Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days

Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days

Price from: $ 966.00 USD (See: Pricing)
Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days
Tour Type
Hiking & Camping Tours
Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days
Maximun Altitude
5,200m (17,060 ft.)
Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days
Physical Level
Strenuous
Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days
Recommended Season
March to December

Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail – 6 Days

Price from: $ 966.00 USD (See: Pricing)

Explore Peru’s stunning landscapes on the classic 6-day Salkantay & Inca Trail Hike! From Snow Peaks to Tropical Rainforests, let us take you through an unforgettable adventure with all your necessities taken care of.

Tour Plan: Cusco | Soraypampa | Inca Chiriaska Pass | Inca Canal | Paucarcancha | Ayapata | Dead Woman's Pass | Pacaymayo | Sayacmarca | Phuyupatamarca | Wiñaywayna | Intipunku Sun Gate | Machu Picchu Ruins

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek 6 Day – High Inca Trail

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days, often called the High Inca Trail, follows the same route up to the base of Salkantay before turning east across the Inca Chiriasca Pass at approximately 4900-m. This route then descends via Sisaypampa, where you trek to Pampacahuana and impressive Inca ruins. The remains of an Inca road then go down to the singular Inca ruins of Paucarcancha. Then, join the “classic” Inca Trail at Huayllabamba to continue to Machu Picchu.

The Inca Trail Salkantay Trek is an alternative route to the classic one, offering a more challenging and rewarding experience. The trek stretches over approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles) and typically takes around six days, leading adventurers to the enigmatic ruins of Machu Picchu.

Join the Salkantay Trek and Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on an unforgettable hiking adventure through the astonishing Peruvian landscapes. This adventure will take you through rugged mountain terrain, lush forests, and ancient ruins as you discover the rich history and culture of the Inca civilization. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime as you trek to one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Overview

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days Overview

This 6-day trek combines the stunning Salkantay Trek with the iconic Classic Inca Trail, offering a unique and unforgettable experience of the Andes Mountains and the ancient Inca civilization. The trek starts with a challenging ascent to the Salkantay Pass, reaching an altitude of 4,600 meters (15,000 feet) and offering breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. The trail then descends into the lush cloud forest, passing through traditional Andean villages and ancient Inca ruins. On the fourth day, the trek joins the Classic Inca Trail, following the footsteps of the Incas through the Sun Gate and arriving at the majestic Machu Picchu on the final day. This journey will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

  • Day 1: Cusco-Soraypampa to Humantay and Salkantay Pampa
  • Day 2: Salkantay Pampa, Inca Chiriaska Pass, Inca Canal “Pampaqawana”
  • Day 3: Inca Canal, Paucarcancha, Wayllabamba and Ayapata
  • Day 4: Ayapata, Llulluchapampa, Warmiwañusca, Pacaymayo and Chaquicocha
  • Day 5: Chaquicocha, Phuyupatamarca, Inti Pata and Wiñaywayna
  • Day 6: Wiñaywayna, Inti Punku, Machupicchu and Cusco

Highlights

  • Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with this incredible 6-day hiking trip along the famous Salkantay and Classic Inca Trails! Immerse yourself in Peru’s spectacular landscape and ancient history.
  • Follow the path of the ancient Inca civilization with this unique 6-day journey through Peru! Explore the Salkantay and Classic Inca Trails—a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Itinerary

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days ITINERARY

The Inca Trail Salkantay Trek is a transformative journey that remarkably blends natural beauty, physical challenge, and spiritual connection. This six-day trek offers trekkers a chance to escape the modern world and immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Andes while following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas.

Every step along the trail is a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit and the reverence for the natural world. The stunning vistas, unique flora and fauna, and spiritual connection make the Salkantay Trek plus the Classic Inca Trail an adventure of a lifetime.

DAY 1

Cusco – Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Salkantay Pampa

High Inca Trail – At Soraypampa, we will meet our horseman to pack all the mountain equipment and your belongings. We start our Hike, where you will catch views of the stunning Vilcabamba range (02 magnificent snow glaciers, the Salkantay and the Humantay). 

Data:

  • Early morning, pick you up from your hotel at 05 am
  • Private transfer to the trailhead “Soraypampa.”
  • Lunch at Soray Pampa.
  • Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
  • Estimated Hike Duration: 03 ½ hours walk
  • Highest point & Campsite elevation: Soraypampa 4,150 m (Just right at the bottom of Salkantay Glacier Peak)
  • Weather: Cold
  • Location: Mollepata, Cusco – Peru
  • Trail Conditions are rocky, dusty, and slippery; trekking shoes for sure.
  • Difficulty: Moderate to Easy (only Andean Altitudes)
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Food

1B, 1D.

