Combine the 2 most epic hikes in Peru, the Salkantay wilderness hike + the Iconic Classic Inca Trail, in a 6 days tour and arrive in Machu Picchu through the Sungate.
Salkantay and Inca Trail Expedition 6 days
The 6 Days Salkantay + Inca Trail to Machu Picchu allows you to combine the 2 most popular treks in Peru. Start this fantastic trek by visiting Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, and join the Classic Inca Trail at the Village of Wayllabamba. After 6-days of hiking in the mountains, you will arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. We have everyday departure with a minimum of 2 participants.
Trip details of the Salkantay + Inca Trail:
- Duration: 6 days/5 nights
- Depart: Soraypampa
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Season: March to December
- Destination: Machu Picchu
- Hiking Distance: 70 km – 43 miles
- Type: Adventure – Camping – History
Highlights:
- Book with Confidence and Flexibility
- Combine the 2 most popular hikes in Peru
- Arrive at Machu Picchu Through the Sun Gate (Intipunku)
- Return on the Exclusive Vistadome Panoramic Trains
Salkantay Inca Trail at a Glance:
Day 1: Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Salkantaypampa – Ichupata (15 km / 9.3 miles)
Start your trek around 4:30 am and drive for 3 hours to Soraypampa, visit Humantay Lake, and sleep in Ichupata, also known as Pampa Japonesa, right next to the great Salkantay mountain and next to a beautiful glacial lake.
Day 2: Ichupata – Sisaypampa – Canal Inca (13 km / 8 miles)
Wake up with a cup of coffee or coca tea and start walking to conquer the highest point of the expedition, the Inca chiriasca Pass, also known as the “Frozen Inca Pass.” Sleep near a small village.
Day 3: Canal Inca – Wayllabamba – Ayapata (15 km / 9.3 miles)
After breakfast, be ready to visit Paucar Cancha and follow the Inca Trail part. After some hours, you will reach Ayapata campsite. The first camp on the ancient path of the Incas.
Day 4: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Chaquicocha (16km / 9.9 miles)
Start your day on the Inca Trail and be ready to conquer two summits: Warmiwañuska Pass, also known as Dead woman's pass, and Runcuracay. Sleep in a comfortable tent in Chaquicocha.
Day 5: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna (10km / 6.2 miles)
After the last two passes, you can relax on this day and visit the Inca sites of Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Wiñaywayna. Sleep just 2 hours apart from Machu Picchu.
Day 6: Wiñaywayna – Machupicchu – Cusco (6km / 3.7 miles)
Wake up early and have the most fascinating day. Machu Picchu day has arrived, and you can enjoy the Inca Citadel in a guided tour of almost 3 hours. Enter by the sun gate and have the experience of seeing Machu Picchu's sunrise.
Included
- All transportation Included during the 6 days
- Duffle bag for 7 kilos for your stuff
- Mules and muleteers for Salkantay área
- Personal porter for Inca Trail Trek
- Admission tickets to Salkantay, Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu
- All meals included except last day’s lunch
- Tea time, wake-up tea, snacks, everyday
- 5 nights camping
- 4-man Eureka tent for each 2 trekkers
- Sleeping foam mattress, pillows, hot water bags, extra blankets
- Drinkable water every day
- Portable toilets, hot showers, and warm water to wash
- Souvenir t-shirt
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- All taxes and booking fees included
Not Included
- Sleeping bags, air mattresses, or trekking poles
- Last day lunch after Machu Picchu Tour
- Huayna Picchu mountain entrances (optional)
- Montaña Machu Picchu (optional – Only recommended if you stay an extra day in AC)
- Tips for porters, chefs, and guides (optional)
- Travel Insurance
Day 1: Soraypampa – Humantay lake – Salkantaypampa – Ichupata
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4.30 am and drive for 3 hours to Soraypampa, where breakfast is served below the amazing Humantay and Salkantay Mountain. After breakfast, you will start with a gentle uphill towards Humantay Lake and Salkantay mountain. Admire the magnificent view of the Vilcabamba Mountain range that separates the Andes from the cloud forest. The total hike to Ichupata (Also known as Pampa Japonesa) is approximately 8 hours. We will be camping below the great Salkantay mountain and next to a beautiful glacial lake.
- Approximate time: 8 hours
- Campsite altitude: 4280 m /14041 ft
- Considered: Moderate to Challenging
- Total distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
- Meals: B, L, D
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 2: Ichupata – Sisaypampa – Canal Inca
Wake up in your tent with a cup of coffee provided by the trekking team and prepare to conquer the highest point of the expedition, the Inca chiriasca Pass, also known as the “Frozen Inca Pass” (5100 meters / 16732 feet). After reaching the top, enjoy the stunning scenery while enjoying a cup of hot coca tea to help you adjust to the altitude. You will descend from the mountain pass to the Pampaccahuana Valley and follow the winding stream to the third campsite next to a small village.
