The Salkantay & 4-Day Inca Trail trek offers a perfect blend of wilderness adventure and cultural exploration. This scenic route winds through high mountain ranges, steep valleys, and cloud forests, providing a diverse and breathtaking trekking experience. Along the way, trekkers visit numerous ancient Inca ruins, including the impressive Winay Wayna. The journey culminates at the Sun Gate, where trekkers are rewarded with their first awe-inspiring view of the iconic Machu Picchu citadel.
The 7-day Salkantay and Inca Trail Expedition combines the natural beauty of the Salkantay Trail with the cultural highlights of the classic Inca Trail. Starting in Cusco, the journey includes scenic stops like Humantay Lake and a special campsite near Salkantay Mountain for stargazing. After crossing a high mountain pass, the route merges with the Inca Trail, featuring historic sites such as Wiñaywayna and Phuyupatamarca. The trek concludes with a breathtaking arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunset. Expert guides lead the way throughout this unforgettable adventure.
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa
Today is a fairly easy day to help us ease in to the trek. Our tour begins by visiting the important Inca site of Tarawasi which lies about 2 hours drive from Cusco. After our tour of the site we’ll carry on to Mollepata where we’ll begin our trek. Following a different path to most groups we will see a variety of native plants, flowers and birds along the way and have fantastic views of the valley spread out before us.
Our campsite for the night is at Marcocasa (3500m / 11482ft) from where we will have fantastic views of the snow-capped peak Rayuska (5350m / 17552 ft.). Hardly anyone camps here so we will be able to enjoy this beautiful spot in complete peace and tranquility.
Day 2: Marcocasa – Salkantaypampa
Leaving Marcocasa we’ll carry on along the trail heading for Soraypampa where we will join the main Salkantay trekking route. Once again today is fairly easy going without too much distance to cover. The views today are fantastic and we will see several high peaks looming above us. By the time we get to Soraypampa the 3 main peaks of the region, Humantay (5917m / 19412 ft.), Tucurway (5910m / 19389 ft.) and Salkantay (6217m / 20573ft.) will all be in view.
From Soraypampa it’s about another hour’s walk to Salkantaypampa (4100m / 13451 ft.) where we will camp for the night. Due to the high altitude it can get cold at night here so you are recommended to put on your hat and gloves before going to sleep.
Day 3: Salkantaypampa – Pampacawana
Today we once again leave the main trekking route as we head for the Inca Trail. Continuing up the valley towards Salkantay we take a side path that leads us up and over the Incachiriaska Pass (Frozen Inca Pass, 5028m / 16495 ft.) which is the highest point on the trek. From the pass we carry on down to the small community of Pampacawana (4000m / 13123 ft.) where we will camp for the night.
The views today are once again amazing. Climbing up over the shoulder of Salkantay you feel completely dwarfed by the sheer size of the mountain and can get a sense of why the Inca’s worshipped it as a god. The whole area is dotted with small mountain lakes of varying hues and colours and we will also hopefully 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 Vicunas.
Day 4: Pampacawana – Llulluchapampa
Setting off from Pampacawana we’ll make our way down the valley to join the Inca Trail at Wayllabamba, along the way we’ll pass by our first Inca site of the trek ‘Paucarcancha’. At Wayllabamba we’ll switch from using mules to carry our gear to porters – this is to prevent damage to the Inca Trail.
Our campsite for tonight is at Llulluchapampa (3800m / 12460ft.) which is the closest campsite to Dead Woman’s Pass. As we climb up to Llulluchapampa we’ll pass through various biozones including the low sierra, cloud forest and the high puna. There are many opportunities to see a variety of plant and birdlife and if we are lucky we may spot White Tailed Deer again.
Day 5: Llulluchapampa – Chaquicocha
Today is fairly hard going as we have to make our way over 2 passes, luckily we’ve camped fairly close to the first so it’s not as hard as for most Inca Trailers who are camped in the valley far below.
The views today are fantastic, we see the high mountain ranges as we cross the 2 passes and will have the chance to visit 2 Inca sites (Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca). We will also see a variety of plant and life in the as we are now arriving to the area known as the cloud forest. Our campsite tonight is at Chaquicocha (3600m / 11800ft) which is one of the quieter campsites and affords beautiful views of the sunsetting over the mountains in the distance.
Day 6: Chaquicocha – WinayWayna
Having made it over the 2 passes yesterday we’re now treated to a relaxing day through some of the most beautiful scenery the Inca Trail has to offer. With a relatively short distance to cover along what is known as Inca Flat (gentle ascents and descents) we get to enjoy the lush and verdant cloud forest around us and the spectacular views of the Andes in the distance.
With visits to 2 Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca and WinayWayna) this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our campsite for tonight is at WinayWayna (2680m / 8792ft) which we will arrive to be early afternoon and get to have an extended guided tour of once we have settled in.
Day 7: WinayWayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today is the highlight of the trek. Waking up early you head straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu and once the site opens can carry on to the Sun Gate where you’ll get your first fantastic views of Machu Picchu.
