9 Day Salkantay & Inca Trail Expeditions

Overview

This tour and trek takes you on a less traveled path around the sacred Salkantay mountain (6,271m / 20,569ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes, passing through Quechua speaking communities and lesser-known Inca ruins, to finally join the 4-day Classic or Traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This trek combines the best of both worlds – stunning high mountain trekking and also the ruins of the Classic Inca Trail.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cusco

Upon arrival in Cuzco at 3,400m (11154 feet), you will be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel for a short initial briefing and then a few hours of rest, which is essential for successful acclimatization to the altitude.

Every alleyway we enter or corner we turn brings another surprise in the form of the superbly constructed Inca walls or the more architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. The city, capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro’s men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We also take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman, spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city.

Meals: B

Day 2: Sacred Valley

We leave Cuzco and cross the Chinchero Plateau from where we get impressive views of three mountain ranges. We descend into the valley to the Inca village of Ollantaytambo (For those interested, you might like to consider a rafting trip along the Urubamba River). This village is famous for its monolithic granite blocks that were hauled 500 years ago from the quarries more than 8 km away to become part of an unfinished temple high above the village. The monumental site you’ll visit here is definitely the most impressive in the valley. We’ll have plenty of time to explore this lovely village and have the opportunity to visit a traditional house, after which we will return to Cuzco.

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Cusco - Mollepata - Markokasa

We will pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus to the town of Mollepata. Along the way, we will pass through the picturesque towns of Pampa de Anta (Izcuchaca, Zurite, and Ancahuasi). Our journey will take us into the Limatambo Valley, where we will see the ruins of Tarawasi, and then toward Mollepata, where we will begin our adventure. At Mollepata, we will finish our arrangements for the trek and then hike to our first camp at Markokasa.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Markokasa - Choquekiclla - Soraypampa

We will begin Day 4 with a trek to Choquekiclla, where we will view the majestic Salkantay, a sacred mountain capped with snow peaks and on whose skirts we will make camp (4,000m / 13,123 ft).

Meals: B, L, D

Day 5: Soraypampa - Pampa Japonesa - Canal Inca

Day 5 will be a spectacular day, hiking through the pass of Salkantay, close to the mountain’s eternal snowcaps. Afterwards, we will descend toward the Inca Canal. During our trek, we will be able to fully appreciate and take in the imposing Andean topography.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 6: Canal Inca - Tres Piedras - Llulluchapampa

We begin Day 6 by hiking along the Inca Canal, which leads us to Paucarcancha. At Paucarcancha, we will enter the Cusichaca Valley and hike onward to Llulluchapampa (Incaracay).

Meals: B, L, D

Day 7: Llulluchapampa - Pakaymayu - Sayacmarka

On Day 7, we ascend the pass of Warmiwañuska at 4,200 meters/13,780 feet above sea level. This is the highest point on the Inca Trail. From here, we descend toward the Pakaymayu Valley and continue our journey onward to Sayacmarka.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 8: Sayacmarka - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñaywayna

Day 8 of our trek will bring a noticeable change in climate (warmer), flora, and fauna, as we move close to Peru’s cloud forest. During the course of the day, we will visit several archaeological sites.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 9: Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Our reward at the end of our epic 9-day journey is the amazing panorama as we arrive at the great Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. We will enjoy a 2 1/2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. After the tour we will have lunch at Sanctuary Lodge, then take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, from which we will catch the train back to Cuzco. Upon arrival, we will transport you from the train station in Cuzco to your hotel.

Meals: B, L

Inclusions

What's included

Transportation to Mollepata (trek start) and from the train station upon return.
Train service: Aguas Calientes – Cuzco.
Entrance Ticket: Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
Bus ticket: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; 2 guides for groups over 12 people.
Chef: In charge of meal preparation.
Horsemen and horses (Salkantay segment): Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 6 kg/ 13 lbs per person)
Porters (Inca Trail segment): Carry tents and cooking equipment.
Meals: 9 Breakfasts/ 8 Lunches/8 Dinners/Snacks and afternoon tea.
Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), sleeping pad, dinner tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including.
emergency.
Oxygen bottle.