- Total distance: (13 km / 8 miles)
- Approximate time: 8 hours
- Campsite altitude: 3670 m /12040 ft
- Considered: Challenging
- Meals: B, L, D
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 3: Canal Inca – Wayllabamba – Ayapata
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and then embark on a 3-hour downhill to the Inca ruins of Paucar Cancha (3143 meters/10410 feet), a beautiful archeological complex that is rarely visited. Lunch is served near the Inca sites, and this is where we meet our Inca Trail porters and say goodbye to our muleteers. Next, continue hiking for 30 minutes to Wayllabamba to visit another Inca site, check in at the second checkpoint of the Classic Inca Trail, and then hike an extra 2 hours to the fourth camp in Ayapata.
- Total distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
- Approximate time: 7 hours
- Campsite altitude: 3300m / 10826ft
- Considered: Moderate
- Meals: B, L, D
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 4: Ayapata – Warmiwañuska – Chaquicocha
This day, you will wake to a different sound than previous days; the porters in the Inca Trail usually start with early breakfast and then will wake you up to prepare for the most challenging day of the Inca Trail; we conquer 2 mountains: Death Women Pass, the highest of the trek with 4200m, and the second mountain called Runqurakay Pass with 4000m.
- Total distance: 16km / 9.9 miles
- Approximate time: 10 hours
- Campsite altitude: 3600m / 11811ft
- Considered: Moderate – Challenging
- Meals: B, L, D
- Camping
Day 5: Chaquiccocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñaywayna
After the Frozen Inca, Dead Women’s, and Runqurakay Pass, this day is easy to rest. The most pleasant day of the Inca Trail, only half-day hiking and afternoon free to relax and prepare for the final day at Machu Picchu. On this day, we visit several Inca sites such as; Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, Wiñaywayna.
- Total distance: 10km / 6.2 miles
- Approximate time: 5 hours
- Campsite altitude: 2600m / 8530ft
- Considered: Moderate
- Meals: B, L, D
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 6: Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final day, we will wake up early and prepare for the final stretch of the Inca Trail. After passing the last checking point, we will start a one-hour hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku), from where you will have the first and most amazing view of Machu Picchu. You will explore the amazing lost city of the Incas with your tour guide. In the afternoon, take the train back to Cusco.
- Total distance: 6km / 3.7 miles
- Hiking hours: 2 hours
- Visit Sungate, Machu Picchu
- Meals: Breakfast only
- Expedition Train to come back to Cusco.
- You need to book a hotel in Cusco
Packing list for the Salkantay + Inca Trail trek
The Salkantay Inca Trail expedition is one of the most challenging and epic hikes to Machu Picchu. Packing all the necessary equipment and keeping it light is very important.
Essentials for the Trek:
- Original Passport
- Valid student ID (if you book as a student)
- Good backpack (small and comfortable)
- Water storage: (Camelbaks or weather bottle for 2 liters).
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight, good soles)
- Trekking poles
For your duffle bag:
During the Salkantay Inca Trail Tour, the porters will carry up to 7 kg of your belongings. This must include your sleeping bag and air mattress that you can bring your own or rent from TreXperience.
- 6 T-shirts (long sleeve – Wicking t-shirts preferably)
- 3-4 comfortable hiking pants
- 7 sets of underwear
- 7 sets of hiking socks
- 1 warm down jacket: can be cold at night
- Comfortable camping shoes (sandals or snickers)
- Camping towels (quick-dry). We provide small hand towels.
- Soap (in a sealed container)
- Battery charger (Enough for 6 days)
- Plastic bags: to organize clean and dirty stuff
- Sleeping bag (-10C°), you can bring your own or rent from TX
- Earplugs for the night
- Toiletries, Sunscreen
- Moisturizers, Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: Band-aids, moleskin, etc.
In your backpack:
You need to bring a small comfortable backpack for hiking. We recommend not being larger than 25 liters; this is for Machu Picchu, where big bags will not be taken inside.
- Water: We provide you with drinkable water every day after the first lunch. For the first morning, you need to bring 2 liters of water.
- Rain gear (rain jackets, rain pants, waterproof hiking gloves, ponchos)
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunhat)
- Beanie hat, warm gloves
- Camera, extra batteries
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic garbage bags
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
Price of the Salkantay Inca Trail Expedition 6 days
Price per person:
- 1100.USD for adults
- 1060.USD for children and student
To book the Salkantay + Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card with no booking fees at all.
This tour can be booked as a private service as well!
Student Discount:
All travelers under 17 will have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get a 40$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.
Valid Student ID for Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:
- 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
- The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
- The ID must have a valid expiration date
Invalid Student IDs
Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:
- Traveler is older than 25
- Expired ID
- Student Id without expiration date
- ISIC cards are not valid.