Physical Level

3, Demanding

Walking Distance

12km (7.4 miles)

Hiking Time

3.5 Hrs.

Starting Altitude

Soraypampa: 3,923m (12,870 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Salkantaypampa: 4,152m (13,622 ft)

Highest Altitude

Salkantaypampa: 4,152m (13,622 ft)

DAY 2

Salkantay Pampa - Inca Chiriaska Pass - Inca Canal “Pampaqawana”

After the Coca tea for wake-up and breakfast, we will climb the highest Pass of the most exciting trek to reach the Inka Chiriaska pass, 5,200mt / 17.060ft (possible to observe some Condors around the area). Catch views of the surrounding mountains; this experience is unique step by step, and we can conquer the Peru summit.

We describe our next campsite of Canal Inka ( Altitude 3,750 meters / 12,303 feet), where you will see more beautiful landscapes.

Hiking:

  • We wake up early to enjoy the views of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
  • Hiking towards the highest Pass, “Inka Chiriaska,” where the Inca Emperor suffered from super cold
  • Hiking Distance: 16 km / 9.92 miles
  • Estimated duration: 07 hours hike
  • Highest point: Inca Chiriaska Pass 5,200mt / 17.060ft
  • Campsite elevation Inca Canal (Pampaqawana) 3,750mt / 12,303ft
  • Weather: Cold
  • Inca Trail Conditions are rocky, dusty, and slippery
  • Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Food

1B, 1L, 1D.

Physical Level

5, Challenging

Walking Distance

16km (9.9 miles)

Hiking Time

7-8 Hrs.

Starting Altitude

Salkantaypampa: 4,152m (13,622 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Pampaqawana: 3,750m (12,303 ft)

Highest Altitude

Inca Chiriaska Pass: 5,200m (17.060 ft)

DAY 3

Inca Canal – Paucarcancha – Official Inca Trail (ayllabamba - Ayapata)

This morning, our trek leads us to the Cusichaca River, passing the Inca canals to get to the Wayllabamba Site (Altitude 3,000mt / 9,842ft) that connects us to the official Inca trail. We will meet our Andean porters to start the Inca trail to the Ayapata camp. On this route, we will explore the Paucarcancha ruins.

  • Wake up with hot Coca leaves the drink in your tent
  • It is 03 hour’s trek to Wayllabamba (meeting point with your Inca porters here)
    • Estimated duration: 04 hours trek
  • Explore the Inka site of Paucarcancha, “the happy place.”
  • Accommodation: Ayapata Camp 3300 meters.
  • Trekking distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
  • Highest point: Ayapata
  • Weather: Cold and pleasant weather
  • Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Food

1B, 1L, 1D.

Physical Level

4, Intense

Walking Distance

12km (7.4 miles)

Hiking Time

4 Hrs.

Starting Altitude

Pampaqawana: 3,750m (12,303 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Wayllabamba: 3,000m (9,900 ft)

Highest Altitude

Ayapata: 3,350m (10,990 ft)

DAY 4

Ayapata – Warmiwañuska to Chaquicocha

Hiking from Ayapata to Llulluchapampa, the vegetation is thin, and the day warms on approaching the trail’s highest point, “Warmiwañusca Pass,” 4,236mt/13,894ft. We take lunch at the Pacaymayo Valley 3,526mt /11,566ft.

  • Trekkers survive the two highest Andes passes, the Warmiwañusca and Runkuracay.
    • Explore the two Incan sites:
      • Runkuracay
      • Concha Marca
      • Sayacmarka
    • Weather: several different microclimates
    • Lunch at Pacaymayo, located between the two passes on a valley
    • Walking distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
    • We trek this route and various campsites to avoid crowds
    • Camp location: Chaquicocha
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Food

1B, 1L, 1D.

Physical Level

5, Challenging

Walking Distance

16km (9.9 miles)

Hiking Time

7-8 Hrs.

Starting Altitude

Ayapata: 3,350m (10,990 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Pacaymayo: 3,600m (11,877 ft)

Highest Altitude

Warmiwañuska Pass: 4,215m (13,828 ft)

DAY 5

Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Inti Pata - Wiñaywayna

Today, we follow the most incredible track of the Inca trail with many good sceneries. The path from Phuyupatamarka becomes increasingly dramatic as it leads down to the next campsite at Wiñaywayna (Altitude 2,740 m/8,990 ft.)

