Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek6 Days / 5 Nights

This challenging trek combines the stunning Salkantay trek with the world famous Inca Trail Trek. Walk in the shadow of Salkantay, “The Savage Mountain,” and experience the unique cultural and historical sites and breathtaking natural beauty of the Inca Trail. This is a great opportunity for you to experience two of the most popular treks in the Cusco region!

Reservations for the Inca Trail should be made at least 4 months in advance. The Peruvian government has a strict limit on the number of people allowed on the Inca Trail. Permits are issued to about 200 trekkers and 300 porters per day. You will join the Inca Trail on the third day of your trek.

If you have a group of four or more people, we can open a departure on any date.

Please be aware this trek may not be suitable for travelers with vertigo. 

New Regulations

  • The Inca Trail campsites mentioned in our itineraries may not always be the same at the beginning of your journey, as the campsites along the Inca Trail are subject to space availability, and it is the government authorities who grant us the spaces 2 days before the start of your tour. We cannot guarantee the Wiñay Wayna campsite on the third night for all our groups. As a result, some of our groups may have to camp at Phuyupatamarca on the third night of the trek.
  • The Phuyupatamarca campsite is approximately four hours from Intipunku (Sun Gate). Despite these changes, we want to assure you that our clients will still have enough time to reach Intipunku and witness the beautiful sunrise.
  • The new regulations of the Peruvian government regarding the Inca Trail indicate that the guided tour in Machu Picchu after your arrival at the Inca citadel will follow circuit number 3. Therefore, we recommend that you make the most of the opportunity to take all your photographs once you begin the descent from the Sun Gate and reach the viewpoint, where they will take the classic photograph of the entire Inca citadel. See the article on Machu Picchu and circuit 3 for more information.

This package is the Salkantay and Inca Trail Trek 6D/5N

Included

  • Pick up from your hotel
  • Professional guide fluent in English
  • Private bus to Mollepata
  • Two-person tents with plenty of room for your backpacks
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Meals cooked by an experienced chef: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks!
  • Delicious food rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking
  • Vegetarian/special diet options available
  • Horse and horse wrangler (to carry tents and cooking equipment) for the first two days
  • Porters to replace the horses on the Inca Trail
  • Dining and kitchen tents
  • Boiled water to refill your Camel Back and water canteen 
  • First aid kit including oxygen bottle
  • Inca Trail entrance fees
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • Guided tour in Machu Picchu
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to the village of Aguas Calientes
  • Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

Not Included

  • Breakfast on the first morning
  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the final day
  • Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (10 soles)
  • Sleeping bags. These can be rented in our office for the entire trek (US$ 20). Every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use
  • Tips for the guide, cooks, and wranglers


Starting at

$ 1000.00USD

per person

Contact travel advisor +51 940 110 208

Day By Day

Day 1: Cusco – Salkantay Pampa – Pampa Japonesa

We will begin our tour by leaving Cusco at 5:45 a.m. and making our way to Cruz Pata, at an elevation of 3400m/11,155ft. From Cruz Pata, we start hiking into a magnificent valley surrounded by the impressive snow-capped Humantay and Salkantay mountains. Our campsite will be at Salkantay Pampa, at 3900m/12,795ft.

  • Walking distance: Approximately 13 km/8.08 miles
  • Campsite altitude: 4000 masl/13,123 ft 
  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
  • Weather: Warm and sunny, but very cold at night!

Day 2: Pampa Japonesa – Inka Chiriascka Pass – Pampacawana

After breakfast, we will continue our journey towards the highest mountain pass of the trek: the Salkantay pass, at 5200m/17,060ft. From there, we will have an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay, the second tallest peak of the Cusco Region at 6264m/20,551ft. From the pass, we will descend to Sisay Pampa (3700m/12139ft), our next campsite.

  • Total Walking Time: Approximately 8 hours
  • Campsite altitude: 3700m/12139ft
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather: Cool and windy, especially at the top of the Salkantay Pass. Warm and humid beyond the pass.

Day 3: Pampacawa – Canal of the Inca – Wayllabamba

At dawn, our trek leads us through the cloud forests into the secluded valleys below. We will pass streams, villages, and several small archeological sites. We will end our day at Wayllabamba, at 3000m/9,843ft, which is both our campsite and the starting point for the Classic Inca Trail the next morning.

