The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

5 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
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Small Group Tour
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of Peru's most famous hikes and boasts the best alternative route to the Inca Trail. On this 5-Day adventure, you will experience the wildest range of eco-systems. Watch towering snow-capped peaks like Humantay, make a dramatic transition to venture into the Cloud Forest, and pass a section of the Inca Path. If you wa...
From$589
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Camping
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Hike the famous Salkantay Trek on your way to Machu Picchu with a small group of up to 10 people
    • See the Humantay Glacier Lake and beat the Salkantay Pass
    • Taste a top coffee by visiting an organic farm in the High-jungle valleys
    • Sleep three nights in exclusive campsites amidst the mountains
    • This trip also features Peru's most impressive Andean scenery, such as glacier lakes, mountains, waterfalls, lush valleys, and unique wildlife, and combines them with the Inca’s in-depth history.

What's this trip about?

    The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is one of Peru's most famous hikes and boasts the best alternative route to the Inca Trail. On this 5-Day adventure, you will experience the wildest range of eco-systems. Watch towering snow-capped peaks like Humantay, make a dramatic transition to venture into the Cloud Forest, and pass a section of the Inca Path. If you want to be off the main route to Machu Picchu, close to remote towns, and Peru’s hypnotic nature, this Salkantay Trek is for you.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age range14 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityCusco
End CityCusco

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking
  • High Adventure
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Trains & Rail
  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • Pre-departure briefing
    • Experienced Mountain Guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • All Private Transport and transfers during the tour
    • Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (dining rooms, kitchen, tables, and chairs)
    • 3 nights' camping accommodation (Sky Camp, Andean Huts, Jungle Domes)
    • 1 night in a 3-star hotel at Aguas Calientes
    • Expert chef, porters, and horsemen
    • Duffle Bag for 7kg of your personal gear (to be carried by the horses)
    • Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (we cater to every dietary restriction)
    • Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail
    • One way bus between Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
    • Tourist Class Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
    • All entrance fees (Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu)
    • Safety: First aid kit, oxygen supply, and emergency satellite phones
    • Extras: backpack cover and rain poncho

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Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1 

Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

This adventure begins with an early wake-up and driving out of Cusco. The first stop is at the town of Molletapa to sample an optional breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, the trek’s starting point. The first morning’s walk will take around 3 hours and lead yo...

Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Andean Huts

Today is the toughest day, but you’ll be rewarded greatly with the most wonderful Andean scenery. After breakfast, you’ll take the 3 hours hike to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the route. You’ll spend some time taking photos of the rugged scenery including ...

Chaullay - Colpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Jungle Domes

Your adventure continues by hiking through the jungle of the Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll observe a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado. You’ll get to our Jungle Domes camp at lunchtime for a ...

Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

On this day things get more exciting as you’ll hike along a part of the original Inca Trail. You’ll be walking up for 2 hours to an Inca archaeological site called Llactapata. You’ll learn all about the history and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu from its viewp...

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Today is for exploring one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. After a very early start, you’ll make your way to the citadel to beat the crowds. Once inside and after taking in the initial view, you’ll have a 2-hour guided tour and learn everything yo...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $589
Price per day$118
Last Updated: 5/17/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Salkantay Trekking.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Salkantay Trekking Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
228
Great
3
Average
3
Disappointing
1
Terrible
3
L

Lucy

May 2024

Written on

Got sick and had to hike out alone...

My daughter and I signed up for the 7 day Salkantay and Inca trek. We completed the Salkantay, but were suffering from altitude sickness and stomach problems, plus I...

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Other Salkantay Trekking Reviews

E

Ebbe Abildgaard Rotbøl

Feb 2025

Written on

Amazing Guide

Marco from Salkantay Trekking was an excellent tour guide. He exceeded all our expectations and more. He did everything he could to help with his expertise and make ...

M

Mhike

Jan 2025

Written on

5/5. Exceptional from start to finish

Impeccable service. Highly recommend. Don’t hesitate to book.

S

Sebastian Galip

Dec 2024

Written on

acompañamiento total

todo fue tal cual lo contratado y varios aspectos superaron mis expectativas

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Sleeping bag (For rent US$ 25)
    • Walking sticks (For rent US$ 25)
    • Lunch and Dinner on Day 5
    • Train Transfer from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (Optional)
    • Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike (Can be booked, subject to availability)
    • Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (Can be booked, subject to availability)
    • Travel Insurance (Recommended)
    • Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Accommodation

Camping

Transportation & Flights

Train,

Transportation & flights

Train
Guides
Local Guide(s). Our Tour Guides are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free.
Requirements
,Solo travelers are welcome on this trip. We assign them a group on a date that has reached the minimum number of travelers. The single supplement price is given on request.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Dinners
  • Daily snacks and drinks on the trail
Age Requirements
14 years and up
Elders or people who suffer from any heart diseases or has a medical restriction should not take this activity
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
salkan-SaTreMaPi

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