Classic inca Trail to Machupicchu 7D/6N
Duration
7D/6N
Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging
Language
Español / Ingles
Max. Altitude
4,650 msnm
In Cusco you can find several ways of hiking to Machu Picchu. Many people are looking for long routes in order to enjoy a good vacation. But do not worry, Machulas Journey offers you a seven days hiking experience to Machupicchu. This hike combines the two famous hikes, the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail and finally finishes at the citadel of Machu Picchu. This route is perfect for everyone who wants to do a really long hike. Along the way you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Andes and original Inca sites.
Every single day you will see a different scenery of lush green valleys and snow capped mountains such as the Salkantay peak (6200m/20341ft), Huayanay peak (5000m/16404ft) and the Pumasillo peak (6000m/19685ft). You will also go through the cloud forest and get to know the edge of the jungle. Choose this option ¡do not think about it anymore! Machulas Journey is ready to help you and organize your vacation. Nothing is impossible.
Prices
We will be pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and take by our private van for 3 hours to the village of challacancha (3750m/12303ft), from where we start our hike. Our hike Begin for 3 hours following along an Inca canal all the way to Soraypamapa (3800m/12467ft), where we will have a delicious lunch and set up the tents. Then we will hike uphill for 1 hour until we reach Humantay lagoon where we will enjoy the beautiful turquoise lake located at the bottom of the Humantay glacier. After we return to our camping site in Soraypampa, where our master chef will serve you a delicious dinner.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco – Salkantay Trek – Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 5 hours including afternoon hike to Humantay lake
- Start/End Time: At 4.00 am starting time, and you will be finishing at 4.3 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3750 m / 12303.15 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Highest Altitude: – 4000 m / 13123.36 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Moderate
We will wake you up early in the morning with a cup of hot coca tea in your tents. Once enjoyed an energetic healthy breakfast we will start hiking for 1 and a half hours until we reach Salkantay Pampa (4100m/13451ft). During a short break our tour guide will explain us about the second highest mountain in this region, Salkantay peak (6200m/20341ft). Then we continue for three and a half hours until we reach Inca Chiriasca pass (5100m/16732ft), the highest point on our trek. From here we will continue for 1 more hour going downhill until we reach our lunch spot at Huanomachay. Here we will enjoy our organic buffet lunch and then continue hiking for 2 more hours until we reach our camping site called, Inca canal. Here we will have a delicious buffet dinner and take our time to recover from this amazing day.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco – Salkantay Trek – Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 9 hours including Lunch stop
- Start/End Time: At 6.00 am starting time, and you will be finishing at 3.30 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 4000 m / 13123.36 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.4miles
- Highest Altitude: – 5100 m / 16732.28 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Dificult – moredate
We will wake you up early in the morning with a cup of hot coca tea in your tents and then have an energetic healthy breakfast. We will start our journey for 3 hours until we get to the beautiful Inca site of Paucarcancha. Along the way we will have beautiful views and our tour guide will teach us a lot of information about the Andean wildlife and Inca history. After a delicious lunch at the Inca site we will continue going down for 30 minutes until we reach the village of Huayllabamba (3100m/10170ft). From this point on we will follow the famous classical Inca trail until we reach our camp site. Once we arrived our tour guide will be proud to introduce our porters because from this point on the mules will not be able to carry our equipment. Then we have dinner and recover for the next day.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco – Salkantay Trek – Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 5 hours including Inca site Visit -Lunch stop
- Start/End Time: At 8.00 am starting time, and you will be finishing at 2.30 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3600 m / 11811.02 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.4miles
- Highest Altitude: – 3600 m / 11811.02 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Easy – Down
You will be woken up with hot drink (coca tea) and enjoy our energetic healthy breakfast prepared by our master chef. Then we will start our 4 hours climb until we get to the dead woman’s pass (4215m/13828ft). Along the way we will walk through native forests and get interesting explications about this area. On halfway we will walk through a flat area called Llulluchapampa (3800m/12467ft), where you will see llamas and with some luck, whitetail deer. Once we arrived at the dead woman’s pass we will have a break in order to enjoy amazing views into the valleys of Pacaymayu and Huayllabamba. Then we descend for 2 more hours until we reach our lunch spot and campsite at Pacaymayu (3600m/11811ft). Here we will have lunch and relax for the rest of the day.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Inca Trail, Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 6 hours
