Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail Hike  - 10 Days

On arrival at Cusco International Airport in Peru, we will be greeted by a representative of Himalayan Glacier who will drop us off at our designated hotel in Cusco. Since Cusco is located at a high altitude, we recommend that you take plenty of rest and rehydrate in your hotel room to take upon the challenges in the upcoming days. In the afternoon at 5:0 pm, we will briefly discuss our trip itinerary with our trip leader. We would probably want to go to bed early after dinner today. Overnight in Cusco.

Today, following an early breakfast at our hotel, we will commence our exploration of the Sacred Valley with visits to Pisac (2,972m/9,750ft.) and Ollantaytambo (2,792m/9,160ft.). Pisac, situated along the Vilcanota River, is renowned for its Incan ruins and bustling market, which attracts many tourists. While at Pisac, we’ll tour the Archaeological Park, which includes the largest Incan burial site, a temple complex featuring a sun temple, ceremonial altars, and intricate water channels. After concluding our visit here, we’ll have some free time to wander through the Pisac local market.

Ollantaytambo showcases magnificent architecture with remarkable stonework and advanced agricultural techniques. The key attractions in this town include the Temple of the Sun, perched atop a pyramid of seventeen terraces, and the Terraces, a distinctive feature of the Sacred Valley. Following a full day of exploration, we will return to our hotel in Cusco. This day tour will help our bodies acclimatize to the lower oxygen levels while offering an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture of the Sacred Valley. We will spend the night in Cusco.

Today, we’ll leave Cusco very early at 5:00 a.m., and travel for about 3 hours to get to Mollepata, which is the starting point for our journey into the Salcantay valley. Along the way, you’ll notice various changes in the weather and landscapes, each with its own unique crops. For example, we’ll pass through Limatambo, known for its avocados. After a quick breakfast, we’ll head to Soraypampa (3,900m/12,795ft.), where our trek begins. After lunch, our first stop will be at Humantay Lake (4,200m/13,779ft.), which has beautiful turquoise waters and is right next to a huge glacier. We’ll then return to our camp in Soraypampa for the night. If the weather is good, you might also get to see a fantastic display of stars and maybe even a shooting star.

Today we will wake up early have breakfast, and commence towards Salakantay pass. First, we’ll head to Salkantaypampa, getting closer and closer to this enormous mountain, which stands at an impressive height of  6,271m / 20,574 ft. Its name signifies the powerful and untamed force of nature that governs the creative energies of our world.

Afterward, we’ll set up our camp at Pampa Japonesa (4,600m/ 15,091ft.).  This is the last place we can stay before reaching the high pass. Tonight, you’ll experience the chilly presence of the nearby ice and might even hear the distant sounds of avalanches, all from a safe distance.

As each day passes, we are getting closer to connecting with the original Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu, and today marks the last day of our journey to reach this historic area. Here, you may have the chance to witness the majestic flight of the Andean Condor. Today’s challenge will be dealing with the high altitude as we climb up to the Incachiriaska High Pass, which stands at 5,338m/17,513 ft. After about 3 hours of ascent, we’ll start a gentler descent into the valley below. Once we reach our camp, we’ll enjoy dinner and some rest. The nighttime views continue to be breathtaking at this elevation because of the thin atmosphere, providing us with a spectacular view of the night sky.

Today, we embark on the renowned Inca Trail journey, beginning with a visit to the Paucarcancha archaeological site. As we proceed, we’ll ascend to an altitude where lush vegetation thrives and encounter diverse plant and animal life in the Andean cloud forest. Along the way, we’ll be treated to impressive vistas of towering mountains and numerous waterfalls. We’ll pause for lunch at a pass along the Inca Trail before a brief trek to our campsite for the night, situated at Ayapata (3,300 m / 10,827 ft).

Following a nourishing breakfast to start our trek, we’ll ascend to the high Warmiwañusqa pass (4,200m/13,779 ft). From there, we’ll descend into a forested area teeming with native queuña trees and a vibrant array of hummingbirds, surrounded by abundant flora and fauna. Our next stop is the Pacamayo campsite, where we’ll pause for lunch and relaxation before pressing on toward our Final destination, Runkurakay (3,760m /12,150 ft), which is believed to have served as an astronomical temple for the Incas. We’ll conclude our day at the Chaquicocha campsite (3,400m / 11,154ft), where we’ll enjoy dinner and another night beneath the starry skies.

We are now just one day away from reaching Machu Picchu, and there are several incredible sites to explore along the route. We’ll continue our journey, passing through Runkurakay, and then heading to Phuyupatamarca, which boasts an impressive ceremonial platform with intricate construction techniques. Our final stop will be at Wiñaywayna, often referred to as the “mountain of eternal youth,” known for its remarkable aqueducts, terraces, and temples. As we progress, we will begin to sense and witness the growing energy of Machu Picchu with each step. Along the way, we will also enjoy stunning vistas of the Sacred Valley and the distant Urubamba River valley. Additionally, the surrounding jungle will become denser as we descend. We’ll set up our camp near Wiñaywayna (2,650m / 8,692ft) for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Today, we must wake up before sunrise for a brisk hike to the renowned Sun Gate if we want to witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises – the first rays of light gently bathing the crystal city of Machu Picchu. The trek to Intipunku (Sun Gate) at an elevation of 2,730m/8,956 ft. takes nearly 2 hours, offering you the privilege of gazing upon the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel during the most enchanting time of the day. From this vantage point, you can also admire the deep river valleys and towering snow-capped peaks in the surrounding area.

Once inside the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, our guide will lead you on a brief tour of the most significant sites, providing insights into their history and significance. Following the tour, we will have the opportunity to independently ascend Huayna Picchu Mountain if we have an entrance permit. Later in the afternoon, we will descend to Aguas Calientes and board the train back to Cusco, marking the conclusion of our Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail tour. On this day, we will have our farewell dinner with the guide.

Your adventure ends today. A representative of Himalayan Glacier will pick you up from our hotel and drop you at the International Airport for your onward journey or back home. However, you have options to extend your stay and join other tours that Peru has to offer. Himalayan Glacier is more than happy to assist with arranging other remarkable tours and extra nights in the hotel.