1st day: Cusco to Arayan-niyoc
You leave the city of Cusco early in the morning heading North. The first part of the bus ride is 2 hours to Mollepata, along the road you will see an amazing view of the Salkantay peak. Once in Mollepata, you will have the chance to stretch and eat something if you want. Then you will continue with the bus ride for 2 more hours to Soraypampa. The dirt road gets narrower and bumpy but the sceneries are worth it.

In Soraypampa (altitude: 3,850 meters / 12,705 feet) you will get ready to start the hike and the porters will load the mules with the tents, gear and supplies for the next days. You cannot start hiking without first taking a picture of the Tucarhuay snow-capped mountain that stands next to you. It's beautiful and it looks so closed despite its altitude above 6,000 meters (20,000 ft).

The first part takes 4 hours to the highest point of the trail, the Salkantay pass at 4,600 meters (15,180 ft). There is a switch path section called "7 turns", it is the hardest part of the day, but fortunately it isn't long. Then you will reach a lagoon, from where you will see the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. You will have lunch there.

After lunch you will continue for another 45 minutes before reach the pass. From there is 4 hours downhill to the campsite, Arayan-niyoc at 2,890 meters (9,537 ft), that is much lower than the beginning of the trail. There you will have a lovely dinner and then a nice sleep dreaming with the mountains you have seen today.

2nd day: Arayan-niyoc to Playa
From the campsite there is a wonderful view of the Tucarhuay and Huamantay snow-capped mountains at dawn. After a good breakfast, you will hike down for 3 hours and an half to the lunch site, Winaypoco. The trail goes through a tropical forest and you will note the increase in the temperature and the humidity. At the lunch site there is a wonderful view of a white-water river.

After lunch, you will hike for other 4 hours and an half to Playa campsite. This section of the trail is very nice because you will go through a tropical forest with orchids, wild-berries, coffee plantations, and many waterfalls along the path.  Once at the campsite, you can rest and drink a beer at the village before dinner.

3rd day: Playa to Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, you will hike for 3 hours and an half to climb to the Llaqtapata lookout point. There is an Inca site that is on restoration, but it will give you an idea in what conditions Machu Picchu was found. Also, you will see Machu Picchu from the distance. Afterwards, you will hike down for 2 more hours to the bottom of the Urubamba valley to take the train to Aguas Calientes town. There you will stay in a comfortable hotel with a nice hot-shower.

4th day: Machu Picchu
Early in the morning you will take the bus to Machu Picchu. The bus ride is 25 minutes to the Inca city, once there you will have a guided tour for 2 hours, and then you will have free time to explore the site by yourself. You will be among the first tourists in the site, before the crowds arriving with the train at noon. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Cusco.

Tours to the Salkantay Trek: We will include this hike instead of the Inca Trail, if the second is booked out for your dates. Also, if you prefer to hike this trek just let us know to include it in your itinerary. We offer the 5 days Salkantay trek in our Independent Tours; and the 4 days option in our Private Tours.