This 7-day trek joins two of the best routes in Peru: it starts on the Salkantay side, over the Incachiriasca Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft) among glaciers, and joins the Classic Inca Trail at Wayllabamba, to enter Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate. On the way you cross remote valleys, visit little-known Inca sites such as Incaracay and Paucarcancha, climb Dead Woman's…
This 7-day trek joins two of the best routes in Peru: it starts on the Salkantay side, over the Incachiriasca Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft) among glaciers, and joins the Classic Inca Trail at Wayllabamba, to enter Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate.
On the way you cross remote valleys, visit little-known Inca sites such as Incaracay and Paucarcancha, climb Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft) and walk through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna. An Inca Trail permit is needed and is included.
A guide, cooks, horses on the first days and porters on the Inca Trail take care of the logistics, and you sleep at campsites for six nights. After a guided tour of Machu Picchu you return to Cusco by train and private transport. Southern Peru Explorers is a local operator based in Cusco, running tours since 2009.
It is the longest and most complete of our routes on foot to Machu Picchu, for experienced hikers who want both the high mountains and the Inca path. For a shorter trip, see our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days or…
It is the longest and most complete of our routes on foot to Machu Picchu, for experienced hikers who want both the high mountains and the Inca path.
For a shorter trip, see our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days or Salkantay Trek 5 Days, and compare them in Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail.
Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at about 4:30 a.m. and drive to the Challacancha trailhead (3,300 m), where you meet the team of cooks, horsemen and your guide. After breakfast and a cup of coca tea we sort the duffel bags and start walking.
The path climbs gently through wide valleys, with views of the Salkantay glacier, waterfalls and snowy peaks. It is a good first day to get used to the altitude. We camp at Soraypampa, where the cook prepares dinner.
Facts and figures
One of the hardest and finest days of the trek. After breakfast the trail climbs through the Pampa Japonesa, with traces of the Inca presence along the way, to the Incachiriasca Pass at 4,850 m (15,912 ft), the highest point of the trek, with views of glaciers and deep valleys.
We have lunch on the way down through an isolated mountain landscape, home to condors and vizcachas, and reach the Ichupata valley, where we camp.
Facts and figures
A long day on remote paths. We climb to Pampacahuana, past ancient agricultural terraces, and then descend steeply into an Andean valley towards Incaracay, an Inca site seldom seen by hikers on the Inca Trail. Your guide explains how these sites controlled access to the Sacred Valley.
The trail continues on old stone paths to Inca Canal, where we camp, surrounded by quiet mountains.
Facts and figures
We descend into the valley, stop at the Inca site of Paucarcancha and join the Classic Inca Trail at Wayllabamba. Here the horses stay behind and our porters take over the load, because animals are not allowed on the Inca Trail.
We then climb through different landscapes, from low valleys through cloud forest to open grassland, to Llulluchapampa (3,800 m), the campsite closest to Dead Woman's Pass, and arrive in the afternoon with time to rest before the big day.
Facts and figures
The toughest day on the Inca Trail, with two high passes. Starting from Llulluchapampa makes the first climb shorter, to Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusqa), 4,215 m (13,829 ft). After descending to the Pacaymayo valley we climb to the Runkurakay pass (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), visiting the Inca sites of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca on the way.
The landscape then turns to cloud forest, and in the late afternoon we reach the campsite of Chaquicocha, with views of the mountains at sunset.
Facts and figures
A more relaxed day on well-kept stone paths through cloud forest, with orchids and hummingbirds. We visit Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds", with its ceremonial baths and terraces, and descend many Inca stone steps to Wiñay Wayna.
We reach the campsite with daylight left for a guided visit of the terraces and ceremonial sites of Wiñay Wayna.
Facts and figures
We get up early to walk the last stretch to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku, 2,732 m / 8,963 ft), for your first view of Machu Picchu. We then go down to the citadel for a guided tour of its history and sacred sites.
Afterwards you have free time to explore, or to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you booked the ticket. We take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, the train to Ollantaytambo and our private transport back to Cusco.
