Wilderness Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Wilderness Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – ITINERARY

Day 1 – CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAGOON – SALKANTAY PAMPA – PAMPA JAPONESA

Your pick up from your Cusco hotel is at 4:00am. Relax or snooze in our van, as we begin the adventure towards Mollepata and the trailhead at Soraypampa, which is about a 3 hour drive. Upon arrival at Soraypampa, your trekking chef will prepare breakfast for you. After a hearty and hot breakfast, you will give your duffel bags to your horseman to be carried by the packhorses. From here you only need to carry your small daypack! We start hiking up the 1.5 hour trek towards Humantay mountain and its sparkling lake, which reflects the stunning glacier above.

Delight in the refreshingly chill air and postcard perfect view of Humantay! We will continue our trek to Salkantaypampa, arriving at lunch time. Your chef will have hot drinks and another elaborate meal waiting for you! After lunch, we will continue hiking uphill for another 3 hours until we reach our first campsite at Pampa Japonesa.

• Walking distance: 14km
• Trailhead elevation: 3,800km
• Campsite elevation: 4,700mt
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 – PAMPA JAPONESA – CONDOR PASS – INCA CANAL – PAUCCARCANCHA

Your guide will wake you up with a hot cup of tea or coffee  , which you can enjoy in the cozy comfort of your sleeping bag. Enjoy breakfast with the stunning views of Salkantay, its glaciers and surrounding peaks! From here, you begin the hike from Pampa Japonesa, going uphill for 3 hours towards Inca Chiriaska.

Chiriaska means “getting cold” in Quechua, the language of the Inca, which is still spoken by indigenous people today. This place is genuinely cold at most times of the year but also has one of the best views of the Salkantay peak. You will have time to appreciate the impressive peak above you, with a mug of hot chocolate to warm your hands and stomach. The next part of the hike is to Sisaypata, where we will have lunch with the incredible view of the Paltayoc peak. We continue our trek for another 3 hours downhill, we will reach our campsite of Paucarcancha 3,770km/ 12,370 ft.

• Walking distance: 18km
• Highest point of the trail: 5100m.km
• Campsite elevation: 3,300mt
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 – PAUCARCANCHA – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Wake up with another hot drink in your tent before breakfast at the Paucarcancha campsite. After breakfast, we visit the archeological site of Paucarcancha. Our guide will then lead you to the section of the Classic Inca Trail where you will see the original stone that was set down hundreds of years ago. You will be surrounded by beautiful views of the valleys and mountain while trekking towards the Inca Trail, whereby, you will get to visit the Llactapata archeological site. This Inca village shows you so much about daily life during Inca times. Houses, water canals and farming terraces were built into the steep mountain side. From Llactapata, we will continue trekking for another hour till lunch.

After another gourmet lunch, we will continue hiking for about two hours to KM 82, where our private transportation will be waiting for us. It is a short drive to the beautiful Veronica View Hotel located just a few minutes from Ollantaytambo. You will have time before dinner to enjoy the swimming pool, sauna and luxurious spa treatments. After dinner take some time to enjoy the hummingbirds and other wildlife that come to the native flower and orchid garden at dusk.

• Walking distance: 15km
• Morning elevation: 3,300mt
• Evening elevation: 2,700mt
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodations: Veronica View Hotel

DAY 4: – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104– WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

Waking up fresh after a night full of relaxation, we will be making our way to the Ollantaytambo Train station where we will board the train that departs at 6:10 to KM 104. The Expedition Train takes you to KM104 (elevation 2,100m/6,927ft), the checkpoint and starting point of your trek. Once at the checkpoint take the opportunity to use the restrooms, apply insect repellent and sunscreen, pack your box lunch, purchase extra snacks (only if needed) and fill up on water.

The first Archeological site you get to see is just a minute outside the checkpoint. Learn the history and thriving culture of the Incas from a 100% authentic and knowledgeable Peruvian guide. The trek passes by flora and fauna unique to the Inca trail, with its vivid and radiant colors. The Urubamba River guides your path to your left. Pass a small waterfall with its waters cascading into the rocks.

Now take the moderate climb up to the chiseled remnants and remote archaeological site of Wiñayhuana, (2,650m/8747 ft). The views from this point are absolutely spectacular. You should be thrilled with your achievement so far. Lunch is only a few minutes away. Once you reach the campsite of Wiñayhuana, stop and take a breather. Your scrumptious box lunch is a quinoa salad complete with beef, chicken or vegetarian options. 

The rest of the trek is pretty gradual. However, there is a short climb up the monkey steps. Once you reach the top of Sun Gate Elevation (2,730mts/9,007ft), the size and majesty of Machu Picchu at the bottom will simply take your breath away. Take loads of pictures, there is no better view in the world.  As you make your way down to Machu Picchu be sure to ask your guide as many questions as possible.

Your first exploration of Machu Picchu is in the afternoon with minimum tourists around. If you arrive timeously, you will get a 2hour guided tour.

At around 4pm, you make your way down the winding roads of Machu Picchu by bus to the quaint town of Agues Caliente. Browse the many local flea markets in town, enjoy the walkability of the coble stone streets and have a delicious dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Ferre´Machu Picchu (included)
• 4* Accommodation: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (upgrade)

Day 5 AGUAS CALIENTES- MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

The day has finally come for you to explore the fabled Machu Picchu! We will get up early to catch the first shuttle bus to this New 7 Wonder of the World! Your guide will give you a guided tour of about two hours. You get to see the majestic Machu Picchu, how much of it you see depends on the number of circuits purchased, the tour only includes  circuit#3. (please review circuits) . You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

There are a few extra options available besides Machupicchu.  

• Climb Huayna Picchu – appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu (additional fee).
• Climb Machu Picchu Mt. – appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu (additional fee).
•  Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or to the hot springs. (entrance fee)

After this wonderful tour, you will head back to Aguas Calientes to have a relaxing lunch on your own. You will be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo leaving at 14:55pm. We will pick you up at the train station and drive you to the Veronica View Hotel. You will arrive in time to enjoy the sauna and swimming pool before dinner.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Meal included: Breakfast