- Start/End Time: At 6.00 am starting time and you will be finishing at 1.30 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3100 m / 10170.6 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 12km / 7.4 miles
- Highest Altitude: – 4215 m / 13828.74ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Difulcult – Moderate
We wake you up at around 7:00 am with a cup of coca tea in your tent and then have an energetic healthy breakfast. Today we will only have a short hike but we will visit two amazing archaeological sites and walk through the cloud forest. From the campsite we climb up for 1 hour until we reach the Inca site of Runkurakay, where our guide will teach us about Inca history. Then we walk for 1 more hour until we get to the pass of Runkurakay (4000m/13123ft), the second highest point on the Inca trail. Once arrived we will stop in order to enjoy the views and realize a small ceremony to give offering to the Apus (mountain gods) surrounding us. After that we continue going downhill for 2 more hours until we reach our lunch spot. On the way we will visit the Inca site of Sayacmarca and get a guided tour through this site. After lunch we will continue walking for 2 more hours until we reach our campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3760m/12335ft). Along the way you will enjoy beautiful views and follow original Inca pathway. Our campsite is on the top of a mountain and we will already see Machupicchu, Huaynapicchu and the Sacred Valley of the Inca in distance.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Inca Trail, Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 5 hours
- Start/End Time: At 8.00 am starting time and you will be finishing at 1.00 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3600 m / 11811.02 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
- Highest Altitude: – 3750 m / 12,303 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Difulcult – Moderate
Today we will try to wake up early at around 5:00am in order to enjoy the sun rise and beautiful views. We will enjoy our healthy energetic breakfast and then continue our journey descending for 3 and a half hours until we get to Wiñaywayna (2600m/8530ft). On the way down we will be able to see different Inca sites such as Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñaywayna. At each Inca site we will have a guided tour and after visiting Wiñaywayna we will have our last organic buffet lunch together with our master chef and the porters. Then we will say good bye to our team and you can give a little tip (optional) to show your gratitude. We will continue hiking towards Aguas Calientes and after 1 hour we will reach the sun gate from where we can see Machu Picchu in distance. From the sun gate it takes us one more hour until we reach the Inca citadel of Machupicchu. In Machupicchu you will be in the afternoon at around 2:00pm, our tour guide will take you to a special spot where you can take a post card picture of the citadel. After exploring the place we will cátch up the bus to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night in a 3 stars hotel.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Inca Trail, Peru
- Tour Type: Hiking / 6 hours
- Start/End Time: At 3.00 am starting time and you will be finishing at 7.00 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 2600 m / 8,530 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: 13 km / 8.07 miles
- Highest Altitude: – 2600 m / 8,530 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Easy – Moderate
Today is very important, today you’ll get up early morning, your breakfast will be at the hotel normally pick up time from the hotels is around 5:00am in order to catch up the first buses, because the first buses are leaving 5:30am another reason going early is you will have more time to enjoy machupicchu, once you’ll be at the main control there you’ll have to show your original passport, entrance feet which your guide will provide you. After show everything you’ll star the tour for 2 and half hours where you’ll receive a lot of information and visit the most important places such as temples, palaces, plazas, and much more. After the tour you’ll have free time to explore more places by yourself. If you have Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu permit to climb you’ll head to that peaks or guys choose not book to climb you can go to the Inca Bridge or climb to the sun gate from where you’ll have beautiful views. Around 2:30pm you’ll have to take bus back down to aguas calientes to enjoy lunch in any restaurant you like it and then start go to the train station, make sure 30 minute before the train leaving the perfect time come back from aguas calientes to ollantaytambo is 4:22pm from where we’ll catch up our van to Cusco for another two hours and finally leave you next to your hotels.
Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Machupicchu, Peru
- Tour Type: Day tour / 3 hours Guided
- Start/End Time: At 5.30 am starting time in you lobby hotel and you will be in Cusco at 7.00 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 2000 m / 6,561.6 ft
- Total, Walking Distance: None just – walk
- Highest Altitude: – 2400m / 7,874 ft
- Overall Difficulty: – Easy
Included
- Professional English & Spanish speaking tour guide throughout the entire trek and Machu Picchu visit.
- Muleteer drivers and horse mules during the Salkantay section (Days 1–3).
- Porters to carry camping equipment during the Inca Trail section (Days 4–6).
- Official Salkantay Path permit.
- Humantay Lake entrance ticket.
- Official Inca Trail permit.
- Machu Picchu entrance permit (Circuit #3 – La Clásica Diseñada).
- All meals during the trek prepared by a professional trekking chef.
- Organic energetic breakfasts, organic buffet lunches, and organic buffet dinners.
- Snacks and drinking water during the hiking days.
- Camping equipment (tents, dining tent, kitchen equipment).
- Wake-up coca tea on trekking mornings.
- One-way bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes.
- Round-trip bus tickets in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu access).
- Basic 3-star hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- Dinner at a tourist restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen tank.
Not Included
- Trekking poles.
- Sleeping bags.
- Air mattresses.
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes town on the last day.
- Tips for muleteers, porters, trekking chef, and tour guide (optional).
- Personal expenses and extra drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance (highly recommended).
- Arrive in Cusco at least two to three days before the trek to properly acclimatize to the altitude.
- Bring your original passport, as it is required for permits and Machu Picchu entry.
- Use well-broken-in hiking boots with good traction and ankle support.
- Dress in layers to adapt to cold mornings, warm afternoons, and changing mountain weather.
- Carry a waterproof jacket or poncho, even during the dry season.
- Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat due to strong UV radiation at high altitude.
- Stay well hydrated and drink water frequently during the trek.
- Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before and during hiking days.
- Bring a small daypack for personal items such as water, snacks, camera, and sunscreen.
- Carry cash in Peruvian soles for tips and small personal expenses.
- Consider renting trekking poles for better stability on steep sections.
- Bring a warm sleeping bag suitable for cold nights in the Andes.
- Purchase travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and outdoor activities.
- Respect local communities, archaeological sites, and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
This trek combines two iconic routes. The first part follows the Salkantay Path, known for its dramatic high-mountain scenery, glaciers, and remote landscapes, using muleteers and horse mules for logistics. The second part connects with the Classic Inca Trail, the historic stone pathway built by the Incas, leading directly to Machu Picchu. This combination offers both natural wilderness and archaeological heritage in one unforgettable journey.
This trek is considered moderate to challenging due to its length, altitude, and consecutive hiking days. The most demanding sections include high passes such as Salkantay and Dead Woman’s Pass. It is recommended for travelers with good physical condition and some hiking experience. Our guides maintain a steady pace, include rest stops, and provide full support to ensure safety and enjoyment throughout the trek.
The best time to hike this combined route is from April to October, during the dry season, when weather conditions are more stable and views are clearer. June to August are the busiest months and require early booking. March and November are good alternatives with fewer crowds, though occasional rain may occur. February is not recommended due to heavy rains and Inca Trail closure.
You should bring well-broken-in hiking boots, layered clothing, rain gear, a warm sleeping bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small daypack. Trekking poles, sleeping bags, and air mattresses are not included but can be rented locally. All main camping equipment, meals, permits, guides, and logistics are provided, allowing you to hike comfortably without carrying heavy loads.
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Your insurance should cover high-altitude trekking, emergency medical assistance, and evacuation if necessary. While our team carries a first-aid kit and emergency oxygen, having proper insurance provides additional security and peace of mind, especially for a multi-day trek in remote mountain areas.
Prices
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All Included:
Tours with hotel pick-up, transportation, professional guide, and entrance tickets.
24/7 Communication:
We’re here for you before, during, and after your journey.
Flexible Cancellation:
Cancel up to 30 days before your tour in case of emergency. (For Machu Picchu and Inca Trail tours, please check specific conditions.)
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