Salkantay Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu is the best of both iconic treks to Machu Picchu from Cusco. The seven-day Inca Trail Salkantay Trek lets you explore Inca ruins.
You will also enjoy nature on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. It also takes you to the famous Humantay Lake, a colorful lagoon hidden in the middle of the Andes.
The high altitude experience begins at the Incachiriaska pass, “frozen Inca’s pass”. This is the main point of the Salkantay Trek. It then takes you through the original paved Inca pathways. Here, you will see a variety of fascinating ancient ruins and beautiful scenery before entering Machu Picchu.
In smaller groups, our staff can give you full attention. Each traveler has a personal porter to carry their items. This way, you can enjoy your hike to Machu Picchu.
The region is a part of the Peruvian Andes. It is divided into two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The best time to experience the trek is during the dry season, between March and November.
Please note that the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February every year.
The Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu lasts 7 days. It is one of the most popular hikes in Peru. This trek combines two famous Andean routes into one amazing journey.
Begin with the dramatic high slopes of Salkantay Mountain. This mountain is part of the Vilcabamba range. Then, move on to the historic Inca Trail trek in Peru. This trek ends at the stunning Machu Picchu citadel.
This itinerary offers adventurers the best of both worlds. It includes wild landscapes, snowy peaks, glacial lakes, cloud forests, and old Inca stone paths. It's great for anyone who wants to explore Peru's natural and cultural wonders on a 7-day hiking trip.
The Salkantay and Inca Trail 7-day trek is special for its diverse landscapes and natural scenery.
Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) is a beautiful mountain crossing. It offers great views of Salkantay’s snowy peak and nearby mountains.
Humantay Lake: a turquoise Andean jewel that’s one of the most photographed spots along the trek.
Cloud forest descent: lush subtropical greenery replacing the high‑altitude landscape as you near the classic Inca Trail.
The Inca site of Wiñay Wayna: emblematic archaeological ruins nestled in steep mountain slopes along the trail.
Sun Gate or Inti Punku: your first iconic view of Machu Picchu at sunrise.
This 7-day trek passes through very different environments. You will see dry alpine deserts and wet forests. This variety makes it one of the best treks in South America.
Our Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu lasts 7 days. It is slower than the traditional 4-day Inca Trail. This pace helps with acclimatization and allows for more exploration.
The extra days help your body get used to the altitude. This lowers the chance of altitude sickness and makes your trip more enjoyable. The climb over Salkantay Pass is tough, but the plan makes sure hikers get enough rest, good meals, and comfortable camps.
This trek is perfect for active travelers and outdoor lovers. It offers a chance to connect with the Andes while staying safe and healthy. From sunrise hikes to starry mountain nights, the Salkantay route offers a balanced mix of adventure and comfort.
One of the best parts of the Salkantay and Inca Trail 7-day tour is the expert guides and real cultural experiences. Licensed bilingual guides share insights into:
This educational element enriches your trek far beyond the physical challenge. Your guide acts as a storyteller, interpreter, and safety expert, enhancing your experience at every turn. Meals include local Andean staples, and interactions with campesino communities deepen your understanding of life in the high Andes.
After six days of different hiking and exploring, you will reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This is the highlight of the Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek. Here, Machu Picchu appears with mountains and morning light in the background. This moment is the culmination of your adventure: physical endurance, cultural discovery, and emotional reward.
The guided tour of Machu Picchu includes several important sites. You will visit the Temple of the Sun. You will also see the Intihuatana stone and the Sacred Plaza. This ties the whole journey together.
Happy Gringo Tours is a local tour company. It was started by a guide who has hiked the Inca Trail more than 500 times. All our guides are locals and passionate hikers. We have years of experience in the tourism industry. Our guides have extensive training in treating altitude sickness.
Do take a moment to check our reviews on TripAdvisor.
Check out our post on what to expect on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Also, take a look at our Ultimate Salkantay Trek Packing List.
We will pick you up at 5:00 a.m. to begin your 7-Day Inca Trail adventure. Our journey begins with a two-hour drive to Limatambo. We will take a short break to stretch our legs and also visit the important Inca site of Tarawasi. After exploring this fascinating area, we will continue our drive toward Challacancha, passing through the picturesque district of Mollepata.
