Salkantay Trek + Short Inca Trail

You’ll be up nice and early today to be ready for us to pick you up around 4:00 a.m. You’ll travel in our comfy transportation with blankets to enjoy a bit more sleep on the drive. After 2 hours, we’ll enjoy a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. We’ll then continue to Challacancha, where we’ll start our hike.

First, you’ll meet the cooks and horse riders, as well as do the final equipment check. Then, we’ll be on our way. You’ll start with a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we’ll be spending our first night. The first section is relatively flat with a slight bit of uphill through a deep valley of glaciers. You’ll notice that a lot of the trail follows a restored Inca water channel, which local farmers still make use of today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 mi overall.

Once you get to Soraypampa, you’ll get settled in at our exclusive Sky Camp, where you’ll sleep this evening. You’ll have a bit of time to rest after enjoying your first lunch in the mountains. Feeling refreshed, it’ll be time to start the hike up to the incredibly beautiful Humantay Lake (4,200 m /13,780 ft).

This round trip takes about 3 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 mi. It’s not fair, but you need to take things slowly at this altitude. You’ll have some time once you get to the lake to enjoy the fantastic scenery. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as the turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale!

Back at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner with a beautiful sunset as your company. You can’t describe the energy here, but you’ll feel its peacefulness for yourself once here. Then it’ll be time to turn into your Sky Camp igloo. From the glass roof, you’ll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations, and comets and wake up to see the Apu Salkantay watching over you.

You’ll be woken up today at the first signs of daylight with an energizing cup of coca tea to get you going. Enjoy a nourishing breakfast before we set off on our trek to the route’s highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). You’ll be walking 7 km / 4.34 mi over 3 hours. It’s a difficult ascent up the ‘trail of the 7 Snakes’ rightly named due to its winding path.

Once you reach the top, you’ll appreciate the most magnificent view over the surrounding valleys as well as Salkantay Mountain sitting right next to you (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), which is the second-highest in the Cusco region and one of the Apus (Inca Gods). You can also observe Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains. After you’ve taken in the views and enjoyed a rest, you’ll start the 7 km / 4.35 mi walk downhill to the lunch spot in Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), from where you can enjoy fantastic views.

This section of the trail is rocky and gravely, and you get some beautiful views down into the valley below. After a re-energizing lunch, you’ll be entering the edge of the Amazon jungle, also known as the ‘cloud forest.’ This part is 9.5 km / 5.9 mi and takes around three and a half hours. Along the way, you get to enjoy a magical tropical forest and witness how quickly and dramatically the landscape changes from the Andes to the Amazon. You’ll spot colorful scenery, unique wildlife, and native plants. You’ll find the climate becomes much warmer here.

After your longest day of hiking, you’ll be pleased to reach our campsite at Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,678 ft). You’ll be served a hearty meal before hitting the hay in your Mountain Sky View for a peaceful night’s sleep in the small village. You’re sure to sleep well tonight!

Today you’ll be woken at 6:00 a.m. for your tea and then breakfast before setting off from the campsite. We’ll be walking through the Santa Teresa Valley. You’ll enjoy a more leisurely walk today with more downs than ups as you soak in the lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado.

We’ll pass through a small village named Collpapampa, and after descend through a valley where you’ll observe waterfalls, birds, hot springs, fruit trees, and plenty of flora and fauna. You might be lucky enough to see the national bird of Peru, the ‘Cock of the Rock.’

In La Playa, we’ll devour a tasty lunch before we head to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), just another hour away. That’ll be our camp for the night. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the tropical surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm - especially perfect for those who are coffee lovers. Even if you’re not partial to the odd cup of Joe, the smell in the air is delightful. This is the main farming industry in the jungle, and they export products to the US, Asia, and across Europe. You’ll also visit avocado and orange plantations.

Once you’re ready for bed, after dinner, of course, you’ll be settling down for the night in another one of our exclusive campsites, the Jungle Domes. As you drift off, you’ll be able to hear the many sounds of nature and feel at one with the earth as you gaze up at the stars through the top of the dome in your comfy bed.

You’ll be eager to put on your hiking boots for your last day of trekking after you’ve filled up on fuel for breakfast. This morning you’ll be able to walk along a bit of the original, world-famous Inca Trail! After a 2 hour uphill climb and fascinating views over the Santa Teresa Valley, you’ll reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu.

Llactapata is the first Inca site you’ll see on the trek, and you’ll learn all about the mysteries of the ancient culture and the extraordinary site. You even get to have your first exciting glance of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from here. Your guide will fill you in on all the history of the Incas while you take all the photos you want to share your fantastic experiences with friends and family back home.

