Salkantay Inca Trail 2027: The 6-Day Trek to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 trek combines two legendary routes in one journey. You spend three days crossing the Salkantay mountains. Then you join the Classic Inca Trail for three more days. The route ends at the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. This guide covers the full itinerary, price, inclusions and booking tips. As a result, you can plan your 2027 adventure with confidence.
What Is the Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 Trek?
This is a 6-day, 5-night camping trek with Eco Andes Trekking. The first three days follow the Salkantay route. You walk beneath Apu Salkantay and cross a high pass at 4,850 meters. On day three, the path meets the Classic Inca Trail near Paucarcancha. From there, you hike through cloud forest and visit Inca sites. Finally, you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Why Combine Two Treks in One?
Many travelers struggle to choose between the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. Salkantay offers glaciers, big views and wild landscapes. The Inca Trail offers stone paths, ruins and the classic Sun Gate arrival. Therefore, this combination removes the dilemma. In addition, you see far more ecosystems than on either route alone.
Trek Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Total distance | 72 km (45 miles) |
| Starting altitude | 3,800 m (12,467 ft) |
| Maximum altitude | 4,850 m (15,908 ft) |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Group size | Minimum 2 people |
Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 Itinerary Day by Day
Every day brings a new landscape. Below is the route we follow with our guides, porters and cooks.
Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa and Ichupata (4,300 m)
We pick you up early from your Cusco hotel. A scenic drive takes about three hours to Mollepata. There, you eat breakfast in a local home. Next, we continue to Soraypampa at 3,800 meters. Our support team loads the equipment onto horses. Before the main hike, you walk up to Humantay Lake. Afterward, you climb to the Ichupata camp at 4,300 meters. This hike takes five to six hours and covers 12 km.
Day 2: Ichupata to Pampacahuana Over the 4,850 m Pass
Day two is the highest day of the whole trek. After breakfast, you climb for three to four hours toward the Incachiriasca pass at 4,850 meters. Along the way, you see Apu Salkantay and glacial moraines. Then you descend to Sisaypampa for lunch, where Andean condors sometimes appear. Later, you reach the Pampacahuana community and camp beside an original Inca canal. Expect about 14 km and eight hours of walking.
Day 3: Pampacahuana to Llulluchapampa on the Inca Trail
Today the trek changes character. You hike downhill for three hours to Paucarcancha and visit its Inca site. Here, you say goodbye to the horses and meet your Inca Trail porters. Next, you pass through Huayllabamba, the last village on the Classic Inca Trail. Then a four-hour climb leads through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa at 3,700 meters. The day covers 15 km.
Day 4: Dead Woman’s Pass to Chaquicocha
Day four is the longest day of the Inca Trail section. Your porters wake you with hot coca tea. Soon after, you climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters. After a descent into the Pacaymayu Valley, you climb again toward the second pass. Along the way, you stop at Runcu Raccay and see two large waterfalls. Later, you tour Sayacmarca and watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba range. After dinner, your guide explains the Inca constellations. In total, you walk 16 km.
Day 5: Phuyupatamarca to Wiñay Wayna
Today feels gentler. First, you hike two hours to Phuyupatamarca, which offers views toward Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu. Then you descend into the high cloud forest and stop at Inti Pata, a favorite photo spot. After lunch at the Wiñay Wayna camp, your guide leads a tour of the site. Its name means “forever young” in Quechua. The day covers 10 km and takes about five hours.
Day 6: Sun Gate, Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
You rise very early for the final stretch. About an hour later, you reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here, the citadel and the sunrise appear together. Then a 40-minute descent brings you to Machu Picchu. A two-hour guided tour follows. Afterward, you take the bus to Aguas Calientes and the train back. A private van drives you to your Cusco hotel. Expect to arrive between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.
How Difficult Is the Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 Trek?
This trek is challenging. You walk 72 km over six days, and several days last eight hours. However, it needs no technical climbing skills. With good preparation, most fit hikers complete it.
Altitude and Acclimatization
The highest pass reaches 4,850 meters. Therefore, arrive in Cusco at least two or three days early. Walk gently, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy alcohol. In addition, our required pre-trek briefing happens the day before departure. Plan your flights so you arrive in time.
