Adventure

Salkantay Trek 5 days to Machu Picchu

Duration 5 days

Group size Max 10

Difficulty Hard

Tour Overview

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days

The 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the best alternative to the Inca Trail. With snow-capped peaks, lowland jungle, and a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata, the Salkantay Trekking experience offers a perfect mix of trekking, culture, and nature.

The trek is considered one of the most beautiful treks in Peru.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu gets its name from one of the highest mountains in Southern Peru. The main difference between the Salkantay Trek and the Classic Inca Trail is that the trek swaps out Inca ruins for a jaw-droppingly diverse set of landscapes.

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a high-altitude experience. The highest point is the Salkantay Pass at 4600 meters above sea level. The trek is physically challenging. However, it pays off with fewer crowds and surprise lagoons (including Humantay Lake) and rivers, as well as an unforgettable mountain trail.

Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu does not require a permit. The Salkantay Trail is perfect for hikers seeking adventure travel. It lets you connect with nature and perhaps even reconnect with yourself as you pass through magical and untouched views and mountain passes.

We highly recommend you spend a few days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.

Here's the ultimate Salkantay Trek packing list.

Salkantay Trekking offers an amazing diversity of attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. On the other hand, imagine a walk with a breathtaking view of the most beautiful mountains in the world; a dip in the hot springs of Cocalmayo in the forest, and all within a distance of only 73 kilometers.

Many hikers take this route in search of adventure. They are equally pleased with the friendliness of the Peruvian people. Peru is an incredibly diverse country that offers something for everyone.

A trek through this rare earth is enough once. The first thing many people do after a visit to this country is plan their next trip.

We highly recommend hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu during the dry season - between March and November.

Why choose Happy Gringo for your 5-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu?

We are a licensed and official tour operator offering this Organic Group Service to Machu Picchu.

Do take a moment to check our reviews on TripAdvisor.

Route map — Salkantay Trek 5 days to Machu Picchu

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Starting from

$865 USD / person

Max 10 pax

Hard

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Itinerary — 5 Days

We will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the trailhead. Here, we will start hiking at Challa Cancha, following a wide path. We will gently make our way up the side of the valley, covering about 16 km (9.9 miles).

The landscapes throughout the day are amazing; along the walk, you get to see a wide variety of native plants and birds, and towards the end of the day, we will see the snow-capped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay (The Savage) looming high above us.

The base campsite for tonight is at Soraypampa (3900 m / 12750 ft.). The night can get pretty chilly; it’s the coldest night

The longest, highest, and hardest day of the trek. Therefore, the most beautiful day: the scenery throughout the day goes from one extreme to the other. We will start from the high Puna, covered in Andean grass, then hike up to Salkantay Pass.

The Salkantay Pass is the highest point of the famous Salkantay Trek, sitting at an elevation of 4,630 to 4,650 meters (15,190 to 15,256 feet) above sea level in Peru.

Everything here is rocky. After descending to the warm, lush cloud forest below, you will see a variety of wildlife along the way. The campsite for the night will be at Collpapampa (2900 m / 9514 ft). It is recommended that you put on mosquito repellent here.

Duration: 12 hours

After breakfast, you will have the shortest day of the hike to the village La Playa. It is 12 km down the valley from Collpapampa campsite. The trail takes you along the Lluskamayo River through an area teeming with greenery, with various coffee plants and native fruit plantations.

The campsite tonight will be in the village of La Playa (2400m / 7874 ft.), which is populated; there, you can try some of the locally grown coffee. If you are interested, you can go to the nearby hot springs.

Just let your guide know in advance so that they can organize this for you. Or you can just stay in the village of La Playa and spend the afternoon relaxing.

Duration: 6 hours

We will be waking you up early in the morning. After breakfast, we will hike the final stretch of the trek to the town of Aguas Calientes, which is at the base of the Machu Picchu Citadel.

The main goal of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata. Follow the original Inca Trail to Llactapata early to mid-morning and enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu we have from here.

After the tour of Llactapata, we will head back down the mountainside through Santa Teresa to the Hydroelectric Station. Here we will be serving you lunch. To alleviate fatigue and restore energy, you can drink coca leaf tea with your lunch.

Then we will hike along the railway tracks for three hours to Machu Picchu Pueblo. We will be accommodating you in an en suite hotel room here.