On arrival to Machu Picchu you’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourslef and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Includes
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 5+
- Chef
- Mules / Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Mules / Personal porter to carry 10kg of your personal effects
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to Mollepata
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need tobring your own)
- 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Afternoon Snacks and 6 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygenbottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to AguasCalientes
Does Not Include
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 7
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Mchupicchu Montain( US 75 extra )
- Tips
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out
travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What you need to take
- Original Passport
- ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toilet ries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
Must-Haves
- Original passport (used for booking)
- Valid student ID (if booked as a student)
- Good daypack (30–40L)
- Reusable water bottles (2–3L capacity)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Headlamp (essential)
- Toilet paper
- Sleeping bag (at least -15ºC, can be rented)
Duffel Bag (Max 7 kg / 15 lbs)
(Includes sleeping bag & pad; you carry extra weight if over limit)
- 2 t-shirts
- 2+ hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- 2 fleece/thermals
- Warm clothes (down jacket for cold nights, ~3°C)
- Waterproof gloves
- Comfortable camp shoes
- Quick-dry towel
- Small bottle of soap
- Battery charger (no electricity during trek)
- Large plastic bags (ask at office)
- Sleeping pad (1 kg, included in duffel limit)
Toiletries
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Personal medications
First aid kit (band-aids, moleskin, etc.)
Daypack (30–40L, carried by you)
- Water for first day
- Sun hat & sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp
- Wool hat
- Rain gear & poncho
- Fleece
- Gloves
- Snacks (bars, dry fruits)
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper & small waste bag
- Extra cash (souvenirs, drinks, tips)
Group Service Price
US$919 per person
Private Service Prices
- 2 people US$1,149 per person
- 3 people US$1099 per person
- 4 people US$989 per person
5+ people US$919 per person
Discounts:
Student Discount: US$30 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
Under 18’s Discount: US$30
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$40
Walking Pole US$35
Inflatable Mattress US$40
Single Tent Supplement US$60
Extras (Need to book in Advance):
- Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00
- Vistadome Train Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo: USD50.00
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired.
How to book:
You can either book by emailing us or by using the Booking form provided on this site.
By e-mail:
Send us your main Departure date and back up date: By providing us with a main date and a back up date for your trek (classic Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, etc) you automatically authorize Quinoa Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Quinoa Expeditions within the next 48 hours (after you have sent us your booking form and confirm deposit was made) will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek.
Send us your Personal Details for Booking: Your passport number and other information must be valid. Please advise if you change your passport number after booking the tour (especially for booking the classic Inca Trail as if we do not make a change in your official details, you may not be permitted to do the trek). Please Note changing passports’ numbers requires an extra fee (we are able to change passports numbers easily on our receipt but its also extremely important that we make the changes with the Inca Trail authorities)
Student rate: In order to obtain this discount you must have a valid ISIC card. It is important you scan and e-mail this to us at the time of booking and that it is valid on the date you are booked on the Inca Trail/alternative trek (you will need to show the real ISIC card https://www.isiccard.com upon your arrival here in Cusco and in Machu Picchu).
Salkantay Trekking & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu provided by Quinoa Expeditions Peru:
Arrival & Briefing
Arrival to Cusco: Airport pickup is included. Inform Quinoa Expeditions of your flight details at least 14 days in advance. Look for the rep with an Quinoa Expeditions Peru board outside the terminal.
Pre-Trek Briefing Held the day before your trek.
Booking & Payment
Booking Process
Complete the online form with personal details from each participant.
Submit a copy of each participant’s passport.
Pay a non-refundable deposit of \$200 USD per person (via VISA or PayPal).
Balance Payment:
Pay in cash in Cusco (USD or Peruvian soles) to avoid a 5.5% credit card fee
Online payments accepted via PayPal or VISA (fee applies).
Changes: No changes or refunds once permits are issued. Permits are non-transferable.
Trek Preparation
Passport: Bring the original passport used at booking. If renewed, submit both old and new copies in advance.
Duffel Bag: Provided the night before trek. Weight limit is 7kg (15lbs), including sleeping bag (2kg) and sleeping pad (1kg).
Daypack: Carry essentials like water, jacket, rain gear, camera, sunscreen, snacks, etc. (30–50L backpack recommended).
Luggage Storage: Available at Quinoa office or your hotel.
Trek Info
Difficulty: Challenging 42km trek with high altitude (up to 4,217m/13,907ft). Requires moderate fitness and acclimatization (2–3 days in Cusco recommended).
Health Issues: Emergency assistance available; oxygen carried. Helicopter evacuation possible (travel insurance required). No refunds if unable to complete trek.
Other Notes
Tipping: Not required but appreciated for good service. Entirely at your discretion.
Sustainability: Quinoa Expedirtions follows responsible tourism practices, supporting local communities and respecting cultural traditions.
1. Local & Family-Owned:
Quinoa Expeditions is a 100% locally owned Cusqueñian company with no shareholders, offering deeply personal and culturally authentic experiences.
2. Personalized & High-Quality Service:
They specialize in small, customized tours and treks with a strong focus on quality and attention to detail.
3. Small Group Sizes:
Tours are limited to 8 people, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience.
4. Professional & Passionate Guides:
Their expert guides are fluent in English, well-educated in fields like archaeology and history, and passionate about sharing Inca heritage.
5. Exceptional Porter Support:
Porters (and horsemen for the Salkantay trek) are well-equipped, well-treated, and vital to the Quinoa Expeditions experience. They receive fair wages and support for their families and communities.
6. High-Quality Equipment:
Guests enjoy spacious 4-season tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, duffel bags, and optional gear like air mattresses. Bio-toilets and hot showers are also available.
7. Community Commitment:
Quinoa Expeditions invests in local communities through service projects and local hiring, supporting education and economic development in remote mountain areas.
8. Responsible & Sustainable Tourism:
The company prides itself on ethical treatment of staff and sustainable practices that protect the environment and support local people.
In short, Quinoa Expeditions offers a trustworthy, high-quality, and culturally enriching trekking experience with a strong heart for community and sustainability.
