Salkantay - Machu Picchu
Small group experience (max 8)
Challenging
7-day journey
Up to 4,650 m
Ethical porter support
Deep cultural immersion
Challenge yourself, connect with nature, discover Salkantay

The 7-day Inca Trail offers tourists the opportunity to experience a combination of the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. Starting on the Salkantay Trek, the route diverges just before the Salkantay Pass and instead passes through Incachiriaska Pass (Frozen Inca Pass), which leads to the village of Wayllabamba. There, it rejoins the Inca Trail and continues to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
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Availability of the Inca Trail
We offer daily departures on the Inca Trail (excluding February when the trail is closed).
Check availability here . We highly recommend booking your Inca Trail at least 4 months in advance as permits can sell out quickly.
Useful Information
- Starting altitude – 2900m / 9515ft.
- Highest altitude – 5028m / 16,495ft.
- Coldest night – Day 2 around 0 degrees Celsius
- General difficulty: very difficult
Very Important: Campsites may vary depending on booking time, weather conditions, or restrictions imposed by the Peruvian government for security reasons.
Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Marcoccasa
Today is a fairly easy day to help ease us into the hike. Our tour begins with a visit to the important Inca site of Tarawasi, located about a 2-hour drive from Cusco. After exploring the site, we'll continue to Mollepata, where our hike begins. Following a different path than most groups, we'll see a variety of native plants, flowers, and birds along the way, and enjoy fantastic views of the valley stretching out before us.
Our campsite for the night is located in Marcoccasa (3500m / 11482ft), from where we will have fantastic views of the snow-capped peak of Rayuska (5350m / 17552ft). Almost no one camps here, so we can enjoy this beautiful place in complete peace and quiet.
Day 2: Marcoccasa – Salkantaypampa
Leaving Marcoccasa, we'll continue along the trail towards Soraypampa, where we'll join the main Salkantay Trek route. Again, today's hike is quite easy without too much distance to cover. The views today are fantastic, and we'll see several high peaks looming above us. By the time we reach Soraypampa, the three main peaks of the region—Humantay (5917m / 19412 ft), Tucurway (5910m / 19389 ft), and Salkantay (6217m / 20573 ft)—will be in view.
From Soraypampa, it's an hour's walk to Salkantaypampa (4100m / 13451 ft), where we'll camp for the night. Due to the high altitude, it can get cold here at night, so it's recommended to put on a hat and gloves before going to sleep.
Day 3: Salt Lake City – Pampacawana
Today, once again, we leave the main trek route as we head towards the Inca Trail. Continuing up the valley towards Salkantay, we take a side trail that leads us up and over the Incachiriaska Pass (Frozen Inca Pass, 5028m / 16495 ft), the highest point of the trek. From the pass, we continue to the small community of Pampacawana (4000m / 13123 ft) where we will camp for the night.
Today's views are once again breathtaking. As you climb the shoulder of Salkantay, you feel completely dwarfed by the mountain's size and can begin to understand why the Incas worshipped it as a god. The entire area is dotted with small mountain lakes of varying hues and colors, and with luck, we'll see a variety of wildlife such as viscachas (rabbit-like chinchillas) and white-tailed deer, and possibly some of the rarer Andean animals, like condors, guanacos, and vicuñas.
Day 4: Pampacawana – Llulluchapampa
Starting from Pampacawana, we will descend through the valley to join the Inca Trail at Wayllabamba. Along the way, we will pass our first Inca site of the trek, 'Paucarcancha'. At Wayllabamba, we will switch from using mules to carry our equipment to porters; this is to prevent damage to the Inca Trail.
Our campsite for tonight is at Llulluchapampa (3800m / 12460ft), the closest campsite to Dead Woman's Pass. As we ascend to Llulluchapampa, we'll pass through several biozones, including the lower highlands, cloud forest, and high puna. There are many opportunities to see a wide variety of plants and birds, and if we're lucky, we might spot the white-tailed deer again.
Day 5: Llullu – Chaquicocha
Today is quite difficult as we have to make more than 2 passes, fortunately we have camped quite close to the first one, so it is not as difficult as for most of the Inca trailers that are camped in the valley far below.
The views today are fantastic; we see the high mountains as we cross the two passes and will have the opportunity to visit two Inca sites (Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca). We'll also see a variety of plants and wildlife as we enter the area known as the cloud forest. Our campsite tonight is at Chaquicocha (3600m / 11800ft), one of the quieter campsites, offering beautiful sunset views over the distant mountains.
