The Most Famous Hike in Peru & South America
7 Days & 6 Nights
This trek is spectacular for those travelers who want to get off the beaten track, but still experience a desert hike and the original Inca Trail. It is a wonderful journey that will take you right from the Apurimac River basin to the Urubamba River and around the impressive Salkantay Mountain, which is the second largest mountain in the Cusco region (6,277m/20,577ft). On this spectacular trail of twists and turns, you will ascend through high mountain ranges and descend through pockets of cloud forest. You will experience the wildest landscapes and the wonder of the oldest traditions and finest buildings on the planet, a series of diverse ecological zones filled with a huge variety of plants and birds. The ancient and remote trail passes through archaeological sites, leading you to the architectural and cultural grandeur of Machu Picchu.
Your adventure begins very early. We will pick you up at 5:00 a.m. and travel by private transport to the town of Mollepata for approximately 2.5 hours, where we will enjoy breakfast (not included).
After breakfast, we will continue for another 1.5 hours to Soraypampa, passing through beautiful Andean landscapes, picturesque communities like Iscuchaca and Limatambo, deep valleys, and majestic snow-capped mountains, including the imposing Salkantay.
Upon arrival in Soraypampa, you will be greeted by breathtaking views of the glaciers of Humantay (5,900 m / 19,356 ft) and Salkantay (6,217 m / 20,396 ft). From this point, we will begin a hike of approximately 2.5 hours (round trip) to the famous Humantay Lagoon, renowned for its vibrant turquoise color and mountainous surroundings.
At the end of the hike, we'll gently ascend to Salkantaypampa, where our campsite is located. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a comforting tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by our chef. In the evening, weather permitting, you'll have a privileged view of the Andean sky in all its splendor, where you can clearly see the Milky Way and the well-known llama constellation—a magical experience to end the first day.
Maximum height: 4,200m / 13,779 ft
Minimum height: 2,720m / 8,924 ft
Climate: Cold - Sunny
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate walk: 5 - 6 hrs
We'll start the second day by waking up very early. Our team will offer you a cup of coca or muña tea, ideal for acclimatizing and starting the day with energy. After a delicious breakfast, we'll begin our hike off the beaten path, ascending for approximately 3 hours.
Along the way, we'll stop for lunch, surrounded by mountain scenery. Then we'll continue for another 3 hours until we reach our campsite located in Japanese Pampa, just 1 km from the imposing Salkantay mountain.
Throughout the trek, you'll be able to appreciate unforgettable views: snow-capped mountain ranges, high-altitude lakes, imposing glaciers, and expansive Andean valleys that make this day a truly spectacular experience.
Upon arriving at the campsite in the afternoon, a hot drink—tea, coffee, or hot chocolate—will be waiting for you to relax, and later you'll enjoy a comforting dinner prepared by our chef. Spending the night so close to Salkantay is a unique experience that will connect you deeply with nature.
We'll begin the third day with a nutritious and delicious breakfast to recharge our energy before tackling one of the most spectacular sections of the entire route. We'll begin a gradual ascent of approximately 4 hours until we reach Incachiriaska Pass (4,880 m / 16,010 ft), whose name means "the place where the Inca refreshes himself."
Upon reaching this point, you'll be greeted by majestic landscapes and the grandeur of the Andes at their finest. Here, we'll enjoy lunch prepared by our chef. In this area, among the rocky cliffs, it's possible to spot the imposing Andean condor, considered the largest flying bird in the world, making this day an even more memorable experience.
After lunch, we'll begin a leisurely descent along trails surrounded by nature until we reach our
camp in Sisaypampa, a wide and serene valley where we'll spend the night. There, a hot drink will be waiting for you to relax, and you will enjoy a comforting dinner before resting under a starry sky.
After a delicious breakfast, we'll begin our hike towards the end of the valley, where the trail connects with a wider valley known as Pampacahua. In this area, we'll find an original Inca canal that, surprisingly, is still used by local farming communities.
