Photo gallery
A glimpse of the journey
Tour overview
Salkantay & Short Inca Trail, thoughtfully organized
The best of both: Salkantay's high mountains and the Inca Trail's final stretch to the Sun Gate. A strong option when the 4-day permits are sold out.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
What makes this trip special
- Cross the Salkantay Pass
- Hike the Short Inca Trail past Wiñay Wayna
- Enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
Pickup around 4:30 am · About 7 km, 4–5 h · Max altitude 4,200 m · Overnight: camp near Soraypampa · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner A 3-hour drive to Mollepata for breakfast and on to Soraypampa, below the snow peak of Salkantay. In the afternoon you hike up to the turquoise Humantay Lake and back to camp.
Salkantay Pass
About 22 km, 8–10 h · Max altitude 4,630 m · Overnight: camp in Chaullay · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner A steady climb to the Salkantay Pass among glaciers, a traditional offering to the mountain, then the long descent into the green valley of Chaullay.
Cloud forest to Aguas Calientes
Walking + vehicle section · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner You walk down through the cloud forest to Lucmabamba, then continue by vehicle and on foot via Hidroeléctrica, with a 2.5–3 hour walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes for a night in a hotel.
Short Inca Trail to the Sun Gate
About 1.5 h walk to Km 104 + 12 km, 6–7 h · Max altitude 2,730 m · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes · Meals: breakfast, box lunch An early walk along the railway takes you to Km 104 and the Inca Trail checkpoint. From Chachabamba you climb the Inca stairs to Wiñay Wayna, then continue to the Sun Gate for your first view of Machu Picchu, and take the bus down for a second night in town.
Machu Picchu
Bus from about 6:00 am · 2–2.5 h guided visit on Circuit 3 (route 3B) · Meals: breakfast Your guided tour of the citadel, then the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to Cusco. Accommodation: 2 basic camps and 2 basic hotel nights, with no upgrades.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
Included
- transfers
- professional guide
- cook and trekking crew
- camping equipment
- 2 basic camps
- 2 basic hotel nights
- meals listed in the itinerary
- Humantay Lake local fee
- Short Inca Trail permit
- Machu Picchu ticket
- Machu Picchu shuttle buses
- return train to Ollantaytambo
- transfer to Cusco
Not included
- sleeping bag rental
- hiking poles
- riding horse
- lunch and dinner on Day 5
- hotel upgrades
- travel insurance
- tips
Plan with confidence
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Entrance routes
Understanding Machu Picchu circuits
Machu Picchu uses timed tickets and set routes. The circuit available for your trip depends on tickets, trek permits and your itinerary.
Panoramic
Elevated viewpoints and selected mountain routes.
Classic
Classic viewpoints and the urban sector.
Royalty
Lower-sector temples and royal spaces.
Routes depend on official availability. Your quote will identify the proposed ticket route.
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
What to bring
Pack light for the day
- Original passport
- Daypack of 25–30 liters and a refillable 2–3 liter bottle
- Sleeping bag rated to −10 °C (or rent one) and a liner
- Broken-in hiking boots, sandals, wool socks
- Thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket, wool hat, gloves, rain jacket and rain pants
- Shorts and T-shirts for the warm jungle days
- Headlamp, power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent
- Cash in soles for snacks, the Santa Teresa hot springs (optional) and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Why choose this over the Classic Inca Trail?
It is a great option when 4-day permits are sold out, or if you prefer big mountain scenery and still want to arrive through the Sun Gate.
How hard is it?
It is challenging: the Salkantay pass on Day 2 and the stone steps to Wiñay Wayna on Day 4 are the hardest parts.
Is it available as a private trek?
Yes. Ask for the private price in your quote.
