Inca Jungle Trek | Peru Machu Picchu Hiking Adventure Specialists.

Duration 7 Days

Tour Type Specific Tour

Difficulty Moderate to Challenging

Group Size Up to 12 people

Languages Spanish, English

Tour Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 7D / 6N

The weather patterns are not so predictable that you can be absolutely positive of weather conditions in advance, but there are well-established patterns. The lower altitude treks experience the forests, village culture, and Fantastic Mountain views and are likely not to experience extremes of weather, but rather mild weather conditions throughout the trek season.

Overview

Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 7D / 6N, is geographically an outstanding trek to Machupicchu. The highest mountains, the deepest gorges, tracts of wild forest, the rolling high plateau of the Andes, and the greatest biodiversity are some of this TREKKING highlights. This seven days trekking combines Salkantay Trail and the Classic Inca Trail Trek; where you’ll see the huge peaks of Salkantay region which are considered important “Apu” or spiritual protector to locals. The Inca Trail Trekking & Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu leads you through the “Vilcabamba” mountain range which is formed by two deepest canyons of the region: Urubamba and Apurimac. During the trek, for the first 3 days you will be surrounded with magnificent mountain scenery and rarely see other groups; on the fourth day we’ll join with the Classic Inca Trail at Wayllabamba Community and then continue to Machu Picchu over the “Dead woman’s pass (4,200m). The Inca Trail Trekking & Salkantay Trek season extends from mid- March to November. Daytime temperatures can reach 20°C – 27°C at high altitude in June July nights can drop to below -5°C. Trekking in Cusco during winter, from June to September, offers cool to mild and clear days with often very cold nights. Daytime temperatures around 20°C and at night may drop to 0°C or as low as – 5°C. Occasionally winter storms can bring snow as low as 3,500m.

Activities

Trekking Adventure

Difficulty Levels

4 of 5

Accommodation

1 Day Hotel, 5 Days Camping

Maximum Altitude

5600 masl. / 18372 ft.

Starts

Pick up at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 AM

Ends

Drop-off at Cusco around 22:15 PM

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
You’ll be up nice and early today to be ready for us to pick you up around 4:00 a.m. You’ll travel in our comfy transportation with blankets to enjoy a bit more sleep on the drive. After 2 hours, we’ll enjoy a brief stop in Mollepata for an optional breakfast. We’ll then continue on to Challacancha, where we’ll start our hike.

First, you’ll meet the cooks and horsemen, as well as do a last equipment check. Then, we’ll be on our way. You’ll start with a 3-hour moderate walk to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we’ll be spending our first night. The first section is relatively flat with a slight bit of uphill through a deep valley of glaciers. You’ll notice that a lot of the trail follows a restored Inca water channel, which local farmers still make use of today. This section is 7 km / 4.35 mi overall.

Once in Soraypampa, you’ll get settled in at our exclusive Sky Camp, where you’ll sleep this evening. You’ll have a bit of time to rest after enjoying your first lunch in the mountains. Feeling refreshed, it’ll be time to start the hike up to the incredibly beautiful Humantay Lake (4,200 m /13,780 ft).

This round trip takes about 3 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 mi. It’s not far, but you need to take things slowly at this altitude. You’ll have some time once you get to the lake to enjoy the fantastic scenery. There aren’t many places in the Andes quite as stunning as the turquoise waters glistening against the Humantay glacier. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale!

Back at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious and well-deserved dinner with a beautiful sunset as your company. You can’t describe the energy here, but you’ll feel its peacefulness for yourself once here. Then it’ll be time to turn into your Sky Camp igloo. From the glass roof, you’ll be able to enjoy a night under the stars, constellations and comets, and wake up to see the Apu Salkantay watching over you.
- Meals
  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Sky Camp
- Difficulty
  Moderate
- Walking Distance
  10 km / 6.21 mi
- Walking Time
  5-6 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Day 2 Soraypampa - Salkantaypampa - Ichupata - Pampajaponesa
In the morning, we will wake you up with a hot coca tea to give you the boost you'll need to start your day. Then, you'll savor a delicious breakfast and listen to a brief explanation from our guide about the importance of the mountains in Andean culture.

