Visiting: Cusco · Humantay Lake · Salkantay Pass · Incachiriasca Pass (5,100 m) · Classic Inca Trail · Wiñay Wayna · Inti Punku (Sun Gate) · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail 7 Days is the ultimate combination — it links Peru's two greatest treks into a single continuous journey. You first cross the wild Salkantay high route, climbing over the Incachiriasca Pass at 5,100 m, then join the Classic Inca Trail and walk its original stone pathways over Dead Woman's Pass to enter Machu Picchu on foot through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.
Along the way you'll see the turquoise Humantay Lake, the glaciers of Mount Salkantay, high Andean passes, Inca sites such as Paucarcancha, Runkurakay and Wiñay Wayna, and ever-changing cloud forest. You spend your first night in an unforgettable Sky Star Dome at the foot of Salkantay, then four nights of premium camping — with horses and porters carrying your gear so you only hike with a daypack.
📅 An Inca Trail permit is required. Because the route joins the Classic Inca Trail, it needs the same limited government permit, which sells out months ahead — and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Permits are nominative and bought with your passport details, so book early.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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1
Cusco → Humantay Lake → Quiswarniyoc (Sky Star Dome)
Pick-up from your Cusco hotel around 5:15 am and a 2-hour drive to the village of Mollepata, where breakfast is served before the 20-soles municipal entrance fee (paid locally). Another hour by car reaches Soraypampa, where our muleteers and horses are waiting to carry the equipment, food and up to 7 kg of personal belongings per hiker, and the 2-hour uphill walk to the turquoise Humantay Lake begins.
At the lake you spend a couple of hours taking photos and hearing your guide explain the significance of the lagoon, then descend about 2 hours to the exclusive Quiswarniyoc campsite (4,100 m) for lunch. The afternoon is free for the surroundings — an optional hike to the Salkantay Mirador, short walks to viewpoints and waterfalls, or simply relaxing in the Mountain Sky Huts before an unforgettable night under the illuminated sky.
Good to know: Expect warm, windy days and very cold nights at 4,100 m — the optional climb to the Salkantay Mirador is well worth it for the panoramic views.
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2
Quiswarniyoc → Incachiriasca Pass 5,100 m → Pampacahuana
The toughest day of the whole journey, conquering the highest point of the Salkantay Trail. It starts with a wake-up tea at 5 am and a hearty breakfast at 6 am, before a 3-hour uphill hike to the stunning Salkantay Lagoon at the foot of the glacier, where you pause for the views and your guide's explanation of this majestic site.
A final hour of ascent brings you to Paso Incachiriasca (5,100 m), whose name means "where the Inca died" — the highest point of the trek, with the majestic Salkantay as your backdrop. From here you descend an hour to Acopampa for lunch, then two more hours down to the Inca Canal camp at Pampacahuana (3,900 m), set beside an original Inca water channel that shows the engineering skill of the Incas.
Good to know: At 5,100 m this is the highest and hardest point of the trek — go slowly and steadily, and you'll have crossed the toughest pass of the whole route.
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3
Pampacahuana → Paucarcancha → Wayllabamba (join the Inca Trail)
A more relaxed day as you enter the famed Inca Trail. Coca tea is served in your tent around 6 am, breakfast at 7 am, and you set off around 8 am for a 2-to-3-hour descent to the archaeological site of Paucarcancha, where your guide explains its history while you explore the ruins at leisure.
After lunch, a 1-hour descent reaches the Inca Trail control point at Wayllabamba, and a final 30–45 minutes brings you to your campsite at 3,000 m — the first camp of the classic 4-day Inca Trail, where you'll meet trekkers doing only the classic route. From here on, porters carry the gear to protect the trail, with tents set up and ready for the night.
Good to know: On the Salkantay section pack horses carry your gear; once on the Inca Trail, porters take over to protect the ancient pathway.
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4
Wayllabamba → Dead Woman's Pass 4,215 m → Pacaymayo
The hardest day on the Inca Trail, with a steep ascent to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m) — your second high pass. The climb is demanding, but the views from the top over the Andean mountains and valleys are absolutely stunning, so take breaks along the way to rest and take it in.
After the pass you begin the descent into the Pacaymayo valley through beautiful cloud forest, passing Inca ruins such as Runkurakay and Sayacmarca along the way. You arrive at the Pacaymayo camp (3,700 m) in the late afternoon — a good time to rest and recover before continuing the trek the next day.
Good to know: Once you crest Dead Woman's Pass you'll have survived both of the trek's highest passes — it's all about pacing yourself on the long climb.
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5
Pacaymayo → Phuyupatamarca → Wiñay Wayna
An easier day than the last, with a mostly downhill trek mixed with a short uphill. You first reach the trail's second-highest point before descending past several Inca sites, including Phuyupatamarca — the "town in the clouds" — set on original Inca stone paths through ever-changing cloud forest.
