Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail Hike 7 Days - Orange Nation Peru

Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail Hike 7 Days

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From $997

OVERVIEW

The Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek is the best route for those travelers who wish to get off the beaten track and experience a wilderness trek but still see all of the archeological wonders and historical significance of the original Inca Trail. It is a wonderful trek taking you right from the watershed of the Apurimac River to the Urubamba River and around the stunning Mount Salkantay, which is the second largest mountain in Cusco region at 6,277m/20,577ft. This spectacular trail twists and turns, ascending through high mountain ranges and descending down steep valleys, passing through pockets of misty cloud forest. You will experience the wildest landscapes and the wonder of the oldest traditions and finest archeological sites, a number of diverse ecological zones filled with an astounding variety of plants and bird life. The ancient and remote foot path takes you through archeological sites, on your way to the architectural and cultural grandeur of Machu Picchu itself.

This trek essentially provides 3  of the most sort after tours  in Cusco. The Salkantay Trek, Humantay Lake and the Inca Trail.

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Service Level: Standard-comfortable mid-tier accommodation. Comfortable camping with private chef and portable toilet. Modern vehicles with private driver.
Physical Rating: Some steep inclines at high altitudes, that can be regarded as strenuous. With sufficient pre-trail training, its easily achievable.
Travel Style: Hiking, trekking, 1 night mid-tier hotel (option to upgrade) and camping.
Group Size: Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5.

MAP


ITINERARY

Your Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at 5am when we pick you up at your hotel in our private van and drive to the trailhead at Soraypampa.

Along the way, you pass through two picturesque indigenous villages called Iscuchaca and Limatambo. For practically the whole journey you will be accompanied by spectacular views and stunning valleys as the snow-capped mountain peak of Salkantay guides you on your way.

Once we reach the trailhead in Soraypampa, we power up with breakfast while admiring the breathtaking views of the mountain glaciers of Humantay (19,356ft/5900,m) and Salkantay (20,396ft/6215m) that surround the village.

We begin a 2.5 hour round-trip uphill hike to visit the turquoise Humantay Lake, one of the most famous attractions in all of Peru. Once you have had your fill of this incredible lake, we take about one and a half hours to ascend to Salkantaypampa.

Here you will find appetizers and hot drinks waiting for you, with an incredible view right in front of the majestic glacier. On arrival, our horsemen will have camp already set up. To end the day, we gather in our dining tent for a scrumptious dinner before settling into our tents for our first night under the stars.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 13kms/8.1 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Your guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy in your tent before emerging for breakfast. Today, we start by walking for about 3 hours uphill, veering off the popular route and carving our own path out away from the crowds.

We stop to have lunch along the way and continue our trek for 3 more hours until we reach our campsite, which is approximately a kilometer away from the snow-capped mountain Salkantay.

On the way, we will enjoy the magnificent views of all the surrounding snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and amazing valleys. We have afternoon tea and appetizers and a little time to unwind before dinner.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 14kms/8.7 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Enjoy another hot drink in your sleeping bag before your tasty and hearty breakfast, preparing you for the day to come. Our day begins with a slow uphill climb of approximately 4 hours to reach the Incachiriaska Pass (4,880m/16,010ft) which translates to “the place where the Inca cools down.”

Around this area in the rocky crags lives the Andean Condor, the world’s largest flying bird. Your guide will help you keep an eye in the sky, hoping to get a glimpse of this majestic bird. From here, the trail levels off downhill and we reach our campsite for the night at Sisaypampa.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate

After a delicious breakfast, we say goodbye to our horsemen. From this point, your camping equipment will be carried by your porters.*** We start hiking towards the end of the valley, which enters a wider valley called Pampacahua.

There, we find an Inca Canal that is still in full use by the local farming settlements. At the end of the Pampa, we pass our first Inca archeological site named Paucarcancha, and shortly after we arrive at Wayllabamba for lunch.

At this point, you are on the Classic Inca Trail, walking in the footsteps of the Inca! After another hearty and delicious lunch, we walk for 3 more hours through the Llullucha Valley to reach our campsite at Llulluchapampa, where we enjoy our afternoon tea surrounded by expansive mountain views.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 11kms/6.8 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate

***On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.

Early in the morning we have breakfast then start our climb. Today we will spend about 2 hours following an original Inca path as we trek up to the Warmiwañusqa Pass, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,217m/14,047ft.

From here we have a magnificent view back down the valley we just climbed and of the trail ahead of us. We head down from the pass, still on the Inca Trail. In some places the stonework of the path has been reconstructed to ensure your safety.

We continue the descent to the Pacaymayu River where we will have lunch. Afterwards, we walk uphill for 2 more hours towards Runcurakay Pass (3,977m/13,127ft). From this vantage point, we enjoy the unbelievable views of all the surrounding mountains.

We continue our descent for 3 more hours to Phuyupatamarca (3,650m/12,047ft), where we will make camp for the night.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 16kms/9.9 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

Today is the most beautiful day of our trek. We have our breakfast early and watch the sunrise over the Urubamba Canyon, Machu Picchu Mountain and the stunning Peruvian landscape, dotted with Inca ruins.

After that, we descend for 2 hours through a mystical cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, where we stop for lunch. Then, we walk for 1 hour to the Sun Gate, from here you can enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu and all the surrounding mountains.

Once you have had your fill of the view from up here, we descend to Machu Picchu Citadel. We enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu from the top through the “Guards House” where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu.

As your pilgrimage draws to a close with the sight of the citadel, take your time to drink in the view before we take a shuttlebus back down to Aguas Calientes. Here we enjoy a final dinner together before enjoying a night in a real bed in a hotel.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
  • 3* Accommodation: Hotel Ferre Machu Picchu
  • Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there in time to watch the sunrise over the valley.

