6 Days
The Inca Trail challenge 6 days, is a trek for those who like to observe in detail the landscape and panoramic views of the path and appreciate nature. On this trek, we will have the opportunity to get to know SALKANTAY, one of the highest mountains in Cusco, and we will go from a snowy to a semi-tropical climate during the trek. The entire walk is 54 km. The walking time per day on average is 6 hours. Our hikers will enter Machu Picchu using the ancient Inca Trail and visiting the smallest Inca ruins found along the way. This trekking is suitable for those passengers who plan to stay in Cusco for 1 week or more. Couples who want to have a personal experience with nature
Itinerary
We’ll have an informative talk about Inca Trail challenge 6 days and the opportunity to get to know the other travelers who will be sharing the trail with you.
Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in our private van with direction Soraypampa. This trip lasts an average of 4 hours. During the tour of Inca Trail challenge 6 days, we are going to appreciate picturesque Andean villages and we are going to visit Killarumiyuc; known as the “Cradle of Astronomy Inca” and which highlights the agricultural calendar. Then, we are going to delight us with a fortifier breakfast and, later, continue to the next stop: Mollepata (small town). In this place, we are going to stop, briefly, to visit the streets and take time to relax; in this time, we can buy some implements to need for the trek. From there, we continue the trip for an hour and a half to the starting point of walking through a landscape surrounded by mountains, valleys and glaciers.
When we arrive to Soraypampa, we are going to see in the distance the imposing Apu Salkantay. There, we start our trek towards Salkantaypampa (4,000 m.a.s.l). Upon arriving at our camp, we will have a spectacular view of the snowy Humantay and Apu Salkantay. In this spectacular place, we spend the night.
- Distance: 2 Km.
- Walking Hours: 2 – 3 hours
- Low Altitude: 3900m/ 12795 Ft (Soraypampa)
- High Altitude: 4150m/ 13615 Ft (Salkantaypampa)
- Campsite Altitude: 4150m/ 13615 Ft.
After sunrise, between the mountains and lagoon, we take a fortifying breakfast. We start our trek ascending gradually for four hours to the highest point of the trail: Inkachiriasca Pass (4,855 m.a.s.l). From this point, one can appreciate, more closely, the snowy Salkantay. We are going to appreciate the beauty of the Andes with its chains of mountains, glaciers, lakes and streams. There, we will feel closer to heaven, feeling the magic of the Andes.
After a rest, we will start with the slow descent to our camp: Sisaypampa (4,199 m.a.s.l), where we spend the night.
- Distance: 9 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7 -8 hours
- Low Altitude: 4150 m / 13615 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4855 m / 15928 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4199 m / 13776 Ft.
We started the day early. On the way downhill, you will find some Andean populations that still preserve their ancestral customs, canals and Inca terraces; which they are still employed by the local population; as in the case of Inka Pampacahua channel (3,840 m.a.s.l); which is currently used for irrigation of the potato crop in the area. Then we go downhill and stop in Paucarcancha (3,133 m.a.s.l); we will visit archaeological site and take a break. Then, we will continue our journey to the semitropical Wayllabamba Valley (2,950 ma.s.l) (first camp classic Inca Trail). Upon arrival, we bid farewell to the carriers and will welcome the porters; with them, we will continue the tour. In Wayllabamba, we are going to visit the archaeological site and later encamp around the place. There, we are going to have dinner and spend the night.
- Distance: 7 Km.
- Walking Hours: 5 -6 hours
- Low Altitude: 2950 m / 9678 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4199 m / 113776 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 2950 m / 9678 Ft.
We’ll wake up to birdsong and the peaceful murmuring of the nearby river, taking our time to enjoy the refreshing countryside air. We’ll next gather in the dining tent, where our chefs will be waiting for us with a hearty breakfast, and later begin our hike to the highest point of the journey, Warmiwañuska Pass (4,215m). This section will be a personal challenge for each hiker, but reaching the top is well worth the effort; getting up here means that you can accomplish anything!
