Experience the best of both worlds with our Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail – a 6D/5N hike through the Andes of Cusco. This extraordinary journey blends the dramatic beauty of the Salkantay Trek with the sacred path of the Classic Inca Trail, offering one of the most complete and rewarding trekking routes in Peru. Hike beneath glacier-covered peaks, descend into cloud forests, and walk ancient Inca stone paths that few travelers ever see.

Perfect for experienced adventurers, the 6-day Salkantay and Inca Trail hike takes you from remote highland valleys to the legendary Sun Gate, where you'll witness a breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu. This Salkantay to Inca Trail combo offers natural beauty, history, and challenge, all guided by local experts with full support and comfort. If you're seeking the ultimate Andes trekking adventure, this is it.

Salkantay & Classic Inca Trail Tour Overview

The Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail – 6D/5N hike through the Andes of Cusco is the ultimate combination trek for serious adventurers. This one-of-a-kind route merges two of Peru’s most spectacular trails: the high-altitude, off-the-beaten-path beauty of the Salkantay Trek, and the legendary, stone-paved Classic Inca Trail leading directly to Machu Picchu. You'll pass glaciers, jungle valleys, and ancient Inca ruins, experiencing the full ecological and cultural richness of the Andes in one unforgettable journey.

This Salkantay to Inca Trail combo offers everything: physical challenge, immersive history, natural wonders, and the iconic finale, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise. With expert guides, personalized service, and full support along the way, it’s a trekking experience designed for hikers who want more than just a trail, they want the adventure of a lifetime.

Tour at a Glance

  • Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

  • Route: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayllabamba – Inca Trail – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu

  • Group Size: Small & personalized (2–8 people max)

  • Difficulty: Challenging

  • Max Altitude: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft (Salkantay Pass)

  • Ending Point: Machu Picchu & return to Cusco

Highlights

  • Hike two legendary trails in one seamless expedition

  • Camp beneath the mighty Salkantay Glacier and cross the high-altitude pass

  • Enter the Classic Inca Trail through Wayllabamba — a less-traveled gateway

  • Explore Inca sites like Llactapata, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna

  • Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise

  • Enjoy full logistical support, expert guides, and high-quality gear

Why Hike This Trek?

If you want to experience both the wild, scenic isolation of the Salkantay Trek and the mystical legacy of the Inca Trail, this is the perfect adventure. This 6-day Salkantay and Inca Trail hike is designed for seasoned hikers who want variety, from snowcapped peaks to jungle trails and ancient ruins. It's also one of the few routes that avoids heavy crowds in the early days, giving you space to connect with nature and history before joining the sacred Inca path.

Unlike the standard Inca Trail, this combination trek lets you see more ecosystems, more ruins, and more unforgettable views. You’ll test your endurance, grow your appreciation for Inca engineering, and finish with a deep sense of achievement as you step through the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu.

Best Time to Hike

The best time to hike the Salkantay Trek & Classic Inca Trail is during the dry season, which runs from April to October in the Andes of Cusco. This period offers the most stable weather, clear skies, and the safest trail conditions,  especially important for this high-altitude, multi-day adventure.

May to August are the peak trekking months. Expect crisp mornings, sunny days, and spectacular mountain views. These are ideal for photography and scenic hiking but also tend to be the busiest months, especially around Machu Picchu.

April and October are excellent shoulder season months. The trails are quieter, and the landscape is greener after light rains. These months offer a great balance of good weather and fewer crowds.

September is another sweet spot, warm days, fewer hikers, and lush scenery.

The wet season (November to March) brings heavy rains, landslides, and muddy trails. The Classic Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance, and we don’t recommend doing this combined trek during these months.

Tip: Book at least 5–6 months in advance, especially for dates between May and September, since Inca Trail permits are limited and sell out quickly.

Salkantay & Classic Inca Trail Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa – Ichupata

Your adventure begins bright and early with a 4:30 am pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We travel through quiet valleys and Andean villages during a scenic 3-hour drive to Soraypampa (3,900 m), where your trekking chef will prepare a nourishing mountain breakfast. After getting ready, adjusting your gear, and applying sunscreen, we start the journey with a gentle warm-up hike to one of the Andes’ crown jewels.

We ascend for about 2 hours to reach Humantay Lake, a dazzling turquoise lagoon tucked beneath a glacial wall. This sacred spot is perfect for catching your breath, taking stunning photos, and connecting with the powerful energy of the Apus (mountain spirits). After time to explore, we return to Soraypampa and continue our trek to Salkantaypampa, where our chef greets you with a well-deserved lunch amid open valleys and soaring peaks. In the afternoon, we hike uphill for another 2 hours to reach Ichupata (4,300 m), a remote and scenic campsite that feels like a hidden world. As the sun dips behind Salkantay Glacier, you'll settle into your cozy tent surrounded by snow-dusted cliffs, crisp mountain air, and the silence only nature can offer.