It is a truly extraordinary site, almost guaranteed to to be a highlight of your trip and the perfect way to begin the final day of this trip. You will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel and your guide will share plenty of history about the site.

After your tour, those who have an advanced booking for an extra mountain hike (Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Huchuy Picchu) will have time to complete the peak and enjoy the view on your own.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can enjoy lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, as it follows the spectacular Urubamba River. Once you arrive back in Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station. From here, you will be taken back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

  • Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
  • Difficulty: Easy

***IMPORTANT:

  • On the 4 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
  • You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
  • Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done by booking time.
  • The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

Prices

The Salkantay & Inca trail Trek is available on any date that is best suited to you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!

PRICE: $997 USD per person with 3* hotel $977 USD per person without hotel

Personal pack horse and porter included!

***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs. We will provide you a duffel bag in which you may put your things.

***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.

DISCOUNTS

  • 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for 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.

EXTRAS

  • Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (They are steam cleaned after every trek)
  • Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
  • Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
  • Personal tent- $30 USD – (Tent for solo trekkers only)
  • Additional Night in Aguas Calientes– From $60 USD (depending on availability)
  • Vistadome Train Upgrade -$57 USD per person (Return only)
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain -$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your trek)
  • Single supplement-$35 USD per night (for solo travelers with single room)

**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does 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.

ADDED VALUE WITH SAM TRAVEL PERU

  • EXTRA PACK HORSE AND PORTER:*** you will receive a small duffel bag at your briefing held the evening before you start the trek.
  • BOILED WATER – for drinking provided after the meals along the entire trek
  • SMALL GROUPS – average group 4 to 6 with a maximum of 8 hikers
  • FLUENT ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
  • DUFFEL BAG – for your belongings
  • CAMPING PILLOW AND FOAM MATTRESS

***Please note: On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.


Inclusions

WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THE SALKANTAY & INCA TRAIL TREK?

  • Free airport transfer from the airport to your hotel
  • Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
  • Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
  • Entrance fee to the Inca Trail
  • Entry fee to Machu Picchu
  • English speaking, experienced professional guide
  • Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Comfortable tents (sleeping 2 people in a 4 person tent)
  • All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent
  • All the gear for our porters and cook
  • 3 Bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
  • First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Expedition Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
  • Porters, horseman and pack horses, to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kilos of your personal items such as extra clothes, you need to include the sleeping bag in the 7kgs,
  • Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
  • Comfortable foam mattress and camping pillow
  • Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
  • Oxygen Cylinder
  • Taxes

***On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE SALKANTAY TREKKING & INCA TRAIL?

  • Sleeping bag 15°C -$20 USD
  • Air Mattress -$20 USD
  • Walking Poles -$15 USD
  • Hotel before and after the trek
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Flight tickets
  • Lunch on the last day
  • Entry to Huayna Picchu -$75 USD
  • Vistadome – $57
  • Extra activities such as zip line and barbecues
  • Additional horse for extra personal luggage in addition to the one provided for your personal items allowance
  • Optional upgrade (train and hotel)
  • Tips for the cook, horsemen and guide (ORANGE NATION’s staff receive fair wages immediately after they end their trip. However they greatly appreciate the tips.)

**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does 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.


WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU ?

  • Original  Passport: (Must be the same you used for booking your trek)
  • Valid, University Card (ISIC card): (Only if you booked as a student)
  • Good Daypack: One with extra room for a box lunch (the smaller, the better)
  • Water: 2-3L (Camelbak bladders are encouraged)
  • Boots: Comfortable broken in hiking boots or shoes (Boots with ankle support recommended).
  • Sleeping Bag: 4 season bag (can be rented from ORANGE NATION)
  • Headlamp or flashlight: Headlamp frees up hands (Back-up flashlight & batteries are recommended)
  • Toilet paper: Make sure to bring your own.

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG ?

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and  INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 lbs. including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.

  • Warm clothes
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • Quick dry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer your own
  • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to freshen up
  • Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
  • Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us for $20USD

TOILETRIES

  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DAY BACKPACK ?

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 – 40 Liters for hiking. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

  • Drinking Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal. Please bring your canteens or bottles
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Rain gear
  • Snacks like chocolate bars,  cereal bars, protein bars
  • Coca leaves
  • Rain plastic poncho
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail Hike 7 Days
From USD $997

Why travel with Orange Nation Peru?

We have become the leaders in small group adventure travel over the past three decades by consistently listening to our travelers and delivering what they desire: adaptable itineraries, the freedom to explore, smaller group sizes, safety and peace of mind, and knowledgeable local guides who provide unique insights into the destination that would be missed through any other means of travel.

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EXPERT GUIDES : Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry - they are our secret to success

SMALL GROUPS: Travelling with us will always feel like going with friends and not with a group of strangers in an organized tour.

OUR EXPERIENCE: With fifteen years’ experience and over 25 Packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition.

ENVIRONMENTAL: Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.

Travelers' Choice Awards 2023
Excellent based on 360 reviews
Triadvisor

Letty C

Excellent worker

Jun. 2023

Joaquín excellent 👍 Very Caballero helped me with my 🎒 offered me oxygen does very well His work ⁇ in singing to Subme to the 🐎 And what a beautiful mountain it cost me to Climb but with the Joaquín's help I did!

Mariana D

A great adventure!

May. 2023

We made 4D / 3N of the Inka Trail. The experience was challenging, but it was worth it. Chef Fortunato's meals and explanations of Jony and David's places were very complete. Tmb the patience to make sure we all get there on time.

malala08

Fast and friendly service

Dec. 2022

We did not get to specify the service due to the political situation in the country, however the company quickly and carefully proceeded with the return. Very good service and when the situation calms down we will resume service with them.

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