At the end of the valley, we'll visit our first archaeological site of the day: Paucarcancha, an important Inca checkpoint that forms part of the historic road network of the Tahuantinsuyo. After exploring this archaeological site, we'll continue our route to Wayllabamba, one of the most emblematic points on the
famous Inca Trail, where we'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
In the afternoon, we'll resume our hike, following the beautiful Llullucha Valley for approximately 3 hours, surrounded by lush vegetation and exceptional mountain views, until we reach our campsite at Llulluchapampa. Here you can relax with a cup of hot tea while taking in the breathtaking views of the valley. We'll end the day with a delicious dinner prepared by our chef before we rest.
Early in the morning, we'll enjoy a nutritious breakfast before beginning our approximately 2-hour ascent along an ancient Inca cobblestone path to reach the famous Warmiwañusqa Pass (4,217 m / 14,047 ft), the highest point on the Inca Trail and one of the most breathtaking viewpoints on the entire route.
From the summit, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the valley and the effort you've put in. After a well-deserved rest, we'll begin our descent along a restored section of the Inca Trail to the Pacaymayu River, where we'll have lunch. In the afternoon, we'll resume our hike, ascending for another 2 hours to the Runcurakay Pass (3,977 m / 13,127 ft).
From this point, we'll enjoy an incredible view of the mountains surrounding the entire region. Finally, we will descend for approximately 3 hours until we reach Phuyupatamarca (3,650 m / 12,047 ft), one of the most beautiful campsites on the Inca Trail, surrounded by clouds and breathtaking views. We will spend the night here.
Today you will experience one of the most beautiful days of the entire trek. Very early, after breakfast, you can enjoy an incredible sunrise overlooking the Urubamba Canyon, Machu Picchu Mountain, and several archaeological sites along the Inca Trail.
Then we will begin a descent of approximately two hours through the cloud forest to reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive Inca complexes on the route, where we will enjoy lunch.
Afterward, we will continue hiking for another hour to reach the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From this point, you will experience an unforgettable moment: your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu, surrounded by mountains and a spectacular landscape. After enjoying the viewpoint, we will descend to the citadel of Machu Picchu and then take our transport to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel (hotel optional, depending on the chosen category).
The big day has arrived! After an early breakfast at the hotel, around 5:30 a.m., we'll board one of the first buses to the citadel of Machu Picchu, arriving just in time to appreciate the sunrise (weather permitting), one of the most magical moments of the trip.
Once inside the sanctuary, we'll enjoy a 2-hour guided tour, exploring the most important areas and discovering their history, architecture, and spiritual significance.
Afterward, you'll have free time to continue exploring, take photos, or take an optional hike such as: Huayna Picchu (advance booking required), Machu Picchu Mountain (advance booking required), or a hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). After the tour, we'll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, between 2:55 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. At 4:22 p.m., we will board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, where this incredible adventure will end.
The price of the Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek 7 Days / 6 Nights to Machu Picchu varies depending on service type (group or private), travel season, permit availability, and the level of comfort you prefer. This combined high-mountain and heritage trekking program is designed to deliver exceptional value while providing full logistical support, expert guidance, and access to two of the most spectacular trekking routes in the Andes.
This 7-day expedition blends the dramatic glacier landscapes of the Salkantay route with the historic stone paths of the Inca Trail, creating a unique and diverse journey to Machu Picchu. The program includes required permits where applicable, professional bilingual guides, trekking staff and porters, full camping equipment, meals on the trail, safety gear, and guided entry to Machu Picchu.
All logistics — transportation, campsites, meals, coordination, and return travel — are fully organized so you can focus entirely on the trekking experience.
If you would like a private expedition, upgraded camping comfort, or panoramic return train service, our team will be happy to prepare a personalized quote.
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Our team ensures your combined Salkantay and Inca Trail expedition is safe, fully supported, and unforgettable — from your first briefing to your arrival at Machu Picchu.chu.th, premium, and unforgettable — from your first pickup to your return from Machu Picchu.
4,600MSNM-15,190 FT M.S.N.M
Up to 2-8 People People
Group
Band,Bus,Train
Moderate
Meta Peru Travel is a licensed and certified luxury travel agency recognized by Peru’s leading tourism and sustainability organizations, ensuring every journey meets the highest international standards.