We will begin the hike heading to Salkantaypampa. This part of the trail is a bit steep and challenging due to the altitude, so it's important not to rush and stay hydrated to avoid altitude sickness. But don't worry, after the ascent, the trail becomes flat, and you'll be rewarded with the best views of the snow-capped mountains of the Andes. It's a great time to connect with nature and enjoy the surroundings.

We will continue towards Ichupata to enjoy a delicious lunch while appreciating the most wonderful views of nature. As you hike this trail, you'll be surrounded by natural landscapes and the Salkantay mountain. After lunch, we head towards Pampajaponesa, where we will spend the night.

Pampajaponesa is a great place to rest and relax after a long day of hiking. Here, you'll contemplate the best panoramic views of the Mollepata valley, the Apurimac River, and some lagoons that are on the way, making this place a great destination to take photos of the beautiful landscape. At night, you'll enjoy the exquisite food prepared by our chefs while appreciating the constellations of the Andean sky.
- Meal
  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Camp
- Difficulty
  Moderate
- Walking Distance
  10 km / 6.21 mi
- Walking Time
  5-6 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  4,750 m / 15,584 ft
Day 3 Pampajaponesa - Incachiriaska Pass - Yanacaca - Pampacahuana - Inca Canal - Paucarcancha
Today, you will start the morning with a hot coca tea and a good breakfast, as it will be the toughest day of the entire hike. We will slowly ascend to Incachiriaska Pass (5,100m / 16,732ft), the highest point of our journey, all accompanied by powerful glaciers.

Upon reaching the summit, you will be greeted with coca tea that will help you acclimatize to the altitude while admiring the beautiful scenery surrounding you, with lovely valleys scattered with crystal-clear lagoons. If you're lucky, you may see the majestic flight of the condor. There, you have the option to take a 30-minute walk to see the glaciers up close. Otherwise, we will begin our descent.

Soon, we will arrive at Yanacaca, our lunch spot, where our chefs will be waiting for us with everything ready for us to enjoy a well-deserved feast. Here, we can relax a bit before continuing with the hike.

In the afternoon, we will descend towards Pampacahuana through beautiful Andean valleys so picturesque that they will surely motivate you to have a camera in hand. This is an ideal place to rest and enjoy the views. Then, we will walk through a section of the Inca Trail that connects to different archaeological sites in the area until we reach the Inca Canal.

After learning a little more about its incredible history and the customs of the local people, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and rest at our campsite in Paucarcancha. You´ll need to recover energy to continue the exciting journey the next day.
- Meal
  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Camp
- Difficulty
  Challenging
- Walking Distance
  15 km / 9.32 mi
- Walking Time
  7-8 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Day 4 Paucarcancha - Wayllabamba - Ayapata
Today, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time as you walk the paths as the traditional farmers of Peru who live in complete communion and respect with Mother Earth, or Pachamama, as so many have done since ancient times. You’ll be able to observe how they live in these remote regions and appreciate the tranquil nature of their lifestyle.

A little later on, we’ll get to the Inca archaeological site called Paucarcancha to learn a bit about its history and advanced architecture for its time. Your guide will also show you how the vegetation changes as you get closer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The climate will get warmer and vegetation thicker.

Then, you’ll finally enter the classic Inca Trail and have your lunch. You’ll have time for a short break before we begin the ascent to our camp. Keep your camera handy to snap some wonderful photographs of the impressive mountains that welcome you as we enter the cloud forest. This evening, you’ll have a tasty dinner before heading to bed for some well-deserved rest.
- Meal
  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Camp
- Difficulty
  Moderate
- Walking Distance
  4 km / 2.49 mi
- Walking Time
  2 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  3,300 m / 10,827 ft
Day 5 Ayapata | Dead Woman’s Pass - Runkuraqay Pass - Yanacocha - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha
Today is the most demanding part of the Inca Trail, but you’ll also enjoy the best rewards. After breakfast, we’ll begin a 4-hour ascent and observe how the landscape changes dramatically as we leave the thick vegetation behind once again and enter colder mountains. You’ll notice lots of Andean hay around, called “icchu,” which is the main diet of many animals that live in the region.