  • Total walking time: Approximately 5 hours
  • Campsite altitude: 3000m/9,843ft
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Weather: Warm and windy

Day 4: Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayu

Our day starts early in the morning, to allow us to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views and mystic atmosphere. The trek takes us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa, 3300m/10,827ft, and Lulluchapampa, 3850/12631ft, before finally leading us to the Warmiwañusca pass, at 4200m/13,780ft. From this point, we will have impressive views of the snow-capped peak of Wayanay. After a short rest at the summit, we will continue walking down to our campsite at Pacaymayu, located at 3500m/11,483ft.

  • Total walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
  • Campsite altitude: 3600 meters / 11,811 feet above sea level (chilly weather)
  • Difficulty: Challenging (we will summit two passes)
  • Weather: Cold and rainy

Day 5: Pacaymayu – Wiñay Wayna

We will begin the most beautiful day of the trek after a delicious breakfast. After a short hike, we will arrive at Runkurakay, the first ruin of the day. Perched on a rocky outcrop, this site was built to be a Tambo, or a small countryside Inn. We will continue the ascent to a pass at an altitude of 3950m/13,035ft. On our way to the campsite, we will pass through the Sayacmarca ruins. This is an ancient city composed of winding, narrow streets. Later, we pass an Inca tunnel and walk through a forest before reaching the last pass. Below, you will see the ruin of Phuyupatamarca, which means: “City above the clouds”. This is an impressive site composed of circular walls and an ingenious system of aqueducts that still functions today. As we descend from Phuyupatamarca, we will pass through a thick canopy of bamboo. The last campsite of the trek is in Wiñayhuayna, where we will spend our last night in tents.

  • Total walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours)
  • Campsite altitude: 2,600 meters / 8,530 feet above sea level (chilly weather)
  • Difficulty: Easy (downhill walking)
  • Weather: Warm and very humid

Day 6: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

On our final day, we will wake up between 3:00 and 3:30 am in the morning, pack our bags, and set out for our final day of trekking to Peru’s most iconic landmark! Since our porters will leave us after Wiñay Wayna to descend by a different trail to the train station, we will take our breakfast to go. After a ten-minute walk, we will arrive at the Inca Trail’s final checkpoint, where we will queue with all of the other trekkers to wait for the park rangers to open the last section of the trail at 5:30 am. Our early wake-up time will ensure both that we get a forward spot in the line at the checkpoint and that our porters are able to catch the 5:30 am train.

Once the trail opens, we will hike in the early morning darkness for approximately ninety minutes until we arrive at Inti Punku, the “Sun Gate” (2730m/8792ft), just as the sun’s first rays appear over the rooftops at Machu Picchu—this first dramatic view of the sunrise over Machu Picchu will make for a memory you will never forget!

After soaking in the view, we will walk down the final part of the trail and approach the ancient city, where we will be able to celebrate our accomplishment and pose for photos together before the steep peaks and mist-filled ruins of this amazing place!

We will descend to the main entrance, where we can leave our backpacks, use the restroom, and enjoy a quick coffee. After our break, we will re-enter Machupicchu for a walking tour of the mysterious city, According to the new Inca Trail regulations, we will re-enter Machu Picchu  using Machu Picchu and circuit 3  

Once inside the Inca citadel, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours, exploring the most relevant sectors of this incredible ancient site. You’ll see houses, temples, terraces, and crop fields, among other features. The ingenuity of the Incas in terms of engineering work, which was far ahead of its time, remains a mystery in many aspects.

After your tour, you can choose to ascend Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) These tours will take you approximately one and a half and three hours, respectively, for both ascent and descent (tickets must be booked in advance).

Ensure you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding your train to Ollantaytambo, which departs at around 18:20 (subject to availability). Our private transportation will collect you from the next station and drive you back to your hotel in Cusco at around 10 pm.

 

Price

6 Day Salkantay / Inca Trail

Price: $ 1000.00 USD per person

DISCOUNT

  • icon students Student Discount: $20 USD
  • icon teen Discount for Under 18: $30 USD
  • icon children Discount for Under 7: $50 USD

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STUDENT DISCOUNT:

The student discount is available to students worldwide who meet the requirements of the Peruvian government. It can be applied when purchasing tickets for Machu Picchu directly from the Peruvian government.

To qualify for the student price, make sure you meet the following requirements:

Your student ID must be an original document issued by your university, made of PVC material.

