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When:
June 22 - June 30, 2026.png?width=57&height=59&name=Untitled%20design%20(6).png)
Price:
$4,300 per person (based on 2 sharing). $760 single supplement..png?width=56&height=56&name=Untitled%20design%20(8).png)
Duration:
9 Days / 8 Nights
The Salkantay Passage to Machu Picchu
Your journey starts in Cusco, where Inca history, mountain air, and incredible architecture set the tone. After a guided look around the city, you’ll head up to Soraypampa—home to turquoise lakes, sweeping Andean views, and the perfect warm-up for the trail ahead.
From there, the adventure kicks in with a 4-day Inca Trail trek through cloud forests, archaeological sites, and high passes. At sunrise on the final morning, you’ll walk through the Sun Gate and watch Machu Picchu come into view—an moment that never misses.
You’ll wrap things up with a visit to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley before finishing in Lima for standout food and coastal culture.
This departure is part of Privada Travel’s Founder’s Trip Series—a hosted, founder-designed signature journey crafted for small groups who want deeper access, tighter curation, and Peru at its very best.
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Highlights:
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Hotels:
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Seasonal Temperatures:
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Activity Level:
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Best For:
DAY 1, June 22 : Arrive Cusco
Meet & greet on arrival. Easy transfer to your boutique hilltop hotel. Gentle acclimatization afternoon; light walk and early dinner.
DAY 2, June 23 : Cusco City Highlights ➜ San Pedro Market ➜ Soraypampa
Morning tour: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Koricancha, and the Cathedral. Local lunch in San Blas. Trek briefing, then 3–3.5 hr scenic drive to Soraypampa eco-camp.
DAY 3, June 24 : Soraypampa ➜ Salkantay Ascent to Ichupata Camp
Start the trek. Gradual climb from high valley toward the Salkantay massif. Picnic en route; crew-supported camping at Ichupata under the peaks.
DAY 4, June 25 : Ichupata ➜ Incachiriasca Pass ➜ Paucarcancha
Big pass day. Cross Incachiriasca (≈15,000 ft), take in glacier-lake views, then descend into greener valleys. Full camp setup at Paucarcancha.
DAY 5, June 26 : Paucarcancha ➜ Km 82 ➜ Ecoinka Casitas (Glamping)
Join the classic Inca Trail corridor near Huayllabamba; hike through terraces and small ruins. Afternoon arrival to your casita-style glamping retreat.
DAY 6, June 27 : Km 104 ➜ Wiñay Wayna ➜ Sun Gate ➜ Aguas Calientes
Train to Km 104 trailhead. Hike past waterfalls and Wiñay Wayna before your first Machu Picchu reveal at the Sun Gate. Bus down to Aguas Calientes; overnight at Inkaterra.
DAY 7, June 28 : Machu Picchu Tour ➜ Ollantaytambo
Guided Machu Picchu visit with time inside the citadel. Buffet lunch at Sanctuary Lodge. Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo; dinner and overnight at Las Qolqas.
DAY 8, June 29 : Ollantaytambo Fortress ➜ Pisac ➜ Flight to Lima
Explore the Ollantaytambo stronghold, lunch in Pisac, and tour its terraced ruins. Transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight to Lima; overnight at the Wyndham airport hotel.
DAY 9, June 30 : Depart Lima
Easy walk to the terminal for your onward flight. Salkantay badge of honor secured.
Expect a moderate–high challenge with full trekking days ranging from 4 to 9 hours at altitude.
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Day 3 (Soraypampa → Ichupata): ~4.7 miles, steady climb
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Day 4 (Ichupata → Incachiriasca Pass → Paucarcancha): ~12.3 miles, big ascent/descent
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Day 5 (Paucarcancha → KM 82): ~7.5 miles, mostly downhill
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Day 6 (KM 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate → Machu Picchu): ~5.6 miles
You don’t need technical mountaineering experience — just good fitness, comfort hiking for several hours, and the usual high-altitude patience.
What about altitude?
This route is legitimately high and that’s part of why it’s so special.
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Cusco: ~11,150 ft
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Soraypampa (start of trek): ~12,715 ft
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Ichupata Camp: ~14,760 ft
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Incachiriasca Pass: ~16,230 ft (highest point of the trip)
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Paucarcancha (camp after the pass): ~10,250 ft
We acclimatize intentionally with two nights in Cusco before heading higher. The guiding team carries oxygen and first-aid supplies — explicitly listed in the program.
THE GREAT ADVENTURE IN PERU 9D8N
Is prior trekking experience required?
Helpful but not mandatory. What matters most:
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Comfort hiking 5–8 hrs
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Solid cardiovascular fitness
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Good downhill footing
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Broken-in boots
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A sense of humor when the air gets thin
Trekking poles are highly recommended.
How technical are the trails?
Expect a mix of:
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High-mountain switchbacks
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Rocky alpine paths
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Inca stone staircases (Day 6)
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Forested trails and terraces near Machu Picchu
Nothing requires hands-on scrambling — just sure footing and steady pacing.
Daily Distance & Elevation
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Day 3: Soraypampa (12,715 ft) to Ichupata (14,760 ft) — 4.7 miles, +2,045 ft
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Day 4: Ichupata to Incachiriasca Pass (16,230 ft) to Paucarcancha (10,250 ft) — 12.3 miles, +1,470 ft / –5,980 ft
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Day 5: Paucarcancha to KM 82 (8,720 ft) — 7.5 miles, –1,530 ft
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Day 6: KM 104 (6,890 ft) to Wiñay Wayna to Sun Gate to Machu Picchu (7,970 ft) — 5.6 miles, +1,010 ft (rolling; descent to town by bus)
This itinerary blends boutique hotels, eco-glamping, and true high-Andes camping. Here’s the quick breakdown:
Hotel Stays (Comfortable, full amenities)
Nights 1, 6, 7, 8
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Cusco: Palacio Manco Cápac
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Aguas Calientes: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
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Sacred Valley: Las Qolqas
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Lima Airport: Wyndham Costa del Sol
What to expect:
Private rooms, full bathrooms, hot showers, wifi, restaurant access — ideal for acclimatizing, recovering post-trek, and easing back into civilization.
Glamping / Eco-Lodges (Upgraded comfort in nature)
Nights 2 & 5
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Salkantay Ecocamp domes (Night 2)
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EcoInka Casitas at KM 82 (Night 5)
What to expect:
Real beds, heated or insulated structures, semi-private bathrooms, dining domes — rustic but comfortable, perfect transitions between hotel nights and the mountain trail.
Classic Camping (True high-mountain expedition style)
Nights 3 & 4
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Campsites along the Salkantay route
What to expect:
Tents, sleeping mats, toilet tent where permitted, hot meals from the cook team, cold nights, limited facilities — the most “expedition” portion of the trip and the heart of the mountain experience.
In Summary
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Hotels: 4 nights (full comfort)
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Glamping: 2 nights (comfort in nature)
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Camping: 2 nights (authentic high-Andes trekking)
