Duration:
Price:
Maximum Altitude
6,271 m.s.n.m
Difficulty
Challenging
Group Size
02 and 08 people
Type of Service
Group
The classic Inca Trail is famed for the diversity of its topography and ecosystems; the Salcantay Route’s smorgasbord is even more impressive. The 20,500-feet-high Mount Salcantay was one of the holiest Apus, or sacred peaks, in the Inca religious pantheon. It’s still revered today in traditional Andean religion. This mule-assisted hike cuts through the beautiful Mollepata Valley and traverses past Salcantay at an altitude above 15,000 feet. From those chilly heights, the trail descends into subtropical cloud forest, where it meets up with an ancient Inca highway (part of the original Capac Ñan network that connected the far ends of the empire) that leads to the recently rediscovered ruins of Llactapata. From there, one can gaze a few miles across the valley to take in a rare sidelong view of the full Machu Picchu complex. A downhill walk ends at the small train station, where a frequent shuttle runs along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu.
Day 1: training.
Pick up from the hotel in Cusco in Our private transport that will take us to Challacancha, where we will begin our unique adventure we will pass through these unique places. Hike Challacancha – Humantay lake and Soroypampa.
Hiking 08 hours approximately distance (14 km – 8.75 miles).
Day 2: challenge.
Start our intensive but not impossible hike from Soraypampa to the top of Salcantay Pass from where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains and glaciers being there is the only experience. Hike Soraypampa – Salcantay Pass – Huayracpampa and Collpa Pampa.
Hiking 10 hours approximately distance (18 km – 11.25 miles).
Day 3: Hihg Jumgle.
impressive day and humid. In this route we will observe a great variety of flora and fauna including beautiful orchids. Hike Collpa Pampa – Sawayaco y Lucmabamba.
Hiking 5 hours approximately distance (15 km – 9.5 miles).
Day 4: llactapata.
Coffee tour in the area and a nice hike to the top from there we will enjoy one of the most spectacular views of Machupicchu. Hike Lucmabamba – llactapata – hidroelectrica and Aguas Calientes.
Hiking 10 hours approximately distance (20 km – 13 miles).
Day 5: Machupicchu.
or our last day we will have to catch a early bus to reach the Machu Picchu. The site opens at 6:00 am and we will head towards the “guardian house” which is the perfect spot for “postcard” pictures and some of the best views.
Bus 30 minutes approximately distance (10 km – 6.5 miles).
HIGHLIGTS:
- The best local professional tour guides.
- The best hikes, campsites and tours in the world.
- Discover the incas land along the way to Machupicchu.
- Explore the best tourist destination, Machu Picchu
- Travel with the best local agency travel. Tour operator
Incluided
✓ PERMITS AND TICKETS FOR THE INCA TRAIL.
We will secure all necessary permits once we receive your complete information and reservation deposit. Permits are subject to availability and are issued for a specific date and under your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Changes in password number are only permitted for renewal reasons. In that case, you must provide both your old and new passport.
✓ PRE- DEPARTURE BRIEFING.
We offer a tourist orientation to our visitors before doing the excursion to Machupiccchu. The briefing starts at 6:00 p.m. We understand you may be nervous or have any questions about the excursion. This is the opportunity to meet with your tour guide and travel companions.
✓ EXPERIENCED TOUR GUIDES.
We have local professional tour guides who know a lot about their history and customs. They know the Inca trails very well and speak fluent English. You will feel safe your hands.
✓ TRANSPORTATION.
Transportation is included in your tour package. from pick up from your hotel Until the conclusion of your tour in Cusco.
First day: You´ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel in our transportation to Challacancha, the starting point of the trek
Fifth day: Bus ticket up and down
Fifth day: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco. Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.PeruRail (Expedition Service)
✓ MULETEER.
Our muleteer Team will carry all camping equipment and supplies needs for the trek. Additionally, we’ll include the personal service of a porter responsible for carrying your duffle bag and personal items
✓ CAMPING IQUIMENT.
Dining tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment, portable toilet and sleeping tents.
✓ DUFFLE BAG. For the trek, you will receive a duffle bag to pack your personal belongings up to maximum weight 7 kg or 15.4lb this weight includes your sleeping bag
✓ MEDICAL KIT:
All our tours guides have received training in first aid and rescue and high mountains rescue. In the event that a tourist requires medical attention during the trek, our staff will be able to assist you. We have a first aid kit. In an extreme case of a medical emergency, you will be evacuated to the nearest medical center.