  • Explore 03 Incan sites:
    • Phuyupatamarka
    • Intipata
    • Wiñaywayna
  • Walking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
  • Lunch at Wiñaywayna camp
  • Free afternoon to recover energy for the next day for Machupicchu.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Food

1B, 1L, 1D.

Physical Level

4, Intense

Walking Distance

10km (6.2 miles)

Hiking Time

3.5-hour

Starting Altitude

Chaquicocha: 3,570m (11,712 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Wiñaywayna: 2,650m (8,694 ft)

Highest Altitude

Phuyupatamarca Pass: 3,665m (12,024 ft)

DAY 6

Wiñaywayna – Inti Punku - Machu Picchu – Cusco

Last stretch of the Inca Trail from Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu, we have our guided tour around the Inca citadel. During the afternoon, we return to Cusco by train from Aguas Calientes.

  • Walking distance: 05 km / 03 miles
  • Machu Picchu guided tour is 02 hours.
  • By bus, descend to Aguas Calientes town for lunch (not included)
  • Train back service from Machu Picchu train station to Ollantaytambo train station.
  • Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  • Meals: Breakfast.
Food

1B

Physical Level

2, Moderate

Walking Distance

5km (3 miles)

Hiking Time

2-hour

Starting Altitude

Wiñaywayna: 2,650m (8,694 ft)

Minimun Altitude

Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)

Highest Altitude

Inti Pinku: 2,720m (8,920 ft)

Inclusions

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days INCLUSION

  • Trek briefing with your guide
  • Private Transport and professional driver (to the starting point of the trek)
  • All entrance tickets and permits.
  • Indigenous Porters to carry (camping equipment)
  • Extra porter to carry 07 kg/15.4 lb. personal items
  • Mules to pack camping equipment for the “Salkantay Trek portion.”
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Village
  • Machu Picchu guided tour (02 hours) and extra time for you.
  • One train ticket from Machupicchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo village (Expedition Tourist Train)
  • 1 bus ticket from Machu Picchu Park to Machu Picchu Pueblo
  • Spacious tents and sleeping mats
  • We provide a duffle bag for personal items.
  • One Chef and assistant cook
  • Excellent Meals (05 Breakfasts, 05 Lunches, 05 Dinners)
  • Wake up, coca tea in your tent.
  • Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day
  • Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel
  • Kondor Path Tours uses walkie-talkies on all treks.
  • Oxygen Tank and first aid kit
  • All local taxes

* Price based on 02 people sharing one tent.

Inca Trail Salkantay Trek NO INCLUSION 

  • Water on Days 01 and 06
  • Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 6
  • Energy snacks will be handy as chocolate bars and dried fruits
  • We encourage our guests to use refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste on the trail.
  • Tips: Guide, Cook, Porters

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek Item Upgrade 

On a six-day trek through the Salkantay and Classic Inca Trails, follow the ancient paths of the Inca Empire and explore Peru’s incredible Andes Mountains.

TRAIN SERVICES

PERU TRAINS By PeruRail / PER PERSON

+$55. Vistadome train (Inbound Journey: MACHUPICCHU-OLLANTAYTAMBO)
+$498.00 Hiram Bingham train (Inbound Journey: Train MACHUPICCHU-POROY)

EXTRA TICKETS

+$75 Huayna Picchu
+$75 Montaña
+$75 RE-ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU

Inca Trail Salkantay Trek Discounts

This applies to the following services
Machu Picchu Fee

College & students$30 off

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek Bring

  •  A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack—appropriate packs (carry your personal belongings)
  • Original passport.
  • Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
  • 4 pairs of Trekking pants, “no jeans.”
  • 01 warm/winter jacket (thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights).
  • 04 t-shirts, 02 long-sleeve shirts
  • 01: Good sleeping bag liner; it is super lightweight and easy to pack; it does its job!
  • Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness
  • Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher is recommended).
  • Camera and film
  • A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
  • Bandages or moleskin
  • Flip-flops to change into at night—your toes will thank you!
  • Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
  • Something to read in the evenings
  • Extra money for drinks and tips (porters, cooks, guides) ($30–40)

Travel Guide

FACTs of Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days

Trek in Peru with professional guides at your side! Climb two of the most spectacular trails—the Salkantay & Classic Inca Trails—while exploring ancient Inca ruins over six breathtaking days.