The ascent is gradual, and the first section is covered in vegetation until halfway up the mountain (Llulluchapampa, 3,800m). We’ll rest a while here, taking in the fresh, cold air of the Andes. After here, the views are all of the alpine puna, where the mountain is rocky and without much vegetation due to the altitude. However, we will come across the grass known as paja, still used by many high-mountain communities for roofing material. The views steadily improve as we climb, revealing different mountain ranges, and after a hard hike we’ll reach the highest pass of our trip, with rewarding views of mountains and valleys. If we are lucky, we’ll see condors circling above this pass, the ancient birds of the Peruvian Andes which guard over us as we hike. Getting up to Warmiwañuska is an accomplishment that you will never forget.
We gently descend from here, still glowing from our accomplishment and appreciating the simple things in life. The trail takes us to our campsite in the Pacamayu Ravine. At dinner we’ll share stories with our group and with our Wayki porters as well, feeling the satisfaction and peace furnished by the night sky and surrounding mountain peaks.
- Distance: 16km
- Hours of Hiking: 7 – 8 hours
- Minimum Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 4,215 m / 13,828 ft (Pass #1: Warmiwañusca)
- Campsite Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
We’ll wake up to birdsong and the peaceful murmuring of the nearby river, taking our time to enjoy the refreshing countryside air. We’ll next gather in the dining tent, where our chefs will be waiting for us with a hearty breakfast, and later begin our hike to the highest point of the journey, Warmiwañuska Pass (4,215m). This section will be a personal challenge for each hiker, but reaching the top is well worth the effort; getting up here means that you can accomplish anything!
The ascent is gradual, and the first section is covered in vegetation until halfway up the mountain (Llulluchapampa, 3,800m). We’ll rest a while here, taking in the fresh, cold air of the Andes. After here, the views are all of the alpine puna, where the mountain is rocky and without much vegetation due to the altitude. However, we will come across the grass known as paja, still used by many high-mountain communities for roofing material. The views steadily improve as we climb, revealing different mountain ranges, and after a hard hike we’ll reach the highest pass of our trip, with rewarding views of mountains and valleys. If we are lucky, we’ll see condors circling above this pass, the ancient birds of the Peruvian Andes which guard over us as we hike. Getting up to Warmiwañuska is an accomplishment that you will never forget.
We gently descend from here, still glowing from our accomplishment and appreciating the simple things in life. The trail takes us to our campsite in the Pacamayu Ravine. At dinner we’ll share stories with our group and with our Wayki porters as well, feeling the satisfaction and peace furnished by the night sky and surrounding mountain peaks.
- Distance: 16km
- Hours of Hiking: 7 – 8 hours
- Minimum Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 4,215 m / 13,828 ft (Pass #1: Warmiwañusca)
- Campsite Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Excited and eager to arrive, we’ll get up early this morning to start our hike. After saying goodbye to our porters, we’ll start our hike at 5:30am. It’s a brisk but refreshing one-hour hike to our first goal, the famous Intipunku (Sun Gate) at the entrance to Machu Picchu. The gate perfectly frames the majestic Inca city of Machu Picchu and affords excellent views of the valleys, rivers and sacred mountains that surround it. Reaching the Intipunku is a unique experience that will stay with you the rest of your life.
After taking in the splendid views we’ll descend along the trail into Machu Picchu itself, stopping at the highest part of the ruins to take the classic photo and shots of the exquisite architecture. We’ll descend to the entrance gate to register and check our bags before starting on our guided tour of the ruins. Your guide will help you to better understand the magic and mystery that still live within the walls here. The tour will last two to three hours, with free time afterwards to explore and rest. In the afternoon, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to snack and then take the train to return to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
- Distance: 6km
- Hours of hiking: 3 – 4 hours
- Minimum Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Maximum Elevation: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
(*) The guide will accompany you from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco. The exact timing of the return journey is to be confirmed.