How to Train
Start training six to eight weeks ahead. Focus on long uphill walks with a loaded daypack. Also practice downhill steps, since the Inca stone stairs are hard on the knees. Moreover, break in your boots before you travel.
Price and What Is Included
Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 Price
Our current listed rates are $1,100 per person for a group departure and $1,150 per person for a private trek. The minimum booking is two people. Under-18 travelers receive a $20 discount. Please confirm final 2027 rates when you enquire.
What Is Included
– ✅ Bilingual English-speaking guide
– ✅ Pre-trek briefing at your hotel or our office
– ✅ Hotel pickup and transport to Soraypampa
– ✅ Four-person tent for every two travelers, plus mattress and pillow
– ✅ Kitchen, dining and toilet tents
– ✅ Professional chef and assistant chef
– ✅ Horses and porters, with 8 kg of your gear carried
– ✅ Six breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners
– ✅ Emergency oxygen, medical kit and satellite radio
– ✅ Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance
– ✅ Bus down from Machu Picchu and Expedition train to Poroy
– ✅ Private van to your Cusco hotel
What Is Not Included
– ❌ Sleeping bag (rental available)
– ❌ Trekking poles (rental available)
– ❌ Huayna Picchu ticket
– ❌ Day 6 lunch in Aguas Calientes
– ❌ Tips for the crew
– ❌ Travel insurance
Rentals and Upgrades
When to Book Your 2027 Trek
The Inca Trail uses a daily permit system, so spaces are limited. Because of this, book as early as possible. Dry season, from May to October, offers clear skies. However, nights at altitude are very cold in those months. The wet season brings fewer hikers and green scenery, but the trail becomes muddy. Also remember that the Classic Inca Trail traditionally closes in February for maintenance. Always confirm your dates with our team.
What to Bring on the Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 Trek
– ✅ Original passport (bring both if you renewed it after booking)
– ✅ Waterproof trekking boots, already broken in
– ✅ Warm fleece, rain jacket, gloves and sun hat
– ✅ Sleeping bag (or rent ours)
– ✅ Headlamp, sunglasses and SPF 35+ sunscreen
– ✅ Insect repellent
– ✅ Trekking poles for the steep descents
– ✅ Camera with spare batteries, since cold drains them faster
Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 vs Other Options
| Option | Days | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| This combo trek | 6 | Salkantay pass + Inca ruins + Sun Gate | Travelers who want both routes |
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 | Inca sites and Sun Gate | History lovers |
| Classic Salkantay | 5 | Glaciers and jungle valleys | Scenery seekers |
Not sure which fits you? Read our guide to choosing between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek. It explains both routes in detail.
Why Book with Eco Andes Trekking
We are 100% locally owned, and our team grew up in the Cusco region. Our guides have at least five years of experience. They speak Spanish, English and Quechua. We also pay our porters above-average wages and provide proper gear. In addition, a portion of every trek supports local projects, including a school in Sacsayhuaman. Travelers rate us highly on TripAdvisor. For more on trail safety, read our guide to safety on Peruvian adventures. Meals matter too, so see how we feed trekkers on the trail.
Salkantay Inca Trail 2027 FAQ
Yes, because it adds two high-altitude days. The Salkantay section reaches 4,850 meters. Still, the Inca Trail section is shorter and easier on day five.
Yes, because you hike the Inca Trail. Our price includes the permit. We need your passport details to book it, so book early.
Plan at least two or three days before the trek. This helps your body adjust. It also lets you attend the pre-trek briefing.
Yes, as an add-on. The ticket is not included in the trek price. If you choose it, your hike starts after the guided tour.
Yes. A private trek costs slightly more and keeps your group separate. Group treks may add other travelers.
Book Your 2027 Trek to Machu Picchu
Spaces for the Inca Trail fill quickly. Therefore, contact us today to check your preferred dates. We will confirm availability and answer your questions. Then we will handle permits, transport and logistics for you. Ready to start? View the full tour details and send your enquiry.