  • The student ID must include the following printed information:
  • University information.
  • Student’s name.
  • Student’s photograph.
  • The student ID must have a valid expiration date printed on it, which is valid for only one year. For example, if you plan to visit Machu Picchu in 2023, the expiration date on your ID should be 2023 or 2024. If you visit Machu Picchu in 2023, the maximum allowed expiration date is 2024.
  • The student discount is available only for students 25 years of age or younger.
  • The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is not valid for the discount, even if it meets the requirements mentioned above.
  • The only accepted document for the student price is the original student ID that meets the requirements set by the Peruvian government. Other documents, such as certifications or virtual cards, are not accepted as proof of student status.
  • To request the student price, please send a photo of both sides of your student ID to inkatrailbackpacker@gmail.com when booking the tour. If you send it later, you will not be eligible for the student discount.
  • Feel free to contact us if you have further questions or need assistance.

Additional Upgrades for Your Salkantay Hike:

Train schedule

The schedule for the return train at the end of the Tour/Trek is the Expedition Train, departing at 6:20 p.m. or 7:00 p.m., depending on availability.

If you prefer an earlier train for the return journey, we can arrange it for an additional cost of $35 per person. The available times are 2:55 p.m. or 4:35 p.m. We also offer the option to book the Vistadome train at 3:40 p.m. for an additional cost of $65 per person. Please let us know in advance which train schedule you prefer. Please note that none of the reserved trains go directly to Cusco; they only go to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy stations. In any case, we will ensure that transportation will be arranged to pick you up and bring you back to Cusco.

Can I change my return train ticket to an earlier one at the Aguas Calientes station?

Yes, you can make this change in person at the Aguas Calientes train station. However, they will ask you to pay an additional fee for changing the ticket, and the change will be subject to availability of space and train schedules.

How long does the return trip to Cusco take?

The return journey to Cusco takes approximately 3 hours. First, you will board a train in Aguas Calientes, which will take you to the Ollantaytambo train station for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then, a transfer from our office will be waiting for you at the train station exit with a sign bearing your name to drive you back to Cusco in a car or van for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Finally, they will drop you off at your hotel or hostel. You will receive your train tickets once your Machu Picchu tour has concluded.

RENTAL ITEMS

  • Small day pack $20 per person
  • All-weather sleeping bags $20 per person
  • Walking poles (sticks) $20 per person

You will still need to carry your day pack with all of your essentials like water, sunscreen, passport, etc.

what to bring

What You Need to Bring

  • Original passport
  • For students: ISIC card
  • Insurance card
  • Hiking boots
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
  • Warm jacket
  • Hat and gloves
  • 2-4 t-shirts
  • 2 pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)
  • Long underwear for sleeping
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellen
  • ater beginning from the second day of the hike until your last breakfast will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water  Camel Back. We recommend carrying about 2L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal
  • We strongly recommend to bring your Camel Back and water canteen due to that government of Peru will not allow disposable plastic bottles anymore on the Inca trail and in Machu Picchu.
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and film
  • Flashlight or headlamp

Why Us

Why does Inka Trail Backpacker charge less than other Inca Trail operators?

At Inka Trail Backpacker, we offer you the basic and essential version of the popular treks in the region and because we are a 100% local company we know the real cost of operations and everything you will need. That is why our slogan is “Fun.Not Fancy Trip.”

Are you a certified company?

Inka Trail Backpacker has been a Licensed Inca Trail Tour Operator since 2014. All companies managing the Inca Trail must be certified and have an Inca Trail operators license. This license is issued annually each December and Inka Trail Backpacker is licensed through the year of 2020

Our license as an Official Travel Agency is under the name Inka Trail Backpacker E.I.R.L. Our license as an Inca Trail Operator is under the name of INKA TRAIL BACKPACKER E.I.R.L We also work with partner company licenses such as INTI SUN TREK E.I.R.L and GRUPO CAMINOS DEL PERU E.I.R.L.

Getting the permit for the Inca Trail from the government is a complicated and stringent process for the protection of tourists so in order to guarantee an Inca Trail Permit for all the tourists that have decided to book their adventure with us, we are registered to book using any of the above mentioned company licenses. We are all registered on the official Government web site: www.machupicchu.gob.pe.

Does Inka Trail Backpacker care for their porters?

