Salkantay & Short Inca Trail - 6D/5N
Expedition Overview
This 6-day adventure is the perfect blend of the wild, high-altitude landscapes of the Salkantay Trek and the historical magic of the Inca Trail. Over the first four days, you'll hike past massive glaciers, conquer the Salkantay Pass, and descend into the lush coffee plantations of the cloud forest. On day five, you will embark on the famous Short Inca Trail (KM 104), passing spectacular ruins and entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. This itinerary gives you the best of both worlds.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
We pick you up from your hotel and drive to Challacancha. From here, we hike along a scenic path to our first campsite at Soraypampa (3,900m). After lunch, we ascend to the spectacular Humantay Lake (4,200m), nested below the glacier. We return to camp for dinner under the stars. • Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles • Highest Altitude: 4,200m / 13,779ft
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Chaullay
Today is the hardest day. We climb steeply to the Salkantay Pass (4,630m), enjoying incredible views of the second highest peak in Cusco. We then descend into the tropical cloud forest, noticing a dramatic change in vegetation, until we reach our campsite at Chaullay. • Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles • Highest Altitude: 4,630m / 15,190ft
Day 3: Chaullay - La Playa - Lucmabamba
An easy and beautiful hike through the Santa Teresa valley. We walk past waterfalls and passion fruit, avocado, and coffee plantations. We camp at Lucmabamba, where we enjoy a local organic coffee roasting tour. • Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles • Highest Altitude: 2,900m / 9,514ft
Day 4: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroeléctrica
We hike up a section of the original Inca Trail to the Llactapata ruins (2,700m), which offer a stunning, distant view of Machu Picchu. We then descend to Hidroeléctrica, where we spend the night before starting the Inca Trail. • Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles • Highest Altitude: 2,700m / 8,858ft
Day 5: Hidroeléctrica - KM 104 - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Aguas Calientes
We take a short train to KM 104, the official start of the Short Inca Trail. We hike up to the spectacular ruins of Wiñay Wayna, and then continue through the cloud forest to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). We arrive at Machu Picchu in the late afternoon for a breathtaking view before taking the bus down to our hotel in Aguas Calientes. • Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles • Highest Altitude: 2,730m / 8,956ft
Day 6: Machu Picchu Exploration - Return to Cusco
We take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu for a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour of the citadel. You'll have free time to explore before returning to Aguas Calientes to catch the panoramic train back to Cusco. • Distance: Machu Picchu Exploration • Highest Altitude: 2,400m / 7,874ft
Guaranteed departure dates, official DIRCETUR entrance permits, and zero intermediary commission fees when you reserve directly with our Cusco headquarters.
✅ What is Included
- ✓Briefing before departure at your hotel
- ✓Private transport from Cusco to Challacancha
- ✓Expert Bilingual Mountain Guide
- ✓Official Salkantay and Short Inca Trail Permits
- ✓Private Gourmet Chef & Assistant Cook (Days 1-4)
- ✓Horses to carry all gear and food (Days 1-4)
- ✓Duffle bag for your personal belongings (up to 7kg on horses)
- ✓Premium Eureka 4-season tents and foam mattresses
- ✓All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 lunch
- ✓Hotel in Aguas Calientes for the 5th night
- ✓Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to KM 104
- ✓Bus tickets in Aguas Calientes
- ✓Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket
- ✓Vistadome or Expedition Train back to Ollantaytambo
- ✓Private transfer from train station to your hotel in Cusco
✕ Not Included
- —Sleeping bags and trekking poles
- —First day breakfast and last day lunch
- —Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket
- —Tips for the trekking team
- —Travel insurance
Need Custom Itineraries or Private Dates?
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