If you want to visit Machu Picchu in a unique way, you’ve probably heard of the Salkantay Trek. This guide will provide you with all the necessary information about the hike, detailing what you can expect each day, the level of difficulty, and we’ll recommend where you can book this experience.
Let’s start with the basics:
What is the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Trek is one of the most famous hiking routes in Peru. It lasts 5 days, begins in Cusco, and ends at the iconic Machu Picchu. This challenging but fascinating trek passes through villages, Inca ruins, and stunning landscapes that include jungle forests, lagoons, and snow-capped mountains.
The highest point of the trek is the Salkantay snow-capped mountain pass, located at an altitude of approximately 4,600 meters above sea level. The summit of Salkantay or Salcantay (in Quechua: Sallqantay) reaches 6,270 meters, making it the highest mountain in the Vilcabamba mountain range and the one that gives the route its name.
The Salkantay trek is an excellent alternative to the classic Inca Trail, as it is less crowded and more economical. However, it’s important to mention that this trek is moderately to physically demanding, so it’s recommended exclusively for active people who are passionate about high-mountain experiences.
See price of the Salkantay Trekking
How to book the Salkantay Trek? Just click here to see the full tour description, price, and inclusions. Then, choose your departure date and select whether you want to add Machu Picchu tickets, a private room, and bus transportation from Aguas Calientes.
Once you customize the plan according to your needs, select the number of people traveling and click “Add to Cart” to enter your details and complete the secure payment. Remember that citizens of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru receive a special discount.
The tour has confirmed daily departures, and you can book up to 48 hours before departure. However, access to both Machu Picchu and mountains like Huayna Picchu has limited capacity, so we recommend securing your spot as far in advance as possible.
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Salkantay Trek Itinerary from Cusco to Machu Picchu:
Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lagoon – Soraypampa (10 miles)
The first day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins around 4:30 a.m. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cusco for a 3-hour drive to the town of Mollepata. There, you will have breakfast and can buy any last things you need before starting the trek.
You’ll return to the bus and arrive at Challacancha, the starting point of the trek, located at 3,640 meters above sea level. The first few kilometers will allow you to gradually gain altitude and help with your acclimatization. After crossing a forest and enjoying your first views of the Salkantay mountain, you’ll arrive at Soraypampa in 3 hours.
In Soraypampa, you’ll enjoy lunch, and in the afternoon, you’ll hike for approximately 2 hours to Humantay Lagoon, located at 4,100 meters above sea level. After admiring this spectacular Andean landscape, you’ll return to Soraypampa for dinner and an overnight stay, either in a tent or glamping.
Tip: If you need accommodation in Cusco, we recommend considering these options that offer excellent value for money: Casa Andina, Hostal Qorichaska, Pariwana Hostel, Amaru Colonial, Casa Cristobal and Viajero Hostel.
See accommodations in Cusco with discounts
Tips for finding good, beautiful, and budget-friendly accommodation: The best way to get the best price on lodging is to book in advance. If you wait until the last minute, the most affordable and top-rated options may already be sold out, leaving you with fewer choices.
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Salkantay Pass Trek – Day 2: Soraypampa – Chaullay (13 miles)
You’ll begin the second day of the Salkantay Trail with a delicious breakfast accompanied by coca tea. After recharging your batteries, you’ll begin hiking from 3,900 meters above sea level to 4,600 meters. Personally, we consider this to be the most difficult day of the trek, but at the same time, one of the most beautiful, thanks to its mountain passes, and natural viewpoints.
During the first part of the day, you will reach the Salkantay Pass, also known as Abra Salkantay, the highest point of the trek. Here, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of several apus (sacred mountains), such as Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. You will also be at the foot of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, the second highest mountain in Cusco.
After reaching the highest point of the Salkantay trek, you will continue for approximately two hours along trails marked by enormous boulders until you reach Huayracmachay, located at an altitude of 3,800 meters. There, you will have lunch and recharge your batteries before continuing on a descent of approximately three hours to the Chaullay camp, at the gateway to the Amazon.
Book your spot on the guided trek now
Tip: Save time and money by booking on platforms like GuruWalk, Civitatis, or Denomades. We recommend these sites because, in addition to being secure, they allow you to compare prices, read reviews from other travelers, learn about the itineraries in detail, and know exactly what each tour includes.
