This 5-day trek is for those who want more—more views, more adventure, and more time to soak in Peru’s wild landscapes. Hike past turquoise glacial lakes, camp under Salkantay’s icy peak, and stumble upon the Llactapata ruins, where you’ll spot Machu Picchu from a secret angle. This isn’t the crowded Inca Trail; it’s a route we’ve fine-tuned to show you the Andes’ raw beauty. Expect cold nights, steep climbs, and moments that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.
We pick you up at 5 AM (coffee helps, trust me). Drive 4 hours through villages like Iscuchaca—watch for farmers herding sheep! Breakfast at Soraypampa with Salkantay Mountain (6,217m) staring you down. Then, hike 1.5 hours uphill to Humantay Lake. The water’s so blue it’ll hurt your eyes. Snap pics, then hike back for lunch at Salkantay Pampa.
Afternoon trek to Soyroccocha campsite (4,400m). It’s freezing, but the sunset over Salkantay’s glacier? Worth it. Dinner includes quinoa soup and hot drinks.
Coffee delivered to your tent at 6 AM. Hike 1 hour straight up to Apacheta Pass (4,650m). Catch your breath while staring at Salkantay, Humantay, and Huayanay peaks. Hidden gem: a 30-minute detour to Salkantay Lake—its turquoise water looks fake.
Descend 3 hours through rocky trails to Rayanniyoc for lunch (think avocado sandwiches and Inca Kola). After, hike 2 more hours to Colpapampa village. Camp here, surrounded by banana trees and hummingbirds.
Easiest day! Walk 4 hours through cloud forest—spot orchids and coffee plants. Lunch at a local farm, then coffee-making workshop. Pick beans, roast them over fire, grind, and drink your brew. Pro tip: Buy a bag—it’s cheaper here than in Cusco.
Afternoon ride to Cocalmayo Hot Springs. Soak sore muscles in natural pools (40°C/104°F). Dinner back at camp includes veggies picked that morning.
Big day! Hike 3 hours up an original Inca Trail to Puncuyoc Pass. Sweat rewarded with your first view of Machu Picchu from Llactapata ruins. Guides explain how the Incas aligned these stones with the sun.
Descend 2 hours to Hydroelectric (watch for monkeys!). Lunch here, then walk 2.5 hours along train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Check into your hotel (Ferre Machu Picchu—basic but clean). Celebrate with a pizza dinner.
Up at 4:30 AM for the first bus to Machu Picchu. Sunrise here is pure magic—fog lifting over the ruins. Guided tour covers temples, terraces, and the Inca’s sneaky water system. Free time to explore; climb to the Guardhouse for epic photos.
Back to Aguas Calientes by noon. Lunch on your own (try trout at Mercado Central). Train to Ollantaytambo (2:55 PM), then van to Cusco. Arrive by 7 PM.
Heads Up:
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
This unique Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!Â
**** This price includes the extra pack horse who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we will provide you with a duffel bag in which to put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers. Â
**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.Â