✓ FOOD:
We try to offer natural and organic food. we buy the whole ingredient from farm farmers; They work all their products naturally and without chemicals. We have professional chefs from Inca Trail.
Note: Our clients when booking the tour. You must notify us if they have allergies or food restrictions to ensure that the food is prepared properly.
✓ WATER:
We offer water. First it is boiled, cooled and filtered. to fill water bottles or Camelback (the chef will provide clean water after each meal)
Note: we recommended to bring two liters’ bottles or camel’s bags because plastic bottles are prohibited.
✓ SUPPORT STAFF:
All travel agencies need a support staff that includes: chef, chef assistant, horse owner and porters. We offer work for both men and women with living wages.
Our staff are the humble people of the mountains who like to share their culture and history.
No Included
× Lunch on the last day
× Travel insurance: Highly recommended for all hikers.
× Additional tickets Machupicchu mountain and Huaynapicchu mountain $ 70
× Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters
× VISTADOME Train – $67 USD per person extra. (Return only)
× Personal tent- $30 USD – (Please request when you book your trek)
× Additional night in Aguas Calientes – from 70 USD per person (depending on availability)
Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD – This needs to be booked in advance and please let us know at the time of booking (it books out very quickly).
Picchu Mountain is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
RENTALS:
- Sleeping bag: $20 to rent
- Inflatable air mattress: $15 to rent
- Trekking poles (pair): $20 to rent
- Hiking Backpack: $20 to ren
MORE IMPORTANT:
Original valid passport (a copy will not be accepted).
Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
Valid student card (if booked as a student).
PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
- Trekking boots.
- Trekking backpack 20 or 25 liters.
- Water bottle or camel bag of 02 liters.
- Hat and sunglasses
- Rain clothes
- Sun cream, insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Camera, extra batteries
- chocolates, sweets, energy bars or dried fruits.
- 3 shirts (absorbent shirts are the best)
- 2 pants / hiking pants
- 3 sets of underwear.
- 4 sets of socks
- 1 warm jacket for colder nights
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Facial moisturizer
- Power bank / battery charger
- 2 plastic bags to separate wet or muddy clothes.
Extra money to buy extra drinks or snacks has to be in Peruvian soles.
- We recommend our hikers to arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days before their trek. This will allow you to acclimatize to the height so as not to have problems in the walk.
- In Cusco we have only one main airport, most flights arrive from Lima to Cusco, which is the most recommended and easiest for our tourists.
- The trip from Lima to Cusco by bus is quite long approximately 22 hours and it is not recommended that you travel directly to Cusco. If you want to do it, we recommend that you do it by sections Lima – Nazca – Arequipa – Puno and Cusco.
- In Cusco we have many hotels located throughout the city of Cusco. If you need help booking a hotel or would like some recommendations on where to stay, do not hesitate to contact us.
- Arriving in Cusco you have extra days before or after your walk. We are happy to help you organize some more important tours as there are tourists who want to spend more days in the imperial city of the Incas.
- We offer free pick up and transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cusco. We do this in order that you don’t have to worry about anything. Let us know in advance the airline company, the schedule and flight number that arrives in Cusco.
-
- Near the weather, Cusco is located at 3,350 m or 11,050 ft. which makes the weather very difficult to predict. In Cusco, we have two seasons; the rainy season, which runs from November to March, and the dry season, from April to October. We recommend the dry season that is from April to October. But for some tourists the stations don’t matter and they plan their tour according to the time they have and it is possible to organize some tours according to the weather.
- At near altitude sickness or soroche, Cusco is located at 3,350 m or 11,050 ft. Therefore, the air is short, dry and difficult to breathe for which it is recommended to arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days in advance of the tour
WE RECOMMENDED TO OUR VISITORS:
- Drink enough water.
- Mate coca.
- Deep breathing exercises.
- Soft walks.
- Diamox or acetazolamide (you can find these medications at any pharmacy in Cusco, check with your doctor to make sure you are not allergic to any medications).
DISCOUNTS:
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required from the student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date, etc. A copy of the card is required at booking to obtain government approval for the discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Itinerary
After picking up guests from their hotels in Cusco (3,300 m/10,890 ft.) at 5 am with our private bus, we will head towards the village of Mollepata where we will have a small breakfast before continuing our journey towards Challacancha (3,600 m or 11,880 ft.). Here we will start our walk whilst enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and Andes mountain range. After a hill we will walk along a trail which will lead us to our first campsite called Soraypampa (3,800 m/12,540 ft.) where we will have lunch. After 1 hour walk we will reach one of the most beautiful lake in the area Humantay. Finally, we will come back to the campsite to spend the night.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Min Altitude: 3,600 m (11,880 ft.)