No, there is no age limit, but if you are older, you should have a medical check-up before traveling and try to acclimate at altitude (see altitude sickness). We have had children as young as seven years old and people up to 68 years old many times. Don’t worry; we are here to help you do it! When there is a will, if possible.

You can change the departure date but not the entry date at the Citadel of Machu Picchu. Tickets are purchased well in advance; if you change the hiking departure, your tour could become one of four or three days, depending on the program book. Remember to schedule your trip to Peru in advance to avoid problems and stay in Cusco 3 or 4 days before the trip). Please note that on this trip, you will meet people of different genders and nationalities than yours; we are an agency that cannot guarantee the gender and ethnicity of our tourists.

We have an excellent kitchen that offers a fantastic variety of dishes:

Breakfast: Varies depending on the difficulty of the journey ahead. Usually, a wide selection of products: oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, bread, and jam. You can have hot chocolate, coffee, English tea, and herbal tea (chamomile, lemongrass, or traditional Coca tea).

Lunch and dinner: always have a bowl of soup followed by a main course (chicken, meat, fish, etc., with rice or pasta). This is followed by dessert and a herbal drink for good.

Refreshments (Happy Hour): After the Hike, every day, there will be hot drinks, popcorn, cookies, bread and jam, chocolate, milo, etc., etc. etc.).

Snacks: Before starting the Hike for the day, you will be given – a piece of fruit, a chocolate bar, a packet of cookies, and some candy.

Vegetarian/unique diet options are available upon request (see below).

Yes, we offer vegetarian food. Please specify your dietary needs when making your reservation.

Yes, we provide water previously boiled for at least 5 minutes (water purification tablets are unnecessary). Therefore, you only need a bottle of water for the first part, for lunch, the first day, and then, from there, refill your bottles to Machu Picchu.

The tents for all our tours are for four people, but the modern man is very tall, and only two people fit in each tent, which allows more space and comfort. If you are traveling alone, you must share the tent with another person unless you request a private tent (single tent $25).

Tipping is a personal decision, depending on the job performance of each person accompanying you on this trip.

All hostels and hotels in Cusco have a storage room to keep the tourists’ belongings; to make this trip, you must leave it in place.

We have a shallow rate of people returning once the trip has started. Our priority is to help you complete the trip; our guides are well-trained and have a first aid kit and emergency oxygen. Please don’t think this (that you are in good hands).

Cusco only has two seasons: rainy for six months and dry for 06 months. The dry season starts in April and October; the days are usually sunny and warm, but keep in mind that the weather is very variable in the high and mountain towns, from November to March rainy days and many unstable months, where the rains can be heavy.

Note: Temperatures are for the Cusco Valley 3400m. Temperatures change depending on altitude (higher altitude = cold or vice versa).

The train included in all tours is the (Expedition Service); the schedules are the available spaces in the wagons once the agencies make the full payment. The first train can be taken at 18:20 hours and the last at 22:50 hours: Salkantay Expeditions. Arrange transportation back to Cusco (by cab or bus).

Note: Trains are sometimes subject to change depending on Peru Rail train operators. If desired, the train can be modified for a better service with a corresponding price increase.

You must arrive before the city of Cusco, where it will be necessary to go with a guide to direct the way to make your adventure tours of Salkantay treks.

The Salkantay trek is located in Cusco, about 60 km northwest of Cusco. The proximity of Salkantay to Machu Picchu makes trekking around it an alternative to the Inca Trail.

You should bring a series of accessories for the trail. As a backpack that will be your companion during the five days of the tour, carry the following.

  • Light and warm clothes
  • Hiking shoes.
  • Hat
  • Plastic poncho.
  • Bathing suit for the hot springs
  • Towel.
  • Water bottle.
  • Gloves for the cold.
  • Walking sticks
  • Flashlight.
  • Binoculars.
  • Personal toiletries
  • Camera.
  • Personal documents
  • Insect repellent and sunblock
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Disposable tissues.
  • Cash.
  • Personal medications.
  • Snacks.
  • How many kilometers must you travel on tour to reach Machu Picchu?

The Salkantay trek is approximately 72 kilometers, distributed over five days and four nights, through beautiful Cusco to Machu Picchu.

The five-day Salkantay trek is available for all adventurers traveling to Cusco in 2025.

The best season for the Salkantay trek is during the dry season in Cusco, in April and October.

