Salkantay plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days

The Salkantay plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days to Machu Picchu is perfect for travelers who wish to get off the beaten track, experience a wilderness trek, and hike part of the original Inca Trail. It is a beautiful trek taking you right from the watershed of the Apurimac River to the Urubamba River and around the stunning Mount Salkantay, which is the second-largest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,277m/20,577ft. This spectacular trail twists and turns ascends through high mountain ranges and descends steep valleys, passing through many micro-climates and pockets of a misty cloud forest.

You will visit the wildest Andean landscapes with several diverse ecological zones filled with an enormous variety of plants and birdlife. Last but not least, you walk in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail! The ancient and remote footpath takes you through archeological sites, through the Sun Gate, and on to the majestic Machu Picchu itself!

Salkantay plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days highlights:

• Explore the highest and most stunning in the Peruvian Andes.
• Enjoy the view of the enigmatic Mount of Salkantay and Humantay.
• Hike through the quiet and remote Salkantay trail crossing over 5,000 meters high
• Visit & explore the legendary of Machu Picchu with a private guide.
• Book the Salkantay plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days with direct & official local tour operator based in
• Cusco, managed by locals.
• You will savor the Peruvian cuisine, which our master chef will prepare.

Acclimatization:
We recommend you be in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek to be acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude so that you won’t have a problem during the tour.

About us:
Peru Tripper is a direct local tour operator in Cusco – Peru; we never share our tours with other companies as most of them do to minimize operating costs. We don’t work with intermediaries or have hidden prices; we have the best local guides and professionals. We guarantee that your travel expenditures will support the local economy, and improve the lives of local Peruvians, due to the simple reason we are a local business!

On the morning of departure for the Inca Trail expeditions, travellers will be picked up from the hotel. You then travel for 2 hours until we arrive at the town of Mollepata, where you will have a short stop to buy breakfast at a local restaurant. You leave Mollepata and travel for one more hour by bus to arrive in Soraypampa, the trailhead for the Inca Trail expeditions.  At Soraypampa we meet our horseman who will be in charge to carry our camping gear by horses, once we are ready we start with our adventure.

Today we will hike to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Salkantay route; at 1.5 hours walking uphill is the Humantay lake, one of the many hidden treasures in the mountainous region of Peru. The emerald water and the imposing glacier come together in an impeccable harmony in the incredible landscape you will see.

After we had a great time at Humantay Lake, we will begin the descent to Soraypampa to have lunch at a very scenic spot still with Salkantay Mt in the background. After eating the delicious meal, we’ll still hike up for about 3 hours to get to the first campsite known as Ichu Pata; at this point, we’ll be impressed by stunning views of eroded mountains and enjoy the sunset with a tea followed by delicious dinner.

Hiking time: 5 hours.
Hiking Distance: 13 Km / 8.1 miles.
Meals: Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

After breakfast, we will start walking uphill for approximately 3 hours to reach the highest point of the entire Inca Trail expeditions. This pass is called Inca Chiriyaska(16.500ft). It has mind-blowing views of all the tall mountains around it. After enjoying the spectacular scenery, we will start hiking down the other side of Salkantay with the direction of Sisaypampa, where our chef will be waiting for us with a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we will hike down for two hours to reach the camp at Pampacahuana village.

Hiking time: 7 hours.
Hiking Distance: 14 Km / 8.7 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

Today we change the rhythm to join the Classic Inca Trail. We started with a walk down for 2 hours from Pampacahuana to Paucarcancha (3133 m / 10,276 ft). We will visit the Incan site of the same name. After the tour, we will walk downhill for 5 hours until we reach Km 82, which is the beginning of the classic Inca trail. On the way, we can see in the distance the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata. This place is the first incan site on the Classic Inca Trail. Our cook will wait for us with a delicious lunch at Kilometer 82.

After lunch, we will take our private van towards Ollantaytambo and get dropped off at your hotel. Later that evening, you will have dinner in Ollantaytambo.

Hiking time: 6 hours.
Hiking Distance: 10 Km / 6.2 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

We will pick you up from your Ollantaytambo hotel early in the morning and then we walk to the train station at Ollantaytambo and take the tourist train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about 1 hour and a half to km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off from the train and cross the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft).

These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center and features several buildings. Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the route.

We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Urubamba river valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hour on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 2:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft) which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the photo point then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will check in to your hotel, and later we will have dinner.

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours.
Hiking Distance: 13 Km / 9 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner.

After breakfast, we will board the first bus, which will take us to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. As part of our itinerary, the same professional tour guide from your Inca Quarry Trek & Short Inca Trail 5 Days 4 Nights will explain all the history of this mysterious and beautiful place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal Palace, Principal Temple, Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable and inspiring experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.

If you have booked the Huayna Picchu hike, you’ll need to coordinate with our guide regarding your scheduled time to take this additional hike. For people not hiking Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Book in advance), there are other optional activities you can do on your own:

Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.

Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However, in this case, the experience is a little less strenuous but a lot more death-defying, not for people with vertigo.

When you are finished with your personal time exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where our private van will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

Hiking time: 3 hours.
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.

• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking tour guide
• Pre-Departure Briefing 1 or 2 days before your trek
• Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soraypampa
• Four-person tent for every 2 persons.
• Mattress
• Kitchen tent
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Toilet tent
• Professional chef and assistant chef
• Horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.) and 5 kg (9 lbs) per hiker for your belongings
• Duffle bag for your gear
• Emergency horse in case we need it
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
• Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo round trip
• Private van transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
• Emergency oxygen bottle, medical kit
• Entrance to Machu Picchu and Inca Trail
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas calientes

• Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us.
• Day 5 Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips for the crew (guides, porters, cooks, wranglers)
• Ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain $ 80 usd.

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip-on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films, and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain, and cold
• Sunblock
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters, etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Original passport
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)

We also offer a special service only for you or your group; you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure; we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Salkantay plus Short Inca Trail – 5 Days private service includes additional items such as:

• Extra horse to ride (1-2 days only).
• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• Extra Porter (to carry your personal stuff 7kg/person)
• North Face 4 season tents.
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain.
• Vistadome train (First class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Bus round trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• Sleeping bag.
• 02 waking poles per person.
• 1 duffel bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad, as well as your clothes.
• Tour guide for exploring Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little bit more to our staff and guide.

We offer 3 kinds of service, each with different price ranges and you can book in any of these services according to your convenience, we just need you to be a minimum of 02 people to organize your trip on the date that suits you, all our services are 100 % guaranteed.

We are a direct TOUR OPERATOR that never passes clients to other agencies as most agencies do it here in Cusco to save operating costs with poor quality.

We will make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.

Can I be picked up from the Sacred Valley?
Yes, let us know in advance to organize your pick-up time.