Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 7 days / 6 nights

The second day of our Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure begins with a smooth, hot coca tea served in your tent to energize you and help you acclimatize to the altitude. After a nutritious breakfast, our local guide will explain the deep spiritual significance of the mountains in Andean culture, preparing you for a day filled with natural and mystical connection.

We will begin the hike to Salkantaypampa, traversing a steep trail that will test your endurance. At this altitude, the air becomes thinner, so it is important to take your time and stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness. However, the effort will be rewarded with majestic landscapes and unique views of the snow-capped mountains that dominate the Peruvian Andes.

After passing this section, the trail becomes flatter and more pleasant, offering time to enjoy the surroundings and the natural silence of the mountains. We will continue to Ichupata, where we will take a well-deserved rest and a delicious lunch prepared by our kitchen team, while we contemplate the imposing snow-capped peaks and the Andean landscape that surrounds the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu route.

In the afternoon, we will continue to Pampajaponesa, our resting point for the night. This area offers a peaceful atmosphere ideal for relaxing after trekking. From here, you can admire stunning views of the Mollepata Valley, the Apurimac River, and small lagoons that dot the trail, making it a perfect backdrop for photography. At dusk, you’ll enjoy a hot dinner prepared with local ingredients while the sky fills with stars. The Andean constellations will accompany you as you rest, marking the end of an unforgettable day on the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu journey.

The third day of the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adventure will be the most challenging, but also one of the most spectacular of the journey. You’ll begin the day with a refreshing coca tea and a nutritious breakfast to prepare for the ascent to Incachiriaska Pass (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), the highest point of the entire expedition.

The trail ascends gradually, surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains. As you advance, you’ll feel the grandeur of the Andes in all their splendor. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll enjoy a cup of coca tea while contemplating an unforgettable panorama of deep valleys, turquoise lagoons, and the imposing peaks of Salkantay. If you’re lucky, you might witness the majestic flight of the condor, a sacred symbol of the Andean world. After a short rest, you’ll have the option to hike an additional 30 minutes to get even closer to the snow-capped mountains. We’ll then begin the descent to Yanacaca, where our kitchen team will be waiting for you with a delicious hot lunch. This is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy the views before continuing the descent.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue the route to Pampacahuana, crossing Andean valleys covered in ichu and surrounded by mountains that seem to touch the sky. Here, the surroundings invite you to completely disconnect and capture unique postcards of the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Finally, we’ll continue to the Inca Canal, a fascinating example of ancient Inca hydraulic engineering. You’ll learn about its history and the cultural significance of this site before arriving at our camp in Paucarcancha, where you’ll enjoy a comforting dinner and a well-deserved rest under the starry sky.

Get ready, because the best of the trip is yet to come: you’ll continue exploring the most iconic sections of the Inca Trail on the way to Machu Picchu.

The fourth day of the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will transport you back in time to the ancestral life of the Andes. Today you will walk trails where local farmers continue to cultivate the land in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth), following customs inherited from their ancestors. This section offers an authentic glimpse into the traditional Andean way of life, surrounded by serene landscapes and a spiritual connection with nature.

In the morning, we will explore the Inca archaeological site of Paucarcancha, a little-known gem notable for its architecture and historical value. Here, your guide will explain the secrets of its construction and its importance within the Inca trail system.

As we advance towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will notice how the environment changes. The climate becomes warmer, the vegetation denser, and the air is filled with the fresh aromas of the high jungle. This natural transition is one of the charms of the tour, and your guide will help you identify native species and their value within the Andean ecosystem.

After a well-deserved lunch along the way, we will continue to Ayapata, our campsite. During the ascent, the landscape becomes even more impressive, with majestic mountains and cloud forests that seem to touch the sky. It’s a perfect stretch to capture unforgettable photographs and enjoy the magic of the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at the camp, a hot dinner prepared by our mountain chef will await you. To the sound of the wind and the murmur of the forest, you’ll rest under a starry sky, preparing for a new day of adventure and discovery.

The fifth day of the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most challenging, but also the most impressive. After a nutritious breakfast, we will begin a hike of approximately four hours, ascending between imposing mountains and a landscape that changes completely: we leave behind the lush vegetation to enter a colder and more mystical environment.

During the ascent, you will notice the abundance of Andean straw or “icchu”, the essential food of llamas and alpacas. We will reach the highest point of the Classic Inca Trail, the Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft), where you will enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks soaring above the clouds. Here, you will breathe in the purity of the Andean air and feel a spiritual connection with the Apus, the sacred mountains of the Incas.

After a short break, we will descend a cobblestone path surrounded by wildflowers, orchids, and hummingbirds, symbols of good fortune according to Andean tradition. This section invites you to walk calmly and respectfully, respecting the nature that welcomes us.

Then, we will continue ascending for about 45 minutes until we reach the archaeological complex of Runkuraqay (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), an ancient Inca control point from which the valley was monitored. From here, you can capture unique photographs and contemplate the immensity of the Andes. Afterwards, we will descend towards Yanacocha, a ceremonial site dedicated to the spirit of water, and continue towards Sayacmarca, an archaeological site noted for its impressive architecture and mysterious history.

Finally, after a short 25-minute walk, we will arrive at the Chaquicocha camp, a space surrounded by cloud forest where you can breathe the living energy of the Amazon. Here you will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our mountain chefs and relax under a starry sky, celebrating another day of adventure on the Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

After a demanding day, you’ll be rewarded with a lighter hike that begins with a delicious breakfast. Before resuming your hike, ask the imposing snow-capped Pumasillo, a symbol of strength and energy, for permission to continue its vitality with every step.

During a five-hour hike, you’ll explore three astonishing Inca archaeological sites. The first is Phuyupatamarca, known as “the town above the clouds”, a sacred place where the Inca elite studied the stars and astronomy, fundamental to their worldview.

As evening falls, a well-deserved moment of relaxation awaits you with happy hour, snacks, and hot drinks, followed by a special farewell dinner. Our porters and cooks will bid a grateful farewell, celebrating together the close of an unforgettable Inca Trail experience.

The big day you’ve been waiting for since the beginning of this journey has finally arrived! Visiting Machu Picchu, one of the most mystical and enigmatic sites on the planet, will be an experience that will make your heart race.
Before dawn, the camp wakes up in silence while the world is still covered in darkness. After a light breakfast, begin the two-hour hike to the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.

After approximately an hour, the trail will take you to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), from where you’ll see the majestic Inca citadel for the first time. The view is indescribable: the light of dawn bathing the ancient stones makes you wonder how a civilization could have erected such a marvel in such challenging terrain. The final stretch, a gentle descent, will take you directly to the heart of the archaeological site.

Once inside Machu Picchu, you’ll enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour to discover its secrets, advanced engineering, and deep connection with nature. You’ll be amazed to see that many of its fountains and aqueducts are still functioning more than five centuries later.
If you have a reserved ticket, you can also ascend Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain to admire an unparalleled panoramic view of the sanctuary.

At the end of your visit, you’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes, a picturesque town where you can have lunch and relax. Don’t forget to show up at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure. The journey continues to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.

After such an intense and magical experience, your legs deserve a rest, but your heart will continue to beat to the rhythm of the Andes and the ancestral energy of Machu Picchu.