No, the route is marked, and the professional team you will travel with will ensure no incidents occur.

This is a five-day trek, where we will be going up and down trails for more than 70 kilometers in the known altitude of Cusco; for this reason, it is advisable to be prepared for the trek.

Training hard will not be necessary, but cardiovascular exercises, such as walking three times a week for at least three months before the tour, do help.

Also, spending a couple of days acclimatizing to the altitude of Cusco before the tour will help us a lot.

To do the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu, you should know that the level of trekking varies from moderate to complex. Therefore, it is recommended that you be in good physical condition. In addition, it is recommended to use good trekking shoes, preferably ones that are already molded to your feet; this will facilitate walking and will not cause any problems.

The best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu with good weather is between April and October, as we have clear skies and smaller-scale rainfall. Mainly, the driest months are between June and August, which is winter in the Andes. However, it is suggested to foresee the type of clothing to use during these months, because during the day you can enjoy the sun, while at night you can feel intense cold.

The number 1 reason we did the Salkantay trek was the environment you were in. You hiked for five days in very different backgrounds. On other trekking tours, the walk to Machu Picchu often remains the same, becoming monotonous. This is different from the Salkantay trek.

With each step, the landscape changes, and the mountains reveal something new: the rolling clouds, the breathtaking terrain, the towering mountains, and the smiling locals.

There is something magical about walking in the area on the Salkantay trail. All you have to do is walk and enjoy. You have no stress, and there are not many things you must think about during your Hike. Just enjoy the walk. Great.

You can book the Inca Trail by contacting us through the website or the following email: info@kondorpathtours.com. You only need to fill out the reservation form and provide us with your personal information, such as full name, date of birth, Passport or Identity Card number, precisely as indicated in your document, and the exact date of the excursion. Otherwise, please send your inquiry to our email address, info@kondorpathtours.com.

The Salkantay trek is not recommended because the conditions are not the best. The Salkantay Majestic Hike is accessible to all hikers, but it is recommended that they be accompanied by certified expert guides who know the trail well.

No, we refer to security as being robbed, assaulted, or something similar during the route. We heard before doing this route that it could be, but it is false. The most significant danger you face is the altitude, so I recommend you look at this altitude sickness guide.

Yes and no. I am accustomed to and in relatively good shape, so I can do the Salkantay trek. Many people take this route, which can give you a clue that it is about something other than climbing the Himalayas. Still, it would be best to be realistic about your physical condition and, above all, your acclimatization level.

Yes, absolutely, yes. We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Cusco. Drink plenty of water (as much as it bothers us all; beer is not water), get plenty of rest, and take some walks to measure yourself. If you feel that your body reacts in a more or less usual way (considering that you are at more than 3500 meters above sea level), you are ready for the adventure.

What’s it like?

  • For those seeking an unforgettable experience combining history, culture, and adventure, the Salkantay Inca Trail Trek is undoubtedly worth embarking on.
  • Explore the world-famous Salkantay & Classic Inca Trail in 6 days! Discover Peru’s incredible natural beauty as you hike through diverse landscapes, learn about local culture and visit the Inca ruins.
  • Follow the legendary path of the Incas, winding through the spectacular scenery of the Peruvian Andes. Mythical and awe-inspiring, Machu Picchu was declared one of the world’s new seven wonders.
  • Beautiful scenery, stunning Andes mountain vistas, and impressive high passes. View the beautiful skies of Machu Picchu when the sun lights them up after Intipunku.

Pricing & Book Now

6-Day Inca Trail Salkantay Trek COST

HIKING SERVICE: Season 2025

Explore Peru’s classic hiking trails and the iconic Salkantay to Inca Trail in only six days! Join us for a journey of a lifetime full of history, adventure, and beautiful scenery.

Number of persons Price per person
1 $ 3 236.00 USD
2 $ 1 931.00 USD
3 $ 1 532.00 USD
4 $ 1 343.00 USD
5 $ 1 240.00 USD
6 $ 1 135.00 USD
7 $ 1 055.00 USD
8 $ 987.00 USD
9 $ 966.00 USD

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INQUIRE ABOUT THE SALKANTAY INCA TRAIL 6 DAYS

Inca Trail Salkantay Trek 6-Day: Join us for an unforgettable journey through Peru! Hike to spectacular viewpoints on the Salkantay & Classic Inca Trails, enjoy traditional Andean cuisine, and learn about local cultures.

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Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days

Salkantay Inca Trail 6 Days

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek

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