Most travelers have to choose. Salkantay for wilderness or Inca Trail for history. The Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail 6 Days gives you both, in the correct order.
You start in the high Vilcabamba Range. For three days you walk under Salkantay Glacier, across Inca Chiriasca Pass at 4,650 meters, and down through valleys where only horse caravans pass. You sleep in our private Soraypampa Skydomes at 3,900 meters with a glass roof over your bed.
On Day 3 you enter the Inca Trail National Park at Wayllabamba. Your Inca Trail permit is checked and you step onto original Inca stonework. For three days you climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, cross cloud forest ruins at Runkurakay and Sayacmarca, and sleep at Phuyupatamarca above the clouds.
On Day 5 you finish where every trekker wants to finish, at Inti Punku Sun Gate. You see Machu Picchu for the first time from above, in afternoon light when the citadel is almost empty. Standard Salkantay treks cannot offer this. They arrive by bus from below. You arrive on foot, through the gate.
Scenic valleys, ancient aqueducts, and a turquoise lake under glaciers.
Early Pickup and Private Transfer to Challacancha
We start with a 4:30 AM private transfer from Cusco, winding through scenic mountain valleys to Challacancha, the trailhead for your expedition.
Ancient Aqueduct Trek to Soraypampa
Setting off on foot, you follow an ancient stone aqueduct path. It climbs steadily into the high Andes wilderness. This is a perfect warm up at altitude.
Humantay Lake Afternoon Hike
After a chef prepared gourmet meal at your basecamp, you ascend to the mesmerizing shores of Humantay Lake. Framed by sheer glacial walls, the water glows an electric turquoise under the sun.
Soraypampa Skydome Night
As night falls, you retreat to your exclusive Soraypampa Skydome. Your climate controlled glass walled dome lets you stretch out in a real bed while the Milky Way frames the towering glacier outside your window.
Day 1 Stats: 12 km trekking | 6 hours | Max altitude 4,200m | Moderate
The most demanding day of the Salkantay phase.
Dawn Ascent to Inca Chiriasca Pass 4,650m
Rise before dawn for the punishing switchbacks to conquer Inca Chiriasca Pass at 4,650 meters. You stand face to face with Apu Salkantay. Frozen seracs tower above you. Participate in a traditional Apacheta stone ceremony to thank the mountains.
Descent to Paucarcancha Ruins
Descending past the tree line into the remote valley of Paucarcancha, you leave the glaciers behind. High altitude meadows, small farming hamlets, and your first rarely visited Inca ruins.
Day 2 Stats: 18 km trekking | 8 to 9 hours | Max altitude 4,650m | Challenging
Trading the wild Andes for the sacred Inca path.
Paucarcancha Exploration
Morning exploration of the Paucarcancha Inca administrative ruins. A site only Fusion trekkers see.
Entering the Inca Trail National Park
Descend to Wayllabamba where you officially enter the Inca Trail. Your original passport and Inca Trail permit are checked at the official checkpoint. Your Salkantay horses say goodbye and your Inca Trail porters say hello.
Climb Through Polylepis Forest
Follow original Inca stonework up through Polylepis forest, the unique high altitude trees with peeling red bark locals call queuna. Steady 3 hour ascent to Llulluchapampa camp with spectacular valley views.
Day 3 Stats: 11 km trekking | 6 hours | Max altitude 3,850m | Moderate
The most famous challenge of the Inca Trail.
Dawn Ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass 4,215m
Start early and climb for four hours on original Inca steps to the summit of Warmiwanusca / Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters. Slow and demanding, you will feel the altitude. 360 degree views of the Vilcanota range at the top.
Cloud Forest Descent to Chaquicocha
Descend two hours into Pacaymayo Valley for hot lunch prepared by your chef. In the afternoon, cross the second pass at 3,950m and visit the Runkurakay circular watchtower and Sayacmarca cliffside ruins. Now deep in cloud forest, surrounded by mist, moss, and rare orchids.
Day 4 Stats: 16 km trekking | 8 to 9 hours | Max altitude 4,215m | Challenging
The reward day. The iconic arrival no standard Salkantay trek can offer.
Original Inca Highway to Phuyupatamarca
Leaving the main tourist routes, you follow a flat Inca highway along mountain ridges. Visit Phuyupatamarca, The Town Above the Clouds, and its ceremonial water fountains.
Winay Wayna Exploration
Descend to the stunning agricultural terraces of Winay Wayna. Unlike standard 4 day groups who arrive tired at dusk, you have time to explore properly with your guide.
Sun Gate Entry to Machu Picchu
Continue to Inti Punku Sun Gate in late afternoon. This is the ultimate first look at Machu Picchu, seeing the city empty of crowds and bathed in low afternoon sun. Bus down to Aguas Calientes for hotel check-in and celebratory dinner.
Day 5 Stats: 10 km trekking | 5 hours | Max altitude 3,680m | Moderate
The grand finale.
Early Bus and Private Guided Tour
Early morning bus up the winding mountain switchbacks, entering Machu Picchu just as the morning mist lifts. Your expert guide leads you through a comprehensive private tour of the agricultural terraces, royal quarters, temples and sacred plazas.
Vistadome Train Return to Cusco
After soaking in the timeless atmosphere, take the afternoon bus down to Aguas Calientes. Board the premium Vistadome train, journey back through the Sacred Valley with panoramic windows where a private vehicle waits to return you directly to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival approx 7:00 PM.
Day 6 Stats: Exploration walking inside Machu Picchu | 2 to 3 hours guided tour | Max altitude 2,430m
Transportation & Logistics
Access & Discoveries
Accommodations & Mountain Dining
Porterage & Support
High Altitude Consideration: This is a high altitude trek crossing Inca Chiriasca Pass at 4,650 meters and Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, higher than any point on the standard Inca Trail. You must arrive in Cusco at least 48 hours before Day 1 to acclimatize properly. Day 2 and Day 4 are the most challenging with long climbs at altitude. Walk at your own pace, communicate how you feel to your guide, and drink at least 3 liters of water per day.
