07 DAYS - 06 NIGHT

7-DAY SALKANTAY AND INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

SALKANTAY TOURS

07 DAYS - 06 NIGHT Duration

01 – 08 PARTICIPANTS Group size

SHARED or PRIVATE Tipo de servicio

CAR - BUS - TRAIN Transporte

4600 masl / 15 100 feet Maximum altitude

Lugares a visitar: SORAYPAMPA - ABRA SALKANTAY - PAMPACAHUANA - WAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSCA - WIÑAYHUAYNA - MACHU PICCHU

El Camino Inca y Salkantay 7D/6N es una experiencia que reúne dos de las rutas de trekking más impresionantes de Cusco en un solo viaje hacia Machu Picchu. Durante siete días recorreremos montañas, valles, antiguos caminos incas y diferentes paisajes de los Andes, viviendo cada jornada de una manera distinta.

La aventura comienza en las alturas de Challacancha y continúa hacia Soraypampa, Ichupata y el imponente Abra Salkantay, el punto más alto de la ruta. Desde allí iniciaremos el descenso hacia Pampacahuana y Paucarcancha, avanzando poco a poco hasta conectar con el tradicional Camino Inca.

Los últimos días estarán marcados por antiguos sitios arqueológicos como Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca y Wiñayhuayna, además de paisajes que acompañarán cada paso. Finalmente llegaremos al Intipunku, desde donde tendremos nuestra primera vista panorámica de Machu Picchu. Una ruta exigente, sí, pero también inolvidable.

Horario de partida: 04:00 AM

Dificultad: CHALLENGING

Horario de retorno: 06:30 AM

7-Day/6-Night Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek: A Complete Adventure to Machu Picchu

The 7-Day/6-Night Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek is designed for travelers who want to discover Machu Picchu through a route filled with nature, mountains, and history. The experience combines the Salkantay Valley with different sections of the Inca Trail, allowing you to discover breathtaking landscapes and archaeological sites along the way.

During the adventure, we’ll reach high altitudes, cross mountain passes, and descend into areas with increasingly lush vegetation. We’ll also visit important archaeological sites before finally reaching Machu Picchu through Intipunku, or the Sun Gate.

Highlights of the 7-Day/6-Night Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek

Salkantay Pass: Reach 4,600 m.a.s.l. and enjoy views of the mountains and snow-capped peaks surrounding this point of the route.
Pampa Japonesa: Cross this high-altitude landscape before continuing toward the Salkantay Pass.
Connection with the Inca Trail: Continue the adventure from Paucarcancha and connect with the historic trail leading to Machu Picchu.
Archaeological sites: Visit places such as Paucarcancha, Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñayhuayna along the route.
Intipunku: Reach the Sun Gate and enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu: End the experience by exploring the Inca citadel and discovering its main sites accompanied by your guide.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Cusco – Challacancha – Soraypampa – Ichupata

We’ll depart from Cusco toward Challacancha, where we’ll begin the hike to Soraypampa. After lunch, we’ll continue ascending toward Ichupata, our campsite for the night. Throughout the day, we’ll enjoy beautiful Andean landscapes and spend the night surrounded by mountains.

Day 2: Ichupata – Pampa Japonesa – Salkantay Pass – Pampacahuana

We’ll begin one of the most challenging days of the trek. We’ll cross Pampa Japonesa and ascend to the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,600 m.a.s.l. After enjoying the scenery, we’ll begin the descent toward Pampacahuana, where we’ll set up our campsite.

Day 3: Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha

We’ll continue descending from Pampacahuana, passing alongside ancient Inca canals and through a local community. We’ll reach Paucarcancha, where we’ll have time for lunch and visit its archaeological site before resting at the campsite.

Day 4: Paucarcancha – Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa

The route continues through agricultural landscapes until we connect with the Inca Trail. We’ll pass through Wayllabamba and, after lunch, continue ascending toward Llulluchapampa, where we’ll set up our campsite for the night.

Day 5: Llulluchapampa – Warmiwañusca – Runkurakay – Chaquicocha

We’ll begin by ascending to the Warmiwañusca pass at 4,200 m.a.s.l., where we’ll enjoy sweeping views of the valley. Then we’ll descend toward Pacaymayo and continue to the Runkurakay archaeological site. Finally, we’ll make our way to Chaquicocha, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 6: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

After breakfast, we’ll continue along the Inca Trail, passing through an Inca tunnel and reaching Phuyupatamarca, where we’ll visit the archaeological site and have lunch. Then we’ll begin the descent toward Wiñayhuayna, our final campsite, where we’ll share a special moment with the support team.

Day 7: Wiñayhuayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast, we’ll begin the hike toward Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, where we’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Then we’ll descend to the citadel for a guided tour of its main sites. After the visit, we’ll head down to Aguas Calientes for some free time and later board the train to Ollantaytambo, continuing by transportation to Cusco.

Why Book with Peru Top Experience?

Combining the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail in a single experience means taking on a challenging route that requires careful organization. At Peru Top Experience, we coordinate the journey so you can focus on enjoying the landscapes, exploring the archaeological sites, and experiencing every stage of this adventure.

