Salkantay Trek via Inca Trail 7-Day Trek to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru
Trip Type: Multi-day Tours
Duration: 7 days
Salkantay means 'Savage Mountain'. With an altitude of 6,271 meters (20.573ft) it is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Mountain range and one of the highest in the Andes. During the trek, you will climb as high as 5,028 meters/16.495ft, have views of the beautiful Andean landscapes and also have the possibility of observing condors, alpacas and other andean animals in their natural habitats. This walk connects with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in the last 4 days. This is the greatest adventure for the Inca Trail.
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Salkantay means 'Savage Mountain'. With an altitude of 6,271 meters (20.573ft) it is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Mountain range and one of the highest in the Andes. During the trek, you will climb as high as 5,028 meters/16.495ft, have views of the beautiful Andean landscapes and also have the possibility of observing condors, alpacas and other andean animals in their natural habitats. This walk connects with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in the last 4 days. This is the greatest adventure for the Inca Trail.
Day 1: Cusco – Tarawasi – Mollepata – Marqocasa
After hotel pickup from you'll depart for your journey to 'Tarawasi,' an important Inca archaeological complex. You will walk for around 3 hours until you reach the first campsite which is called Marqocasa (3500m/11482ft). From here you will have views of the magnificent snow-capped mountain, Rayuska.
Day 2: Marqocasa – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pampa
You'll have breakfast and then begin a walk of about four and a half hours towards Soraypampa. You will then climb in an easterly direction for about an hour until you arrive at Salkantay pampa which is located at a height of 4100m/13451ft. You'll stay the night here.
Day 3: Salkantay Pampa - Pampacahuana
You have breakfast and then begin the trek towards the Incachiriasca pass. This is the highest point on the hike and from here you have a magnificent view of Salkantay mountain as well as colorful lagoons and maybe the condor and llamas. After arriving at the pass, you will descend to the Pampacawana community where you will camp.
Day 4: Pampacahuana – Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa
You will have breakfast and then walk in the direction of the archaeological site of 'Paucarcancha' and then towards the village of Wayllabamba. Here you will join the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You continue on the trail to Llulluchapampa where you will spend the night.
Day 5: Llulluchapampa – Pacamayu – Runcuracay – Chaquicocha
After breakfast, you will start a steep ascent towards the Huarmihuañusca pass. From here, you will have an amazing view of the impressive Inca Trail. After some rest, you climb again to visit the archaeological site of 'Runcuracay' and to reach the Runkurakay pass. Views of the mountains and surrounding area, from these points, are spectacular. Then begins a steep descent from the pass leading to the Inca site 'Sayacmarca' and Chaquicocha where you will spend the night.
Day 6: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
On the way to Machu Picchu you pass the archaeological sites of 'Phuyupatamarca' and 'Intipata'. You will spend the night at Wiñay Wayna campsite, where a beautiful Inca Monument is located.
Day 7: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu
At 5am, you start walking in the direction of the city of Machu Picchu. You will arrive at 'Inti Punku' (Sun gate) and wait there to observe the beautiful Andean sunrise over the spectacular city of Machu Picchu. Then you will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic postcard photo. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. Then, you'll head back to Cusco.
After hotel pickup from you'll depart for your journey to 'Tarawasi,' an important Inca archaeological complex. You will walk for around 3 hours until you reach the first campsite which is called Marqocasa (3500m/11482ft). From here you will have views of the magnificent snow-capped mountain, Rayuska.
Day 2: Marqocasa – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pampa
You'll have breakfast and then begin a walk of about four and a half hours towards Soraypampa. You will then climb in an easterly direction for about an hour until you arrive at Salkantay pampa which is located at a height of 4100m/13451ft. You'll stay the night here.
Day 3: Salkantay Pampa - Pampacahuana
You have breakfast and then begin the trek towards the Incachiriasca pass. This is the highest point on the hike and from here you have a magnificent view of Salkantay mountain as well as colorful lagoons and maybe the condor and llamas. After arriving at the pass, you will descend to the Pampacawana community where you will camp.
Day 4: Pampacahuana – Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa
You will have breakfast and then walk in the direction of the archaeological site of 'Paucarcancha' and then towards the village of Wayllabamba. Here you will join the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You continue on the trail to Llulluchapampa where you will spend the night.
Day 5: Llulluchapampa – Pacamayu – Runcuracay – Chaquicocha
After breakfast, you will start a steep ascent towards the Huarmihuañusca pass. From here, you will have an amazing view of the impressive Inca Trail. After some rest, you climb again to visit the archaeological site of 'Runcuracay' and to reach the Runkurakay pass. Views of the mountains and surrounding area, from these points, are spectacular. Then begins a steep descent from the pass leading to the Inca site 'Sayacmarca' and Chaquicocha where you will spend the night.
Day 6: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
On the way to Machu Picchu you pass the archaeological sites of 'Phuyupatamarca' and 'Intipata'. You will spend the night at Wiñay Wayna campsite, where a beautiful Inca Monument is located.
Day 7: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu
At 5am, you start walking in the direction of the city of Machu Picchu. You will arrive at 'Inti Punku' (Sun gate) and wait there to observe the beautiful Andean sunrise over the spectacular city of Machu Picchu. Then you will walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic postcard photo. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. Then, you'll head back to Cusco.
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