Duration: 10 hours

Early in the morning, we will be taking a bus to the Machu Picchu citadel. It will be a 30-minute drive up the hill. Our guide will assist you in clearing the security checkpoint and entering the citadel.

Once inside the citadel, you will be rewarded with a spectacular sight of the citadel while the clouds clear by and the golden rays of the sun shimmer on the walls of Machu Picchu.

We will be giving you a two-hour guided tour. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked a hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, our guide will direct you to the trailhead.

Alternatively, you can hike to Sun Gate or Intipunku. This is the entrance to the citadel for those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (availability depends).

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will be taking a bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here we will be serving lunch at a local restaurant. At around 02:30 PM, we will be taking a train back to Ollantaytambo.

Our representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. This is roughly a three-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will be returning to Cusco by 07:30 PM.

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Included

Includes

Personalized briefing at our Cusco office the evening before your trek.Your guide will explain the full itinerary, weather conditions, altitude recommendations, and answer all your questions.
Duffel bag provided (up to 7 kg per person) to carry your clothes and personal items during the trek.
Tourist transportation from your hotel in Cusco to Challacancha (trailhead).
Professional transfer from Ollantaytambo train station back to Cusco (Plaza Regocijo or nearby).
Round-trip Expedition or Voyager train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Official entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (subject to availability – usually Circuit 2 or Circuit 3).
Guided tour inside Machu Picchu (approximately 2–3 hours).
Experienced bilingual professional guide (English–Spanish).
Assistant guide for groups of 9+ participants.Professional trekking chef specialized in high-altitude meals.
Horsemen and pack horses to transport camping equipment, food, and up to 7 kg of your personal belongings.
3 nights camping in carefully selected campsites (Soraypampa Sky Camp, Chaullay, Lucmabamba or similar).
Comfortable 4-person tents shared by only 2 people for extra space.
Inflatable sleeping mat for better rest.
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
Kitchen tent with full cooking equipment.
1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (3★ standard, private room with breakfast).
4 breakfasts
4 lunches
4 dinners
Daily morning wake-up tea
Afternoon tea time (“Happy Hour”) with snacks, popcorn, hot drinks
Boiled drinking water provided at every campsite (from Day 1 lunch onward)
First aid kit carried by the guide
Emergency oxygen tank
Satellite phone for remote emergency communication
Hot water for basic washing at campsites
Portable toilet tent for improved hygiene (when applicable)
Visit to Humantay Lake
Trek through Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft)
Experience different ecosystems: high Andes, cloud forest, and tropical jungle
Optional visit to Llactapata archaeological site (depending on itinerary version)

Not included

Excludes

Last day lunch: The last day lunch after the visit of Machu Picchu is not included.
Travel Insurance: The package doesn’t include travel insurance. We suggest that you buy travel insurance for your trip.
Walking Sticks

Packing List

Clothes

Jacket

Equipment

Backpack

Sunglasses

Essential

Cash

Passaport

Recommended

Sun cream

Gallery 7 photos

Frequently Asked Questions

The Salkantay Trek is considered moderate to challenging. The most demanding day is when crossing the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft). A good physical condition is recommended, but no technical climbing experience is required.

The highest point is Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m (15,255 ft) above sea level. Proper acclimatization in Cusco (at least 2 days) is highly recommended before starting the trek.

You should be in good physical condition and comfortable walking 6–8 hours per day. Regular cardio training (hiking, jogging, cycling) before the trip is helpful.

Some trekkers may experience mild symptoms such as headache or shortness of breath. Spending 2–3 days in Cusco before the trek greatly reduces the risk. Your guide carries oxygen and a first aid kit at all times.

The best season is during the dry season (April to October) when skies are clearer and trails are more stable. The rainy season (November to March) is still possible but wetter.

Both are amazing experiences. The Salkantay Trek offers more dramatic mountain landscapes and fewer crowds, while the Inca Trail includes more archaeological sites and finishes at the Sun Gate.

Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek does not require limited government permits. However, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu must be secured in advance.

You will stay 3 nights in camping sites with comfortable tents and 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary options are available with prior notice.

Essential items include:
• Hiking boots
• Warm jacket
• Rain jacket
• Hat and sunscreen
• Personal medication
• Sleeping bag (if not rented)

Showers are limited during camping nights. Some campsites may offer basic facilities for an additional fee.

Group sizes vary, usually between 2 to 12 participants, ensuring a personalized experience.

The guided tour inside Machu Picchu lasts approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the assigned circuit.