Day 6: Chaquicocha - Eternal Youth
Having completed the two passes yesterday, we can now enjoy a relaxing day traversing some of the most beautiful scenery the Inca Trail has to offer. With a relatively short distance to cover on what's known as the Inca Flat (gentle ascents and descents), we can enjoy the lush, green cloud forest that surrounds us and the spectacular views of the Andes in the distance.
With visits to two Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna), this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our camp for tonight is at Wiñay Wayna (2680m / 8792ft), which we will reach in the early afternoon, and we will have an extended guided tour once we have settled in.
Day 7: Eternal Youth - Machu Picchu
Today is the most anticipated day of the trek. We woke up very early and headed straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu . Once the site opened, we continued towards the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we got our first spectacular view of the citadel. This is a truly unforgettable moment.
Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The tour will follow the assigned circuit (Circuit Number 3), during which your professional guide will explain the rich history of the Inca civilization and show you the most important sites included in your designated route.
For those who have booked the ascent to Huayna Picchu, the climb will take place immediately after the guided tour.
In the afternoon, you will board the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, which is included in your package. The exact train time and departure station will be confirmed during the briefing at our office in Cusco.
From Ollantaytambo, they will continue by bus to Cusco, arriving approximately between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm, depending on traffic conditions.
Distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Hiking time: 2–3 hours
Starting altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Important Information
All travelers who book the 4-Day Inca Trail automatically have their entrance to Machu Picchu included under Circuit 3. This entry is already guaranteed as part of their official permit.
The Inca Trail is perfectly designed to offer the most exciting and rewarding arrival at Machu Picchu.
On the final day, you will enter Machu Picchu through the legendary Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This is the first point from which you can appreciate the Lost City of the Incas. Due to its grandeur and natural surroundings, you will be able to contemplate the entire citadel from this privileged viewpoint, surrounded by majestic mountains.
After enjoying this panoramic introduction, we will descend for approximately one hour until we reach the upper platform, where you can take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu — the iconic image that everyone dreams of capturing.
According to current Peruvian government regulations, after taking photos at the top, all visitors must temporarily leave the citadel to:
Complete the official registration at the checkpoint
Present passport and entry ticket
Store walking sticks (they are not allowed inside the site)
Store large backpacks (backpacks larger than 35 liters are not allowed; lockers are available at an additional cost)
Please use the restrooms (there are no restrooms inside the archaeological site)
Once this process is completed, we will re-enter Machu Picchu to continue the guided tour through Circuit 3.
Circuit 3 allows you to explore the most important temples and ceremonial areas located in the lower part of Machu Picchu. During this tour, your professional guide will explain the history, architecture, astronomy, and mysteries of the Inca civilization as you visit the temples and sacred spaces included in this circuit.
In summary, their experience includes:
• A breathtaking panoramic arrival through the Sun Gate
• Classic photos from the upper platform
• A comprehensive guided tour of the temples and sacred structures below via Circuit 3
This combination offers the perfect balance: first a dramatic and panoramic introduction from above, and then a deep cultural exploration in the heart of Machu Picchu.
It is, without a doubt, the most complete and rewarding way to experience this wonder of the world.
About the camps along the Inca Trail
Campsites may vary depending on the time of booking and availability, weather conditions, or restrictions established by the Peruvian Government for security reasons.
Includes:
- Professional guide who speaks Spanish
- Tour guide assistant for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules / Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Mules / Personal porter to carry 10kg of your personal belongings
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Bus transport to Mollepata
- Return transport by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the hike when you need to bring your own)
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 snacks, and 6 dinners. If you have a dietary request, such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Tent for 4 men for every 2 hikers
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Walking sticks
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Sleeping bag (can be rented by us)
- Breakfast on day 1 and lunch and dinner on day 6
- Tickets to Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain
- Bribes
- Travel insurance: It is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Things you need to bring:
- Original passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and wish to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- A warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable pants
- sun hat
- Crema solar (factor 35 o superior)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- LLAMA PATH TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- DEFINITIONS The definitions below will apply throughout these terms and conditions:
- 1.1. Client: means a person who books a trip offered by Llama Path and includes all participants for whom the person may book a trip on behalf of:
- i. Day Tour: Means any trip offered by Llama Path that lasts only one day.
- ii. Deposit: means
- a. For trekking: USD 300 per participant, deposit required to proceed with the reservation and if the client wishes to do Machu Picchu Mountain or Waynapicchu the deposit will be $385 for all Inca Trail treks or $325 for any other alternative route such as Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo etc.