Yes, we absolutely take care of our porters. We do not charge you less than other companies at the expense of our porters’ pay and wellbeing. Since the end of 2014, Inka Trail Backpacker has been paying our porters a wage of 200 Soles for the 4 day trek plus their transport cost. That is nearly 20% above the legally required minimum wage agreed with the Porters Union which makes Inka Trail Backpacker a competitive company that offers good benefits for them. Following talks with our porters, they have told us that they know of only few trekking companies that pay the same as us. Only two companies are paying slightly more (and charging their clients almost US$100 more than us). Of the remaining 170 other licensed trekking operators only about 60% are paying the legal wage and 40% pay less than the legal wage with some companies paying only 70% of legal wage. This is difficult to prove as their porters receive a low wage but are asked to sign receipts showing they received more!

However, improving porter welfare is not just about paying fair wages. It is important that the porters have adequate food, a warm and dry place to sleep, and access to medical attention just the same as any other member of the group.

The wages that the porters get paid are by no means high by Western standards but you have to look at wages relative to other professions in Peru. For example, a school teacher gets paid the equivalent of about US$350 per month and has trained for 5 years to become a professional. A porter, if he departs 4 times a month, receives about the same if you include his tips. Most porters are seasonal workers and have no formal qualifications. For just 16 days work per month they receive wages similar to a teacher who has to work 22 days. Inka Trail Backpacker also tries to help the porters in a different way such as financial and educational support for their families.

Trek with Like-Minded Travellers

As a traveller, you know that one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of going new places is the people you meet along the way. When you book a trek with us, you can be confident that your group will be filled with similar travellers looking for adventure in the Peruvian Andes. Our groups provide a great opportunity to meet new people and bond with them in an exciting environment. You never know who you will meet!

Community

We are really proud of the work we do for our community. This is a main focus for our company. We have worked with villages directly to help supply them with needs, buy all our food from local farmers and markets, and serve the freshest ingredients.

100% Guaranteed Departures

At Inka Trail Backpacker, we like to think we do trekking a little differently than our competitors. We stand by our customers and guarantee that we meet 100% of our departure dates on our treks even if you are a solo traveler.

Office Location

Our office is located at 392 Calle Triunfo (the street is also called Sunturwasi), inside the Centro Artesenal Arte Inka Building, which is on the corner across the street from the Museo Arzobispal and the Twelve-Angled Stone, by a small fountain. We are on the second floor, in Suite 209.

Travel Info

Pre-Trek Briefing

At Inka Trail Backpacker, providing a personal experience and ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for your trek is very important to us. Before you depart on the Inca Trail trek, you will receive a briefing in our office. At the briefing, you will get to meet our staff, receive maps and a detailed description of each day of your tour, be given duffel bags if you have hired a porter, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Do the tour guides speak English?

Our team of guides are all local to the Cusco area and speak both Spanish and English fluently. Many of them also speak Quechua (the native language of Peru). With degrees in tourism and with two years minimum of experience under their belts, they are full of energy, information about the native flora and fauna, and the Inca sites, with a vast knowledge of Andean stories and legends.

How many people are there per group?

The size of your group depends on the day’s activity.  The maximum size of our Inca Trail group service is sixteen people. For groups of over eight people, we also employ an assistant guide to help out (the assistant guide is a fully qualified guide but may lack some of the experience of the main guide or still need to improve his/her English skills.)

Are the Salkantay and Inca Trails difficult? Do I need to be fit?

Yes, you must be moderately fit and exercise regularly to do this trek! In preparation, try walking fifteen kms per day or go to a fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least two or three days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu.

Renewal or change passport number?

If you plan to renew or change your name on your passport between making your trek booking and starting your trek, you can book your trek or tour with your current passport number or name, but you must send us a copy of your old passport and a copy of your new passport when you have them. We can then make the change with the government before you arrive. The extra cost to make the change is US$25 per person. (This will cover the change in number or name for your Inca Trail Permit, Machu Picchu Entrance, and train.)

If you do not advise us of the change or do not want to pay the fee, bring the original of both passports (the old and new one). You can enter Peru with your new passport but you must show the government authorities your old passport in order to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or train. If you cannot do so, you will not be allowed to start your trek by the government officials. All names and numbers must match!!

Return train at the end of the Inca Trail:

Your return train to Cusco is the Expedition train, which departs either at 8:50 am. We can also book an afternoon or evening train (2:55 pm, 4:35 p.m, or 6:20 pm) for you if you prefer, at an extra cost of US $25. The train we will book depends on availability and will be confirmed at your briefing. There is also an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train which is an extra US $65 per person. Please let us know your preference at the time of booking the tour. Unfortunately, none of the trains go straight to Cusco—they run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. In either case, we will transfer you back by bus to your hotel in Cusco.

