Salkantay Trek 5 Days the most spectacular and adventurous alternative route to Machu Picchu, considered by National Geographic as one of the top 25 hikes in the world. If you are looking for an authentic trekking experience that takes you from the eternal glaciers of the Andes to the tropical jungle of the Yungas in a single trip, get ready for 5 days of unforgettable adventure. Our Salkantay Trek will immerse you in landscapes of overwhelming diversity: imposing snow-capped mountains, turquoise glacial lakes, misty cloud forests, lush jungle with orchids and bromeliads, natural hot springs, and farming communities living as their ancestors did. The crowning moment of this journey is the arrival at Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, through landscapes that very few visitors have the privilege of witnessing. This is not just a hike, it is a transformation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters, at the foot of the majestic Mount Salkantay (6,271 m), one of the most sacred and imposing mountains of the Peruvian Andes.
- Witness Lake Humantay in all its turquoise glory, a glacial mirror of water nestled between snow-capped mountains that will leave you speechless.
- Traverse Peru's most diverse ecosystems in a single route: from glaciers and high-altitude puna grasslands to the misty and tropical jungle of the Yungas, with truly remarkable changes in vegetation and climate.
- Relax in the natural hot springs of Santa Teresa, the perfect rest after the most challenging days of trekking, surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation.
- Arrive at Machu Picchu after 4 days of trekking through remote trails, making the experience of gazing upon the citadel infinitely more meaningful and emotional.
- Camp under Andean stars in campsites located in privileged spots along the valley, far from any civilized noise, with the silhouette of Salkantay as your backdrop.
Itinerary.
We pick you up at your hotel at 4:30 am from hotels, Airbnbs, houses, and apartments in the historic center of Cusco. We will travel for approximately 3 and a half hours through the Limatambo Valley to the town of Mollepata (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), where we will enjoy an energizing breakfast and meet our team of porters and muleteers who will accompany us throughout the entire journey.
We will continue by transport for one more hour to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), the starting point of our trekking. Our first adventure of the day will be the approximately 2-hour hike to the spectacular Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), a turquoise gem of water fed by the meltwater glacier of the same name. Your guide will share the spiritual importance of this sacred lake for Andean communities while you enjoy views of the snow-capped Humantay and Salkantay peaks reflected in its crystal-clear waters.
We will descend back to Soraypampa and continue walking for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to our first camp at Salkantaypampa (4,100 m / 13,451 ft), located in an open valley with spectacular views of Mount Salkantay. Upon arrival, the camp crew will already have the tents set up and a delicious hot lunch prepared by our camp chef will be waiting for you. In the evening, you will enjoy a comforting dinner and your first night of camping under a starry sky that only the Andes can offer.
This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. After an early energizing breakfast at camp, we will begin the gradual ascent toward the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the entire journey. The trail winds through a lunar landscape of high-altitude puna grasslands, glacial rocks, and small mountain lagoons, with the imposing glacier of Mount Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft) dominating the horizon. Your guide will set a slow and steady pace, making frequent stops for hydration and acclimatization.
Upon reaching the summit of the pass at 4,630 meters, you will experience a moment of pure emotion and personal achievement. From here the views are absolutely spectacular: the Salkantay glacier on one side, deep valleys on the other, and the immense Andean sky covering everything. It is the perfect moment to make an offering to Pachamama alongside your guide, as local communities have done since ancestral times.
We will begin the descent along the eastern slope of the mountain range, and you will notice how the landscape changes dramatically: vegetation becomes more abundant, colors become greener, and the air warmer. After approximately 3 hours of descent, we will arrive at the Chaullay camp (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), where the climate will already be temperate and the vegetation marks the transition between puna and jungle. You will lunch and dine on comforting dishes prepared by our chef, and rest under a sky completely different from the night before.
After a comforting breakfast at camp, we will set off on the third day's hike, the most relaxed and diverse of the journey. The trail descends gradually through an increasingly tropical valley, crossing coffee, banana, avocado, and coca plantations. The vegetation becomes lush, with orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, and biodiversity that will surprise you. You may spot hummingbirds, toucans, and other tropical birds as the scent of the humid forest envelops you.
After approximately 4 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the town of La Playa (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), where a typical local lunch awaits us. We will then transfer by a short ride to the Cocalmayo hot springs on the outskirts of Santa Teresa (1,550 m / 5,085 ft). Here you can immerse yourself in the warm natural thermal waters, surrounded by tropical vegetation and the sound of the river, the perfect rest after three days of trekking. You will spend between 1 and 2 hours enjoying the thermal pools at different temperatures.
After the thermal relaxation, we will transfer to our camp at Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), a coffee-farming community where you can learn firsthand about the organic high-altitude coffee production process, one of the best in Peru. You will enjoy a special dinner featuring local products and your last night of camping, now completely surrounded by jungle and the singing of crickets and night frogs.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will embark on the most special hike of the journey. We will ascend for approximately 3 hours along an ancient Inca trail that climbs through cloud forests until we reach the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,750 m / 9,022 ft), an Inca complex rediscovered in 2003 that offers the most surprising and unexpected view of Machu Picchu from the west. From here, through the vegetation, you can see the citadel in the distance, peeking between the mountains like a vision that will remind you why you undertook this journey.
We will descend along the other slope for approximately 3 hours to the hydroelectric plant area (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), where we will enjoy lunch. From this point, we will walk for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes along the train tracks, a flat and scenic stretch that winds alongside the Urubamba River through a tropical mountain landscape until we reach Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft).
