New Salkantay with short Inca Trail 4D/3N

This is a new innovative option. This route is a great combination of the three most exclusive treks in Cusco and the Inca world with an incomparable variety of flora and fauna, history, culture. The first day follows one of the common Salkantay trails, with a visit to the Humantay Lagoon, the second day we leave the classic to enjoy a road less traveled with great panoramas, the third day connects with the famous Inca Trail. On day 4 we continue along the Inca trail until we reach the Puerta del Sol and visit Machu Picchu

Overview

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Ichupata
Day 2: Ichupata – Incachiriasca – Pampacahuana
Day 3: Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha – Huayllabamba – KM 82 – Ollantaytambo
Day 4: Ollantaytambo – km 104 Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Ichupata

We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and we will have a beautiful panoramic drive of 3 hours to Mollepata where we will have breakfast (not included) in one of the local houses.

At this point we will arrive at Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), the trailhead for the Salkantay trek and meet our support staff, who will pack everything for the trek and load the equipment onto the horses. The first thing we will do is walk to the magnificent Humantay lagoon. After enjoying the beauty and taking photos, we will walk back to Soraypampa.

The hike today is uphill from Soraypampa to Ichupata (4,500 m / 14,673 ft) in the upper valley. This is a 5-6 hour hike. On the way we will pass Salkantay Pampa, which is our place for lunch.

Ichupata is our camp for the night. When we arrive, we’ll settle in, have dinner.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner

Distance covered: 12 km / 7 ½ miles

Approximate walking time: 5 – 6 hours.

Lowest Elevation: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

Highest elevation: 4,500 m / 14,673 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Day 2: Ichupata – Incachiriasca – Pampacahuana

After a tasty breakfast, we will start the 3 to 4 hour climb to the Incachiriasca pass (4950m/16240ft), the highest of the entire route. We will have incredible views of Apu Salkantay and the glacial moraines during this portion. We will stop at the top of the pass to take photos and enjoy the magnificent view.

Then we will descend towards our lunch spot in Sisaypampa, a flat area from which you can see the neighboring Salkantay valleys. This is a place where we could hopefully see Andean condors.

After lunch we continue to the Pampacahuana community (3,700 m / 12,136 ft), located next to an original Inca canal. This is our camp for the night.

Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Distance covered: 14 km / 8 ½ miles

Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours.

Lowest Elevation: 3,700 m / 12,136

Highest elevation: 4,950 m / 16,240 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Pampacahuana – Paucarcancha – Huayllabamba – Inca Trail at Km 82 – Ollantaytambo

Today we change pace by joining the Classic Inca Trail. We start by walking downhill for 2 hours from Pampacahuana to Paucarcancha (3,133 m / 10,276 ft). We will visit the Inca site of the same name

After the tour, we will walk downhill on the Original Inca Trail for 5 hours until we reach Km 82, which is the beginning of the classic Inca trail. In this section of the classic Inca Trail we will be able to see the Inca site of Llactapata. Our chef will prepare a delicious lunch for us near Kilometer 82.

After lunch, from Km 82 we move to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,158 ft), We say goodbye to our support staff who accompanied us on those days of adventure and will have the opportunity to freely visit this beautiful Inca town Dinner will be in a restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Ollantaytambo

Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Highest elevation: 3,700 m / 12,136 ft

Lowest Elevation: 2,792 m / 9,158 ft

Walking distance: 16 km / 10 miles

Estimated walking time: 8 hours.

Difficulty level: Medium

Day 4 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Wiñaywayna – Aguas Calientes)

Altitude: 2196 – 2758 m. / 7204 – 9048 ft.

Distance: 11 km. + Machu picchu.

Difficulty Level: Moderate (Medium)

High season: March – January

Route: Closed the whole month of February

Food: breakfast / lunch (Box Lunch)

Early breakfast at the hotel and they will transfer us on their own to the neighboring station of Ollantaytambo, to board the train, which will stop at km 104, after approximately 1 hour and ½ hour of travel. Your guide awaits you at km 104.

From this point begins the walk of the famous Inca Trail, From an altitude of 2100m.s.n.m. crossing the Willkamayu river by a bridge, after crossing you will be visiting the Inca site Chachabamba. After the introduction of the Inca history, you will start walking for approximately 6 hours.

After 3 hours of walking you will arrive at the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna (2650 m). Winaywayna (Box Lunch) is also known as the second most impressive archaeological site after Machu Picchu. This fantastic place is a perfect example of Inca terraced agriculture. After walking around this beautiful place we will continue our trek through the tropical jungle, through a narrow path, until we reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate). At this point you will have a great view of Machu Picchu. After a rest we will continue the visit to the mysterious Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel “Machu Picchu” is located at an altitude of 2360 m, much lower than Cusco, our guide will show you the citadel for about 2 hours. After you finish exploring Machu Picchu we will go down to Aguas Calientes, the bus (included in the price)

The Ministry of Culture has implemented as of November 2021 fixed circuits, we will visit depending on which one is available on the reservation dates according to availability. The ticket will serve to enter only once.

In the afternoon we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco, from where we will transfer you to your hotel, you will arrive late at night after 4 amazing days.

Services Included:

• Bilingual English speaking tour guide
• Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
• Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soraypampa
• Quad tent for every 2 passengers.
• Inflatable Mattress
• Kitchen tent
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Toilet tent
• Professional chef and assistant chef
• Porters and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc) and 6kg (15 lbs) per hiker for your own belongings
• Duffel bag
• Three breakfasts, three lunches 1 lunchbox, and three dinners
• Twice-daily hot water for washing.
• Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
• Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy
• Private van transportation from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to your hotel in Cusco
• Emergency oxygen bottle, medical kit and emergency satellite radio
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
•  Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on Day 4
• Lodging in Ollantaytambo  on night 3 of the trek (double occupancy)
• Dinner in Ollantaytambo on Night 30

Services Not Included:

• Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
• Walking sticks – you can rent from us
• Day 1 Breakfast + Day 4 Diner
• Travel insurance. (Passenger’s responsibility)

What should they bring?

• Original passport (if you acquired a new one after making your reservation, bring both)
• Travel insurance. (Passenger’s responsibility)
• Feather or synthetic sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
• Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, some t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm clothes, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, personal towel)
• SPF 35+ sunscreen recommended
• Head lamp
• Sunglasses
• Camera with spare batteries (batteries deplete faster at high altitudes)
• Trekking poles, especially recommended for steep descents (can be rented from us)
• Insect repellent (minimum 30% DEET)