Can I change my return train ticket?

It may still be possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you don’t want to take the train you originally booked. You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return ticket for an early one. You will probably be asked to pay an extra administration fee, which will depend on the train service and departure time. Changing the ticket will be subject to availability of spaces on the train.

What about toilets?

Toilets have improved a lot in the last couple of years and all of the larger campsites have flushable toilets and running water. Overall, they are kept pretty clean. If you do need to use the toilet between campsites, then please defecate away from the trail and water supplies; you can dig a hole, or cover your feces with a rock, and take the paper with you in a bag to deposit in one of the several bins along the way. There are hot shower facilities in Wiñay Wayna on Day 3, although they are usually not very clean.

Important: As a sustainable tourism operator that takes care of our porters we do NOT take portable toilets.

Tips for the Staff

Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for small gifts, such as clothing and school equipment for their children. A normal amount is S/60-80 for each porter and S/120 for the chef. The group will pool money for the tip, this is not an individual amount.

Refunds:

If Inka Trail Backpacker fails to confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded in full.

Health and Safety:

A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medication. We recommend that you meet with a doctor before you book the trek if you have questionable health.

Food on the Inca Trail:

Always fresh and featuring organic ingredients, the food on the Inca Trail is always something to look forward to. There is always plenty to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other sources of protein and carbohydrates. On our tours, everyone sits down to eat together and enjoy each other’s company.

Can I have vegetarian, vegan, or special meals?

We offer standard meals as well as a vegetarian meal option. Just let us know if you want vegetarian meals when you book your trek.

Vegetarian meals have no red meat, chicken or fish. We will assume that eggs and dairy are OK. We are unable to cater specifically for vegans as it is too complicated for our cooks (remember they are cooking in a tent). Most of our main meals in the evening are served as a buffet service so you can always leave out what you don’t like. If there is a particular food that you don’t like (i.e. tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, etc) we will ask the cook to do his best to leave them out of the dish, but we cannot guarantee this. We can also cater to lactose-intolerant and gluten free diets (mild reactions only, no life threatening allergies accepted- see below). We reserve the right not to accept a trek booking based upon dietary requirements, this may be because we already have several people booked requiring special meals and don’t want to further inconvenience our cook. Thanks for your understanding.

Meal options:

Standard (no dietary requirements, will eat everything)
Vegetarian
No red meat (chicken & fish ok)
No fish (red meat and chicken ok)
Lactose-free (mild reactions only)
Gluten free (mild reactions only)

Unfortunately, we don’t offer a combination of the above i.e we don’t accept vegetarian AND gluten-free.

Storage during your trek:

You can leave any of your belongings that you do not want to bring on the trek at your hotel or hostel you were previously staying in. These hostels/hotels usually have a secure, locked room where you can store your belongings. If you do not trust your hostel, we would be more than happy to securely store your belongings for you.

Faqs

When do I need to pay the balance for my tour?

We require everyone to be in Cusco at least two nights prior to starting the trek, although three nights is even better. You must pay your trek balance at least two days before the trek departure. For example, if your trek departs on a Monday you must come to our office before 7:30 pm on Saturday to pay the trek balance. This ensures that everyone in the group is well acclimatized to the high altitude before starting the trek.

How many days will I need to acclimate to the altitude before the Inca Trail Trek?

It is very important to be well acclimated before exerting yourself on a trek. This is why we require everyone to be in Cusco for a minimum of two days prior to regular treks like the Inca Trail. However, if you are doing one of our longer treks like the 6 day Combined Salkantay/Inca Trail Trek, you will need at least four days to acclimatize because these treks occur at much higher altitudes than Cusco. You can use this time spent acclimatizing to visit the city of Cusco, nearby Inca ruins, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Can I wear sneakers on my trek? Why do I need hiking boots?

No, sneakers are not recommended for the Inca Trail! The terrain is very steep, with loose gravel, puddles, mud, and other obstacles. You must have sturdy, waterproof footwear designed for this type of terrain, with good traction and ankle support. Be sure to break in your hiking boots before your trek! Wear them on several shorter walks or hikes before your trip, so that your feet can get used to them.

If you do not have hiking boots, or they are too bulky for your suitcase, you can rent them in Cusco for under one hundred soles.

Should I hire an extra porter?

