The Royal Inca Trail is considered one of the top 03 best treks in the World and the Salkantay trek (also sometimes called the Salcantay Trek), was named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. The part around Mount Salkantay has some outstanding views and the descent later down to 1,000 m above sea level is amazing and not too steep.
The purpose of the Salkantay Inca Trail to Machupícchu was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Salkantay Mts.
Return to the Lodge.
Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter, on open roads, some steep ascending trails.
Highlights: Humantay Lake trek and Soraypampa Sky lodge
“Smooth trekking day” Acclimatization day.
Overnight at Soraypampa Lodge del Cielo “Sky Lodge” at 3,869 m/12,690 ft.
About Our Lodge del Cielo base in Soraypampa: This camp site is located 10 minutes away walking from the village of Soraypampa, this will give you a huge advantage to have a 360 panoramic view of the Humantay glacier, also it is a perfect place, away from the crowd and where we can appreciate the beautiful scenery of the Andean Valley and enjoy the company of our pretty Alpacas.
Note: On the evening before this day there will be a briefing with your guide in Cusco. After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are picked up starting at 6:00 am at your Cusco hotel by ITEP guide and vehicle “Pick up time can vary and will be confirmed only on the day of your briefing”.
You will pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a short break before ascending to Soraypampa.
Here in Soraypampa is going to be the first campsite Lodge del Cielo “sky lodge”. After Lunch time, our excursion will take us to the Humantay Lake, which is fed by glaciers far above on the slopes of the impressive Mt. Humantay.
Our 4-hour walk is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth and those brave enough can go for a swim! Performed by our local Tour Guide, in full view of the awe-inspiring Mt. Salkantay, tops off this unique experience.
Walk and Terrain: Walk, on mostly steep trails, and some open slopes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking Time: Approximately 7 hours (including picnic lunch in the route), and 2 hours for the lunch time.
We start our day, after enjoying a delicious breakfast, starting very early in the morning with the directions to Choqueckilla, meanwhile we start descending, you are going to enjoy the landscape and the stunning snow peak of Salkantay.
Our camp site is located in the lower part of the snowy pick of Salkantay with an elevation of 4.000 meters / 13.123 feet.
You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape of Vilcabamba, where we are going to enjoy a rewarding lunch. After 7 hours walking through the stunning areas to finally reach our camp site.
This day is not easy but you will enjoy the beauty of the land cape surrounded by snow peaks and some representative fauna of the place all the time, having the explanations of your tour Guide. A local man can make this trail in just 3 hours. But we’re going to do it in 9 hours approx. including the Lunch time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking Tim: Approximately 8 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails
We will wake up with a cup of hot coca tea because this day is going to be quite cold as soon as the breakfast is ready you will enjoy a delicious breakfast to warm up and start our third day walking. With a fairly steep ascent of straits, this trail with constant ascents and rocky structures through place named Inka Chiriasca pass (5,200 meters high) the trek will last for around 3 to 4 hours approximately, with a constant walking pass.
To appreciate the imposing Andean topography with incredible views of mountains, glaciers and mountain ranges of the valley, lakes and some Flora and fauna of this region.
Well, once you cross the pass of Inca Chiriasca, as a reward you will have the beauty of the landscape of this region.
Going ahead with the walk you will began descending along the route with 1,700 meters or 5577 feet, arriving to our camp site you can have a rest and enjoy a rewarding lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking Tim: Approximately 8 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails
Today you will begin the trekking for 4 hours descending through the Inca Channel that will lead us to the archaeological center of Paucarcancha.
Continuing with the trek you are going to visit the archaeological place named Paucarcancha then you will get into the valley of Cusichaca, where you are going to enjoy the lunch and meet with the support staff (the porters), from this point you are going to get into Inka trail and finally this is the fort camp site where you are having overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking Time: Approximately 8hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails and stairs
At around 5:00 - 5:30 am after you wake up, the breakfast will be ready; today we will start our trekking with a steep ascent towards the highest pass named Abra Warmi Huañusca also known as Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 masl. From this place you are going to begin the descent To the Pacaymayu camp site (3550 meters).
On the way down of the pass we will be able to see lots of hummingbirds and other birds. Also, we will have time to appreciate an incredible variety of native plants such as the Polylepis or Q'ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650 meters.
We will reach the campsite of Pacaymayo; you should feel proud of reaching the top! Of the pass which is very high, after resting at this place you will enjoy a lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trekking Tim: Approximately 8.30 hours
Walk and Terrain: Walk on narrow trails
In our opinion, this is the most impressive day! We will wake up for breakfast around 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning Town in the Clouds) and to reach the third highest point on the trail at 3680 meters). From this place you will be able to have amazing views of the mountains and canyons, the surrounding area is spectacular.
The Inca site, Phuyupatamarca is located a few minutes walk from the third pass after visiting this we’ll continue walking (3000 steps!) through the cloud forest and the impressive agricultural Inca.
We’ll arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2680 meters). Today we will walk only for about 4 to 5 hours and have arrived to camp by lunch time! A short distance.
This campsite is the Inca site with the same name, Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Even if you are tired after your day’s trek; don’t miss out on visiting the most impressive sites on the trail.
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Machu Picchu town by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train by 4:22pm to the Ollantaytambo Train Station where you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco arriving around 8:30pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 6kms/3.7mls
Difficulty: Moderate
At around 4:00 am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 7 on the Inca trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey; we will go at 6:00 am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we will enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”.
From there we will proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.
You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price).
• Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
• Other optional activities in Machu Picchu Town includes a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.
*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.
*** We take ITEP Eco Travel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.
End of our Services
For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org or by WhatsApp (+51) 970 506 205 and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.
Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:
"Inka Trail Expeditions Perú is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”
NOTE: Inka Trail Expeditions Perú, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.
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5/5 stars
We did the 4D, 3 nights Inca Trail with Jorge the first week of December 2024. The tour was incredible with beautiful views along the way and of course a worthwhile final destination. The Inca Trail team was great and our guide was very knowledgeable the only thing to note was that we wish that the...
5/5 stars
I recently completed the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish. The communication with the company ITEP beforehand was outstanding—every question was answered promptly and clearly, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into the...
5/5 stars
An experience not to be missed. The challenges and beauty of the Inca Trail were enhanced by our guide Iza. Her patience as well as her gentle and encouraging manner were such a blessing during our more trying moments. Her keen eye for the beauty of nature was a gift on this once in a lifetime trek....
