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Home > Peru > Peru Adventures >
The Salcantay Trail
16-day adventure
The "other" Inca Trail—remote, rugged, gorgeous. INCA pioneered hikes to Salcantay in 1976 and it's still our favorite Andean route. It's gigantic country with steep canyons, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, glaciers and soaring condors. And best of all, this trail to Machu Picchu remains practically undiscovered by trekkers.
After a day in the impressive museum collections of Lima, you'll explore Cuzco and the Urubamba Valley, the heart of the Incan empire, then head out for 6 days and 5 nights on the trail.
On our trek we pass through spectacular scenery ranging from high alpine to lush jungle. We cross the fabled Pasaje de Inkachiriascca next to the great peak of Salcantay (The Wild One). At the top of the pass, we pause to watch the glacier calve off chunks into the abyss.
Mules carry our gear and camp crews set the camps and tend to the camp chores. Meals are served in a candle-lit dining tent. In the morning, you'll find hot tea and coffee outside your tent flap. Wash-up facilities and toilet tents complete the amenities.
At the end of our trek, our trail meets the rail line just above Machu Picchu. After a short train ride to Km 104, we disembark to hike the last leg of the Inca Trail through the cloud forest to the magical Sun Gate high above Machu Picchu, and then into the ruins where we spend two-nights in great comfort at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
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Top: The peak of Salcantay, "Wild Man" in Qechua (Roger Valencia).
Above: Approach to the Pampa de Soray (Nicole Churchill).
Day 1 |
Arrive in Lima, Peru. Overnight in Lima. |
Day 2 |
Tour historic Lima. Visit the National Museum of Archeology and the Larco Museum. Afternoon grand buffet of seafoods and Peruvian specialties. |
Day 3 |
Fly to Cuzco, walking tour of Cuzco historic, dinner of typical Cuzqueñan specialties. |
Day 4 |
Visit the Inca Museum, Central Market and Archbishop's Palace. Afternoon visit to Sacsayhuaman. View a special shamanic ceremony in the ruins. |
Day 5 |
En route to the Urubamba Valley, visit Lake Huacarpay, tour the Church San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, see a weaving demonstration and have a picnic lunch in San Salvador. Then descend into the Urubamba Valley to explore Pisac village and ruins. |
Day 6 |
Stroll Chinchero Sunday Indian market, visit the Moray Incan horticultural center and the Maras salt pans, explore Ollantaytambo town and extensive ruins, then rest up at the inn. |
Day 7 |
We visit the ruins of the Inca fortress at Limatambo, then head to our trail head at Challancha. We begin our trek to the great peaks of Salcantay and Humantay with a short hike to the camp on the Pampa de Soray.
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Days 8-11 |
Over the next 5 days we pass through spectacular scenery ranging from high alpine to lush jungle. We cross the fabled Pasaje de Inkachiriascca next to the great peak of Salcantay (The Wild One).
Tents will be set up for you at each camp; you will dine while gazing at the snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and lush vegetation. On Day 11 we hike the last leg of the Inca Trail through the cloud forest to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu, and into the ruins. |
Days 12-14 |
Two more glorious days at Machu Picchu (an INCA exclusive)! You can explore these ruins in depth. At your own pace, ponder the mysteries of this spot, hike with our guide to Huaynu Picchu, take photos or just "hide out" while trainloads of day-trippers make midday cameo appearances. Return to Cuzco on the afternoon of Day 14.
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Day 15 |
Fly from Cuzco to Lima. Afternoon free. |
Day 16 |
Depart for home, or on to other adventures. |
For a deeper look at this adventure, please read the Detailed Itinerary. |
Departures • Salcantay Trek
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2010 |
Jul 13 - Jul 28
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Aug 10 - Aug 25
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2011 |
Jun 21 - Jul 6 †
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Jul 12 - Jul 27
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Aug 9 - Aug 24
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Prices & Supplements • Salcantay Trek
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2010 |
$7095
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2011 |
$7295
† = Inti Raymi, Incan "Festival of the Sun," departure |
Single |
$2800
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Small Group
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A Small Group Supplement applies if there
are fewer than four travelers on your trip.
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