Salkantay – Camino Inca 7D/6N

Itinerary: from 6:00am (first day) to 10:00pm (7th day)

Frequency: Every Day

The Salkantay is known also as the warrior mountain and protector of the Imperial Incas. This mountain provides orientation throughout your trek, and in its incredible majesty you can see why it was so respected by the Incas, with its virgin snow at an elevation of 6,271 meters.

(B) = breakfast, (L) = lunch, (D) = dinner

Day 1: Cusco / Mollepata / Morkokasa: (L) (D)
We take you from your hotel in Cusco to the town of Mollepata (120 km northeast of Cusco), where we begin our trek, passing through the picturesque towns of Anta (Izcuchaca, Zurite, Ancahuasi) to arrive at the valley of Limatambo. Here we appreciate the ruins of Tarawasi and then continue to Mollepata, from where we hike to our first campsite in Markokasa.

Day 2: Markokasa / Soraypampa: (B) (L) (D)
After an invigorating breakfast, we begin our second day of hiking through Choquekiclla, which is divided by the route of the majestic Salkantay and Humantay to the left, and the Rayusca to the right, where you can feel the fury and beauty of these colossal mountains of ice and rock. We eventually arrive to Soraypampa, where we spend the night at approximately 4000 meters.

Day 3: Soraypampa / Pampa Japonesa / Inka Canal: (B)(L)(D)
This is a truly difficult day in which we overcome the Salkantay pass and feel the proximity of the snow-covered giant. After the pass, we descend into the valley of Incachiriaska, where we can appreciate the ancient Incan Canal, and where we pass yet another day in contact with the marvelous Andean geography.

Day 4: Canal Inka / Llulluchupampa: (B)(L)(D)
We eat breakfast and then continue our descent through the valley of Huallabamba, where we eat lunch and then pass through the archeological site of Incarakay, from where we begin to climb up to our campsite in Llulluchapampa at 3760 meters and from where we can view the valleys of Vilcanota.

Day 5: Llulluchupampa / Chaquicocha: (B)(L)(D)
We eat breakfast at 6:30am and begin our day which ends at the campsite in Chaquicocha, passing through the pass of Warmiwanusca at 4200 meters. From this pass, we descend down through the valley of Pacaymayu, where we eat lunch, and then continue hiking up to the archeological site of Runcuraqay (3800 meters). We then continue through the Second Pass and then descend to the archeological site of Sayacmarca. After this we camp.

Day 6: Chaquicocha / Winaywayna: (B)(L)(D)
This is a special day, for we experience a drastic change in climate zones and begin hiking through the cloud forest, which contains a large variety of plants, including orchids, and animals, with other archeological sites that we visit throughout the day.

Day 7: Winawayna / Machu Picchu / Cusco (B)
This is the final day of the Inca Trail. We get up early to pass through Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, from where we get a bird’s eye view of the grand archeological sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu, we have a guided tour of the urban and agricultural zones, the ceremonial plazas, the sacred sites, the Intihuatana (solar clock) and the many terraces that form this incredible complex. The guided tour lasts approximately an hour and a half, after which you have time to explore the ruins on your own. We later take the train back to Cusco and are taken to respective hotels.

Included:
• All necessary transportation
• Train ticket (AguasCalientes - Cusco)
• Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• Bus ticket up and down from Machu Picchu
• Transportation Cusco/ Train Station / Cusco
• Professional guide (english or spanish) throughout the whole trek and in Machu Picchu
• Professional cook
• Horses to carry the kitchen and camping equipment through the first half and porters for the second half
• Horses to carry 5 kilos per person for free
• Food as indicated in the itinerary
• Camping equipment: tents, sleeping pad
• Vegetarian food without extra charge (optional)
• First aid equipment (oxygen).

Not Included:
• First breakfast
• Final lunch
• Sleeping bag (can rent from our office)

Extra Porter (15 kilo limit): US $90.00

Half weight porter: US $45.00

Note: Throughout the trek, you must carry your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and personal items. You may hire a personal porter if necessary.

Recommendations
• Personal toiletries
• Light and durable clothing
• Camera
• Batteries for camera
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Sun hat
• Hiking shoes
• Sleeping bag and flash light
• Sunglasses
• Passport and student ID card (ISIC)
• 1 liter of water for the first day
• Water purification method (iodine, chlorine, pump, uv, etc.)

Reservations / Queries