The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best trekking routes in South America and the best alternative way to reach the Inca citadel, crossing a range of environments and landscapes over 4 days of adventure.
On this experience, we'll take you to some of the most impressive places in the region, such as Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass at 4630 m a.s.l. (15,190 ft), the fascinating cloud forest and the edge of the Peruvian jungle. The high point comes on the fourth day, when we head to Machu Picchu after a well-deserved night's rest in comfortable lodging in the charming town of Aguas Calientes, following three intense days on the trail. Throughout the 4 days, our expert team (guides, cooks, porter or muleteer and horses) will provide everything you need for comfortable nights at camp and delicious meals, and will carry all the equipment and bags, so you can simply focus on making the most of every day.
| Duration | 4 days |
|---|---|
| Total distance covered | approximately 59 km over the 4 days. |
| Maximum altitude reached | 4630 m a.s.l. (15,190 ft), at the Salkantay Pass. |
| Best time to go | between May and October (the rainy season in Cusco runs from November to April). |
We'll pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and set off in private transport to Mollepata (2900 m a.s.l.). Today we'll take a scenic drive toward Limatambo, with panoramic views of Apu Salkantay, until we reach Cruspata, the starting point of the trek. After hiking for about 3 hours, we'll reach Challacancha, our lunch spot, with beautiful panoramic views of the snow-capped Humantay and Salkantay peaks.
In the afternoon, we'll continue to Soraypampa. From Soraypampa, we'll hike with the guide to Humantay Lake to take it in, and then return to Soraypampa (3900 m a.s.l.), the highest and coldest campsite of the whole trip.
The second day will be the longest of the entire trek. After breakfast, we'll start walking up a moderate three-and-a-half-hour climb to the Salkantay Pass (4630 m a.s.l.). From this point, we can enjoy spectacular views of the second-highest peak in Cusco.
After breakfast at 6:00 a.m., we'll get ready to hike through the high jungle for almost 5 hours. Along the way, we'll see the Lluskamayo River and a variety of small streams. We'll pass places with spectacular views of waterfalls, tropical fruit and native plants until we reach Camping La Playa (2400 m a.s.l.).
After lunch at La Playa, we'll take a bus for an hour and a half to Hidroeléctrica train station. From there, we'll walk for 2 hours along a flat trail next to the railway. We'll arrive in Aguas Calientes, where we'll spend the night in a hotel; we'll enjoy a dinner to celebrate our arrival and the comfort of beds and showers. You'll also have the option of visiting the hot springs in the evening (optional entrance: 10 soles).
There are two options for getting to Machu Picchu: hiking up for an hour and a half from Aguas Calientes or taking a bus very early. Once there, we can watch the sunrise over the magnificent Inca city.
We'll tour the site with our guide for approximately two hours; afterwards, you can explore the mysterious city of Machu Picchu on your own. After exploring the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, we'll return to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch before heading to the train station. Your train leaves at 3:20 p.m., and you should be at the station 30 minutes beforehand. From Ollantaytambo station, we'll transfer you by minivan to Cusco, and the service will end at your hotel at approximately 8:00 p.m.
The total distance covered over the 4 days is approximately 59 km, and the highest point reached during the trek is 4630 m a.s.l. (15,190 ft), at the Salkantay Pass.
No. Our experienced team of porter or muleteer and horses will carry the bags and all the bulky luggage during the trek. You'll only carry your small backpack with personal items along the route.
As this is a demanding high-altitude trek, we recommend having good physical fitness and experience with long hikes before taking on this challenge. For those without experience or who aren't in good shape, we recommend the 2-day, 1-night Inca Trail.
The best months for the Salkantay route are between May and October, avoiding the rainy season in Cusco, which runs from November to April.
There are bathrooms at all the campsites, but on the first night there are only cold showers. On the third and fourth nights, hot showers are available (10 soles per person), and on the fourth night you'll be in a hotel with a private bathroom. Since many of the bathrooms during the first 3 days are provided by the communities we pass through, a contribution is always requested for the use of the bathrooms and showers.
Rescheduling or changes are allowed up to 15 days before the travel date and apply until December 31, 2027. Rescheduling the entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel (INC) carries an administrative fee of USD 25.00 per passenger.
