Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek 5 Days

Duration:
5 days
Max People:
15
Min Age:
10+
Inca Trail
Peru » Cusco
English
Overview

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best hikes in the world because of the exquisite beauty of its natural surroundings. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu path takes us through different ecosystems...From high Andean plains to the cloud forest this adventure allows us to explore mysterious archaeological sites, half covered with jungle overgrowth as if we were discovering them for the first time.

Attractions You’ll See

Inca Trail

Whats Included
  • All the information about the tour one day before de trip.
  • Pick up at your hotel.
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Transfer from Cusco to Mollepata.
  • Machu Picchu entrance tickets.
  • Roomy dining tent and kitchen.
  • Chairs and dining tables.
  • First aid kit.
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  •  Professional bilingual guide, cook and assistants.
  • The following meals: 4 x lunch, 4 x dinner, 4 x breakfast (optional vegeterian).
  •  2 night of lodging in a hostel in Aguas Calientes.
Does not include
  •  Food
  • Tips
  • Services no mentioned before
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Personal care items.
  • Additional horse.
  • Tips for the guide and the horsemen.
  • Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day.

Packing List

Trekking Accessories

Strong Walking Shoes or Tennis Shoes.
Sweater and Thick Jacket.
Long Sleeve Shirt.
Sunglasses.
Camera with Extra Batteries and Film.
Insect Repellent.
Sunblock with a UV Factor of at Least 40.

Personal Care

Toilet Paper.
Medical or Personal Items.

Biodegradable Plastics

Plastic Bags
Rain Coat/Poncho.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa

The group will be picked up at the hotel to travel by bus for 4 hours. Later we will reach Mollepata,where we will get together with our horsemen and horses that carry the camping equipment. In this area it is possible to see the beautiful snow-capped peak of Salkantay. Afterwards we will hike for 4 hours ascending the mountain Sayllapata where it’s time to have our lunch. After lunch we will walk until reaching our campsite Soraypampa, around 5:00pm where dinner will be set up.

Day 2: Soraypampa - Chaullay

Early in the morning we’ll have our breakfast and then will begin a 3 hour trek until reaching the highest point of our expedition, The Salkantay Pass (4.600 m.a.s.l.). From there, we walk down towards Wayracpunku, to have our next meal. Afterwards, the journey will continue going into the high jungle where we will observe large trees with their arms stretching out over the streams, all filled with bromeliads and orchids. This trek will last around 5 hours to reach our campsite in Chaullay where we’ll have dinner and rest.

Day 3: Chaullay - Hidroélectrica - Aguas Calientes

The next morning, after a good breakfast we go by bus to Hidroélectrica. It is optional to book ziplining & hot springs in the morning. After this activity the bus will bring you to Hidroélectrica to the rest of the group where we will enjoy our lunch. We can relax here for a while, then we will continue walking along the train track that is leading through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We walk for about 3 hours and along the way you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, different Eco farms and possibly wildlife curious of your arrival in the region at 5 p.m. Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we all will get together in a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you are free to visit the town which is wonderful after sunset.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes CHACHABAMBA – WIÑAYHUAYNA – AGUAS CALIENTES

We start our trek around 6:00 am for about 2 hours until we reach kilometre 104 where we start our trek. The guide will direct you on foot to the ruins of Chachabamba where the tour will begin. From there the journey will continue and we will pass a small and refreshing waterfall on the way to the ruins of Winay Wayna where the impressive platforms will demonstrate the skill of Andean engineering. After lunch we will continue the walk to Inti Punku (Puerta del Sol) from where we will have the first sight of Machu Picchu as a beautiful panoramic of the town on the hill. From here we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night, have dinner and prepare for the following day up at Machu Picchu.

Day 5: MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

At 5:30 am, after breakfast, we begin the trek to Machu Picchu where we will have a guided tour of the different sectors of the archaeological complex tour, including the Intihuatana or sundial, used by ancient Peruvians settlers. To climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (optional), you can choose the 2nd group 10:00 a.m. The walk takes only about an hour, and it’s absolutely worth it, the view is breath taking and the experience will be unforgettable. We will board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo at 18:20, make sure to be at the station at least half an hour in advance. In Ollantaytambo there will be a driver waiting outside the station to bring you back to Cusco.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is an archeological center that preserves the remains of an Inca city, built in a green environment of mountains and rivers, a mystical and mysterious place; in addition, it is a patrimony of humanity and one of the most desired destinations in the world.

It is located at 2,400 m. a. s. l. in a cloud forest between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest of Peru.

How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima?

To get from Lima to Machu Picchu you must travel to the city of Cusco by plane or bus.

When to go to Machu Picchu?

It is possible to go all the year, the minimum temperatures vary between 8 ºC and the maximum around 20 ºC.
There are 2 seasons in Machu Picchu: the dry season and the rainy season.  The first one takes place between April and October, it is characterized by little rain and a sunny climate. The rainy season runs from November to March and is characterized by constant rains. 

How much luggage can I take on the train?

On trains to Machu Picchu you can only take hand luggage that should not exceed 5 kilos (11 pounds).

Can Machu Picchu be visited by people of any age?

Yes, it can be visited by people of all ages. However, in order to ascend Huayna Picchu mountain, it can only be visited by people older than 12 years old.

From what time can I enter Machu Picchu?

Public access is from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What to see in Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is home to almost 150 amazing constructions, these are some of the places that stand out:

• The Temple of the Sun.
• The Intihuatana.
• The Temple of the 3 Windows.
• The Temple of the Condor.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Ladder of the Fountains.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• The Temple of the Moon.
• The Door of the Sun (Intipunku).
• The Main Square.
• The Royal Tomb.
• The Sacred Rock.