Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail 5 Days
Location
Salkantay and Inca Trail
Duration
5 days
Altitude
4,630 m (15,190 ft)
Group Size
Group tours available
Transportation
Private bus, train, bus
Difficulty
Private bus, train, bus
Itinerary
Highlight of the day: Get up close to the magnificent sacred mountains of Humantay and Salkantay.
An unbelievable day filled with the majesty of Salkantay.
We will begin our journey by picking you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 4:45 am. In our private transport from Ayni Expeditions, we’ll travel for 3 hours to Soraypampa, where we’ll enjoy the first breakfast prepared by our chef.
During the journey, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful Salkantay and Humantay mountains, as well as the lush green vegetation and fields cultivated by local families growing beans, quinoa, potatoes, etc.
The hike will begin at Soraypampa (3,800 m/12,467 ft). We’ll meet our support staff, who will prepare everything for the Salkantay Trek and load the gear onto the horses.
We’ll first hike to the wonderful Humantay Lake, where you’ll have time to relax and take photographs. Then, we’ll descend back to Soraypampa to officially start the hike.
It will be a challenging day, as we’ll hike to Ichupata (4,300 m / 14,104 ft) in the upper valley, which will take approximately 5 to 6 hours.
We’ll stop for lunch at Salkantaypampa and then continue to Ichupata to set up camp for the night. Afterward, we’ll enjoy happy hour and a delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,750 m / 15,584 ft
Campsite Altitude: 4,750 m / 15,584 ft
Highlight of the day: Enjoy the most beautiful landscape imaginable near vast glaciers.
Adventure with Ayni Expeditions through Andean landscapes.
In the morning, our porters will wake us up with coca tea, followed by a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. After breakfast, it’s time to start the most challenging, yet exciting hike. Along with your guide, you’ll reach the Inca Pass Chiriasca (4,850 m / 15,908 ft) at a relaxed pace to enjoy the stunning views of the glacial mountains. Once at the top, there will be hot coca tea, views of the valley and lakes, and even sightings of birds such as condors and falcons.
Next, you can either descend or take an optional 30-minute hike to a glacier. We’ll continue our hike to the lunch spot, where our porters will be waiting with traditional hot tea and a delicious meal. For the rest of the day, we’ll hike downhill through green valleys and streams, eventually arriving at Paucarcancha, a small village of 10 families, where we’ll set up camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Highest Altitude: 4,850 m / 15,908 ft
Campsite Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,136 ft
Highlight of the day: Experience the change in climates and step onto the Inca Trail.
Explore the Sacred Valley along the Vilcanota River (Willkamayu).
Today will be an interesting day as we leave the Salkantay Trek to join the Classic Inca Trail. We’ll start with a 2-hour downhill hike from Paucarcancha (3,133 m / 10,276 ft) to Wayllabamba (3,323 m / 10,901 ft), discovering one of the Inca sites along the way.
We’ll continue for another 5 hours downhill to Km 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail. Along the way, you’ll pass the Inca site of Llactapata, the first archaeological site of the Inca Trail. Here, our chef will prepare a delicious lunch.
After lunch, our private vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,158 ft), where we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes the following day.
Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel and relax before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles
Walking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Highest Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,136 ft
Hotel Altitude: 2,792 m / 9,158 ft
Highlight of the day: Explore the stunning landscapes of the tropical jungle while visiting archaeological sites and enjoying breathtaking views of Machu Picchu.
Explore ancient Inca paths with amazing views.
Your adventure with Ayni Expeditions begins early, with a pick-up from your hotel at 5:00 am. We’ll walk to the train station and board the first train to Km 104, the start of our hike. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of the Andean mountains, sacred fields, and the Urubamba River, while basking in the warmth of the morning sun. Before the hike, there will be a brief explanation from the guide, a box lunch, and snacks for later.
We’ll begin with a section similar to the Classic Inca Trail, visiting the first archaeological site nearby: Chachabamba. This strategic site was a checkpoint for those accessing the Inca Trail. Your guide will briefly share fascinating insights into Inca history.
From here, we’ll hike for another 3 hours to Wiñay Wayna. Surrounded by wonderful vegetation and high mountains, the views of the valley are incredible.
At Wiñay Wayna, you’ll have enough time to relax and connect with nature, breathing in the fresh air. A bit further, we’ll reach one of the Classic Inca Trail camps. Here, we’ll enjoy a delicious box lunch, followed by some relaxation.