Facts and figures
Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.
Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.
Climbing both the Salkantay glaciers and then the ancient Inca Trail stone paths that is a world-class test. Your equipment needs to be adaptable for the -10°C (14°F) winds on the high points and the 25°C (77°F) moisture in the cloud forest. Use this list made by experts to make sure you is comfortable and safe on this 7-day journey.
14 photos from this tour.
We really care about your comfort and well being. If you got any dietary limits or food allergies, like if you dont eat meat, or cant have gluten, or specific allergies, just tell us early so we can sort things.
April to October can be considered the best time to visit the place where weather is more predictable with occasional rainfall. This season witnesses maximum crowd so reservation becomes necessary.
Booking information for this tour.
Inca Trail permits are limited and issued in your name for a fixed date, so we need your details exactly as they appear in the passport: full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and a copy of the passport. Please also tell us your hotel in Cusco before and after the trek, so we can plan your pick-up and return.
To confirm your trek, pay through our secure link: Contact us to confirm availability and request a payment link. As soon as we receive the payment we book your permit, Machu Picchu ticket, train and the rest of the services. Permits, tickets and trains are limited, so book as early as you can.
After the payment you receive a confirmation with all the details of your trip, the schedule and travel tips. Our team in Cusco is available for any question.
Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.
It is moderate to challenging. Days 2, 3 and 5 are the hardest, with 9 to 10 hours of walking, and you cross a pass at 4,850 m and Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m. You do not need technical skills, but you need good fitness and at least two days in Cusco to acclimatize.
Yes. This route joins the Classic Inca Trail, so it needs an Inca Trail permit, which is included. Permits are limited, issued in your name and cannot be transferred, so book as early as you can. The trek is not possible in February, when the Inca Trail is closed.
We recommend it for travelers with some hiking experience. If you are new to trekking, the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days or the Short Inca Trail are better choices.
Horses carry your duffel bag on the Salkantay section, and porters take over from Wayllabamba, because animals are not allowed on the Inca Trail. The limit is 7 kg (14 lb), including your sleeping bag.
Three meals a day during the trek, prepared by our cook and served in a dining tent, with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fruit and vegetables. Tell us about special diets when you book.
Walk at least an hour a day and add stairs, hills, leg strengthening and cardio in the weeks before your trip, and spend at least two days in Cusco before you start.
Before the permits are booked, yes. Once they are issued they cannot be transferred or refunded, and a new date needs a new permit, subject to availability.
Yes. On a private trek your group has its own guide and team and sets its own pace. Tell us your dates and group size.
Choose your start date
No payment now: we confirm availability and price first.
Compare this tour with similar ones: duration, altitude, difficulty and price.
| Tour | Duration | Distance | Max altitude | Difficulty | Group | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | 1 Day | 10 km | 2,732 m | Easy to Moderate | Max 8 travelers (minimum 2 per departure) | $530 |
| Short Inca Trail 2 Days with Hotel | 2 Days / 1 Night | 10 km | 2,732 m | Easy to Moderate | Max 12 travelers | $580 |
| Short Inca Trail with Camping: 2 Days | 2 Days / 1 Night | 10 km | 2,732 m | Easy to Moderate | Max 8 travelers | $690 |
| Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 42 km | 4,215 m | Moderate to Challenging | Max 12 travelers | $890 |
| Private Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 42 km | 4,215 m | Moderate to Challenging | Private: minimum 2, maximum 12 travelers | $1,250 |
| 5-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu | 5 Days / 4 Nights | 42 km | 4,215 m | Moderate to Challenging | Max 8 travelers | $1,230 |
| Cusco Inca Trail Experience: 7 Days | 7 Days / 6 Nights | 42 km | 4,215 m | Moderate to Challenging | Max 8 travelers | $1,250 |
| Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek: 7 DaysThis tour | 7 Days / 6 Nights | 90 km | 4,850 m | Moderate to Challenging | Max 8 travelers | $1,450 |
Travel guides from our team in Cusco to help you prepare.
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