This four-day trek to Machu Picchu is the ultimate alternative to the crowded Classic Inca Trail, and it’s been firmly on my hit list for ages. I’m craving the adventure and the stunning variety of landscapes it promises, from the thriving rainforest to the dramatic, snow-capped peaks. The fact that it’s less restricted than the Inca Trail makes it a perfect “back door” trek to Machu Picchu, and I’m told it’s one of the best adventures you can have in Peru.
I’m desperate to explore the vast mountain ranges and trek alongside the majestic Salkantay Mountain and Humantay Mountain. This route was chosen as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, which really solidifies its place on my must-visit list. I can’t wait to see the pristine, impossibly turquoise Humantay Lake and immerse myself in the vibrant natural environment, spotting everything from natural bridges and waterfalls to wild orchids and local wildlife. I’ve heard the campsites are unique, and the thought of sleeping under a beautifully starry sky with the Milky Way above is calling my name. This trek is ideal for intrepid travelers, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to experience the Andes in a genuine, untouched way.
The company’s approach to this trek is what really sold me. They run a practical, punctual, and reliable operation that’s 100% locally owned and fully licensed, which is important for authenticity. I love that they don’t share their groups with other companies, keeping them small—between two and eight people maximum—for a more personal and intimate experience. The fact that they prioritize animal welfare by not overloading their pack horses is a huge plus, as is their ethical treatment of their horsemen, who receive free equipment, fair salaries, and proper accommodations.
Their top-notch equipment, including Eureka tents, Mountain wear sleeping bags, and Black Diamond trekking poles, guarantees a comfortable night’s sleep in the mountains. I also feel much better knowing the guides are highly trained, with a comprehensive program of professional development, and that they carry a satellite phone for any emergencies. Another perk is the train ticket on the last day, which gets you back to Cusco early enough to rest properly for any tours the next day.
The trip will kick things off with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco (11,155 ft / 3,400 m) around 5:00 a.m. We’ll drive for about four hours to Mollepata, taking in spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay and Veronica, which are considered the holy gods of the Incas. We’ll make our first stop in Soraypampa (12,860 ft / 3,920 m), where a hearty breakfast will be waiting. After meeting our support staff and organizing our gear, we’ll start the three-hour round-trip trek to Humantay Lake (13,779 ft / 4,200 m) at around 9:30 a.m.
The path is a mix of flat sections and uphill climbs. When we get to the lake, we’ll spend about an hour soaking in the views of the stunning blue water and the nearby glacier before heading back to Soraypampa for lunch. Afterward, we’ll continue hiking to our campsite in Salkantaypampa (13,779 ft / 4,220 m), a perfect spot located right in the middle of a glacial valley. It’s so dark at night that it’s an incredible place to see the constellations.
early wake-up call at 5:00 a.m. with a warm cup of coca tea delivered to my tent. After a quick breakfast, we’ll immediately begin the challenging three-hour climb to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (15,235 ft / 4,650 m). During the ascent through the rocky valley, we’ll be able to see the epic Salkantay Peak (20,341 ft / 6,217 m) and might even spot some chinchillas. Reaching the top is the most difficult part of the entire trek, but the feeling of accomplishment when you’re there and see the spectacular views of the mountains is surreal.
After soaking in the views, we’ll spend the next three hours descending a serpentine gravel path to Huayracmachay for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in the upper part of the cloud forest, where we’ll cover 9 km in about three hours until we reach our base camp in the village of Challway (9,514 ft / 2,900 m). During this descent, the scenery changes to a thick forest decorated with orchids and native plants, with a warm and pleasant climate.
The morning will kick off with a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call with coca tea before we begin our trek to La Playa, following the Salkantay River through the dense jungle. Along the way, we’ll stop at family-run hamlets to try local fruits like passion fruit, bananas, and mangoes. If we’re lucky, we might even see the national bird of Peru, the Cock of the Rocks.
The trail is 16 km long and will take about seven hours to reach Lucmabamba (6,692 ft / 2,040 m), where we’ll have a delicious lunch and get to try some freshly brewed coffee. Lucmabamba is a small town surrounded by coffee plantations, and after lunch, we’ll take a local transport for an hour to Hidroeléctrica (5,905 ft / 1,800 m). From there, we’ll board a train that goes directly to Aguas Calientes (6,692 ft / 2,040 m). Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel, have dinner, and stay the night.