Next, we’ll continue hiking to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Enjoy your first incredible views of Machu Picchu before descending to Aguas Calientes. We’ll check into our hotel, have dinner at a local restaurant, and rest for our visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
Meals: Snacks, Box Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Walking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Highest Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
Hotel Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Highlight of the day: Walk through the cobblestone streets of Machu Picchu and imagine what life was like centuries ago.
Marvel at the energy of Machu Picchu and uncover Inca secrets.
Your epic journey culminates today with a visit to the New Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes before departing early. We’ll take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site, arriving before the crowds. This way, you can take advantage of the morning light and see the first rays of sunlight shining on the massive ancient rocks.
At the hotel, you can leave your backpacks or personal items while visiting Machu Picchu—just take what’s essential. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes about 30 minutes. Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will take you directly to the best spot to see the sunrise (weather permitting) and take photos. Then, your expert local guide will explain the main sectors of the citadel during a 2.5-hour tour. You’ll learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.
You can hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain (advance reservation required, as spots sell out quickly, and it costs $75 per person). The hike lasts no longer than 2 hours round trip. Alternatively, you can hike to Machu Picchu Mountain. This hike is more tiring and challenging, taking a minimum of 3 hours round trip (with an additional cost of $75 per person).
After exploring this magical place from start to finish, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a restaurant of your choice. In the afternoon, around 2 pm, we’ll head to the train station for the trip to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel.
Now it’s time to rest your legs after an epic 8-day adventure through the mountains and jungle. We are confident you’ll never forget this life-changing trek.
Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
Machu Picchu Site Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Machu Picchu Mountain Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Huayna Picchu Mountain Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
Optional Activities (Difficulty – Duration): Moderate (2-4 hours)
Include
Permits and Entrance Tickets
Permits and Tickets for the Salkantay Trek
Permits and Tickets for the Inca Trail
As soon as we receive your full information and the deposit that secures your reservation, we will purchase all the necessary permits (subject to availability). These permits are issued for a specific date and will be in your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Passport number changes are only allowed for renewal purposes. In that case, you must bring both your old and new passports.
Entrance to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Zone (Circuit 3)
High-quality service and security.
Pre-Departure Information
You will meet with your tour guide and group at our office for a briefing before your hike. We will provide you with a Duffel Bag, which our muleteers will carry on horseback. This bag must not exceed 8 kg (14 lbs) and should include your sleeping bag and inflatable mattress if you have chosen to rent or bring one. The meeting will take place at 5:00 pm the night before your trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide
Official English and Spanish-speaking tour guides. All of our guides are graduates of the Tourism program at the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, overwhelming passion for exploration, and sincere desire to proudly share our culture and history. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion for teaching others about their heritage. They are fun and professional, and they will ensure you stay safe and happy!
First Aid Kit
All Ayni Expeditions guides have received specialized first aid training. We conduct mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to handle basic emergencies (altitude sickness, traveler's diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we will evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and ensure you reach a clinic for treatment.
Private Camping Equipment
All equipment will be carried by our team of porters and muleteers.
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Tents: Spacious dining tents where you can enjoy your meals comfortably.
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Tables, chairs, and cooking utensils
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Portable toilet
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Sleeping mat
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Duffel Bag
During the hike, you can carry personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lbs (this weight includes your sleeping bag). -
Inflatable mattress
Our camping mattresses will help you sleep comfortably while camping!
Extras Included in Our Service
We believe that attention to the small details sets us apart from other local companies. You will receive a backpack cover to protect your bag during the hike and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service
We provide 24/7 phone service to facilitate communication with Ayni Expeditions before your hike.
Satellite Phone
Although our guides can handle most first aid issues that arise during the trek, some may need more attention. All guides carry a fully charged satellite phone when they leave for the trek. Being a call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend gives everyone the peace of mind of knowing that they are safe. Radios, which all of our guides have, have limited range, so Ayni Expeditions includes this feature to ensure we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain. Our clients can also use them for non-emergency situations. While they are not economical to use, they are available in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
Accommodation
- 3 Nights of Camping: Ayni Expeditions uses the best tents to ensure your safety and comfort (such as Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents).
- 1 Night in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes: You will spend one night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, with luggage storage service while you visit Machu Picchu. Accommodation is in double, twin, and triple rooms.
Meals
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners. Our chef prepares the best dishes in the mountains. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets: vegetarian, vegan, and special menus are available at no additional cost, so let us know if you have any dietary restrictions on your booking form and remind your guide during the briefing. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks and snacks.