We‘ll reach 4,215 m / 13,829 ft at the Dead Woman's Pass, the highest part of the Inca Trail, where you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy the glorious views all around of glistening glaciers who refuse to disappear into the clouds due to climate change.

Afterward, we’ll descend along a cobbled path to our lunch spot. This section of the trail is dotted with exotic flowers and wild orchids. We ask you to take great care of them as they’re at risk of extinction. According to the Andean culture, if you take things slowly and connect with nature, you should be accompanied by the magical flight of hummingbirds that are a sign of good luck.

Your guide will give you a brief talk here as you rest your legs before you start a 30-minute descent to Yanacocha, where rituals were performed in honor of the water's spirit. Little by little, mist will cover the road as you enter the cloud forest and approach the Sayacmarca archaeological site. Once there, you’ll be dazzled by the fine work and mastery of Inca architecture that still remains a mystery today.

Don’t give up yet! There are still 25 more minutes of walking to reach our camp in Chaquicocha. You'll feel the warm embrace of the Amazonian spirit and the energy of life surround you in this incredible place to observe local flora and fauna's diversity. Enjoy a hearty dinner and a great night’s sleep.
- Meal
  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Camp
- Difficulty
  Challenging
- Walking Distance
  16 km / 9.94 mi
- Walking Time
  8-9 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  4,215 m / 13,829 ft
Day 6 Chaquicocha | Phuyupatamarca - Intipata - Wiñay Wayna
After the difficult day yesterday, you’re rewarded with a much easier hike today, starting with a tasty breakfast. Before we begin our walk, ask permission from the beautiful Pumasillo glacier, and fill yourself with its energy. You’ll only walk a total of 5 hours today and see three impressive archaeological sites along the way.

First off, we’ll reach the Inca complex of Phuyupatamarca or “Town above the clouds.” The Inca nobles used this sacred place to communicate with the stars and study astronomy, which was a very important part of their culture.

After, we’ll descend for two-and-a-half hours to get to an agricultural experimentation station, Intipata (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), where you’ll find a series of platforms used to create microclimates that boost food production in the area. From there, you’ll also get a fantastic view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Urubamba River - a sacred body of water that runs through this territory as if it were a huge anaconda. Finally, we’ll arrive at our lunch spot and campsite in Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft).

After lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to take a shower and relax as you’ll have the afternoon free to do what you please. You can also visit the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna. Once again, the advanced architecture of the Incas will surprise you with aqueducts and temples. Listen carefully to your knowledgeable guide, who’ll reveal the mysteries of this fascinating place to you.

Finally, enjoy your happy hour of snacks and hot drinks and your last dinner before our team of porters and cooks say their goodbyes to you. Thank them warmly for allowing you to have a fantastic adventure in comfort.
- Meal
  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Accommodation
  Camp
- Difficulty
  Moderate
- Walking Distance
  9 km / 5.59 mi
- Walking Time
  4-5 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  3,650 m / 11,975 ft
Day 7 Wiñay Wayna | Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
The day you’ve been waiting for since you set foot on the trail is here! You’ll feel your heart skip a beat when you visit one of the most energetic places on earth, Machu Picchu.

We’ll get up earlier than usual today while the world is still enveloped in darkness. You’ll get to have a quick breakfast before we start a 2-hour walk to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

After the first hour of walking, we’ll reach the Sun Gate, and you'll see the archaeological gem that is Machu Picchu in the middle of the mountains for the first time in the distance. You'll wonder how the ancient culture was able to build this wonder on almost inaccessible land on the side of a mountain. The last stretch is approximately 1-hour downhill. The sun's spectacle at dawn illuminating this ancient site will leave you breathless and imprint an image in your mind that you’ll never forget.