Upon arrival at Challacancha, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting our first hike to the campsite. The trail starts with a gentle uphill for about 20 minutes. After that, it is mostly flat. There are some mild ups and downs until we reach our campsite.
On our journey, we will enjoy the area's rich plant and animal life. We may see many bird species, such as hummingbirds, and, if we are lucky, Andean deer. In the distance, we will also have breathtaking views of the majestic Salkantay and Humantay glaciers.
Once we arrive at our campsite, our chef will prepare a delicious lunch, followed by a short rest. In the afternoon, we will hike to the stunning Humantay Lake, a round trip of approximately two hours. After enjoying the lake's serene beauty, we will return to camp for dinner and spend the night in Soraypampa.
Altitude Gain: 753 m / 2470 ft.
Altitude Loose: 414 m / 1358 ft.
Hiking Distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Hiking Hours: 5 to 6 hours.
Starting Elevations: 3900 m / 12,795 ft.
Highest Elevation: 4,200 m /13,779 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 4,200 m /13,779 ft.
Overnight: Tents
We will wake you up with a warm cup of coca tea and a hearty breakfast to begin our second day. Our journey begins with a slow hike uphill to Salkantaypampa. We walk through a beautiful valley surrounded by the tall Andes mountains.
As we ascend, we will get closer to the magnificent Salkantay Glacier, whose presence dominates the landscape.
Upon reaching Salkantaypampa, the trail divides into two paths. We will take the one on the right, which connects to the Inca Trail. From this point, the ascent continues steadily until we reach our campsite, known as Japonesa.
Along the way, you will notice another trail on the left used by trekkers following the classic 5-day Salkantay route. As we climb higher, the land changes. Moraines from old glaciers appear. The plants shift to highland grasses, and the air cools.
At our campsite, our cook will have a delicious lunch ready. After the meal, you will have time to rest. Then, we will take a short hike. It will last about 20 minutes. We will visit the beautiful Incachiriasca Lake. This lake is at the base of the Salkantay Glacier.
After our visit to the lake, we will go back to the campsite. We will watch the sunset over the mountains and have dinner. Later, we will step outside to admire the bright southern constellations.
Altitude Gain: 644 m / 2112 ft.
Altitude Loose: 32 m / 104 ft.
Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.72 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
Hiking Hours: 6 to 7 hours.
Starting Elevations: 4,200 m /13,779 ft.
Highest Elevation: 4,734 m /15,531 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 4,734 m /15,531 ft.
Overnight: Tents.
Today is a special day. We have reached the highest point of our journey. We are very close to the mountain. We will start with a 30-minute climb to the Incachiriaska Pass. This is also called the Frozen Inca Pass.
It reaches a height of 4,928 meters (16,168 feet), which is the highest point of our trek. When we reach the top, we will see wide views of two different valleys. The landscapes around us are amazing.
As we climb the side of Salkantay, the mountain's great size reminds us why the Incas saw it as a sacred god. With some luck, we might see local wildlife. This includes Viscachas, which are rabbit-like chinchillas, and White-Tailed Deer. On rare occasions, we may also spot elusive Andean species such as condors.
From the pass, we will go down for three hours through the valley. We will reach our lunch spot, YanaCcaca. Our skilled cook will be there with a tasty and satisfying meal. After lunch, we will continue our descent for about three more hours. We will reach our campsite at Canal Inca. There, we will have dinner and spend the night.
Altitude Gain: 271 m / 889 ft.
Altitude Loose: 1238 m / 4061 ft.
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles.
Difficulty: Difficult.
Hiking Hours: 8 to 9 hours.
Starting Elevations: 4,734 m /15,531 ft.
Highest Elevation: 5,100 m /16,732 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 3,853 m /12,641 ft.
Overnight: Tents.
We will start our day with a nice breakfast. Then, we will take a relaxing trip down the valley to Paucarcancha. It will take us roughly three hours to reach our lunch spot. Before we eat, we will visit the ancient Inca ruins of Paucarcancha.
Our guide will tell us about its history. Here, we’ll switch from using horses to carry our gear to porters to prevent damage to the Inca Trail. After lunch, we will meet our dedicated porters. They have traveled from km 82, the starting point for the 4-day Inca Trail hike.
At the same time, we will say bye-bye to our horsemen. After a quick stop at the checkpoint to show our passports and Inca Trail permits, we will start a one-hour hike to Wayllabamba. From there, we’ll continue our journey to the Ayapata Campsite, where we’ll settle in for the night.
