The 5-day trek combines the tour through the Sun Gate "Inti Punku" at Cachicata with the iconic Short Inca Trail. It's the ideal alternative when classic Inca Trail permits are sold out. You'll discover authentic Inca paths, archaeological sites, local communities, and make the legendary arrival to Machu Picchu through another Sun Gate "Inti Punku" - all with fewer travelers and more adventure.
Your expedition begins early in the morning from your hotel in Cusco. We'll transport you to an Andean village (Huarocondo). The first day is a cultural odyssey, starting with a visit to a colonial church that showcases the region's rich history. Hikers will discover ancient petroglyphs telling stories of pre-Columbian civilizations, followed by an exploration of the Inca site of Perolniyoc.
The day's hike will take you through vibrant potato and quinoa fields, offering an intimate look at traditional Andean agricultural practices. An impressive waterfall provides the perfect midday break, while a unique Quechua lesson will deeply connect you with local culture. At the end of the day, you'll camp in Rayan, at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet), surrounded by stunning Andean views.
The second day presents a more challenging hike that will push your limits and reward you with extraordinary landscapes. You'll ascend to an impressive 4,440 meters (14,567 feet) via the Charkahuaylla pass. At the summit, we'll take a well-deserved break and enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks and mountains of the Urubamba Mountain Range and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
After a ceremony and offering by your tour guide to the Apus (mountain spirits), we'll continue hiking to Lake Marcacocha (4,000 m / 13,100 feet), the perfect spot for a delicious lunch.
Later, we'll cross the final mountain, Apu Buena Negra (4,370 m / 14,300 feet). After enjoying its incredible views, we'll descend to the anticipated Sun Gate or "Inti Punku", a beautiful Inca architecture that still prevails over the mountains. From here, you can observe one of the most impressive snow-capped mountains, Veronica (5,893 m / 19,334 feet). We'll then walk a few more minutes to our campsite in Choquetacarpo (3,600 m / 11,811 feet).
After enjoying a cup of tea, a perfect sunrise over the mountains, and a delicious breakfast, we'll hike for 3 hours to the Cachiccata Quarry (3,829 m / 12,719 feet), the largest quarry of the Inca Empire. These quarries tell a fascinating story of how the Incas transported enormous stone blocks across challenging mountainous terrain, allowing us to understand their extraordinary engineering capabilities.
We'll descend via the original Inca stone transport route used by Inca workers, discovering unfinished stones, ancient chullpas (funeral towers), and a mysterious Inca mummy cave. This day combines historical exploration with a panoramic journey to Ollantaytambo, where we'll have dinner and spend the night.
On Day 4, your adventure begins in Ollantaytambo with breakfast at the hotel before boarding the morning train to kilometer 104, the starting point of your Inca Trail experience.
From here, you'll embark on a spectacular 12-kilometer hike through lush cloud forests to the fascinating ruins of Chachabamba. Then, you'll ascend via ancient stone stairs of the original Inca route to the impressive Wiñay Wayna complex. Your journey will culminate with a magical sunset arrival at Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you'll enjoy your first unforgettable panoramic view of the Lost City of the Incas from Machu Picchu's upper platform or Circuit 1.
After immersing yourself in this wonder, you'll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes (included), where you'll spend the night in a comfortable hotel, ready for the full exploration of Machu Picchu the next day.
On our final day, we must wake up very early for the highlight of our trip. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll board one of the buses that will take us back to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. This will be followed by a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour that will reveal the most significant architectural and historical features of the site.
After exploring the citadel, and for the more adventurous, we'll also have time to enjoy some optional activities (not included in the price):
Return to Cusco: You'll descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included), then board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
Book your spot for this extraordinary journey in advance, keeping in mind that the Short Inca Trail has a daily limit of 255 passengers.
Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu 2 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu 1 days Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 3D Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 5D Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 2D Luxury Inca Trail 4 days
Short Inca Trail + Salkantay 6 days Classic Inca Trail + Salkantay 7 days
Salkantay Machu Picchu 5 days Salkantay Machu Picchu 4 days Salkantay Machu Picchu 3 days Salkantay & Humantay lake 2 days
Choquequirao 4 days Choquequirao 5 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 7 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 8 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 9 days
Inca Jungle Machu Picchu 3 days Inca Jungle Machu Picchu 4 days
Manu Cultural Area 3 days Manu Cultural Area 4 days Manu, Reserved Zone 5 days Manu Reserved Area 6 days Manu Reserved Area 7 days Manu Park, Pakitza 8 days
Inca Trail + Cachicata 5 days Lares Machu Picchu 4 days Cachicata Machu Picchu 4 days Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 3 days
Inti Raymi 2025 Machu Picchu Full Day Humantay Lake Rainbow Mountain Palcoyo Mountain 7 lakes of Ausangate Classic Sacred Valley Sacred Valley VIP Chonta, Condor Viewpoint Cusco City Tour Cusco - South Valley
John Noel
June 24, 2025
This was such an amazing experience from the beginning to the end. Each day delivered a unique experience as we traversed many different terrains and landscapes with stunning views. Our group was small which meant we got to know eachother quite well and develop friendships that I know will go beyond the trail. Our tour guide Percy was nothing short of amazing. His knowledge of nature and Inca tradition was limitless and gave great context to every stage of the journey. His friendliness, kindness and great sense of humour made the adventure all the more enjoyable! I must also mention the beautiful Peruvian food that our chef cooked each day! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for the most authentic Salkantay Trail experience. John Noel
María P
June 23, 2025
Los guías de InKa Tráil, Elizabeth y Henry han sido muy amorosos y nos han animado en el Camino del Inca, Han compartido todos sus conocimientos con el grupo. Los recomiendo 100%
Melissa Y
June 19, 2025
This was truly an unforgettable trip! We went on the 4 day Salkantay trek and were blown away by the beautiful views and the ever changing landscapes! Jorge was our amazing guide and made our experience even more memorable! Throughout the trek he taught us so much about Peruvian history, culture and the natural flora and fauna. He was always able to answer any questions that we had and never failed to keep us entertained! Whilst the altitude can make some aspects of the trek challenging, Jorge was always looking out for us and never made us feel rushed! In addition to Jorge, our trekking team (Sergio the cook and Rudy our horseman) were incredibly warm and welcoming and kept us motivated. The meals cooked by our chef were a highlight for us - we were able to experience a variety of authentic Peruvian food made with local produce - all of which were incredible. Overall, this was a one of a kind experience - I can’t recommend it enough!
Lucia Z
June 18, 2025
Fuimos con mi novio e hicimos el tour de Inka Trail en 2 días. Nuestro guía fue Jesús y realmente nos encantó! Súper recomendado.
Demonstrating our commitment to quality, we hold ISO 9001 certification, ensuring excellence in our services.
With ISO 14001, we prioritize environmental sustainability, reducing our impact on the planet.
We're honored to be recognized with the Traveler's Choice Award in 2024, a testament to our dedication to exceptional travel experiences.
We are an official agency and tour operator, ensuring a unique and high-quality travel experience to the destinations of your choice in Cusco and Peru.