Day 2: Ichupata – Salkantay Pass – Pampacahuana – Inca Canal Camp

We begin the day with a warm wake-up tea at 5:00 am inside your tent, followed by a hearty breakfast to prepare for the toughest, and most breathtaking, day of the trek. The morning starts with a steady ascent for about 3 hours as we make our way to the legendary Salkantay Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft), the highest point of your entire journey. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with dramatic views of the towering Salkantay Glacier, steep valleys below, and possibly condors soaring above.

After celebrating your achievement at the pass, we begin our descent into quieter, less-traveled terrain that connects toward the Inca Trail region. The landscape transitions into rolling grasslands and high-altitude valleys rich in native flora and rock formations. We stop for lunch in Pampacahuana, a peaceful valley surrounded by ancient terraces and a flowing stream. In the afternoon, we follow an original Inca water canal, marveling at this example of pre-Columbian engineering, until we reach our quiet campsite near the canal. Here, you’ll enjoy a warm meal, a star-filled sky, and the satisfaction of completing one of the most spectacular trekking days in the Andes.

Day 3: Inca Canal Camp – Pampacahuana – Patallacta – Huayllabamba

Wake up in the serene beauty of the high Andes and enjoy a warm breakfast surrounded by crisp mountain air and sweeping valley views. Today’s journey begins with a gentle descent from Inca Canal Camp, following the ancient Inca water channel, a brilliant piece of pre-Columbian engineering that still flows today. As we hike through the tranquil Pampacahuana Valley, we pass small farming settlements, herds of alpacas, and terraced hillsides carved centuries ago by the Incas.

After about 2 hours, we reach the stunning viewpoint over Patallacta, an expansive Inca archaeological site with agricultural terraces and ceremonial areas nestled beside the Urubamba River. Your guide will share the significance of this strategic location, once a checkpoint to Machu Picchu. From here, we continue for another 2 hours of moderate hiking to reach the village of Huayllabamba (2,950 m), our campsite for the night and the first main checkpoint of the Classic Inca Trail. Enjoy a relaxing evening, a nourishing dinner prepared by our chef, and rest well, tomorrow we begin the ascent toward Dead Woman’s Pass.

Day 4: Huayllabamba – Llulluchapampa – Dead Woman’s Pass – Pacaymayu

After an early breakfast at camp, we begin one of the most challenging sections of the Classic Inca Trail. The trail climbs steadily through dense Polylepis forests and high-altitude grasslands toward Llulluchapampa (3,850 m), a beautiful spot surrounded by panoramic views of the Andes. After about 3–4 hours of uphill hiking, we stop here for a well-earned lunch, rehydrate, and take time to acclimate before the final push.

From Llulluchapampa, the trail becomes steeper as we ascend to the highest point of the entire Inca Trail: the famous Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,215 m / 13,829 ft. Reaching the summit is a true achievement, offering a powerful moment and dramatic 360° mountain views. After celebrating at the top, we begin a 2-hour descent into the Pacaymayu Valley, where our camp awaits near a rushing river. Enjoy a hot shower, a warm meal, and the peace of the mountains after an unforgettable day of effort and accomplishment.

Day 5: Pacaymayu – Runkurakay – Sayacmarca – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna

After breakfast in the serene Pacaymayu Valley, we begin the most scenic and culturally rich day of the Classic Inca Trail. The morning starts with a moderate climb to the circular ruins of Runkurakay, once a strategic Inca lookout. From there, we continue ascending to the second major pass of the trek (3,950 m), with incredible views of misty peaks and deep valleys. The descent brings us to the beautiful ruins of Sayacmarca, perched on a ridge and accessed via an ancient stone staircase.

We then follow the Inca Trail through lush cloud forest, stone tunnels, and original paving as we hike toward Phuyupatamarca, “the town above the clouds”, where we stop for lunch with jaw-dropping views. Afterward, the trail winds gently downhill for several hours through orchids, moss-draped trees, and cascading steps until we reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the most stunning Inca sites on the trail. This is our final campsite, just a short hike from Machu Picchu. Here, you’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner, take time to reflect, and rest up for your long-awaited sunrise entrance to the Lost City.

Day 6: Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

Today is the grand finale! We wake up at 3:45 am and have a light breakfast at 4:15 am, then head to the checkpoint to enter the final stretch of the Inca Trail. At 5:30 am, we begin a quiet 1-hour hike through misty jungle paths until we reach the iconic Inti Punku (Sun Gate). From here, you’ll witness the first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu as it emerges with the rising sun, a moment of pure magic after days of trekking.

We then hike another hour downhill to the entrance of Machu Picchu, where you'll enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour led by your expert guide. You’ll explore its most important temples, plazas, and hidden corners, learning the fascinating history of this ancient citadel. If you’ve booked the Huayna Picchu hike ($75 extra), you can climb its steep switchbacks for unmatched views, recommended only for those comfortable with heights. Afterward, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you’ll have time for lunch (not included). Finally, we board the Vistadome train at 2:55 pm to Ollantaytambo, where our private driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving by around 7:30 pm.