“See the Inca Empire at its pinnacle of glory”
6 Day Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hiking Tour in Peru with Cultural Experience
Pincopata Ecocamp, Peru
Peru Hiking Tour
The Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour is for the adventurous tourist who wants to enjoy the scenery and experience one of the greatest attractions of the Cusco region during their limited time in Peru. Taking different paths and avoiding the more crowded trekking trails, this route offers breathtaking natural scenery combined with historical and archaeological sites.
Highlights
- Inca trail to Wiñaywayna
- Cultural experience at Misminay Andean community
- Condors in their natural habitat
- Moray and Maras salt flat mines
- The historic Inca City of Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Pass - 4,664m / 15,300ft
- 5 nights accommodation
- All meals during the tour included
5 days with instruction in English
Group size: Maximum of 8 participants
Accommodation
Home sweet dome
Planted with organic gardens and using solar energy and natural water sources, Peru Ecocamp' accommodations offer guests a luxurious camping experience in a natural setting, while reducing their environmental impact to an absolute minimum.
All domes are 28m2 / 300 ft2 and include either a king-size bed or two twin beds. They are fully equipped with a private bathroom (toilet, sink, and hydromassage shower), wood burning stove, and enough blankets to keep you warm.
Dinner and drinks will be served in the dining dome or the lobby / bar dome. Experience luxurious accommodation and typical Andean food prepared using local, fresh, and organic ingredients.
Domes are green
The eco camps are powered by solar energy and water turbine systems. Water is filtered and treated with UV light, making it safe to drink the tap water, which in turn reduces the use of plastic bottles.
Toilets are on a two flush system: liquid waste is first filtered and then goes into the ground. The whole waste goes through a biodegradable system, which is later used as compost for reforestation progress.
To grow their vegetables, Peru Ecocamp uses organic fertilizers and compost produced by the waste of fruits and vegetables from their kitchen. They also use organic non-detergent products in both the kitchens and bathrooms.
The camps contain all the facilities needed. In this way, Peru Ecocamp reduces the wearing down, destruction, and pollution of the route.
Included
- 3 nights in eco camp domes (private tent per person)
- 1 night at Aranwa Hotel or similar at Sacred Valley
- 1 night in Inkaterra or similar
Program
This tour offers two levels of hiking: easy / moderate or moderate / challenging. You will be able to choose either option at any time.
Participants will observe the flight of the Condor, behold the majesty of the sacred Salkantay and Humantay mountains, and visit the Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass at 4,664m / 15,300ft.
The adventure will continue along the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca site unknown to the outside world until 1911 when Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention. Situated in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the citadel is surrounded by lush cloud forest and is a remarkable vestige of the Inca Empire at the pinnacle of its glory.
- Group size: 2 to 8 (per guide)
- Start and finish: Cusco
- Tour style: Active, adventurous
- Comfort level: Superior
Day 1: Cusco - Chonta Condors Valley - Pincopata Ecocamp
This first day will give participants time to adapt to the altitude and begin to prepare physically for the following days of hiking.
Peru Ecocamp will pick you up from your hotel at 08:00 for the trip to the Condor Viewing Point at Chonta. Along the way, you will stop and explore one of two archaeological sites: Killarumiyoc or Tarahuasi. These sites were important ritual sites during the height of the Inca Empire and still hold great significance today in Quechua society.
While driving further, you will enjoy the landscape of the Limatambo Valley and spot small farming communities nestled among the land. Upon reaching Chonta, you will walk for approximately an hour along a narrow track with spectacular views of the Apurimac Canyon.
Peru Ecocamp is almost certain to have the site completely to the group as most tourists tend to visit the area later in the afternoon.
At the viewing point, there will be time to relax and observe the condors soaring over the canyon, while a specially prepared boxed lunch will be served.
After lunch, you will return to the vehicle and continue to the final destination, Pincopata Ecocamp. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a lovely refreshment made from seasonal fruits and taken to your dome to enjoy a hot shower and a deserved rest.
If rest is not your thing, you may prefer to walk around the camp. Participants will end the day with a superb dinner consisting of fresh and locally sourced foods typical of Peruvian cuisine.
- Driving distance: 132.5 km / 82,8 mi
- Driving time: 3.5 hours
- Altitude in Chonta: 3,400 m/ 11,152 ft
- Altitude in Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
Day 2: Pincopata Ecocamp - Tilca and Choquechurco - Pincopata Ecocamp
After breakfast, you will continue along the road for 25 minutes to the community of Tilca. From there, you'll start the hike to the top of one of the sacred mountains, a gradual uphill in the middle of typical vegetation and spectacular views of the valley and mountains, before arriving at the top where you can see some stairs and platforms with religious proposes and retaining walls.
After this experience, you will start descending to Marcahuaylla, from where you'll continue another short walk to access the archaeological remains of Choquechurco (where gold is placed).
This sacred place, unknown to many, is on Peru Ecocamp's list of remote sites they like to visit. Situated among a forest of native Polylepis trees, this abandoned site will make you feel like a true explorer. You will discover remains of religious sites and settlements - carved boulders, small squares, and Inca walls covered with moss and vegetation.
From this place, you will have views of Humantay Mountain, the Valley of Limatambo, Apurimac, and the town of Mollepata. Surrounded by remarkable scenery, you will stop to have lunch at this site before continuing the descent to Pincopata Ecocamp.