Water for the Hike
From the first lunch to the last breakfast, Ayni Expeditions will provide you with all the water you need. We will provide boiled, filtered, and cooled water. You must bring a camelback (hydration pack) or an empty bottle. We recommend a 2-liter capacity. You will be able to fill your bottles during each meal.
Wake-Up Tea
Every morning at the camp, you will be woken up with a hot cup of coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent to warm you up from the inside before starting the day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour
Every afternoon, before dinner, the chefs will provide popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won’t have to wait until dinner to relax and warm up! And enjoy a snack!
Daily Snacks on the Trail
Before starting your hike, your tour guide will provide you with a cloth bag containing local fruits, cookies, chocolates, candies, etc. Each morning, we will refill it so you can enjoy your snacks during the hike.
A Cloth Bag for Snacks per Person
To avoid using plastic bags that pollute our environment, we provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks.
Hygiene Products
You will be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to wash your hands.
Transportation
- Tourist Transport:
- Day 1: We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and travel in private transport to Challacancha, the breakfast point and the starting point of the hike.
- Day 4: Consettur Bus ticket for the descent from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5: Consettur Bus ticket for the ascent and descent between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Day 5: Transport from the Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
- Tourist Train:
- Day 5: Train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (Expedition Service).
- Day 5: Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition Service).
- Personal Effects Transport:
Mules will carry all the camping gear and permitted luggage (7 kg / 15.4 lbs) on Days 1, 2, and 3. Our muleteers will be responsible for your duffel bag and personal items and will deliver them to you at each camp.
Extras
We believe it’s the attention to small details that sets us apart from other travel companies. As mentioned earlier, each trekker will receive:
- Small pillow for sleeping.
- Sponge mattress for sleeping on top of the ground.
- Backpack cover to protect your bag from rain, dust, and dirt.
- Rain poncho.
- T-shirt: Once you finish the Salkantay Trek, you will receive our iconic Salkantay Trek t-shirt.
- Hot water bottles every day to help our clients freshen up and feel good in the evening.
- We enjoy a happy hour every evening to relax, rest, and talk about the events of the day.
- We work very hard to create your best vacation.
Taxes and Fees
All taxes and permit fees associated with this hike are included in our price. There are no hidden charges.
The Ayni Difference
While the following list is less tangible, it is equally important and part of everything we do and include at Ayni Expeditions.
- Ethical and responsible treatment of our porters: Most people could not handle the challenges of these treks without the porters who help with all the heavy lifting, preparations, and encouragement. They are the backbone of our company and the reason Silvio Tunqui founded Ayni Expeditions. He started in this industry as a porter and understands their needs better than anyone. We are committed to providing a better life for every member of Team Ayni. This includes better wages that allow them to live without needing to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide them with all the equipment, including warm jackets, proper hiking boots, backpacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags, mattresses, and tents. We also support their families by helping their local schools, bringing doctors and dentists to visit their families, and planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects, and over 300 porters on our team appreciate it.
- Porters' Journey: We love meeting all our clients, but our favorite trips are when our porters and their families become our clients. While our porters walk to Machu Picchu dozens of times a year, they never enter the famous citadel. We do 4 trips a year to take our team to explore the ruins, allowing them to spend two days touring the important sites and letting them touch and see the history of their ancestors.
- Equality Matters: Another great difference is that we believe everyone is equal, and every person brings something different and beautiful to our team. We’ve always had female guides, female porters, and female cooks in our team since 2022. While the figures are still not equal, we hope that the day will come when we have 50/50 male and female workers in the mountains as part of the Ayni Expeditions team.
- Sustainable and Responsible Tour Operator: Ayni Expeditions is far ahead of our competitors when it comes to being a sustainable tour operator. We respect our planet by ensuring no trace is left behind on any of our treks. We even include an additional porter to help clean up the trash left by other groups. We use local products that are biodegradable and organic whenever possible.
Not Include
- Sleeping Bag: You can rent one from our company if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-shaped and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after each use and have a maximum of 30 uses.
US$ 20.00 per person
- Trekking Poles: Trekking poles (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rugged terrain and for ascending and descending. You can rent a set from our company if you wish.
US$ 20.00 per person
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Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco (Day 5)
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our Staff
It’s customary to leave a tip on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to all our team members, extra tips are always appreciated, especially considering their hard work. Typically, group participants pool their tips and distribute them among the porters and cooks. -
Additional Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control
Landslides, poor weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, illness, pandemics, changes in government policies, political instability, strikes, force majeure, etc.
Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain)
Huayna Picchu is the mountain located to the north of Machu Picchu. To reach the summit, you will need to hike for 45 minutes, starting from a dense forest and then ascending by stairs. These stairs can be challenging for those who are afraid of heights.