About thirty percent of the group hires the services of an extra porter to carry their personal items. A ‘half porter’ can be hired for the four day trek for US$85 (2017). This price includes porters entrance fees, meals, transport and wages. If you hire the services of a half porter you can give him a maximum of 6kg (13lbs) to carry, which is usually sufficient for your sleeping bag (about 2.5kg), mattress (1 kg), and change of clothes (about 2.5kg). However the porter will not walk at your side during the trek, so you will still need to bring a day pack to carry essential items such as water, snacks, camera, a warm sweater, and rain jacket. When you pay the trek balance in our office in Cusco, we will give you a duffle bag so that you can put your items in that, which you will give to the porter on the day of the trek.

Can you guarantee that the group will camp at Wiñay Wayna on the third night of the Inca Trail ?

Wiñay Wayna is the campsite closest to Machu Picchu, so it is everybody’s favourite campsite. Wiñay Wayna is about a two hour trek from Machu Picchu so it allows the group to arrive at Machu Picchu very early in the morning. However, there is not enough space at Wiñay Wayna for all the Inca Trail groups. The next nearest campsite is Phuyupatamarca, which is a five hour trek from Machu Picchu. When we buy the trek permits for the group, we are allocated the campsites by the government. We highly recommend that you book your Inca Trail permit on a day with more than 160 available spaces. Otherwise, you may not be able to camp in Wiñay Wayna campsite.

How warm are the sleeping bags that you rent?

Our sleeping bags are rated for temperatures as low as -10°C, but are more suitable for temperatures of about -5°C. Since you won’t find temperatures as low as this on the trek, we rate them as very warm and cozy! We charge US$20 per person for the whole trek.

Is there an oxygen bottle available during the trek, just in case?

Yes, all our tour guides take an oxygen bottle with them along the trail and will provide oxygen as needed.

Where do I have to be on the morning of the trek and where will I be dropped off at the end of the trek?

On the morning of the trek departure, we will pick you up from inside your hotel in Cusco (don’t wait outside in the street) and drop you off either in the Plaza de Regocijos ( next to the main square) or Plaza San Francisco (two blocks from the main square) upon your return to Cusco. You won’t be dropped off directly at your hotel/hostels.

It helps us if you try to stay in a hotel/hostal that is within a few blocks of the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). If your hotel/hostal is far away from the main square we will ask you to come to our offices with the exact location and name of your accommodation.

The guide will come into your hotel and ask for you at reception. Because the centre of Cusco is full of small cobblestone streets, our larger bus/van is not permitted to enter certain zones in the city centre, so you will then have to walk a short distance to where the bus/van will be waiting for you. Traffic regulations prohibit large buses/van from entering the main square but usually after 10pm we don’t have a problem and will be able to drop you off in the main square upon your return. You can then take a taxi back to your hotel (between US$2 to US$4 for a taxi).

If we have to drop you off in Plaza San Francisco, you may be a bit disoriented (some people may need to be woken up!!) but we recommend that you ask for directions to the Plaza de Armas and our guide or driver will be happy to help. It’s only two blocks away, but usually it’ll be quite late at night so it is best to walk together as a group back to the Plaza before taking a taxi or walking back to your hotel.

Is there a minimum group size and what happens if Inka Trail Backpacker does not meet the minimum size?

We require a minimum group size of just four people. During the last few years, Inka trail Backpacker has always managed to meet the minimum group size for ALL of our departure dates and have never had to cancel any group departures due to group size.

In the unlikely event that we do not reach the minimum required number of persons we reserve the right to combine our clients with another trekking company of similar cost.

If I am travelling alone, can I have my own tent?

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent with another participant of the same genre, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would prefer your own tent, there is an additional supplement of US$40.

How far in advance should I book my tour?

We recommend that you book your tour approximately two months in advance. This allows you maximum choice in selecting the details of your day at Machu Picchu; morning entrances to the site are extremely popular and sell out quickly. Although it is possible to book your tour closer to your expected travel date, your options will be more limited.

Is transportation to and from the Cusco airport included?

No, transportation to and from the airport is not included in your tour. Please plan accordingly.

What is the difference between the three circuits at Machu Picchu?

As of July 1, 2017, visitors to Machu Picchu must follow one of three circuits through the site with their guide. Circuit 1 is the most physically demanding, and follows the classic route through the upper portion of the site before curving down to the lower portion. Circuits 2 and 3 will take you through the middle and lower portions of the site. You must choose which circuit you want when you buy your ticket.