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our representative will escort you to the hotel where you will finally enjoy a bed, a hot shower, and a cozy atmosphere after 4 nights of camping. Your guide will provide instructions for the most anticipated day of the journey and recommend the best restaurants in town for dinner.
The culminating day of your adventure. Very early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will take the 25-minute bus ride up to the entrance gate of the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). You will arrive in time to witness the sunrise over the mountains surrounding the citadel, a spectacle of light and nature that, after 4 days of trekking, will take on a completely special meaning.
Your guide will lead you on a guided tour of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes through the main sectors of the citadel: the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana or Inca sundial, the Temple of the Condor, the agricultural area with its terraces, and the residential and urban sectors. Your guide will explain the history, function, and mysteries surrounding this Inca citadel that remained hidden for centuries among the mountain vegetation until its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.
After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, take photographs, and if you have booked entrance for Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will undertake that additional ascent. When you are ready, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch and pick up your belongings from the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to take you back to the city of Cusco, arriving approximately between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm, with your heart full of memories you will treasure for the rest of your life.
What is included
- Pre-departure information service.
- Expert tour guide English – Spanish for all 5 days.
- Tourist transportation Cusco – Mollepata / Soraypampa (Day 1).
- Transportation La Playa – Santa Teresa / Hot Springs – Lucmabamba (Day 3).
- Transportation Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (Day 4, if applicable).
- Transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Day 5).
- Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (Day 5).
- Bus ride up and down Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (Day 5).
- Entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Entrance to Humantay Lagoon.
- Entrance to the Cocalmayo Hot Springs (Santa Teresa).
- 3 nights of camping in two-person tents (Days 1, 2, and 3).
- 1 night accommodation at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 4).
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners during the trek, prepared by our camp chef.
- 1 breakfast at the hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 5).
- Load-carrying horse for luggage and supplies (7 kg per person).
- Complete camping equipment: tents, sleeping mats, dining tent, tables, and chairs.
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen.
- 24/7 customer service
What is not included
- Sleeping bag (available for rent).
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, subject to availability).
- Hiking poles (available for rent).
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes (Day 5).
- Tips for the guide, porters, chef, and staff.
- Additional snacks and drinks during the trek.
What do I need to bring for the Salkantay Trek?
- The original passport, it is essential for entry to Machu Picchu and to board the train.
- Cash in soles for tips, additional purchases, lunches not included, and snacks.
- A sleeping bag suitable for temperatures down to -5°C (or rent one from us).
- Layered clothing for all climates: quick-drying technical shirts, trekking pants, thermal clothing for cold camp nights, down jacket or heavy fleece, waterproof jacket, and windbreaker.
- Light and cool clothing for Days 3, 4, and 5, when the climate will be tropical.
- Waterproof trekking footwear with good grip, ankle support, and already broken in. New shoes are not recommended.
- Light sandals for the camps and hot springs.
- Rain poncho or waterproof cover for your backpack. Rain can appear at any moment.
- Beanie, gloves, buff, and scarf for Days 1 and 2 in the high mountains.
- Items to protect yourself from the sun: high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
- Insect repellent, essential from Day 3 onward when we enter the jungle zone.
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
- A 30 to 40 liter backpack for carrying your personal belongings, water, and snacks while hiking.
- A reusable bottle of at least 2 liters and water purification tablets.
- Toiletries, quick-dry towel, hand sanitizer.
- Waterproof bags to protect electronics and documents from rain.
- Personal medications, including altitude pills, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and anti-diarrheal medication.
- Camera or phone with a power bank. There are no charging points during the first 3 days.
What is the difficulty level of the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Trek has a moderate to high difficulty. The total hike is approximately 60 to 70 kilometers over the 4 days of trekking, with the highest pass at 4,630 meters on Day 2. Good physical fitness, endurance, and preferably acclimatization to altitude for at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco before starting the trek are required. Prior high-mountain trekking experience is not required, but determination and a positive attitude are. Our professional team will guide and support you every step of the way.
How comfortable is the camping?
Our camping is designed to provide the greatest comfort possible in the heart of nature. It includes spacious two-person tents, insulating sleeping mats, a dining tent with tables and chairs where hot meals are served, and a complete kitchen setup. Our camp chef prepares varied, nutritious, and delicious dishes, considering you are making a considerable physical effort. Water is purified before each meal. Camp nights are cold (especially on Day 1), so a good sleeping bag is essential.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, both mountains are optional and subject to availability. We recommend booking them well in advance, as spots are very limited. There is an additional cost. If you wish to include either mountain, please indicate this at the time of your reservation.
How long in advance should I make my reservation?
You must make the reservation at least 1 week before. However, we recommend booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during high season (May to September), as train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance tickets have limited availability.
Do I need to make a deposit to guarantee my reservation?
Yes, it will be guaranteed with a deposit payment of the total cost of the tour per person through our 2 forms of payment mentioned in our Book Now form. Important: None of the requested deposits include transaction fees.
What is the best time to do the Salkantay Trek?
The best season is from April to October, during the dry season, when trails are in better condition, skies are clear, and the views of Salkantay, Humantay Lagoon, and Machu Picchu are most spectacular. From November to March, the rainy season may make trails slippery and reduce visibility, but the vegetation is greener and more lush, and the experience is equally incredible. We recommend avoiding February due to heavy rainfall.
Where will the information session take place?
This meeting will be held the night before the departure of the tour in the lobby of your hotel, apartment, hostel or family home in Cusco. You could also do it at our office located on Calle Portal de Panes, office 201 (second floor). Plaza de Armas de Cusco.