This is the most magical day: we’re heading to Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m)! We’ll wake up early and take a bus up to the ruins to see the sunrise. Once we get to the checkpoint, we’ll show our passports and then head to the classic Guardian’s House viewpoint to get that iconic postcard shot of Machu Picchu. From there, we’ll follow Circuit 2 for a guided tour of the citadel, where our guide will spend about two hours explaining its highlights.
After the tour, if you’ve booked the option, you can do the hike up Huayna Picchu (a separate ticket costing $65 per person). Finally, we’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,792 m), followed by a bus transfer back to Cusco. We’ll get you back to your hotel around 7:30 p.m.
Additional Items
| Item | Price |
| Huayna Picchu Mountain | $65 |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | $65 |
| Vistadome Train Upgrade | $35 |
A highly qualified professional with extensive experience in the art of guiding will lead your tour. They have years of dedication to nature walks, have medical certifications and an overflowing passion for leading people on unforgettable adventures.
We understand how essential a delicious hot meal is to revitalize and comfort your body after a challenging hike. Therefore, on each expedition with Ausangate Peru, you will find chefs with extensive experience in preparing meals during the hikes.
All our hiking trips offer a varied selection of delicious meals, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. We have carefully selected foods that adapt perfectly to the natural environment.
Our experienced muleteers and their faithful horses are responsible for all our equipment and will always be available in the safe and comfortable camps, ready to receive us.
No, there is no age limit, but if you are older, it is recommended to have a medical check-up before traveling, try to acclimatize at altitude (see altitude sickness). We have had 7 year olds and people up to 68 years old many times. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you do it! When there is a will, if possible.
If you can change the departure but not the date of entry to the Machu Picchu citadel, tickets are purchased well in advance. If you change the departure, your tour could become one of four or three days, depending on the reserved program. Remember to schedule your trip to Peru in advance to avoid problems and stay in Cusco 3 or 4 days before the trip). Please note that on this trip you will find people of different sex and nationality than yours, we are an organization that cannot guarantee the sex and nationality of our tourists.
We have an excellent kitchen that offers an amazing variety of dishes:
Breakfast: Varies depending on the difficulty of the trip that awaits you. Usually a wide selection of products: oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, bread and jam. You can have hot chocolate, coffee, English tea and/or a selection of infusions (chamomile, lemongrass, tea or simply traditional coca).
Lunch and dinner: always have a bowl of soup followed by a main dish (chicken, meat, fish, etc., with rice or pasta). Next, dessert and a forever herbal drink.
Refreshments (Happy Hour): After the walk every day there will be hot drinks, popcorn, cookies, bread and jam, chocolate, milo, etc., etc.)
Snacks: Before starting the walk, for the day you will receive a gift – a piece of fruit, a chocolate bar, a small package of cookies and some sweets.
Vegetarian/special diet options are available upon request (see below)
Yeah. We offer vegetarian food. Please specify your dietary requirements when making your reservation.
Yeah. We add previously boiled water or at least 5 minutes (water treatment tablets are not necessary). Therefore, you only need one bottle of water for the first part, for lunch, on the first day and then from there you refill your bottles until Machu Picchu.
Yeah. There are several bathrooms along the trail and at the campsites (please avoid using nature)
The tents for all our tours are for 4 people, but the modern man is very tall and only 2 can fit in each one, which allows for more space and comfort. If you are traveling alone you have to share the tent with another person unless you request a private one, (single tent $25).
Tipping is a personal decision. Depending on the work performance of each of the people who accompany you on this trip.
All hostels and hotels in Cusco have a warehouse to store tourists’ belongings, to make this trip they only have to leave them in the place.
Yeah. There are several bathrooms along the trail and at the campsites (please avoid using nature)
We have a very low rate of people returning once the trip has started. Our priority is to help complete it; All of our guides are well trained and have a top-of-the-line emergency first aid kit and oxygen. Please don’t think this (you are in good hands)
In Cusco we only have two rainy seasons 6 months and dry 06 months, the dry season begins in April and October, the days are usually sunny and warm, but we must keep in mind that the weather is very variable in the high and mountain cities. , from November to March the rainy days and many unstable months, where the rains can be heavy.