What is the difference between Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu?

Huayna Picchu is the small mountain behind the Machu Picchu ruins, which can be seen in the background of nearly every photography of Machu Picchu. A limited amount of visitors are allowed to hike the mountain per day for an additional cost; entrances must be booked several months in advance and cannot be booked separately from your entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological site.
Machu Picchu Mountain is the other peak at the Machu Picchu site which is available for visitors to hike for an additional cost. It is usually not visible in any photographs of Machu Picchu. The steep ascent takes about an hour and a half to complete, and ends at the mountain´s 3,082 masl peak, where there are incredible views of the region. Four hundred visitors a day are permitted to do this trek; like Huayna Picchu, entrances must be booked in advance and cannot be booked separately from your entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological site.

Is there a direct train to Cusco from Machu Picchu?

The train travels between the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes, a small town located fifteen minutes below the Machu Picchu complex. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is an hour and forty minutes. (The return journey will be about three and a half hours, because the drive from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco is about an hour and forty minutes.) From Aguas Calientes, it is either a fifteen minute bus ride or hour hike up to Machu Picchu. There is no direct train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Although there is an additional station located at Poroy, about 25 minutes from Cusco, it is not always open. Train service from Ollantaytambo, meanwhile, is constant and reliable. Furthermore, taking the train from the Poroy station extends the total length of your journey between Cusco and Aguas Calientes to more than four hours, instead of three and a half.
What type of hostel does Inka Trail Backpacker use for this trek?
We always book through the Continental, El Tambo or Machu Picchu hostels in Aguas Calientes, which offer private double rooms. These hostels offer comfortable beds, hot showers, WiFi, and breakfast.
However, we can only guarantee these hostels will be reserved for you if you book your trek 2 months in advance. Otherwise, we may be forced to offer you an alternative hostel to stay in.

Can I upgrade the hostels to hotels?

Every traveller has their own expectations for accommodation and that is why we offer you the option to book your own hostel independently. The three hostels that Inka Trail Backpacker books are considered basic and if you wish to upgrade to a hotel you need to either do this yourself or ask us to book the new hotel for you.

If you wish to book a hostel independently, a US $10 discount is given per person off the tour price. You can use this money to pay for an alternative hostel.

What vaccines do I need for my trip? Will I need malaria pills?

Before traveling to Peru, you should consult your doctor. Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A, and typhoid vaccines are recommended for most travelers by the CDC. Some travelers may also need vaccines for Hepatitis B, rabies, and yellow fever. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should also be advised that the Zika virus is present in Peru.

Malaria pills are not necessary for these treks.

Do you recommend a rain poncho, or is a rain jacket okay?

The rainy season in Cusco is generally from November to April, when there are near-daily showers and the ground—especially in trekking areas—is wet and muddy. However, there are occasional showers throughout the rest of the year; you should always pack a rain jacket, regardless of when you plan to visit. For treks, a rain poncho is highly recommended—since you will be walking through rain for potentially several hours without shelter, a poncho will be much more effective at keeping all of your belongings and your base layers warm and dry. Waterproof shoes are also strongly recommended.

What if I get sick on the trail during my tour?

In the event of illness or injury, we will offer all of the support and care we are able; however, you should carry any medications you expect to need with you (ask your doctor for specific recommendations or prescriptions for altitude sickness, traveler´s diarrhea , colds and sore throats, and pain or inflammation). If you are not capable of completing the trek, we will transport you back to Cusco, where you can seek medical treatment. However, the cost of this transportation is not included in your tour and you will be expected to pay the additional expense—for this reason, we highly recommend travel insurance for your trek.

Will I have a private bathroom in the hostel?

Yes, in all of the hostels that we book for you, you will have a private room and bathroom.

Do I need walking poles?

Although not required, walking poles are recommended for any trekkers worried about joint stress or balance. They also are quite helpful in providing stability and leverage on especially steep climbs and descents. If you do not have poles or are unsure how to use them, we are able to rent them to you and provide instruction.

What documents do I need to bring to Machu Picchu?

As of July 1, 2017, you must have your original passport to enter Machu Picchu. You also need to have your entrance ticket, which your guide will give to you at the appropriate time. The passport that you bring to Machu Picchu must be the same one that you used to book your tour and entrance; if you change or renew your passport between booking and your trip, please be sure to bring the originals of both.

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