Photo gallery
Scenes from the Cusco region
Tour overview
Salkantay Trek, thoughtfully organized
Snow peaks, a turquoise glacier lake and the jungle, all on one trail. The Salkantay Trek is the most spectacular alternative to the Inca Trail, and it needs no permit. It ends with a guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
What makes this trip special
- Humantay Lake (4,200 m) and the Salkantay Pass
- From glaciers to coffee farms in four days
- View of Machu Picchu from the Llactapata ruins
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
Pickup around 4:30 am · About 7 km, 4–5 h · Max altitude 4,200 m · Overnight: camp near Soraypampa (3,900 m) · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner A 3-hour drive takes you to the village of Mollepata for breakfast and on to Soraypampa, at the foot of the snow-capped Salkantay (6,271 m). After settling in, you hike about 1.5 hours up to Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacier lake beneath the Humantay peak and a sacred place for local communities. You return to camp for dinner and an early night under the stars.
Salkantay Pass
Early start · About 22 km, 8–10 h · Max altitude 4,630 m · Overnight: camp in Chaullay (about 2,900 m) · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner The hardest and most spectacular day. You climb steadily through high pastures and zigzags for 3–4 hours to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m), surrounded by glaciers, where your guide makes a traditional offering to the mountain. Then the long descent begins: past Huayracmachay for lunch and down into the green valley of Chaullay, where the air warms as you lose altitude.
Cloud forest and coffee
About 16 km, 6–7 h · Max altitude about 2,900 m · Overnight: camp in Lucmabamba · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner A gentle walk down the Santa Teresa valley into the cloud forest, past waterfalls, wild orchids and fruit trees. In the afternoon you visit a family coffee farm in Lucmabamba to see how Andean coffee is grown, roasted and brewed.
Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
About 20 km, 7–8 h · Max altitude about 2,840 m · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes · Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner You climb an original Inca trail to the Llactapata ruins, which have one of the few distant views of Machu Picchu from across the valley. After descending to Hidroeléctrica for lunch, you walk about 2.5–3 hours along the railway to Aguas Calientes for a hot shower and a night in a hotel.
Machu Picchu
Bus from about 6:00 am · 2–2.5 h guided visit · Return to Cusco in the evening · Meals: breakfast An early bus takes you up to Machu Picchu for your guided visit. In the afternoon you take the train to Ollantaytambo and a transfer back to Cusco. 4-day version: Days 3 and 4 are combined, with a vehicle section between Lucmabamba and Hidroeléctrica.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
Included
- transfers
- guide, cook and horsemen
- horses for camping gear and up to 5 kg of personal gear
- basic camps or lodges
- meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast
- Humantay Lake fee
- 1 hotel night
- Machu Picchu ticket
- bus up
- train to Ollantaytambo
Not included
- sleeping bag (rental)
- riding horse
- lunch on Day 5
- tips
Optional extras
Ways to tailor this trip
- 4-day Salkantay option from US$ 489 group or US$ 790 private per person (2 travelers)
Optional services are subject to availability. Mention your preferences in the booking form notes; your quote will list the selected extras and final total.
Plan with confidence
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Entrance routes
Understanding Machu Picchu circuits
Machu Picchu uses timed tickets and set routes. The circuit available for your trip depends on tickets, trek permits and your itinerary.
Panoramic
Elevated viewpoints and selected mountain routes.
Classic
Classic viewpoints and the urban sector.
Royalty
Lower-sector temples and royal spaces.
Routes depend on official availability. Your quote will identify the proposed ticket route.
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
What to bring
Pack light for the day
- Original passport
- Daypack of 25–30 liters and a refillable 2–3 liter bottle
- Sleeping bag rated to −10 °C (or rent one) and a liner
- Broken-in hiking boots, sandals, wool socks
- Thermal base layers, fleece, down jacket, wool hat, gloves, rain jacket and rain pants
- Shorts and T-shirts for the warm jungle days
- Headlamp, power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent
- Cash in soles for snacks, the Santa Teresa hot springs (optional) and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Salkantay or Inca Trail?
Salkantay is longer, higher and more about landscapes. The Inca Trail is about archaeology and arriving through the Sun Gate. Salkantay also needs no permit.
How hard is Salkantay compared with the Inca Trail?
It is longer and higher, with a tough climb to the pass on Day 2. It suits hikers with good fitness and proper acclimatization.
Can I do Salkantay in 4 days?
Yes. The 4-day version combines Days 3 and 4 with a vehicle section and costs less.
Is there phone signal?
Only in a few villages along the route. Expect to be offline most of the time.
