Inkas Blood Travel Tours

Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail 5D/4N (Camping)

CULTURAL Tour Type

PRIVATE Tour of services

4,200 m / 13,780 ft Max. Altitude

EASY DIFFICULTY

INTRODUCTION

Our Salkantay & Inca Trail trek is a spectacular adventure connecting us to some of the most beautiful trails to Machu Picchu. The experience includes hiking pass glaciers, mountain ranges, crystalline water lakes, and brow of jungle flora and fauna. Since this is a combination of the region’s most important trails, the highlights of the hike include the sacred Apu of Salkantay, Humantay Lake, Llactapata archaeological site, Wiñay Wayna archaeological site, the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and Machu Picchu.

HIGHLIGHTS

Humantay Lake, Salkantay snow-capped mountain, Llactapata, Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna, Intipunku (Sun Gate), Machu Picchu

ITINERARY

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAY PAMPA

DAY 2: SALKANTAY PAMPA – INCA CHIRIASKA – INCA CANAL

DAY 3: INCA CANAL – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO

DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL KM 104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU (SUN GATE) – MACHU PICCHU

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

DAY 1

CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAY PAMPA

Our hike will begin with an early morning pick up from your hotel in Cusco. The estimated pick-up time will be between 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM. In our private transportation, we will head to the trailhead at Soraypampa (3,800 m.a.s.l./12,467 ft.a.s.l.). The car drive will take us in the direction of Mollepata and will have an approximate duration of 3 hours.

Once at Soraypampa, we will first enjoy a warm breakfast prepared by our chef. After breakfast, we will begin the first section of the hike to Humantay Lake. This hike will take approximately 1.5 hours along a steep trail. However, the views of the crystalline blue waters at the base of Humantay Mountain will reward all efforts. We will spend some time to explore before returning to the basecamp for lunch.

Our campsite for today will be away from the crowds and constructions in Soraypampa. After lunch, we will hike closer to Salkantay Mountain to set up our campsite at Salkantay Pampa. This site is perfect for night photography of the surrounding glaciers.

DAY 2

SALKANTAY PAMPA – INCA CHIRIASKA – INCA CANAL

The morning wake – up call will be early to ensure time for a hearty breakfast before the day’s hike. From Salkantay Pampa we will hike towards the highest point of the trail, Inca Chiriaska (5,100 m.a.s.l./ 16,730 ft.a.s.l.). This hike will be uphill and will feel moderate to challenging due to the altitude gain and cold breeze. However, the Inca Chiriaska Mountain Pass offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Salkantay Mountain.

From the pass, we will continue to our lunch spot at Sisaypata. The hike will be downhill and will take approximately 3.5 hrs. Our lunch will be accompanied by the views of the surrounding mountains peaks of Paltayoc.

The last stretch of the hike will be to our campsite at Inca Canal. This will be another 3 hours downhill.

DAY 3

DAY 3: INCA CANAL – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO

After breakfast, we will take some time to visit the nearby archaeological site of Paucarcancha. This will be a gentle start of the day, and a prelude to our hike along the Inca Trail.  In this first section of our hike, we will also visit the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,650 m.a.s.l./8,694 ft.a.s.l.). This site is known for its water channels and agricultural terraces that gently surround the mountainside.  Lunch will be after our visit to Llactapata.

After lunch, we will hike to KM 82 for approximately 2 hrs. Once at KM 82, we will board our private transfer to Ollantaytambo town. Once in Ollantaytambo, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and a comfy overnight stay (in hotel) to prepare for our Inca Trail hike.

DAY 4

DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL KM 104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU (SUN GATE) – MACHU PICCHU

we will board our train to KM 104 where the trailhead is located. It is here at Km 104 (2,200 m.a.s.l. / 7,217 feet) where we will begin our hike. We will first cross the bridge that is over the Urubamba or Willkamayuc River, which translated from Quechua means “Sacred River.”

Upon arrival at first Inca Trail checkpoint, you will be required to show your identification documents or passport. From here, it will be a short 2-minute walk to the first archaeological site found along the trail. This site is called Chachabamba and is hidden within the surrounding semi-tropical forest.

From Chachabamba, we will continue hiking for approximately 3 hours to the well-known site of Wiñay Wayna. Along this hike, we will see the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, different types of semi-tropical orchids among others. Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m.a.s.l. / 8,694 ft.) is an Inca archaeological site that shows that shows a perfect example of what agriculture was like in the time of the Incas. This site is widely recognized for its large number of agricultural terraces perched on the surrounding mountain slopes. The name Wiñay Wayna” comes from a beautiful orchid that abounds in the area. The name itself translate into “forever young” in Spanish. The visit at this archaeological site will take approximately 1 hour during which you will visit some of the most accessible temples and buildings of the site. After the visit, we will take a lunch break before continuing with our hike to Machu Picchu.