The route also passes beautiful waterfalls and streams with plenty of chances to rest and take in the scenery, before arriving in the late afternoon at the beautiful terraces of Wiñay Wayna (2,600 m) — the final campsite of the trek and just a short walk from Machu Picchu.
Good to know: After a short uphill it's almost all downhill, through warm, very humid high cloud forest — a great day for spotting orchids and birdlife.
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6
Wiñay Wayna → Inti Punku (Sun Gate) → Machu Picchu → Cusco
The most exciting and magical day. You wake early for a short walk to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, timed to reach it for sunrise and the classic first view of Machu Picchu from above, then descend into the citadel for a guided tour of the ancient Inca city, its architecture and history.
After the tour there's free time to explore the ruins on your own. In the afternoon you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, the train (at 14:30 or 14:55) to Ollantaytambo, and a 1.5–2-hour private transfer back to Cusco, arriving around 6:30 pm.
Good to know: It's hot and very humid in the subtropical forest around Machu Picchu, so bring plenty of water for the early walk to the Sun Gate.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Highest point | Incachiriasca Pass — 5,100 m (+ Dead Woman's Pass 4,215 m) |
| Total distance | ~75 km |
| Difficulty | Challenging — two high passes, for fit trekkers |
| Accommodation | 1 night Sky Star Dome + 4 nights premium camping |
| Meals | 6 breakfasts · 5 lunches · 5 dinners |
| Group size | Max 10 travelers |
| Permit | Inca Trail permit required & included (book ahead) |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
This is an all-inclusive group service and the price per person depends on your group size — the larger the group, the lower the price. A minimum of 2 people forms a departure.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 people | $1,099 |
| 3 people | $1,050 |
| 4 people | $999 |
| 5 people | $950 |
| 6 people | $910 |
| 7 people | $890 |
| 8 people | $860 |
| 9 people | $830 |
| 10 people | $799 |
Prices per person, all-inclusive group service. A deposit of $200 per person (non-refundable) confirms your booking and secures your Inca Trail permit; the balance is due before departure.
What to Pack
Horses and porters carry your 7 kg duffle, so you hike with a light daypack. Pack for big temperature swings — warm days, very cold nights at altitude.
- Always with you: original passport (+ student ID if applicable), water, broken-in hiking boots, rain jacket, warm layers and gloves for the high passes.
- In your duffle: sleeping bag (rental available), changes of clothing, fleece/down jacket, headlamp, toiletries, personal medication.
- Extras: high-SPF sunscreen, sun hat & sunglasses, insect repellent, snacks, camera/phone, power bank, cash in soles for tips and the Mollepata fee.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A $200 per-person deposit secures your nominative Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu ticket; the balance is due before departure. Because permits sell out, we recommend booking 2–3 months ahead (more in high season, April–October).
- Check live permit availability for your date.
- Fill in each traveler's details exactly as in their passport (permits are nominative).
- Choose your group size — the price per person updates automatically.
- Pay the deposit or full amount — you receive instant confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: the $200 per-person deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, and is used to buy your Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu ticket immediately.
Permit & tickets: issued by the Peruvian government to your name and passport — non-refundable, non-transferable and non-modifiable (date, name and circuit are final).
Balance: due at least 24 h before departure; payable in cash (USD/soles) at our Cusco office, by card (3.9% fee) or online (2.9% fee).
Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's the only program that combines both great routes in one continuous journey: the wild Salkantay high pass (5,100 m) and then the Classic Inca Trail over Dead Woman's Pass, entering Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate. You get glacier lakes, two high passes, Inca ruins and Sky Star Domes in a single trip.
Yes — because the route joins the Classic Inca Trail it needs the limited government permit, which sells out months ahead. Book 2–3 months in advance. Permits are nominative and issued with your passport details. The trail closes every February for maintenance.
It's our most challenging Inca Trail program: 6 days, ~75 km and two high passes (5,100 m and 4,215 m). It's best for fit trekkers who have acclimatised a couple of days in Cusco first. Horses and porters carry your duffle, so you only walk with a daypack.
It's group-based: from $1,099 per person for 2 people down to $799 per person for a group of 10. The larger your group, the lower the price per person — see the full table above.
Your first night is in a Sky Star Dome at the Quiswarniyoc camp at the foot of Salkantay, followed by four nights of premium camping (2-person tents with Thermarest mats). A sleeping bag isn't included but can be rented.
Yes — the Huayna Picchu mountain climb can be added for an extra fee, subject to availability (it must be reserved well in advance). A Vistadome panoramic train upgrade for the return is also available. Ask our team for current prices.
