Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

 

 

 

 

The Salkantay (6,264m/20,551ft) is the most representative mountain of the Incas, situated in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Daylight in this region is particularly beautiful and offers a wonderful view of the diverse landscape and the tropical forest. During our journey, we will also visit local farmers and get to know their Andean life, customs & traditions. Therefore, this trek perfectly combines cultural and natural beauty.

• Duration: 6 days/5 nights.
• Starting point: Cusco/Mollepata.
• Ending point: Machu Picchu/Cusco.
• Physical Demands Rating: Moderate.
• Age Restriction: 12 Years Old.
• Trip Code: MTS - 004
• Tour Type: Trekking, Cultural, Adventure, Nature
• Accommodation: Camping/4 nights/Hotel.
• Service Level: Standard - Deluxe.
• Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed.
• Style: Personalized.
• Carbon Emissions: 330 CO2-E
• Group Size: 2 Minimum, 10 Maximum.
• Transport: Train, walk, Mini-Van.
• Price From: US$

Salkantay trek itinerary :

1st Day: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruzpata) – Soraypampa – Salkantaypampa

We will leave Cusco at 5:45AM. After having passed Mollepata (3,000m/9,843ft), we will head for Cruzpata (3,400m/11,155ft) where we will meet the rest of the group. From Cruzpata we start hiking into a magnificent valley surrounded by impressive snowcapped mountains, such as the Humantay (5,217m/17,116ft) and the Salkantay (6,264m/20,551ft). Our campsite will be at Salkantaypampa (3,900m/12,795ft).

Transporting time: 4 hours
Climate: moderate and cold during the nights.
Hiking time: 6 hours.

2nd Day: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Sisaypampa

After breakfast, we will continue our journey around midmorning and head for the highest mountain pass in the Machu Picchu National Park: the Salkantay  Pass (5,200m/17,060ft). From there, we will have an exceptional view of the snowcapped Salkantay (6,264m/20,551ft). Thereafter, we will descend to the next camping place, called Sisaypampa (3,700m/12,139ft).

Climate: moderate and cold during the nights.
Hiking time: 7 hours.

3rd Day: Sisaypampa – Inca Canal  – Wayllabamba

At dawn our trek leads us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will pass little creeks and visit several small archaeological sites. Our last station for this day will be Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,843ft), both our camping site and the starting point for the Classic Inca Trail on the next morning.

Climate: moderate and cold during the nights.

Hiking time: 5 hours.

4th Day: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu

To enjoy the beautiful panorama, and the cozy & mystical atmosphere, our day starting early in the morning. Our trek takes us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa (3,300m/10,827ft) and Lulluchapampa (3,850/12,631ft) and finally leads us to the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200m/13,780ft) which offers an impressive view of the snowcapped Verónica. After a short moment at the summit, we will continue walking down to our camping place named Pacaymayu (3,500m/11,483ft).

Climate: cold.
Hiking time: 7 hours.

5th Day: Pacaymayu – Runturakay – Chaquicocha – Wiñay Huayna

This day is the most beautiful one, since we will enjoy the constant changes of the ecosystem. We will visit several archaeological sites such as Runturakay (3,900m/12,795ft), Sayacmarca (3,600m/11,811ft), Phuyupatamarca (3,580m/11,745ft) & Wiñayhuayna (2,650m/8,694ft) whereas the latter is our last camping site.

Climate: moderate cold, warm with mosquitoes.
Hiking time: 7 hours. 

6th Day: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes - Cusco

After our breakfast around 5:00AM, we will head (equipped with our flashlights) to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu. Around 8:00AM we will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400m/7,874ft) and enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour of about two hours. Thereafter, you will have enough time to explore the archaeological site on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.

Climate: warm with mosquitoes.
Hiking time: 02 hours.

Included :

• Private transport from the hotel to Cruzpata.
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco/to Ollantaytambo & bus to Cusco.
• Entrance to the Salkantay National Park.
• Entrance to the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish & English).
• Camping equipment (Pro 2-person tents: Doite Cima 4, extralight-4kg/Doite Kailas 3, extralight-4,5kg & Doite Himalaya, extralight-4,5kg; sleeping mats, dining tent equipped with a table & chairs, a sanitary tent).
• Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks/option vegetarian).
• Cook and assistant.
• Horseman, mules and porters.
• Emergency horse during the hike from Salkantay to Wayllabamba.
• First-aid kit, oxygen bottle and safety rope.

Not included

• Sleeping bag (If you don’t have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting one).
• Last lunch in Aguas Calientes.
• Lodging in Cusco.

Notes

*From the 1st to the 3rd day (from Cruzpata to Wayllabamba) we are accompanied by horsemen and mules that will carry all camping equipment and the personal luggage of the customer (up to 10 kg). From the 4th to the 6th day (from Wayllabamba to Aguas Calientes) all equipment including the customer’s personal luggage will be carried by porters.

Important: The combination of the Salkantay trek and the Classic Inca Trail is important to book far in advance, especially in the months of May, June, July, August & September. This is due to the limit of 500 people permitted per day to start the Inca Trail, including guides, cooks & porters.

Lodging & Prices : Our team of travel consultants has carefully selected the Hotels based on their excellent value and high standards. (Lower Prices + Top Service = Best Value). We can book any hotel for you at competitive rates, but published prices are based on the Qeros Tours Peru Top Hotel Picks.   

Occupancy Hotel Category

Double/triple               Tourist 2-star                 Superior 3-star                Deluxe 4/5-star

Price From:                   000 SS$                         000 SS$                           000 SS$

Prices may vary according to the season, availability and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert Travel Consultants for more information.

What makes this trip responsible ?