Once you enter the wonder of the world, you´ll enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour to discover the hidden secrets of the citadel. You’re sure to be surprised at the amazing architecture and that some fountains and aqueducts continue to function after being built more than five centuries ago. This is also the time to hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an incredible panoramic view of Machu Picchu if you have pre-booked tickets.

Upon exiting the complex, you can catch a bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where you’ll find lots of restaurants. Choose one to enjoy your lunch in, but remember to be at the train station thirty minutes before your train is scheduled to leave.

You’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo where our private transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco to the door of your accommodation. You can finally rest those tired legs, but we can assure you that your heart will still be beating to the Andean rhythm for years to come.
- Meal
  Box Breakfast
- Difficulty
  Moderate
- Walking Distance
  5 km / 3.11 mi
- Walking Time
  2 hours
- Maximum Altitude
  2,720 m / 8,924 ft

Trip Info & Details

Entry Ticket to the Salkantay Trek

Entry Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site

Entry Ticket to Humantay Lake

Pre-departure Briefing

Private Camping Equipment

One Duffle Bag

Medical Kit or First AID Kit

Extras Included in our Service

6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, and 6 Dinners

Water on the trail

One cloth snack bag per person

Extras and important equipment

Huayna Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain

Personal Hiking Clothes and Gear

Travel Insurance

Tips for our staff

Additional costs or delays beyond our control

How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?

It is very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We do recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you become acclimatized and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek. Suppose you have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek. Suppose you have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.

Briefing or Informative Meeting

All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.

Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)

If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed. If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.

Duffel Bag or Canvas Case

You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will carry them, and the horsemen will hand them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in). A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.

Can I store my luggage at your office?

Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge. Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.

Group Tours

Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.

Strikes and demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.

Lost objects

Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.

Essential

Original passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Insect repellent
Personal Care Products
Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Light footwear or sandals
Trekking pants (*)
Trekking socks
Shorts
Warm jacket
Waterproof jacket
Raincoat or rain poncho
Waterproof or wool gloves
Sun hat to protect neck and face
Sunglasses with UV protection
Sleeping bag (-15°C)
Trekking poles
Medium trekking backpack (15 - 25 liter)
Camera and charger
Power bank
Towel

Customer Reviews

Inca Jungle Trek 100% Recommended with Local Trekkers Peru

I did the Inka Jungle Trail to MachuPicchu with Local Trekkers Peru and it was like embarking on an odyssey that mixed the excitement of cycling, the adrenaline of rafting and ziplining, the beauty of nature and the richness of Inca culture. Every day on the trail revealed landscapes impressive and ending up in MachuPicchu after 4 days of adventure, is something that cannot be explained in words. The agency not only provided impeccable logistics, but also injected a dose of authentic adventure into every moment. I thank Daniel our guide for converting This trip in an unforgettable experience. The Inka Jungle Trail with Local Trekkers Peru is an experience that I will always recommend to all those looking for a reliable company.

Eddie S

Published at 10th Jannuary, 2025 on Tripadvisor

You can't miss the 4 day Inca Jungle tour!

On the recommendation of a friend we did the 4 day Inca Jungle tour with Terra Qechua Peru and it was a memorable experience. The trip started with a thrilling downhill bike ride and we did other activities such as rafting and zip lining, which added an extra adrenaline rush, followed by a hike through the rainforest full of fascinating flora and fauna, guided by a very knowledgeable expert. In addition, the natural hot springs in Santa Teresa were the perfect relaxation after active days. The final visit to Machu Picchu was the finishing touch, offering breathtaking views and a total immersion in Inca history.

Osric Woolvett

Published at 6th August 2024 on Tripadvisor

The Inca Jungle is highly recommended

With my university classmates we did the 4-day Inca Jungle with Terra Quechua Peru and it was a great experience. We did a lot of adventure sports and the safety measures for the zip line, rafting and cycling were top notch. It was more fun than the Salkantay and much cheaper than the official Inca Trail. In general the whole experience is excellent, it has no waste, adventure tourism at its best, warmth of all the people who attended us and excellent guide, very professional, he answered all the questions we had and gave us a history lesson, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

FRANCESC S

Published at 20th May 2024 on Tripadvisor