Trekking experience: We organize adventure routes through Peru’s most important natural and cultural landscapes.
Carefully organized route: We coordinate the different stages of the journey so you can progress smoothly throughout the seven days.
Support team: You’ll have a team accompanying you throughout the different stages of the experience.
Nature and history: Combine high-mountain landscapes with ancient Inca trails and archaeological sites.
Finish at Machu Picchu: End seven days of adventure by reaching the citadel through Intipunku and enjoying a guided tour.

7-DAY SALKANTAY AND INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

DAY 01: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – ICHUPATA

Our 7-day salkantay inca trail to machu picchu begins very early from the city of Cusco, our transport takes us to the Challacancha sector (4092 masl / 13425 feet) where we will begin our walk towards the Soraypampa sector (3900 masl / 12 795 feet) where our team waits for to be able to enjoy lunch, later and in the afternoon we continue to Ichupata (4300 masl / 14 107 feet) which will be our camping place for this day, the support team will be in charge of having everything ready so that we can only enjoy everything, at night we will taste a delicious dinner and we will be able to rest.

Walking duration: 06 hrs / 12 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 4300 masl / 14,107
Camp altitude: 4300 masl / 14 107

DAY 02: ICHUPATA – ABRA SALKANTAY – PAMPACAHUANA

After a good breakfast in the morning we get ready again to continue the trip, this day we will have the greatest challenge of the route, we will be able to appreciate incredible views crossing the Japanese Pampa (4400 masl / 14 435 feet) and then continue to the highest point of all the experience that is the Abra Salkantay (4600 masl / 15,100 feet). From this point we will be able to better observe the panorama and the imposing snowy protector of the city of Cusco, the Ausangate, finally we continue our journey downhill to reach Pampacahuana (3700 masl / 12 136 feet) where a delicious dinner awaits us. and our camp to rest.

Walking duration: 08 hrs / 14 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Hard
Maximum altitude: 4600 masl / 15,100 feet
Camp altitude: 3700 masl / 12 136 feet

DAY 03: PAMPACAHUANA – PAUCARCANCHA

We will have an incredible day, after breakfast we resume our walk, along the way we will be able to observe the Inca channels leaving Pampacahuana and we will pass through the community until we continue descending until we reach our camp in the Paucarcancha sector (3133 masl / 10 278 feet) where we will have lunch and then we will visit the archaeological center of Paucarcancha, at night we will enjoy a delicious dinner and prepare for the next day.

Walking duration: 05 hrs / 12 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 3133 masl / 10,278 feet
Camp altitude: 3133 masl / 10 278 feet

DAY 04: PAUCARCANCHA – WAYLLABAMBA – LLULLUCHAPAMPA

Our start will be quite early to be able to appreciate a great variety of agricultural crops and after a period of approximately 4 hours we will finally connect with the next section of our experience, which is the Inca trail, we will reach the Huayllabamba sector (3000 masl / 9840 feet ) to continue advancing a little further and enjoy our lunch. Then we continue with the ascent for about 3 more hours until we reach our camp in Llulluchapampa (3840 masl / 12 598 feet).

Walking duration: 07 hrs / 10 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Average
Max Altitude: 3840 masl / 12 598 feet
Camp altitude: 3840 masl / 12 598 feet

DAY 05: LLULLUCHAPAMPA – CHAQUICOCHA

We begin with the ascent to the highest point of the entire experience, the Warmiwañusca pass (4200 masl / 13,776 feet), when we arrive we will have an impressive view of the entire valley, we see what the path we have traveled is like and also the one we awaits us so after a well-deserved rest and the photos for Instagram we continue our trip, now it is a descent to the valley floor so that we can reach our next campsite that is Pacaymayo (3500 masl / 11 482 feet), when the team arrives Our equipment has already been installed and our lunch is being prepared, then we will proceed to visit the archaeological center of Runkurakay (3800 masl / 12,470 feet) and after reaching the upper part of the pass we will continue to our Chaquicocha camp (3600 masl / 11,811 feet ) where we will spend the night.

Walking duration: 07 hrs / 10 km
Accommodation: Camp
Difficulty: Hard
Maximum altitude: 4200 masl / 13,776 feet
Camp altitude: 3600 masl / 11 811 feet

DAY 06: CHAQUICOCHA – PHUYUPATAMARCA – WIÑAYHUAYNA

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we resume our experience passing through the Inca tunnel descending until we reach Phuyupatamarca (3600 masl / 11,930 feet) to visit the archaeological center where we also enjoy a delicious lunch, then start the descent trip to reach our Inca finally arriving at Wiñaywayna (2650 masl / 8692 feet) place of our last night of camping and where we will have a beautiful sharing with the support team that accompanied us during the trip.