Afterward, you’ll walk downhill for 1:30 hours, where you get another couple of peeks at the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, along the way - only making your anticipation for tomorrow stronger. We stop for lunch in Aobamba before we continue, for a half-hour, to Hidroeléctrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft). One of the most impressive sites in this section is the 250- meter-tall artificial waterfall, which generates electricity for the entire city of Cusco.

Once in Hidroelectrica, you have a couple of options: 1) If you’re tired out after all the trekking, you can opt to board a train to Aguas Calientes (US$ 37.00 extra). 2) If you want to enjoy the last stretch of the trek, you can enjoy the flat walk along the side of the tracks to Aguas Calientes, which takes around 3 hours. It’ll be one more chance to enjoy your warm jungle surroundings as you hike.

Along the way, you’ll see Intihuatana, an ancient rock the Incas used as a sundial, which worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu. These were used to measure and read the winter solstice, meaning the beginning of the farming season for the Incas. Next, you’ll reach the train tracks that lead to Aguas Calientes. Once in the small town, you’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Note: During the rainy season, the hike up the Llactapata Trail isn’t 100% guaranteed due to safety concerns. When there’s frequent heavy rain, this trail can become very dangerous.

Your adventure begins today nice and early as you’ll be picked up from your accommodation at 5:00 a.m. approx. You’ll then walk for around one and a half hours to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail. You can see the golden sun covering the expansive Andean mountains and the Urubamba River along the railway. We’ll provide you with your box lunch and a snack for you to enjoy later on.

The hike starts on the same path as the Classic Inca Trail. You’ll be immersed in the stunning landscape as you’re surrounded by lush vegetation and towering mountains watching over you. After a short while, we’ll reach our first Inca archaeological site on the trek, Chachabamba, and learn a little about it from our guide.

After another 3 hours, we get to one of the fascinating Inca sites, the Wiñay Wayna complex (meaning 'forever young' in Quechua) that sits at 2,650 m / 8,694 ft. Most trekkers who stop here are amazed by the incredible architecture. You’ll explore the site and discover a ritual water source, temples dedicated to nature's forces, and beautiful agricultural platforms. Wiñay Wayna is the perfect place to learn a little more about the impressive history of the Incas.

While you’re at these sites, take some time to relax, unwind in peace, and connect to Mother Nature through birdsong and the soft whisper of the wind. You’ll spot the campsites where those doing the Classic Inca Trail spend the night a little further on. Here, you’ll have time to enjoy the tasty lunchbox we’ve prepared for you, chill out, and recharge your batteries.

Once you’re ready to go again, we’ll continue the hike to the Sun Gate, from where you get your first outstanding views of Machu Picchu and all its incredible architecture. You’ll be astounded at how the Incas were able to build such a site on a mountain. The landscape is very dreamy, and you’ll feel the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu that’s withstood the test of time amazingly. Use this opportunity to capture some unique photos and honor the Incas as you ponder how they were able to lift such big stones and try to understand their deep connection with nature.

We won’t be entering the citadel just yet, though. At this time of day, the tourists inside will be leaving, and you’ll be able to watch the magical golden light of the sun setting on the immense stone walls for some tranquility. You can look forward to tomorrow knowing that you’ll be exploring every inch of this masterpiece. For now, you’ll take an alternative path down to the exit, where you’ll board a bus that takes us to the small town of Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel. Before you rest your body for the night, we’ll grab some dinner in one of the town’s best restaurants. Make sure you get to sleep early as you’ll be rising before the sun does tomorrow.

After a well-deserved night’s rest, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Today, you’ll be wandering the mysterious streets of the majestic historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu! You’ll need to be up before sunrise to ensure you beat the crowds. You’ll take a short walk from your hotel to catch a bus that’ll take you on a 25-minute drive to the entrance of the Inca citadel. You’ll enter just before the sun comes up and paints the fortress with a gorgeous golden hue.

After soaking it all in and taking your first few photographs, you´ll tour the complex in a guided tour of an hour and a half and take amazing pictures of the place. Here, you´ll see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu and learn about its history. Once the tour is over, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (if you have booked tickets in advance); these tours will take you an hour and a half and three hours up and down, respectively.

When you’re ready to leave, it’ll be time to head back down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have a bit of time to select a restaurant of your choice for a bite to eat before catching a train. You’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo by train, and then a private bus will be there to pick you up and take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.

Now it’s time to enjoy a thoroughly deserved rest and put your feet up. Your trip might be over, but we assure you your heart will be thumping for many years to come as you look back fondly on your incredible adventure.