Altitude Gain: 381 m / 1250 ft.
Altitude Loose: 892 m / 2926 ft.
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.
Hiking Hours: 6 to 7 hours.
Starting Elevations: 3,853 m /12,641 ft.
Highest Elevation: 3,853 m /12,641 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 3,323 m /10,901 ft.
Accommodations: Tents.
Today is a tough day because we have two passes to cross. After our breakfast, we hiked for about 4 hours until the dead woman passed. After being on the Inca Chiriasca pass. The hike to this pass will be easier, but the steps make it harder.
At the top, we will see the changing landscapes. We will take photos of both valleys. Then, we will go down to Pacaymayo for a tasty lunch. Next, we will climb the Runku Racay Pass. We will stop to visit the Inca Site of Runku Raqay. Our guide will give us detailed explanations.
As we continue, we’ll observe a dramatic shift in landscape from the highlands to the rainforest. After we reach the Pass, we will go down for about an hour to the Sayacmarca Inca Site. Our guide will help us explore the site.
Finally, we will head to our campsite, Chaquicocha (3,600 m / 11,800 ft). It is known for its calm atmosphere and beautiful sunset views over the distant mountains.
Altitude Gain: 1273 m / 4176 ft.
Altitude Loose: 1057 m / 3467 ft.
Difficulty: Difficult.
Hiking Hours: 8 to 9 hours.
Starting Elevations: 3,323 m /10,901 ft.
Highest Elevation: 4,200 m /13,779 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 3,623 m /11,881 ft.
Hiking Distance: 16km /9.94 mi.
Overnight: Tents.
After crossing the two passes yesterday, we will have a relaxing day. We will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Inca Trail. We will start with a short walk on Inca Flat. This path has gentle ups and downs. We will walk until we reach Phuyupatamarca.
As we go, we will enjoy the green plants of the cloud forest around us. We will also admire the beautiful views of the distant Andes. At Phuyutamarca, your guide will explain the site's significance. After that, we will hike for about three hours to the Inti Pata Inca Site.
There, we will enjoy a great view of the Urubamba River. After we explore this site, we will hike to the Wiñaywayna Campsite. We will have lunch, take a nap, shower, and then explore the Wiñaywayna Inca ruins. We’ll conclude the day with dinner and an early bedtime, preparing ourselves for the most significant day ahead.
Altitude Gain: 157 m / 515 ft.
Altitude Loose: 1058 m / 3471 ft.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
Hiking Hours: 4 to 5 hours.
Starting Elevations: 3,623 m /11,881 ft.
Highest Elevation: 3,623 m /11,881 ft.
Campsite Elevation: 2,623 m /8,605 ft.
Hiking Distance: 9km /5.54 mi.
Overnight: Tents.
The highlight of the Salkantay Inca Trail Trek. We will leave the campsite early in the morning for Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. You will get the first sight of the Machu Picchu citadel from here.
We will then hike down to the citadel. We will be giving you a two-hour guided tour. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu Mountains, our guide will direct you to the trailhead.
After exploring Machu Picchu, you will be taking a bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here we will be serving lunch at a local restaurant. At around 04:00 PM, we will be taking a train back to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
Our representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be returning to Cusco by 07:00 PM.
Elevation Gain: 167 m / 1683 ft.
Elevation Loose: 393 m / 820 feet.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Hiking Hours: 3 to 4 hours.
Starting Elevations: 2,623 m /8,605 ft.
Highest Elevation: 2,720 m /8,923 ft.
Hiking Distance: 5km /3.14 mi.
Includes
Excludes
Stories, tips & travel guides from our team on the ground
Uncategorized
Visitors are always welcome in Cusco, a city where anyone can learn the language and the culture. Dive…
Uncategorized
You know that post-hike moment when your legs feel like overcooked noodles, your phone battery is limping along…
Uncategorized
The Inca Trail is one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the world, attracting adventurers from…
Uncategorized
Machu Picchu Tickets Last Minute: Complete Guide to Buying Entrance Tickets Late (2026 Updated) Planning a last-minute trip…
Uncategorized
Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is amongst the top travel destinations for people…
Uncategorized
The Inca Bridge in Machu Picchu is one of the most fascinating, mysterious, and least-visited structures within the…