Luggage Policy: You hike light with only a daypack. Our pack horses and Inca Trail porters carry your duffel up to 7kg, and your duffel meets you each night at camps and hotel on Day 5. Your main suitcase stays free and safe in our Cusco office.
Money Matters: All major services included: permits, Skydomes, meals, horses, porters, and train. You only need small cash in Peruvian Soles for water on Day 1, lunch on Day 6, drinks in Aguas Calientes, and tips for your crew.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive mountain insurance mandatory, not basic cover. Policy must specifically cover trekking up to 5,000 meters, emergency medical evacuation in the Andes, trip cancellation, and train delays due to weather or strikes. Inca Trail and Machu Picchu permits are non refundable by Peruvian law.
Mandatory Documentation: Bring your original passport. It must match your Machu Picchu and Inca Trail ticket exactly. Same number and same name.
Packing Essentials: You need to pack for two climates, freezing at passes and hot and humid in cloud forest. Keep duffel at 7kg and carry essentials in daypack. Daypack inside Machu Picchu must not exceed 25 liters and 40 x 35 x 20 cm.
Pro Tip: Tripods, selfie sticks, drones, and backpacks over 25 liters are strictly prohibited inside Machu Picchu. Keep daypack light and leave large bags in Aguas Calientes.
You May Also Like: Travelers who choose this Fusion trek also look at our classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days for more recovery time with hot springs, and our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days.
This is a challenging 6 day trek. You cross two high passes, Salkantay or Inca Chiriasca Pass at 4,650 meters and Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters. You hike 6 to 9 hours most days on rocky trail and original Inca stone steps.
Good fitness and some hiking experience are strongly recommended. No technical climbing. If you can hike 6 hours uphill with a daypack and you have 2 days in Cusco before, you can finish this trek. It is harder than the 4 day Inca Trail alone but more rewarding.
You have two climates in one bag. Freezing at 4,650 meters and warm cloud forest at 2,700 meters.
Maximum 10 travelers, average 6. Small group is required on the Inca Trail section for permit control and better pace. Your guide can help each person on the passes.
Essential. You sleep at 3,900 meters on Night 1 and cross 4,650 meters on Day 2. Arrive in Cusco at least 2 to 3 days before Day 1. No heavy tours before. Just water, light meals and rest. Do not come from Lima the day before and start trekking. Cusco City and Sacred Valley at 2,800 meters are perfect to adjust.
Yes. Your duffel up to 7kg is already carried by horses on Salkantay and by porters on Inca Trail. If you want to carry almost nothing, hire a private porter for your daypack on the Inca Trail. For Salkantay Pass you can hire a private horse to ride if you feel unwell on Day 2, cost around 80 to 120 US dollars payable on trail. Ask your guide.
Sky Dome Camps is owned and operated by Sam Travel Corporation, a licensed Peruvian operator based in Cusco. We hold full permits for Salkantay Route and Inca Trail. Our Inca Trail permit is checked at Km 82, Winay Wayna checkpoint and Machu Picchu. Our Sky Domes in Soraypampa are private to us, not rented. All guides, porters and horse drivers are licensed and insured.
Standard Salkantay ends with a bus up to Machu Picchu from the valley. You never walk through the Sun Gate. Standard Inca Trail never goes to Humantay Lake or Salkantay Pass and you miss the wildest Andes. Fusion gives you both. You get wilderness and history, two high passes, four major Inca sites including Paucarcancha and Winay Wayna, and you finish with the classic Sun Gate entry that only Inca Trail permits allow.
For 2026 and 2027 your Inca Trail permit includes Circuit 1 upper terraces for classic photos and Circuit 3 Royalty Route. This is enough for first visit. If you want Circuit 2 lower citadel you need extra ticket 55 US dollars. If you want Huayna Picchu mountain extra 75 US dollars. Tell us at booking, they sell out 3 months ahead.
Best time May to September dry season. Inca Trail permits for Fusion are limited to 500 per day including porters for all companies. For 2027 book 7 to 8 months ahead for June to August. For April, September, October book 4 to 5 months ahead. Inca Trail closed every February. We need your full name and passport number exactly as passport to secure permits. Permits are 100 percent non refundable by Peruvian law.
All meals from lunch Day 1 to breakfast Day 6 except lunch Day 6 in Aguas Calientes are included. Hot breakfast, hot lunch, hot dinner plus snacks. Chef cooks in dining tents and domes even at 3,900m. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free available, tell us at booking. Boiled water to refill your bottle provided at every meal. Bring 1.5L bottle on Day 1.
After your Machu Picchu tour you take bus down to Aguas Calientes, then Expedition or Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, then private transport to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival around 7:00 pm. If you want to stay extra night in Aguas Calientes or return by private car, we can arrange it.
YOUR ADVENTURE. OUR EXPERTISE.
Guest Reviews
Real experiences from travelers who slept under the Andean sky
I never thought I could sleep in a luxury bed while staring at the Milky Way through a transparent dome. The Salkantay glacier right in front of you at sunrise — absolutely unreal. Worth every penny.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky DomeWe did the full Salkantay Trek and stayed at the dome on night two. After a hard day of hiking, coming back to a real bed, hot shower and that view of the mountain? Nothing compares to that.
SkyDomeCamps - Salkantay TrekI have camped across Patagonia and Nepal but nothing matched this. The dome is warm, beautifully designed and the silence at 4,600m is something else entirely. I woke up at 3am just to stare at the stars.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
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