Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek 6 Days

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – CHALLACANCHA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SORAYPAMPA – PAMPA JAPONESA

Today our adventure begins! After an early pick-up from your hotel, we travel by private transport to the village of Mollepata (approximately 2.5 hours), where we enjoy breakfast and have some time to explore the village. This is also a good opportunity to purchase any last-minute supplies.

We then continue by vehicle for about 1 hour to Soray Pampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), From here, we begin our ascent to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft), which takes approximately two hours. The trail is surrounded by mountains and snow-capped peaks, including Humantay and Salkantay. Once we reach the lake, we will have time to take photos, admire the breathtaking scenery, and listen to our guide’s informative explanation.

Afterward, we continue our adventure toward our lunch spot at Salkantay Pampa (4,200 m / 13,779 ft), located about two and a half hours away. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious meal followed by a short rest.

Our adventure continues for another 3 hours until we reach our campsite at Pampa Japonesa (4,700 m / 15,419 ft). Along the way, we pass moraines and small waterfalls, with opportunities to spot local wildlife before arriving at the campsite, set in a magical location near the majestic Salkantay Mountain.

• Meals: box breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail
• Walking Time: 7-8 hrs
• Distance:12km/7.45 miles 
• Accommodation: Camping Tent (double occupancy)
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

DAY 2: PAMPA JAPONESA – INCACHIRIASCA PASS – CANAL INCA

Today we wake up early and start hiking for 1 hours to get  the highest summit on the trek, the Incachiriasca Pass (4965m/16,289ft) where you will have stunning views of glacial Salkantay Mountain. After a rest at the pass we then descend about 2 hours  to our lunch spot.  After lunch we hike for  two and a half hours down to Canal Inca (4100m/13,451ft) where we will camp for the night. Canal Inca is a lovely, flat area with beautiful village that still preserves some customs from the inca era, and you can also see the remains of Inca walls and how they engineered the river in this valley surrounded by mountains

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail,
• Walking Time:  5-6 hrs
• Distance: 12km/7.45 miles
• Accommodation: Camping Tent (double occupancy)
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 3: CANAL INCA – PAUCAR CANCHA – WAYLLABAMBA (ENTRANCE TO INCA TRAIL) 

This morning, we continue hiking for about 3.5 hours down to Paucarcancha, an Inca fortress ruin. We will have time to explore this small Inca site, which most visitors never get to see. Afterward, we walk approximately 10 minutes down to a small village for lunch.

After enjoying a delicious meal in this charming riverside village, we say goodbye to our horsemen and horses and meet our amazing porters, who will carry all of our gear for the next few days. We then continue hiking for about an hour and a half until we reach Wayllabamba, where we join the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and set up camp for the night.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail
• Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
• Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles 
• Accommodation: Camping Tent (double occupancy)
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 4: WAYLLABAMBA – AYAPATA –  WARMIHUAÑUSCA (Dead Woman’s Pass) – PACAYMAYO

The day begins very early at 5:00 a.m. with a cup of hot coca tea, followed by breakfast to recharge our energy. Afterward, we start our adventure on the Inca Trail, following paths surrounded by the lush vegetation of the high jungle.

After 4 to 5 hours of hiking, we reach the highest point of the trail, Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass 4200 m/13.780 ft)   . This section of the trek is quite challenging. After enjoying the breathtaking views and taking a short rest, we begin a gradual descent of about 2 hours toward our campsite at Pacaymayo (3650 m/11.975ft), passing hills, streams, and areas with stunning views of the Andean valleys.

Pacaymayo will be both our lunch stop and our campsite for the night.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail
• Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
• Distance:10 km/6.21 miles
• Accommodation: Camping Tent (double occupancy)
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

DAY 5: PACAYMAYO – RUNCURRACCAY PASS – CHAQUICCOCHA – WIÑAYHUAYNA

Today will be the longest and most challenging day, so we’ll start with a nutritious breakfast to prepare for the journey. We will continue our hike through lush jungle vegetation and visit several incredible Inca archaeological sites.

The first archaeological site we will visit is Runcuracay (3,760 m / 12,300 ft). Unlike other Inca structures, Runcuracay features circular enclosures, a rare design element in Inca architecture. After a short break, we will hike for approximately 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca. Perched on a rocky cliff at 3,600 m, Sayacmarca resembles a labyrinth of houses, plazas with fountains, and narrow streets.

We will then reach our lunch spot at Chaquicocha, where we will have some time to rest and relax. After a 2 hour hike, we will arrive at the next archaeological site, Puyupatamarca (3,600 m / 11,810 ft), also known as the “City Above the Clouds.” Here, you will find Inca ruins featuring five small stone baths that maintain a constant flow of fresh water during the rainy season. From there, we will begin our 3-hour descent to our campsite at Wiñayhuayna, where we will enjoy tea and dinner. This meal will be special, as it will be our final dinner with the team and our farewell to the porters.

Please note that the campsite may vary depending on the Ministry’s regulations, and could be either Puyupatamarca or Wiñayhuayna.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the trail
• Walking Time: 5-6 hrs
• Distance:15 km/10 miles 
• Accommodation: Camping Tent (double occupancy)
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

DAY 6: WIÑAYHUAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Today begins very early, with a wake-up call at 3:30 a.m. After a light breakfast, we’ll head to the checkpoint that leads to Machu Picchu, aiming to be among the first to enter when the gates open at 5:30 a.m.

This is the final and most anticipated stretch of your journey. After approximately an hour of hiking, you’ll reach the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at around 6:30 a.m. From here, you’ll be rewarded with your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun. Watching the sunlight slowly illuminate the ancient citadel is an unforgettable and deeply moving momento one of the true highlights of the Inca Trail.

From the Sun Gate, we’ll descend gradually toward the Machu Picchu Citadel (2,400 m / 7,872 ft), taking in spectacular views along the way.

After about 40 minutes, we’ll enter the citadel through the “House of the Guardians”, where you’ll have the opportunity to take the iconic postcard photos of Machu Picchu from its most famous viewpoint.

We’ll then proceed to the main entrance, where you’ll register and store large backpacks or trekking poles, as only small bags (such as camera bags or daypacks) are permitted inside the site.

Your guide will then lead a comprehensive 2-hour tour of the citadel, explaining the rich history, architecture, and cultural significance of this wonder of the world. You’ll visit the most important sectors of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, and the Intihuatana stone.

Once you’ve fully taken in the beauty of Machu Picchu, you’ll take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch at your leisure (not included).

In the afternoon, you’ll board the Expedition Train at 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m., which follows the scenic Urubamba River, passing through dramatic canyons and lush landscapes dotted with whitewater rapids.

Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, your driver will be waiting at the train station exit to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle.

You can expect to arrive around 7:00 p.m., bringing your unforgettable Inca Trail journey to a close.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Walking Time: 3 hours
• Distance:6kms/3.7mls 
• Difficulty: Easy