The Inca Trail via Salkantay

Degree of difficulty

• Considered a difficult challenge, the Salkantay trek offers a greater degree of difficulty than the Inca Trail.
• A good level of fitness is required to complete the long days of trekking on consecutive days.
• Altitude plays a significant part in the difficulty of this challenge, reaching heights as high as 4880m above sea level. 

Accommodation on the trek

• Accommodation in Cuzco is in a comfortable hotel in the city. 
• During the trek, accommodation will be in the form of camping using high altitude mountain tents. 
• Meals are taken in a separate mess tent, which can be used as a communal area in the evenings. 

Eating and Drinking

• Special menus have been designed to ensure that the demands of trekking at altitude are covered by appealing, healthy meals with ample provision for energy.
• Breakfast is a hearty affair, with ample offerings and tea and coffee.
• A hot lunch is prepared freshly each day.
• Following each day of trekking, an afternoon tea is served with snacks and hot drinks to replenish calories.
• Evening meals consist of three courses, offering hearty starters and a main course with fresh vegetables and carbs such as rice, pasta or potatoes. 
• Water is boiled and filtered each morning to fill bottles for hiking. It's a good idea to bring purification tablets, but this isn't essential.
• Coca tea is available on the trek, which is commonly drunk to alleviate the effects of altitude sickness. 

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ)
Av. Velasco Astete
Cusco
08006
Peru

Getting to Cuzco

• Fly to Cuzco International Airport in Peru (CUZ)
• It is usual that flights from Europe will need to connect through Lima. Lima is serviced by KLM, BA and Iberia from UK Airports, with connections in Amsterdam with KLM or Madrid with Iberia. 
• From Lima, domestic flights to Cuzco are provided by LATAM, Avianca, Star Peru or Peruvian Air. LATAM are the preferred option due to the capability of their planes to land in foggy conditions. 

The Inca Trail via Salkantay Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival in Cuzco

  Fly to Cuzco, taking a transfer to the hotel. Full pre-trek briefing in the evening. 

• Day 2 | Acclimatisation day

  A day to acclimatise to the altitude, offering great preparation for the trek. Cuzco sits at 3400m above sea level. Plenty of time to explore the ancient Incan capital. 

• Day 3 | Cuzco to Salkantaypampa

  Take a transfer to the start point of the trek., passing through the picturesque towns of Pampa de Anta, before heading into the Limatambo valley, to discover the ruins of Tarawasi. Starting the hike at Soraypampa, following trails to Humantay Lake, before ascending to the campsite at Salkantaypampa. Spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. 

• Day 4 | Salkantaypampa to Pampa Japonesa

  Leaving the main Salkantay trail, to skirt around the southern edge of Mount Salkantay (6917m), climb to Pampa Japonesa, surrounded by snow capped mountains.

• Day 5 | Pampa Japonesa to Sisaypampa

  A challenging ascent to the Incachiriaska Pass, at 4880m, the highest point of the trek. Watch the skies above for circling Andean Condors, before descending to the campsite at Sisaypampa.

• Day 6 | Sisaypampa to Llulluchapampa

  Hike through the valley to Pampacahua, to find the Inca canal. Visit the archeological site at Paucarcanca, before entering the Cusichaca valley, trekking to Wayllabamba to meet the Inca Trail. After lunch, it's a further three hours trekking before arriving at the campsite at Llulluchapampa.

• Day 7 | Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca

  Hike to the Warmihuañusca Pass, also known at the Dead Woman Pass, at 4200m, this is the most difficult section of the Inca Trail. Catch breath at the summit, before descending towards the Pacaymayo River to take lunch. A further ascent in the afternoon to the Runkurakay Pass, before following the trail down to the campsite at Phuyupatamarca.

• Day 8 | Phuyupatamarca to Agua Calientes

  Enter into the cloud forests, and a marked change in the climate, flora and fauna. Descend to Intipata, stopping at Winay Wayna for lunch. Reach the Sun Gate, the entrance to Machu Picchu in the afternoon, before taking a bus to overnight in Aguas Calientes.

• Day 9 | Machu Picchu

  Take a guided tour of the ruins of Machu Picchu, with an optional climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the site. Afternoon transport to Ollantaytambo by train, before a further transfer to the hotel in Cuzco.

• Day 10 | Departure

  Take a transfer to the airport to start the journey home. 

What's Included

• Your hotel stay for the nights before and after the trek
• Airport transfers
• Transfer to and from the trek start point
• Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu entry and camping fees
• A fully supported trek
• All meals and drinking water on the trek
• A private portable toilet
• High quality mess and sleeping tents with a comfortable sleeping mat
• Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Visas
• Tips for your guides and crew
• Personal items
• Travel insurance (you must be insured, and specifically for treks up to 4900m)
• Your personal trekking gear
• Your personal medicines or prescriptions
• Snacks on the trek
• Meals and drinks not on the trek

Costs

Went with this company in September 2019 for the Salkantay trail and Machu Picchu. Everything was really well organised and the guides were friendly and helpful. The food was amazing specially when considering the circumstances it was prepared under. Will definitely go with this company another time. | Thomas