Our hike to Machu Picchu will take approximately 2 hours. This hike will be along gently rolling Andean flats, original stone paths and steps and tambos (resting places). Our entry point to Machu Picchu will be the Inti Punku – Sun Gate (2,720 m.a.s.l. / 8,923 ft). During the Inca Empire, the Inti Punku worked as a controlled entry point to Machu Picchu. From here, we will have impressive panoramic views of Machu Picchu and surrounding mountaintops and valley.

The last section of our hike will be our descent to the town of Aguas Calientes (2160 m.a.s.l. / 7,086 ft). To do so, we will hike from the Inti Punku to the entrance of Machu Picchu *note: we will not enter Machu Picchu* from where we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes, we will grab dinner in one of the town’s best restaurants and will rest for the night at the hotel accommodation included.

DAY 5

MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Our day will begin with an early breakfast at our hotel in Aguas Calientes. After breakfast, we will take the bus to the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Once inside, we will have a guided tour of 2.5 hours to see the most important places in Machu Picchu including the Royal Mausoleum, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous Intihuatana where the Inca sages tied the sun at the winter solstice in June, steps, squares, fountains, etc. After the guided tour, you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own.

The return to Cusco will be after lunch (not included) and will require a train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco. The estimated time of arrival back in Cusco is between 8PM to 8:30PM.

INCLUDED

Included:

  • Pick up & drop off from and to your hotel in Cusco
  • Private transfer from Cusco to trailhead & from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
  • Professional tour guide
  • Entry tickets for the Salkantay trail
  • Inca Trail permits
  • Entry ticket to Machu Picchu
  • Camping equipment, except for sleeping bags and air mats (this can be rented)
  • Muleteers & cargo horses to carry all required camping equipment
  • 7 KG of cargo allowance for personal belongings (this weight allowance includes the sleeping bag & mat weight – typically between 3 to 3.5 KG).
  • 04 breakfast, 04 lunches & 04 dinners all prepared by our chef along the trail
  • Snacks & water on hiking days
  • Coca tea in the mornings
  • 01 night accommodation in hotel in Ollantaytambo
  • 01 night accommodation in hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Tourist train Ollantaytambo – KM 104 on Day 4
  • Tourist train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo on Day 5

Not Included:

  • Sleeping bag (can be rented for USD $25)
  • Hiking poles (can be rented USD $15)
  • Lunch on Day 5 (after Machu Picchu visit)

WHAT TO BRING

What To Bring

PACKING LIST

ESSENTIALS

  • Passport
  • Student card (valid & only if you reserved as a student)
  • Entry stamp to Peru
  • Personal backpack
  • Water bottle or camelback (2-3 lts)
  • Hiking boots

FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAG

Porters will take a maximum of 7 KG of personal belongings for you. This weight allowance will include your sleeping bag and mat weight (approximately 3.5 KG).

  • 2-3 lightweight, easy-dry t-shirts
  • 2-3 hiking pants
  • 4 undergarments
  • 4 pairs of hiking socks
  • 1 jacket (for night temperatures)
  • 1 windbreaker or parka
  • 1 hat
  • 1 wool hat (for the cold)
  • 1 personal flashlight
  • 1 pair of waterproof gloves
  • 1 pair of comfy shoes (for resting at the campsites)
  • 1 easy-dry towel (small)
  • Toiletries (note: no showers will be available but our team will provide you with a small basin of lukewarm water to groom every morning)
  • Portable charger
  • Plastic bag (to separate your clean/dirty clothes inside your duffle bag)

TOILETTRIES

  • Sun block
  • Bug repellent
  • Alcohol in gel or similar for sanitizing hands
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal meds
  • Small personal first-aid kit with band-aids, moleskin etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAY BACKPACKS

Please know your day backpacks should be comfortable to wear during long periods of hiking. Inside Machu Picchu, backpacks bigger than 25 L will not be allowed. Such backpacks will be required to be left inside the storage facilities (outside the entry gates).

Inside your personal backpack, you should have:

  • Water – we will provide you with potable water at each meal to refill your water bottle
  • Sun hat
  • Rain clothes (park, windbreaker etc.)
  • Personal electronics
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper
  • Small plastic bag for personal garbage
  • Cash