Cusco, Sacred Valley & Extended Salkantay, Inca Trail Trek

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Extended Salkantay, Inca Trail Trek: Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer Airport  Cusco hotel –  Tour in the afternoo

Your guide will greet you at the Cusco airport and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will receive a guided sightseeing tour of the city – visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) as well as several other Incan sites central to Cusco. We’ll grab transportation and drive you to the outskirts of the city to visit the Inca sites of Tambomachay, Quenqo, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman – famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 26 ft high and weighing over 60 tons.

Day 2: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Pisac – Ollantaytambo (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel – your guide will pick you up for a day trip through the Sacred Valley, where you’ll be able to explore the history and culture of the surrounding area. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled; there is an abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

We’ll make our way toward the ruins at the outskirts of Pisac where you can wander through amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces before we head down to the town. You’ll have some free time to Pisac to roam through the bustling handicraft market full of Peruvian weavings, jewelry and pottery. You can also see a traditional Indian market where various goods are haggled for and traded daily – or peruse the local food market and try some of the local delicacies.

Moving on, we continue along the Urubamba River towards the historic Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo. You’ll receive a guided tour of the ruins – then you are free to spend the rest of your night wandering around. Ollantaytambo has been transformed into the staging ground for travelers wishing to visit Machu Picchu or hike the Incan trial – so make some friends, do some shopping, or try some local pisco sours! It’s up to you.

Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Lake Humantay – Sorraypampa (B, L, D)

We will pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and drive you to the the start of the trail at Ccallacancha. Here we will meet up with our horseman and horses and start our trek to the camp site at Sorraypampa. After a lunch, we’ll leave our camp site to hike uphill to the stunning Lake Humantay. After spending the afternoon there, we’ll hike back down to our campsite and prepare for the next day.

Day 4: Sorraypampa – Inchupata (B, L, D)

After breakfast we’ll start out with an ascent to a canal and make our way through the valley where the landscape transitions from green valleys to snow-capped mountains. Break out your layers and gloves as we continue on to our camp at Inchupata (14,000 ft) right below Salkantay.

Day 5: Inchupata – Inca Channel (B, L, D)

Heading out, expect to pass glaciers and mountain lakes on our way to the Salkantay Pass, (16,500 ft) the highest point of our hike. After congratulating yourself on making it and taking in the summit views, we’ll head downhill the rest of the day trough the valley to our campsite for the night. This is a famous alpaca breeding region and with luck we may observe large flocks of these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

Day 6: Inca Channel – Wayllabamba (B, L, D)

After breaking camp, we’ll continue downhill towards the cloud forest and warmer weather until we reach the Paucarcancha ruins. After exploring for a bit, you’ll say goodbye to the horse handlers and meet up with our local porters who will accompany you for the rest of the trip. Moving on, the trail will merge with the classic Inca trail where you are sure to see many travelers on the trail. You can chat with them about your adventures at our camp ground at Wayllabamba if you wish!

Day 7: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayo (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll start trekking towards Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman’s Pass – 14,000 ft). This is typically considered the most challenging part of the Inca Trail, but worth it for the panoramic views from the top. From the peak, the trail shifts to downhill as we to descend down stone steps into the Pacaymayo valley and our camp for the night.

Day 8: Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna (B, L, D)

We’ll wake early in the morning and push forward along the stone path to the Runkuraqay ruins on the way to second pass. Continuing on down the trail we’ll stop at the Phuyupatamarka ruins (beautiful photo spot – ruins overlooking the valley) then descend the “1,500 steps” through the cloud forest to the Wiñay Wayna ruins – an impressive descending site showing off the Incan farming terraces. We’ll camp nearby, giving you time to contemplate what you’ve seen during the day, and chat with other trekkers if you like!

Note: The rangers assign camping locations a few days before the trek – If Wiñay Wayna is full, we will camp at Phuyupatamarca on Day 7. If this happens there are two changes to Day 8 – We will be unable to see the sunrise from the sun gate, and we will provide lunch (since you’ll be hiking later into the day)

Day 9: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)

If you are eager to catch the sunrise from the sun gate (weather permitting), we’ll get up early and make our way to the overlook, which also affords the first breathtaking glimpse of the citadel of Machu Picchu. Looking out for roaming llama’s as you make your way down the last of the Inca trail and explore as you receive a guided tour. After the tour, if you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu peak or the Machu Picchu mountain (both optional) we will make our way to the respective gates. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll still have additional time to explore Machu Picchu. Your guide will let you know when you need to be back so you can catch your transfers to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Day 10: Transfer hotel  to Airport  Cusco fly to Lima

What is included on the Short Inca Trail Trek:

• Fluent English/Spanish guide that is very knowledgeable of the surrounding region and its customs.
• Private transfer from and to your hotel.
• Pre-departure briefing at your hotel the night before your trek.
• All train and bus fares.
• You have a daily meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks are not included at the dinner, only water. Lunch may be a box lunch depending on the schedule.
• Camping equipment, dining tents with tables and chairs, where you enjoy delicious meals, camping tents to sleep.  (We will provide a list of items you should bring when you book).
• Sleeping Thermarest, but sleeping bag you need to bring with you or you can rent it from us.
• Porters who will carry the gear & cook
• Portable toilet
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.

• Our rent prices for equipments;
  • Sleeping bag 45 $
    Walking Sticks 30 $

What is  not included on the Short Inca Trail Trek:

• Meals that are not referenced in the itinerary.
• Alcohol drinks
• Sleeping bag
• Tips for your guide are not included and are optional

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Extended Inca Trail Trek: Pricing

Pricing is primarily dependent on how many people are in your group. The amounts listed below are general rates so you can get an idea of how much things cost. These rates may go up or down based on a few different things (we’ve listed some common items below). When you reach out to request a booking, we will give you a specific rate quote at that time.

1-2: $2921

3-4: $2355

5-6: $2094

7-8: $1930

9+: $1926

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Extended Inca Trail Trek: What to bring?

• Original passport (International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Sleeping bag suitable for temperature of trip
• Day back pack for things needed during the day
• Comfortable walking boots
• Rain Gear: poncho a good rain jacket for wet season
• Canteen or camel back
• Warm jacket or flees for cool evenings
• Woolen sweater or fleece
• Trousers, one waterproof of one normal
• Shorts
• T-shirts or light cotton shirts
• Hat with brim
• Walking pool
• Flash light / head lamp (the campsite has its own light but you will need this in your tent)
• Personal medications
• Insect repellent
• Sun screen
• Binoculars, camera and film
• Extra money for drinks, tips, souvenirs etc. (soles or dollars)
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries
• Travel insurance is essential
• Plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes. Copy of your passport