Note: Temperatures are for the Cusco Valley 3400m. And temperatures change depending on altitude (higher altitude = cold or vice versa)
The train included in all tours is the (Expedition Service), the schedules are the spaces available in the carriages and once the agencies make full payment. The first train can be taken at 6:20 p.m. and the last at 10:50 p.m.: Salkantay Expeditions. Organize transportation back to Cusco (by taxi or bus).
Note: Trains are sometimes subject to change depending on Peru Rail train operators. If desired, the train can be modified for better service by making the corresponding price increase.
From Cusco, you can start several multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay trail is very diverse. During the 5-day Salkantay trek you cross different climatic zones (from tropical to icy peaks), these are intense days where you can enjoy Peruvian hospitality, beautiful mountain villages and arriving at Machu Picchu at dawn.
Salkantay trekking in Peru is one of the most impressive things you can do during your trip to Peru. We are sure that you will be surprised by the landscape from the first day. The Salkantay hike is not an easy hike, preparation is essential. In this article, read everything you need to know about the hike, how to prepare, what to expect, where you should book the hike, and many more tips.
Before we get into the details of what you need to know about the Salkantay Trail, here are some quick facts about the hike.
• Location | Peru
• Duration of the walk | 5 days
• Home | Cusco
• End | Macchu Picchu
• Distance | 74 kilometers / 46 miles
• Highest point of the Salkantay trek: 4630 meters
• Highest point of the Salkantay mountain: 6271 meters
It is not uncommon to do the Salkantay hike individually, however, you don’t see many other people doing it individually. Most people do it through a group tour.
The advantages:
• The freedom to go wherever you want;
• Often much cheaper than a tour.
• You have to carry everything yourself, organize your accommodation, determine your own route, organize all your tickets. You have to fix everything yourself;
• You do not have an experienced guide with you who can help you in case of an emergency;
• It is always safer to walk in a group than alone;
• For female travelers, we do not recommend walking alone.
Important Information
Things to Know
If you’re planning this trip between May and August, it’s best to book at least two months in advance. While bottled water is available for purchase along the route, the price goes up as you go further. This trek isn’t recommended for travelers with back problems, and for safety reasons, it is not organized in January and February due to the risk of landslides and muddy, slippery trail conditions.
Pro Tips
Break in your trekking shoes before you go. Spend at least two days in Cusco to get used to the altitude, as the elevation changes are challenging. Be sure to trim your toenails short to avoid pain on the descents. A clever trick is to place your clothes inside your sleeping bag at night so they’re warm when you put them on in the cold morning. Always be prepared for rain, even during the dry season, to avoid getting soaked. Bringing a pair of sandals for camp is a great idea to give your feet a rest after a long day in boots.
Duffel Bag Logistics
Your duffel bag will be provided at the briefing and carried by horses, so you’ll only have access to it at the campsites. Make sure to pack essential items like water, snacks, rain gear, and a first aid kit in your day pack. The total weight of the duffel bag must not exceed 7 kg / 14 lbs, with 4 kg for your personal items and the remaining 3 kg for your sleeping bag and pad.
Contingency Plans
Strikes and roadblocks are common in Peru and can affect the trek or train service. If a strike happens on your departure day, we’ll arrange transport to the trailhead the night before. If one occurs on your final day, you’ll need to hike an extra two hours from Aguas Calientes to Hidroeléctrica to meet the van for the return to Cusco.
Returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco
The return journey is fully organized. You’ll take a bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (30 mins), and then a train from Aguas Calientes to either Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs) or Poroy (3.5 hrs). At the station, our staff will meet you with the company logo and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. The drive from Ollantaytambo is about 1.5 hours, and from Poroy, it’s 40 minutes.
Weather
The weather in the Andes is unpredictable. You should pack for both warm and cold temperatures and for both dry and rainy conditions. The rainy season is from November to March, with temperatures around 15°C during the day and 5°C at night. During the dry season (April-October), it’s sunny with temperatures up to 20°C during the day, but it can get as cold as -7°C at night. The climate becomes warmer and more humid as we descend into the rainforest after the second day.
Tipping
Tipping is a common practice on Salkantay tours and is always appreciated, but not mandatory. We recommend tipping the horsemen on the third morning and the cook on the third afternoon. You can tip your guide after the tour at Machu Picchu. Tipping in Peruvian soles is best for the horsemen and chefs.
Typical Meals on the Trek
Our chefs are trained to provide delicious meals using fresh local ingredients. Here’s a sample of what you can expect, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other options available upon request at the time of booking:
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
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