The Hidden Valleys of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

From Cusco, we drive toward Limatambo, past the Tika Tika Pass where we will attain our first views of majestic Mount Salkantay and Humantay on the horizon, before crossing the Anta plateau. Driving past breathtaking panoramas of this vibrant agricultural region with views of rugged snowcapped peaks in the background, we will arrive at the ruins of Tarawasi. After a visit to this important Inca ceremonial center, with its long asymmetrical stone walls, we will continue our drive toward the trailhead at the village of Tocopampa, where we’ll begin our trek.

This day’s hiking is uphill. As we are approaching the heights, we’ll observe how the ecosystem changes with the altitude, starting in a relatively warm, sheltered valley where crops of fruits and vegetables thrive, then onto higher plateaus where native potatoes are grown. Finally, as we reach our campsite, we’ll observe herds of sheep and camelids grazing the high meadows.

Sleep surrounded by a stream and side valleys in our campsite at Tinko (4154 masl / 13,628 fasl).
(L / D)

Driving distance: 101 km (63 mi) – Time: 3:15 hours
Trekking distance: 8 km (5 mi) – Time: 4 hours

Leaving Tinkoc, we will head up the valley and take the left side of the trail to begin a long uphill climb toward the pass. As the day warms up during our climb, we may see some Andean bird species, including Condors as they prepare to fly high above the mountains. After 3-4 hours of steady climbing, we will arrive at the Tocto Pass (4,900m / 16,072 ft.) where we will enjoy incredible views of the south face of Mt. Salkantay while enjoying the solitude that comes with knowing that there are almost no other tourists around. We begin our descent along the Pampacahua Valley toward our campsite at Mirador Pampaccahuana at 4,000 m (13,120 ft.) all the time accompanied by amazing views of the eastern face Mount Salkantay. If the weather cooperates, we will have wonderful views of Mount Salkantay up the valley to our left and Mount Veronica down the valley toward our right.

Sleep surrounded by the Mt. Salkantay in our Pampacahuana campsite (3902 masl/ 12,801 fasl).
Trekking distance: 15 km (9.3 mi) – Time: 6-7 hours

We’ll take our leave of imposing Mt. Salkantay and continue our hike downhill along an ancient Inca canal flowing down the center of the Pampacahuana Valley, passing through a landscape dotted with small farm settlements. At the end of the valley, we’ll once more begin to observe a greater variety of vegetation as we descend past the tree line before arriving in Paucarcancha, a remote Inca site at the confluence of the Pampacahuana and Q´esca valleys, where we’ll optionally stop for lunch. (We may, instead, have lunch on reaching Chamana, which is a couple of hours down the road.) The choice depends on the pace of the group and whether everyone is hungry yet – today´s itinerary is flexible!
After a short visit to explore the Inca stone walls and remnants of ancient houses at the site, we’ll continue our journey downhill and join the first stretch of the famed Inca Trail, descending toward Chamana.
Chamana is located just outside the Llactapata ruins, and we will have a chance to explore these ruins after enjoying a hearty lunch (if we were not yet hungry in Paucarcancha). These ruins were once an important rest stop for the Inca on the way to Machu Picchu, and this site will also be our private “rest stop” for the evening. We are the only company that uses this campsite, and we have equipped it with a hot shower for you to cleanse and refresh after the strenuous activity of the previous few days.
Campsite at Chamana (2585 masl / 8480 fasl).
(B / L / D)

Trekking distance: 16.8 km (10.4 mi) – Time: 6 hours

At this point, we will be on the edge of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. After visiting the ruins of Huayna Q’ente, with its amazing Inca terraces and impressive landscaping, we will leave the National Sanctuary through the town of Qoriwairachina and head towards Piscacucho, where the main entrance to the Inca Trail is located. The trail will take us alongside the Vilcanota River and through several more ancient archaeological sites. In fact, this is the same path that Hiram Bingham used when he was first led to Machu Picchu by local people living here in 1911. From here, we’ll travel by car to Ollantaytambo, and then take the afternoon train to the village of Machu Picchu, where we’ll spend the night before visiting the magical citadel of Machu Picchu on Day 5. Dinner on your own.
(B / L)

Trekking distance: 15.1 km (10.4 mi) – Time: 7 hours
Driving distance: 15.6 km (9.7 mi) – Time: 30 min
Train ride: 43 km (27 mi) – Time: 1:45 hours

After an early breakfast, a quick, half-hour bus ride brings us up the road to the gates of Machu Picchu where we’ll enjoy a guided three-hour tour of this ancient hilltop citadel. Exploring the various sectors and entering some of the houses and temples will bring these iconic ruins to life for us. As we immerse in this mystical place, we’ll feel that we’ve entered a dream of ancient times. Wandering among these ancient manmade structures blended seamlessly into natural surroundings, will leave us with a sense of wonder and reverence, and gift us with memories to savor for years to come.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to the village where a train will take us back to Ollantaytambo. On-board entertainment, snacks, and hot and cold refreshments are available. Arrival in the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will be picked up and driven back to the city of Cusco.
(B / L)

Trekking distance: visit Machu Picchu – Time: 3 hours
Bus ride to Machu Picchu (RT): 12.4 km (7.7 mi) – Time: 1 hour
Train ride: 43 km (27 mi) – Time: 1:45 hours
Driving distance Ollantaytambo to Cusco: 79 km (49 mi) – Time: 2 hours
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Additional information:
If you wish, you can add the Inca Trail Express to the Hidden Valleys of Salkantay Trek. In this case, you stay in a hotel in Ollantaytambo on day 4 and catch up with our fixed departure of the Inca Trail Express the next morning. You take the train to Km 104 with the new group and guide and walk from there to Inti Punku, the sun gate, where we have the first view on Machu Picchu. We walk down to the citadel and take the bus to Machu Picchu Village. We stay one night at a hotel and the next day we take the bus up to Machu Picchu again, this time for the guided visit. After lunch, we take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where a vehicle picks you up and takes you to Cusco. This combined experience would have a length of 6 days.

B- Breakfast / BL- Box Lunch / L- Lunch / D- Dinner