If you're not afraid of heights, you can do this hike after your tour of Machu Picchu. The additional cost is $75. Reservations must be made at least a month in advance, due to the popularity of this site. Lastly, we ask for your understanding regarding the weather, which is beyond our control.
Recommendation
Is the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail suitable for me?
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail and is better suited for more adventurous hikers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances. The ascent to the famous Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) is not too strenuous or steep, as it is at the beginning of the trek. Still, it requires stamina and some time in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the trek.
How many days do I need to acclimatize in Cusco before starting the Salkantay Trek?
It is very important to be well acclimatized to the altitude before embarking on a trek. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before your trek to adjust and avoid possible altitude sickness during the hike.
If you have already been to another high-altitude area in Peru before arriving in Cusco, we still recommend taking a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travels, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city before starting your trek.
Here are some suggested activities to do around Cusco before beginning your adventure hike:
- City Tour of Cusco
- Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Maras Moray Tour
- South Valley
- Qeswachaka Tour
Pre-Trek Meeting or Briefing
All briefings and orientation sessions take place at our main office in Cusco (or at your hotel) at 5:00 pm the evening before the trek begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you are unable to attend, you must arrange another time via email, phone, or in the Ayni Expeditions office.
Balance Payment for the Trek (in Cusco)
If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 2 days before your trek/excursion. Otherwise, your booking will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could pay the remaining balance for the trek/excursion in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from several ATMs located along Avenida Sol, which offer US dollars and Peruvian soles. Alternatively, you can pay with a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL charge a 5% service fee. We regret to inform you that we cannot accept bank checks or traveler’s checks for the balance payment.
Duffel Bag
You will receive a duffel bag during your briefing. Our porters will carry this bag along the route, and it will be handed to you at each camp. It measures 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 inches).
A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lbs is allowed per duffel bag, including your sleeping bag, mat, clothes, and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage in your office?
Of course!
During the trek, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can arrange this with us on the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment you don’t need for the trek can be securely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels provide this service. Do not leave valuables with your luggage; store them in the hotel safe and ask for a detailed receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require a copy of the receipt detailing everything). It’s best to place items such as credit cards inside a sealed and signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Hotel Pick-Up
Ayni Expeditions can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it is in the Historic Center of Cusco.
Your guide will coordinate the pick-up time during the briefing, but please note that the time may vary by 30 to 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is an ancient city, which means it has many narrow cobblestone streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without vehicle access or on long, steep hills, making it difficult to transport luggage.
For this reason, we highly recommend booking accommodation with good access.
Group Travel on the Salkantay Trek
Group trips consist of people with different physical conditions and ages, so some participants may be faster or slower than others. By agreeing to join a group tour, you also accept that some people may walk at a different pace. Therefore, everyone can go at their own pace on the trail.
You may notice that the group wants to modify the itinerary; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all participants, whether such modifications are possible.
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Returning from Machu Picchu requires a bit of logistics, but don’t worry, everything is included in your tour!
At Machu Picchu, you will board a bus that will take you for 25 minutes to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Buses board according to arrival time.
In Aguas Calientes, you will board a train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will provide the train tickets, which will show the boarding time. Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes early. The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified by Ayni Expeditions attire, will be waiting to take you back to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1.5 hours.
In Cusco, depending on your hotel’s location, we will take you in a smaller vehicle (Hyundai H1 or Sprinter) for a quicker transfer to your hotel.
Strikes and Demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, which may disrupt some of our tours. Roads may be blocked, and train tracks may be occupied. However, we will try to maintain your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
In such situations, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our top priority, and we will make decisions to protect you.
Lost Items
Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings, remember to take everything when leaving our transport, tents, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your items during the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail are recommended for adventurers with some hiking experience. The treks involve high altitudes and long distances, so it’s important to be physically prepared and acclimatize before starting.
We recommend spending at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco before starting the trek to properly acclimatize to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness during the hike.
The trek includes transportation, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), camping equipment, professional guides, and permits for Machu Picchu. You’ll also have a private guide, camping gear, and snacks along the trail.
Yes, you can store your main luggage at our office or at your hotel in Cusco. You only need to bring essentials for the trek.
Strikes and disruptions are possible in Peru. While we try to keep everything on schedule, in case of changes, we will coordinate with you and make necessary adjustments to ensure your safety and comfort.
TALK TO AN SPECIALIST
One of our specialists will respond to your travel request as soon as possible.