PLEASE: Make sure to add the fees associated with your PayPal/VISA transaction (approx. 4.5%). Llama Path will send you a receipt indicating the exact amount we received from you and the balance due upon your arrival in Cusco.
- b. For Peru itineraries, 50% of the total itinerary price must be sent to proceed with the booking.
- c. For day trips, 50% of the total trip price.
- In the event of cancellation by one or more participants in a private tour , the final price will be adjusted based on the final number of participants . The price originally quoted is based on the group size confirmed at the time of booking; therefore, any reduction in the number of participants will result in a recalculation of the total cost per person.
- 2. Llama Path means a licensed professional tour operator based in Cusco, Peru and includes the employees and people associated with the company.
- 3. Peru Itinerary means a multi-day trip offered by Llama Path where hiking is not the main activity.
- 4. Terms means these terms and conditions that may be updated by Llama Path from time to time.
- 5. Trek means a journey where trekking is the main activity.
- 6. Trip means any trip taken or trip offered by Llama Path and booked by a customer.
- 7. Acceptance The client accepts that the client will be subject to these terms and conditions at the time of payment of the deposit.
- 8 Application and Terms These terms will apply to all trips from the date the deposit is paid until the date the trip is completed, unless the trip is changed, cancelled or terminated earlier, in accordance with clauses 7, 8 or 9 of these terms.
- 9. Price: Prices for all trips offered by Llama Path are displayed at Llama Path offices and on the Llama Path website and may be updated by Llama Path from time to time. All prices are based on double occupancy; an additional charge will apply for single occupancy.
- 10. Payment
- i. Deposit The customer can pay the deposit using one of the following methods
- Paypal. www.paypal.com The option to "send money" to the address deposits@llamapath.com must be selected as a purchase of services, not a personal payment.
- Visa customers, please follow the instructions to pay the deposit using https://www.multimerchantvisanet.com/formularioweb/formulariopago.aspx, which is located in the payments section of the Llama Path website. The customer will receive an order number that must be emailed to Llama Path confirming that the deposit has been paid.
- Balance : After the deposit payment, the balance due for a trip is due as followsFor day hikes and excursions: no more than 48 hours before the first day of the hike, at the Llama Path offices. Payments can be made in cash in US dollars or Peruvian soles (using the exchange rate of the day). If a client cannot comply with this clause, Llama Path must be notified at least 48 hours before the trip and will have sole discretion as to whether late payment is permitted.For Peru itineraries: no less than two weeks before the start date of the trip, using the PayPal method described in clause 5ai. If a Client is unable to comply with this clause, Llama Path must be notified at least two weeks before the Trip, and will have sole discretion as to whether late payment will be permitted.AVAILABLE DATES : When a Customer submits a booking request to Llama Path, they must provide a range of dates they are available to travel. Llama Path will prioritize the Customer's preferred dates; however, the Customer authorizes Llama Path to use any of the dates within the range provided by the Customer to book a trip.GROUP DISCOUNT : A group discount will be applied when four or more people book a trip together, and this discount will be USD $20 per person and will only apply to the following trips: Inca Trail 4 days / 3 nights group service; Lares Trek 4 days / 3 nights group service; and Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights group service.Please note that the group discount will not apply if a cancellation results in fewer than four people in the original group.
- STUDENT AND UNDER-18 DISCOUNT : A discount will be offered to students aged 25 and under, and to those under 18, on the date the trip begins. The discount amount will be communicated by Llama Path. Students must send a copy of a valid university ID to Llama Path at the time of booking. The ID must be valid for the duration of the trip, and the physical ID must be presented upon arrival in Cusco.TRANSFERS: The Client is not authorized in any way to transfer a Deposit, even to another Trip, date, to another person, or to the balance of another Trip or person.
- CANCELLATION:If a trip is canceled or the client wishes to leave a trip for any reason, the deposit and any remaining balance paid are non-refundable, as the deposit is used to purchase all the permits and services required to run the tour. If the trip has been paid for in full, there may be components that the client can still use, such as the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, the train ticket, and the bus ticket.Refunds will be provided for day trips as follows:100% refund of the deposit if Llama Path receives notification of cancellation at least 30 days before the date of the Day Tour;50% refund of the deposit if Llama Path receives notification of cancellation between 15 and 29 days before the date of the One Day Tour;No refund of the Deposit will be provided if Llama Path receives notice of cancellation less than 15 days before the date of the Day Tour.LLAMA PATH CHANGES: The Client acknowledges that traveling to Peru requires flexibility, patience, and an understanding that changes may be necessary. Llama Path may alter a trip itinerary at any time due to any circumstances beyond its reasonable control and will not be liable for any such changes.
