Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, this trek perfectly combines cultural & natural beauty; we will enjoy the challenge of the ecosystems and the magnificent view of the snow-capped

• Duration: 5 days/4 nights.
• Starting point: Cusco/Mollepata.
• Ending point: Machu Picchu/Cusco.
• Physical Demands Rating: Moderate.
• Age Restriction: 12 years old.
• Trip Code: MTS - 003.
• Tour Type: Trekking, Cultural, Adventure.
• Accommodation: Camping/3 nights/Hotel.
• Service Level: Standard - Deluxe.
• Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed.
• Style: Personalized.
• Carbon Emissions: 320 CO2-E.
• Group Size: 2 Minimum, 10 Maximum.
• Transport: Train, walk, Mini-Van.
• Price From: US$

Trek Itinerary:

Hiking time: 6 hours

2nd Day: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass - Challway

After breakfast, we will set off towards the Salkantay Pass (4,600m/15,092ft) which offers an exceptional view of the snowcapped Salkantay (6,264m). Thereafter, we will descend again and will have time to enjoy the increasing vegetation of the ecosystem. Our campsite will be in Challway (3,000m/9,842ft) amidst the tropical forest with warm climate & mosquitoes.

Hiking time: 8-9 hours

3rd Day: Challway – Wiñaypoco – La Playa

The third day is dedicated to the region’s flora and its plantations. After descending to a dimmed forest, enjoy the species diversity of orchids, bromeliads and many other plants; we will see coffee, cacao and other plantations. Moreover, we will have the pleasure to meet local families of Wiñaypoco (2,650m/8,694ft) and La Playa (2,100m/6,890ft). Our camping site will be in La Playa. Climate: warm during the day with myriad of insects.

Hiking time: 6 hours

4th Day: La Playa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

Early in the morning, our trail leads us to the archaeological complex of Llactapata (2,650m/8,694ft) located amidst an eclectic array of vegetation. From here, we will have a beautiful view of the Machu Picchu mountain. Afterwards, we will continue down to the hydroelectric station (1,950m/6,398ft). Here we will take the train towards Aguas Calientes (2,050m/6,726ft) where we will spend the night in a hotel. Climate: warm with some insects.
Hiking time: 6 hours

5th Day: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30AM and head for Machu Picchu (2,400m/7,874ft) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00AM. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, including information about life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu (2,750m/9,022ft) on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55PM or at 6:10PM. Until then, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.

Hiking time: 02 hours

Group Departures

Included :

Not included :

What makes this trip responsible ?

Environmental Impact

Qeros Tours Team is promoting the environment conservation in the Inca Trail & other trails to Machu Picchu. We operate a minimal-impact policy in our Peru trips, this can include different cook methods, packing out the group’s waste & taking less invasive routes. On all of our Inca Trail trips 100% of the groups 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 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 of the sacred valley (Pisac) giving medical attention to 1000 locals with cooperation of Orange Adventist Medical Mission-USA. We are promoting local & traditional textiles & handicrafts market with local people of Cacacollo inviting to our customers to visit that market and help the economy of 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 an alternative trek depends on numerous factors, such as the amount of time you have had to properly acclimatize to high altitudes before departing, your age, your general fitness level & 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 weight to your luggage) or buy mineral water on the trail that will be just 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 ?   5-8 kilos ?

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. The 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 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 & assistant for every group, and 1 cook, 5 horses & 2 emergency horses. The majority of the people on the trail are not trekkers, but the support team 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 treks 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 try bringing 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 over-pack ?

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, sun block, 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 weather, 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 & 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 road, 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 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, you find an example menu for the trek :