- Max Altitude: 4,200 m (13,860 ft.)
- Distance Traveled: 14 km (9.5 miles)
- Walking Time: 8 hours approximately
- Base camp attitude: 3,800 m (12,540 ft.)
- Climate: dry – cold
At 5:00 we will have our first wake up” tea (Inca’s mate tea) which is a very tasty coca leaf tea. After breakfast we will start our walk towards a sacred place called “cove of Salkantay and Humantay”. Throughout this walk we will be able to observe spectacular glaciers. After the cove we will walk down for 2 hours until reaching Huayrac Machay where we will have a typical Andean lunch. After lunch we will head towards our second campsite. During this section of the walk the landscape begins to change from the typical Andean landscape to the “High Forest”, and we will be able to admire the spectacular local flora and fauna. Our second camp Collpapampa, where we will spend the night.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Min Altitude: 3,800 m (12,540 ft.)
- Max Altitude: 4,600 m (15,180 ft.)
- Distance Traveled: 18 km (11.25 miles)
- Walking Time: 10 hours approximately
- Base camp attitude: 2,900 m (9,570ft.)
- Climate: dry – cold – warm.
At 5:30 we will have our usual wake up mate tea before having breakfast and starting an easy walk towards our third campsite called Sawayaco (also known as La Playa) where we will have lunch. Throughout this route we will observe a great variety of flora and fauna including beautiful orchids.
In the afternoon you have the option to visit the local thermal and medicinal baths (not included). For this tour you need to seek private transportation (the journey takes 1 hour each way). Once there you will decide how long to enjoy the lovely baths before returning to the camp site.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Min Altitude: 2,000 m (3,960 ft.)
- Max Altitude: 2,900 m (9,570ft.)
- Distance Traveled: 10 km (6.25 miles)
- Walking Time: 4 hours approximately
- Base camp attitude: 2,000 m (3,960 ft.)
- Climate: warm – humid
At 5:00 am we will have our last wake up tea and at 5:30 our last breakfast. We will then walk for 10 minutes along a road before joining another beautiful section of an Inca trail, which will lead us to the Llactapata archeological site. Here we will enjoy one of the most spectacular views of Machupicchu. This section of the trail lasts about 3 hours after which we will walk a further 2:30 hours until the Aobamba valley and finally Hidroelectrica where is the lunch. From there we will to hike until Aguas Calientes village. Here we will stay in a hotel and we will have our last dinner.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner.
- Min Altitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft.)
- Max Altitude: 2,800 m (9,240ft.)
- Distance Traveled: 20 km (13 miles)
- Walking Time: 10 hours approximately
- Base camp attitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft.)
- Climate: warm – humid
For our last day we will have to catch a early bus to reach the Machupicchu archeological site (it takes 30 minutes by bus). The site opens at 6:00 am and we will head towards the “guardian house” which is the perfect spot for “postcard” pictures and some of the best views. We will then start our guided tour, which will last approximately 2 hours, where we will visit the most important sites. After the tour you will have time to visit Machu Picchu on your own. You also have the option to climb the Huaynapicchu or Montaña Machupicchu mountains (these have to be reserved in advance). In the afternoon we will get on the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and from there we will provide you with private transport to your hotel in Cusco.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast
- Min Altitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft.)
- Machupicchu: 2,400 m (8,000ft.)
- Distance Traveled: 10 km (6.25 miles)
- Bus Time: 30 minutes approximately.
- Climate: humid.
Faq's
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, suitable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and a light jacket, as the weather can change throughout the day.
Yes, our tours are designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, some activities may require a basic level of physical fitness.
Yes, all our tours include a certified professional tour guide who accompanies the group throughout the experience.
Absolutely. There are several stops throughout the tour at strategic locations so you can capture the best moments of the trip.
Tours operate under variable weather conditions, but in case of extreme weather, the tour will be rescheduled or an alternative will be offered to the traveler.
Most of our tours include shared transportation, although we also offer private transport upon request.
Yes, it’s advisable to bring some cash for personal purchases, souvenirs, or snacks, as some places do not accept cards.