- FORCE MAJEURE: Llama Path is not responsible for any force majeure event or circumstance beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, civil or military unrest, extreme weather, technological disruptions, labor strikes, or acts of war or terrorism. The Client acknowledges that Llama Path may need to alter, or even cancel, a Trip in response to a force majeure event or circumstance, and will not be liable for any such alteration or cancellation.
- PROTEST OR STRIKE EARLY DEPARTURE: In the event of a protest or strike that may affect a Trip's itinerary, Llama Path, at its discretion, may decide to depart early to provide the best possible service. In such cases, Llama Path will charge an additional fee to cover the extra costs incurred, the amount of which will be determined by Llama Path based on the circumstances.
- HOLIDAY OR ELECTION SURCHARGE : When travel takes place on one or more of the following days due to holidays or elections in Peru, a surcharge per person, per trip will apply: December 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, January 1, and any election day. The surcharge will be determined by Llama Path and covers staff fines for missing elections or serves as a bonus for staff who do not have a holiday.
- EVACUATION: If a Client is unable to complete a Trip, the Client will be responsible for the costs of return transportation to Cusco or the final destination of the Trip in the event of a medical emergency. Any other losses, damages, or costs related to the Client's evacuation from a Trip and any additional emergency services will also be the Client's responsibility. The Client agrees to comply with all decisions made by Llama Path guides in all circumstances where a Client must be evacuated from a Trip for any reason.
- CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Insurance: Llama Path strongly recommends that the Client purchase adequate travel insurance to cover cancellations, delays, medical expenses, emergencies, disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, and loss of or damage to personal belongings or equipment that may occur in connection with a trip. The Client acknowledges that they are responsible for all losses or damages suffered, except as expressly provided in these Terms.
- Risk: The client acknowledges that travel is adventurous and inherently involves a certain amount of personal risk, especially travel. The client accepts responsibility for all risks associated with a trip and agrees not to sue or hold Llama Path or any of its employees liable in any way for any loss, damage, or injury suffered by a client in connection with a trip.
- Authority Guidance: The Client agrees that the Llama Path guides have full and final authority over all matters and decisions related to the Journey, and the Client will act in good faith to follow such authority and advice from the Llama Path guides.
- Preparation: The Client acknowledges that although Llama Path will act in good faith to assist them during the Journey, it is the Client's sole responsibility to ensure that the Client is properly prepared for the Journey with the correct equipment and any special dietary or food requirements they may require.
- Passport validity: The client must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of their arrival in Peru. This is a requirement of the Peruvian government, and failure to comply may result in being denied entry to the country.
- Visa to visit Peru: it is the client's responsibility to ensure that they arrange and comply with any visa requirements, if any, necessary for their entry and stay in Peru;
- Acclimatization: The Client acknowledges Llama Path's strong recommendation that the Client remain in Cusco or another high-altitude city above 3,000 meters for at least three days before beginning a trek. This will help minimize any potential effects of altitude sickness.
- Equipment: Llama Path requires the Client to pay an additional fee to hire certain items of equipment that a Client borrows for a Trek. These prices are listed on the Llama Path website and may be updated by Llama Path from time to time at its sole discretion.
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY : Llama Path's total liability to the Customer is limited, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the amount of money paid to Llama Path by the Customer. Llama Path will not be liable for any further loss or damage suffered by the Customer, unless expressly stated in these Terms.
Salkantay & Inca Trail 7 Day / 6 Night – Prices 2026
Private Service Prices
2 Travelers — US$1,620 per person
3 Travelers — US$1,475 per person
4 Travelers — US$1,300 per person
5 Travelers — US$1,110 per person
6+ Travelers — US$1,000 per person
Discounts
- Students: US$40 discount
- Under 18 years old: US$40 discount
Please note: students must be under 25 years old and provide a valid university student ID. ISIC cards are not accepted.
Optional Add-Ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: US$85
- Machu Picchu Mountain: US$85
- Vistadome Train Upgrade (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo): US$50
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: upon request
Optional Rentals
- Sleeping Bag: US$40
- Walking Poles: US$15
- Inflatable Mattress: US$45
- Single Tent Supplement: US$45