Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail Hike  - 10 Days

This trip is graded Moderate but is more physically demanding than the classic Inca Trail alone, since it adds a high mountain pass near Salkantay’s glaciated slopes before joining the Inca Trail, making it best suited to experienced hikers.

The 7 days of hiking across this combination trip is longer than the 4-day classic Inca Trail trek on its own.

The dry season from late April to early October is best for this trip, with May through September offering the most favorable weather, minimal rainfall, and warm, sunny days for both the Salkantay high pass and the Inca Trail sections.

The Inca Trail portion of this route is closed each February for maintenance, so trips cannot be scheduled that month. Read our full guide on Best Time to Visit Peru.

This itinerary runs 10 days total, including 2 days of Cusco acclimatization and Sacred Valley sightseeing, the Salkantay high-pass trek, and the classic Inca Trail’s final approach into Machu Picchu.

This is Himalayan Glacier’s longest Peru trekking itinerary, reflecting its combination of two distinct trekking routes.

This trip is better suited to experienced or well-conditioned hikers rather than complete beginners, given its high-altitude Salkantay pass, multiple long trekking days, and greater physical demand than the Classic Inca Trail alone.

First-time trekkers to Peru may prefer the standalone Inca Trail hike, which is shorter and less physically demanding.

The maximum altitude is 6,271m (20,575ft) near Salkantay Mountain on Day 4, referring to the peak’s elevation viewed from the trail rather than the hiking route itself; the actual trekking pass over Salkantay reaches roughly 4,600-5,000m depending on conditions.

This is notably higher than the Inca Trail’s own high point of 4,215m (13,829ft) at the Dead Woman’s Pass later in the trip.

Yes, the Inca Trail portion of this trip requires a permit booked through an authorized operator well in advance, typically 3 to 6 months ahead, while the Salkantay section does not require the same limited permit system.

Booking early is essential since Inca Trail permit numbers are capped daily by the Peruvian government.

The turquoise waters of Humantay Lake beneath a glacier, and the close-up views of Salkantay Mountain’s snow-capped peak, are the signature highlights of the trek’s early days before it joins the original Inca Trail toward Machu Picchu.

This gives travelers dramatic high-mountain scenery in addition to the Inca ruins found along the classic Inca Trail.

Altitude sickness risk is managed through Cusco acclimatization days at the start of the trip, a gradual multi-day ascent toward the Salkantay pass, and ongoing guide monitoring through both the Salkantay and Inca Trail sections.

The trip’s longer schedule compared to the standalone Inca Trail hike allows more time for the body to adjust to altitude.

Hikers camp at sites including Soraypampa, Pampa Japonesa, Ayapata, and Chaquicocha during the Salkantay section, then join established Inca Trail campsites before a final hotel stay in Cusco after descending from Machu Picchu.

Tents, sleeping mats, and a trekking cook are provided throughout the camping sections of the journey.

Full board is provided throughout the trekking days, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by a professional trekking cook, along with a welcome and farewell dinner in Cusco at the start and end of the trip.

Dietary requests such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free can be accommodated with advance notice.

This 10-day trip adds the Salkantay Mountain trek and Humantay Lake before joining the same original Inca Trail used on the standalone 7-day hike, making it a longer, more physically demanding option for hikers wanting deeper mountain scenery.

Travelers who want a shorter, more accessible trek to Machu Picchu should consider the standalone Inca Trail Hike instead.

Alongside Machu Picchu and the Salkantay range, top nearby destinations include the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Lake Titicaca, and Rainbow Mountain, giving travelers several options to extend their Peru itinerary before or after this trek.

Many travelers add a Sacred Valley day tour at the start of the trip, which is already included in this itinerary.