Walking duration: 05 hrs / 08 km
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 3600 masl / 11,930 feet
Camp altitude: 2650 masl / 8692 feet

DAY 07: WINNER – SUN DOOR – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We start the day with a delicious breakfast, before leaving the camp we will have an emotional moment as our support team that accompanied us during the tour says goodbye to us, we continue alone with the guide for a period of 2 hours on average until we reach the Intipunku or Puerta del Sol (2745 masl / 9005 feet), from here we already have a panoramic view of the beautiful citadel of Machu Picchu (2430 masl / 7972 feet). After a brief period of time, we begin our descent along a path to reach Machu Picchu and be able to visit it, knowing the main sites that make it up.
At the end of our tour we went to the main control gate where we boarded a tourist bus to get to Aguas Calientes (2040 masl / 6692 feet). After enjoying some free time to have lunch, we go to the train station to board one and return to Ollantaytambo, there we will use the line of the same railway company and finally return to Cusco where we finish our inca trail salkantay trek.

Walking duration: 05 hrs / 6 km
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 2745 masl / 9005 feet

Briefing / Informative talk prior to the trip
Pick up from the hotel for the start of the experience
Touristic transport: Cusco – Soraypampa
Support team: muleteers, mules and authorized porters
Support Group Leader: Experienced Cook
Camping equipment: Camping tent (suitable for the trip), thick foam mats, dining tent, kitchen equipment, eating utensils
Clean towel every morning and hot water for hygiene
Boiled water to fill the canteens
Tea time during the tour
Professional licensed tour guide
First aid kit
Safety equipment: Radio transmitter
First aid kit and oxygen cylinder
Full food during our tour: 06 breakfasts, 06 lunches and 06 dinners
Variety of diet according to your request (Vegetarian, food restriction)
Entrance ticket to Salkantay
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Consettur bus ticket: Descent
Tourist train ticket: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (*Expedition/Voyager)
Tourist transport: Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Bimodal service)

*The train service is according to the availability we have for the date of your salkantay inca trail combo, we can also offer you an Upgrade to a better category, for this you only have to consider the additional information.

Air flight (National or International)
Special entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu (additional cost USD $80.00 dollars)
Sleeping bag (You can include it for $40.00 dollars)
Pair of walking poles (You can include them for $15.00 dollars)
Additional personal porter (You can load 7kg – $150.00 dollars)
hosting service

This salkantay inca trail must be planned in advance so that it can be enjoyed without any inconvenience.
When confirming the service you must choose the travel date carefully since there is no option to change due to the modality of the entrance ticket, nor is it transferable to a third person or refundable under any circumstances.
The spaces of the Inca Trail are very limited, so it is extremely important to have an advance reservation of at least 4 to 6 months in advance, the preparation is meticulous and detailed.

ADDITIONAL

HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN: Spaces are just as special and limited ($80.00 dollars)
PAIR OF CANES: They will help during the walk for the support points ($15.00 dollars)
SLEEPING BAG: Lighten the weight in our luggage from home ($25.00 dollars)
ADDITIONAL PORTER: You can carry the personal luggage that we designate ($150.00 dollars - 7kg)
VISTADOME SERVICE: If we are looking for a more complete experience, this is the ideal option. The Vistadome service has a panoramic view on the section of the train journey that is a fact that we will enjoy 200%
Additional price:
- Only return: $40.00 dollars per participant.
- LUNCH SERVICE: We can add this service as well and schedule it for after the guided tour in Machu Picchu. It has a price of $10.00 dollars per person (Tourist Menu)

Tickets issued by the agency (entrance ticket, buses, trains and others).
Identity document (ID or Passport).
Day pack and personal equipment:
- Hat and sunglasses.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Light clothing during the day
- Warm clothes for the night.
- Water in canteen
Cash for personal purchases.
Photographic camera
Rain poncho (Recommended for rainy season).

Do I need to have previous experience or physical preparation?

Yes, unlike the original version, this adventure is much more demanding and difficult due to its duration. In order to carry out this 7-Day Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu it is important to have an adequate physical condition since the trip itself is very demanding, being prepared helps you enjoy the experience in a comfortable way, the geography of the Inca trail is somewhat unusual since it is a complete mix of everything between staggered climbs, trails, inclines and steep descents. The best way to prepare for the trip is to establish some routines that can be daily or weekly in terms of walks that help strengthen our resistance in the legs.

How should I prepare my luggage for this salkantay inca trail to machu picchu experience?

The Inca Trail leads us directly to Machu Picchu within the traditional route used by the Incas, so the trail takes us into what we currently know as the jungle, for this reason the heat is imminent, light clothing is always the most recommended, to this we must add only 1 or 2 garments that are warm for the nights. Finally, personal items such as power banks, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, rain poncho and others are also important for the trip.

Can I do the inca trail salkantay trek by my own?

No, because the salkantay inca trail combo has a particular condition and it can only be done in the company of a formal company that has a special permit issued by Sernanp (Entity that regulates the natural part). With these conditions, choosing PERU TOP EXPERIENCE is the best option because we are direct operators for this service contact us!

How are the bathrooms on the 7-Day Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Will we have access to showers along the way?

The services that we find along the way are basic, this is part of the management of the entities that regulate it, however they give us the comfort of being able to use them if necessary. As for the shower, the water is very cold, so it is not recommended on the road. Our team provides you with a warm towel and water so you can clean yourself every day. When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you can make use of the hot springs that are exceptional to rest your body after the adventure.