensions
- Cusco Add Ons (Hotel and tours)
- Lima Add ons (Hotel and tours)
- Amazon Jungle Trips
- Northern Peru
- Lake Titicaca
- Lima City stop over or Arequipa extension
-
Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold, Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs and Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
-
Book now with Sun Gate Tours
Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & ConditionsStep 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Student with ISIC card: Yes/No
Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc
Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
- Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek
Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability CalendarStep 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.