Environmental Impact

Qeros Tours Team is promoting the environment conservation in the Inca Trail and other trails to Machu Picchu. We operate a minimal-impact policy in our Peruvian trips, this can include different cook methods, packing out the group waste, and taking less invasive routes. On all of our Inca Trail trips 100% of the group waste is removed and many other trips all non-bio degradable waste is removed and and we never build fires at our campsites. Also, all of our guides will talk about the local environment conservation and some of the challenges facing it. All the guides work to minimize the group's impact to share their knowledge of it. Our camp staff porters, cooks & mule wranglers where used are paid their wages and receive all accommodations, transport & food. Regular training courses about cultural & environment conservation are held for all staff.

Community Projects

We contribute directly to many community projects in the Cusco region. In the last year we have been responsible for the organization of one medical mission in the traditional village of Cacacollo located upon the Sacred Valley (Pisac) giving medical attention to 1000 locals with cooperation of Orange Adventist Medical Mission-USA. We are promoting local & traditional textile & handicrafts markets with the local people of Cacacollo inviting our customers to visit that market and help the economy of the locals.

Please, feel to free to ask about our volunteering programs and social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them.

How difficult is the trek ?
We recommend that trekkers have good physical health and a taste for adventure. The level of enjoyment that clients get out of Alternative Trek depends on numerous factors, such as the amount of time you have had to properly acclimatize to high altitude before departing; your age; your general fitness level and your trekking experience.

How far in advance should we reserve our Trekking Tours ?

We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail treks as far in advance as possible. We suggest booking 4-6 weeks in advance.

Will we need any documentation in order to get on the trail ?

Yes, the documents which you used to book the trip can be made with personal IDs such as original passports (preferred).

What is the situation with drinking water during the trek ?

The water is collected from local streams and is boiled throughout the trip. You can also buy water purification tablets. Another option would be to buy mineral water for the trek in Cusco and bring it with you (but that will add kilos to your luggage) or buy mineral water on the Trail that will be a little more expensive.

Is there a toilet tent and shower ?

Yes, there is toilet tent, for all alternative Inca Trail routes but on Classic Inca Trail at all campsites there are public toilets that you can use. All campsites have cold shower with only the last campsite at Wiñay Wayna having warm showers for a small additional cost.

How much luggage can I bring on the trek ?

For the trekking tours you should only take the items you are willing to carry during the hike. Other belongings can be left in storage in your hotel in Cusco. Horses will carry provided equipment, such as the tent, while you are responsible for your sleeping bag, clothing and other personal items. You are able to hire an extra horse to carry your belongings up to the weight of 20 kg.

How many other travelers can we expect will be on the Inca Trail with us ? How many support people (porters, cooks, guides) in total ?

The maximum number of people in a group is 10. There is one guide and assistant for every group and 1 cook, 5 horses and 2 Emergency horses. The majority of the people on the trail are not trekkers, but the support teams of guides, porters, horsemen & cooks.

Is it customary to tip the guides & porters ?  If so, how much is recommended ?

Again, it depends on the number of people that are going to be on the trek and it is also very hard to estimate the proper tip that you could give. On the last night of your trek, there is a tipping custom: all the hikers put their tips together and give them to the guide. The guide will then distribute that money between all the Inca Trail personnel. We advise anything from $10 to $40 per hiker but you should only tip according to the level of service you believe you have received.

I was going to bring just a small backpack for my 5 days in Peru. Please let me know the minimum amount of clothing & items I can bring.  I don't want to overpack ?

You are able to leave the majority of your personal belongings in storage at your Cusco hotel, so you only need to carry what you need for the trail. If you only have a suitcase, you can rent a backpack for the trail.

List of recommended Inca Trail clothing items:

Head: a hat to protect you from the sun, a knitted hat for the cold nights & mornings, sunglasses, sunblock, lip cream (Chap Stick).
Upper Body: 3-4 T-shirts (1 for hiking, 1 for sleeping, 1 for emergency), 1 good warm all terrain sweater/jacket for cold moments, 1 thick sweater for sleeping, insect repellent, gloves/mittens for your hands.
Lower Body: 1 pair of hiking pants (old comfortable jeans are fine, the lighter the better, 1 pair of shorts (not necessary, but comfortable), 1 pair of sweat pants for sleeping, socks (important, 4 pairs of socks, always try to keep dry, clean socks for sleeping), band-aids (or specialist blister aids) for your feet (better safe than sorry), comfortable sneakers or hiking boots.

How much does it cost to rent equipment ?

There are two types of sleeping bags for rent:

A feathered type costing $ 5,00 per day.
There are two types of backpacks available for rent, a 35-liter and a 40-liter available for $4,00 per day.

You can also hire extra horse for the duration of the trek for $20 per day to carry your bag up to the weight of 20kg.

Rentals can be arranged by your travel advisor. Other equipment you might want to rent such as boots, flashlights and coats can be arranged in Cusco.

Is it possible to walk from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes instead of the bus ?  If there is a walkway, how far is it ?

Yes, it's possible; you can follow the same road as the bus and it will take you about 40 minutes to go down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

What are the restrictions on access to Huayna Picchu ?

Only 400 people a day are allowed on the short trail, with access from inside Machu Picchu itself. From 7AM to 9AM, 200 people can enter and then another 200 at 10AM. Entrance is on a first come first serve basis.

Are there any ATMs ?

Yes. It is best to get money you want from Cusco and you'll find them around Plaza de Armas inside some stores & shops. ATMs are widely available in Peru and most hotels, restaurants, etc accept payment by credit card as long as you can also show your passport/ID.

What sort of food can I expect on the trail ?

Each tour is accompanied by a chef who will prepare all your meals for you. The food is hearty, plentiful & filling to keep you energized for the journey. Please notify us if you have any special requirements. Below, find an example menu for the trek :