GuruWalk: Exclusively for free walking tours worldwide. Civitatis: Offers a wide variety of tours, guided visits, and excursions in hundreds of destinations. Denomades: Specializes in nature and adventure activities in Latin America.
On these platforms, you can book at very competitive prices, sometimes even better than at the destination! Plus, they offer a great variety of payment methods and, in many cases, have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to get a refund up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
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Itinerary Day 3: Chaullay – Santa Teresa (7 miles)
The third day of the Salkantay Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu will begin with a 5-hour hike through quinoa, coffee, and tropical fruit plantations. During the hike, you will cross canyons, waterfalls, and natural viewpoints until you reach Playa Sahuayacu, where you can rest and relax by the river.
The next part of the tour takes a bus to the town of Santa Teresa, where you’ll spend the night. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to join additional activities, such as the coffee tour, canopy tours, or a visit to the Cocalmayo hot springs, which we believe are a must-do for recharging your batteries.
Remember: if you want to do the Salkantay trek, you can book your plan by clicking here right now. At the link, you’ll find all the detailed information about the tour, including its inclusions and real-time availability for the date you choose. Don’t hesitate and book this unique experience today.
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Salkantay Trek – Day 4: Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (10 miles)
On the fourth day of the Salkantay Trek, you’ll have your first encounter with this Wonder of the World. The adventure will begin with a 3-hour trek through the Santa Teresa Valley, culminating at the Llactapata Ruins. From this point, you’ll see the archaeological site of Machu Picchu right in front of you.
In the first part of the tour, you’ll walk the Inca Trail, enjoying spectacular landscapes, until you reach a natural viewpoint from where you can contemplate the entire ancient pre-Hispanic city of Machu Picchu. There, your guide will surely tell you details about the cultural legacy of the Inca civilization.
You will then descend for approximately two hours to the Hidroeléctrica train station, where you will have lunch before beginning the last leg of the day: a 10-kilometer hike following the train tracks to reach Machu Picchu Pueblo, known as Aguas Calientes. There you can rest and prepare for the most anticipated stage of the Salkantay Trek.
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Day 5 of the Salkantay Trek: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
The last day of the Salkantay trek will take you to explore the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu, famous for being one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World. On this part of the trip, you have two options: 1) hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or 2) take the bus.
If you still have the energy to hike, you should get up early to begin ascending the stone steps to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Although the journey generally takes about an hour, after more than four consecutive days of hiking, it may take a little longer.
If at this point in the trek you feel very tired or prefer to save your last bit of energy to fully enjoy your visit to Machu Picchu, you can take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Inca archaeological site.
Afterwards, if you wish, you can ascend one of the mountains of the archaeological site (Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or Machu Picchu). You’ll then return to the town of Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo or directly to Cusco, arriving at approximately 10:00 p.m. This spectacular trek will conclude with a tired body but a renewed spirit.
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Salkantay or the Inca Trail? Which is better?
The Salkantay Trek focuses on nature, as you’ll travel through a wide variety of landscapes: mountains, valleys, glaciers, and tropical forests. Unlike the Inca Trail, it tends to be less crowded, making it a more peaceful and less touristy experience.
The Inca Trail is a route steeped in history, as it passes through numerous archaeological remains. If archaeology and cultural heritage are your thing, this is the ideal option. Of course, since it includes more archaeological sites, it is usually more expensive than the Salkantay Trek and requires booking much further in advance.
In short: If you’re looking for an immersive nature experience with fewer tourists, choose the Salkantay Trek. If you prefer a historical and cultural tour with Inca ruins along the way, the Inca Trail is your option.
Recommended: Rainbow Mountain Tour
Other travel guides that may interest you:
- What to do in Cusco and surrounding areas
- Huacachina Oasis and Paracas in 2 days
- What to see in Lima
- 10 must-see tourist spots in Peru
Tips finals
Before starting the trek, be sure to do some physical training beforehand, as the route involves long walks and significant elevation gains. Cardiovascular and endurance exercises will be very helpful.
Arrive in Cusco a few days early to acclimatize to the altitude. It’s also important to pack a light suitcase with essential equipment such as waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves for the cold, a waterproof jacket, a fleece sleeping bag, a thermos of water, sunscreen, and personal hygiene items. Wear comfortable hiking boots.
Be respectful of the environment, minimize your environmental impact, and avoid leaving trash anywhere. Booking your trek in advance is always recommended to guarantee your spot and allow for better organization. Remember, you can do it here.
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