- Driving distance: 20.4 km / 12.7 mi (roundtrip)
- Driving time: 30 minutes (roundtrip)
- Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.25 mi
- Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Altitude in Tilca: 3,790 m / 12,431 ft
- Altitude in Choquechurco: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft
- Altitude in Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
Day 3: Pincopata Ecocamp - Soray - Pincopata Ecocamp
Option 1: Pincopata Ecocamp - Marcoccasa - Humantay Lake - Pincopata Ecocamp
After breakfast, you’ll drive for 15 minutes to the start of the trail at Marcoccasa. From there, you will begin with a short uphill walk before continuing the hike along an aqueduct overlooking the spectacular Rio Blanco Valley and the snowcapped peaks of the Humantay and Salkantay Mountains. Surrounded by a spectacular view, you will enjoy a delicious box lunch.
During the afternoon, Peru Ecocamp offers an optional hike to Lake Humantay, a lake nestled at the base of the southern face of the mountain. This one and a half-hour hike will present breathtaking views of the glacial lake of the Humantay Mountain.
If you prefer a more laidback afternoon, you can schedule a soothing massage or simply take in the views surrounding the camp. You'll spend the night at Pincopata Camp.
- Driving time to trail head: 15 minutes
- Distance to trailhead: 8 km / 5 mi
- Trekking distance: 14 km / 8.75 mi
- Trekking time: 4 to 5 hours
- Altitude in Soray: 3,883 m / 12,737 ft
- Altitude in Humantay Lake: 4,298 m /14,100 ft
- Altitude in Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
- Hiking level: Moderate to challenging
Option 2: Pincopata Ecocamp - Salkantay Pass - Pincopata Ecocamp
After breakfast, you'll drive to Soraypampa, which will be the beginning of the trek. From the bottom of the valley, you'll gradually start to ascend while crossing several small pampas. The challenging final climb to the Abra Pass will be rewarded with spectacular views of Salkantay Mountain.
At the pass you will have time to celebrate your accomplishment before descending to a warmer spot to enjoy a box lunch. Later, you will return to Soraypampa to meet the transport. After boarding this, you'll be back to the comfortable Pincopata Ecocamp and enjoy a marvelous dinner.
- Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours, roundtrip
- Hiking level: Challenging
- Altitude in Abra Salkantay: 4,664 m / 15,300 ft
- Altitude in Soraypampa: 3,883m / 12,737ft
- Altitude in Pincopata: 2,850 m / 9,348 ft
- Driving distance: 40 km / 26 mi (roundtrip)
Day 4: Pincopata Ecocamp - Sacred Valley
You will begin with breakfast at the camp and then travel through small Quechua villages in the Sacred Valley to Moray, a construction of circular terraces where the Incas conducted ancient agriculture experiments. It is a unique location of real historic significance.
After the guided visit, you will continue to one of the local communities where you will enjoy a delicious typical lunch. The locals will be happy to share their experiences and show participants their day to day activities.
You will then continue the tour, driving to Maras salt pads, where you will do a short hike to see the views of the mine and the valley before meeting with the transportation to drive you to the hotel.
- Transfer distance: 130 km / 81.25 mi
- Transfer time: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Hike in Moray: 1.6 km / 1 mi
- Hike in Maras: 2.5 km / 1.56 mi
Day 5: Sacred Valley - Km 104 - Inca trail - Machu Picchu
You'll have an early breakfast before being transferred to Ollanta train station. There, you will take a train that will go to the Km 104 (Chachabamba), the checkpoint of the Inca Trail. It is a starting point of one of the trails that goes to Wuiñay Huayna (forever young), an important archeological site on the system of Inca trails to Machu Picchu.
After exploring and enjoying the landscape and architecture, you will continue your hike along the stone-paved trail to the Sun Gate, where you'll have your first glimpse of the archeological site of the llacta (town) of Machu Picchu.
There will be time to relax and learn about the Incas before continuing down to the entrance where you will take the bus to the village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu pueblo) and then to the hotel, where you can rest or explore the village of Aguas Calientes until dinner.
- Transfer distance: 29 km / 18.12 mi
- Transfer time: 1.30 hours
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,000 m / 6,560 ft
- Inca Trail hiking distance: 11.3 km / 6.84 m
- Hike: 6 hours
Day 6: Machu Picchu - Cusco
After breakfast, the local guide will accompany you by bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. After check in at the park entrance, you will be escorted by the guide through those unique Inca ruins where you will uncover the mysteries of the sacred city of Machu Picchu during an in-depth walking tour.
Other options during this visit include climbing Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. These climbs are physically challenging, but the magnificent views from the peak of both mountains make the effort worthwhile. Please tell Peru Ecocamp if you want to climb one of the mountains as they will need to book this for you in advance.
You will then have lunch at Sanctuary Lodge. After, you will take the bus down to reconnect with your luggage, take the train to Ollantaytambo, and then transfer to a vehicle for the drive back to Cusco.
- Altitude in Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,560 pies
- Altitude in Machu Picchu: 2430 m / 7972.44 pies
- Altitude in Ollantaytambo: 2792 m / 9160.11 pies
- Distance from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo: 32 km / 19.8 mi
Location
Peru Ecocamp has five eco camps on the route to Machu Picchu. All of them are strategically located along the Salkantay Trail, within the great Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Every ecocamp has 28m2 (300ft2) dome sleeping tents and a dining dome. At Pincopata and Soray, there is also a lobby bar dome where you can relax after a day on the trails.
Food
All meals during the tour as well as drinking water are included.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain
What's included
- Entrance to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu
- All in-tour ground transportation
- Transfers and train tickets
- Specialized guides
- 3 nights accommodation in eco camp domes
- 1 night accommodation in Inkaterra or similar
- 1 night accommodation at Aranwa Hotel or similar in Sacred Valley
- All meals during tour
- Drinking water
What's not included
- Flights to Peru and Cusco
- Optional activities
- Laundry services
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tipping to the local staff
How to get there
Recommended Airports
LIM
Jorge Chávez International Airport
389 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 45 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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