Peru Adventure Tours & Expeditions | Authentic Experiences with Minka Perú Expeditions

Tripadvisor Envelope Phone-alt

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Salkantay Trail

5 Days / 4 Nights

10+ Age

Salkantay - Machu Picchu

Alternative Treks

INFORMATION
TOUR PLAN
INCLUSIONS
GALLERY
PRICES
BOOK NOW
MAP

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Salkantay Trail

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a popular alternative to the esteemed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This high-altitude Salkantay Trail starts on the foothills of the sacred Salkantay Mountain and takes you down to the cloud forest before visiting Machu Picchu. 

Salkantay Trail is recognized as one of the most popular treks in South America. Unlike the Inca Trail, The Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu does not require any permits months in advance. 

The snow-capped Salkantay peak is the second highest peak in the region after Ausangate. It is one of the sacred peaks in Andean mythology. Locals refer to it as “Apus”. Which in Quechua (the native language) means Father. 

On any sacred occasion, Andean priests (Shamans) seek the blessings of their Apus before beginning their rituals. 

The highest point of this Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the Salkantay Pass at 4600 meters above sea level(15,090 feet) above sea level. It is highly recommended that you spend 3-4 days in Cusco before the trek to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness.

The best time to hike Salkantay Trek is during the dry season, between March and November as the weather is mostly clear. The best months to hike to Machu Picchu are however from June to September.

During the wet season, between November and February. The trail gets slippery and there is often the possibility of landslides.

Minka Peru Expedition is a specialized and recognized Salkantay Trekking company based in Cusco. As local tour operators, we have an excellent team of local tour guides who are also professional mountaineers.

All our guides are trained on first aid and offer assistance in case of altitude sickness. 

Do take a moment to check our reviews on Tripadvisor. 

FAQs

Is Salkantay Trek harder than Inca trail?

The Salkantay Trek is harder than the Inca Trail. While the classic Inca Trail just takes 4 days, the Salkantay Trek spans 5 days. Also, the Salkantay Trek has a top altitude of around 4,572 m.a.s.l (15,000 feet), whereas the Inca Trail’s highest point is around 4,214 m.a.s.l (13,800 feet). So, the Salkantay Trek should only be walked by travellers in good physical shape.

Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is 5 days long. The first four days we will walk from Mollepata town to Aguas Calientes. On the fifth day, there’s a guided tour to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

The Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu is 46 miles long (around 74 kilometers).

Travel Guide

  • Destination: Salkantay - Machu Picchu
  • Departure Time: 5:00 AM.
  • Return Time: Approximately 6:00 PM.
  • Dress Code: Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk

Tour Plan

Day 1: CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY - COLPAPAMPA

We will pick you up at 0600 from your hotel in Cusco. Then, we will drive to a remote town called Mollepata. It is at 2800m.  The road to Mollepata offers beautiful views of the Apurimac valley. Mollepata will be our stopover for breakfast.  Then, we will drive for about an hour to Sayllapata (3200m). This is the starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.  We will meet our muleteers and chef here. Salkantay Trek’s first section will take us through traditional Andean communities such as Challacancha and Cruzpata for two hours.  After lunch, we will stop in Soraypampa and continue our hike for four hours to our campsite.

  • Meals: Lunch and dinner
  • Camping Accommodation
  • Maximum altitude: 4,200m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,200m
  • Distance traveled: 15 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately 6-7 hours

Our crew will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed coca tea or Peruvian Coffee. We will begin the day with a hike to Salkantay Pass (4600m). You will be able to see Salkantay Mountain (6271m) from this point. Often the sky is clear. However, a clearer view depends on the weather conditions. After three hours of hiking with stunning views of the mountains Humantay, Huayanay, and small lakes and moraines, we will reach Huayra Machay (3700 meters). We will continue hiking for three hours to Collpapampa (2600m) after lunch.

  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, as well as Dinner
  • Accommodation for camping
  • Maximum altitude: 4,600m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,600m
  • Distance traveled: 15 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately 6-7 hours

We will begin with a four-hour downhill hike on the third day of the Salkantay trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu. Ceja de Selva is a high Jungle niche that will introduce you to the area. This area is known for its coffee, cocoa, and other tropical fruit plantations such as passion fruit.  We will stop here for a while. You can then jump into the natural waterfall-fed shower. Here you can see the Peruvian national bird «Gallito des Rocas» (Cock of the Rock). Then, we will drive you in our private transportation through Santa Teresa to Hydro Electrical.  We will stop here for lunch. Then, we will hike three hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This is exactly the same route Hiram Bingham used to reach Machu Picchu. You can also take the train from Hidro Electrica towards Aguas Calientes.  The cost for this extra trip is 34 USD. You will be accommodated in an ensuite hotel room with a hot shower in Aguas Calientes.

  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, as well as Dinner
  • Camping Accommodation
  • Maximum altitude: 2,600m
  • Minimum altitude: 2,250m
  • Distance traveled: 12 km approx.
  • Walking time approximately: 4-5 hours

We will take the tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu in the early morning. Your local guide will help you clear security controls and allow you to enter the citadel. We will take you on a guided tour for two hours.  We will visit the main square, ceremonial center, and remains of temples. You will have some time to explore Machu Picchu independently after the tour. We can arrange for you to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu mountains.  Please let us know when you book the tour. You can also walk to the Intipunku or Sun Gate. The citadel is stunningly visible from this point.  The Sun Gate is used by Inca Trail participants to enter the citadel. There is no entry fee.  The walk from the citadel to it takes approximately two hours. You will then take the bus back to Aguas Calientes after the tour. You will then board the train to Ollantaytambo.  A representative will meet you at the train station to transfer you back to Cusco through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  Around 09:00 PM, you will reach Cusco. 

Book this tour


Inclusions

What is included?

  • Pre trek briefing
  • Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
  • Private transportation from Cusco to the start of the hike.
  • Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu.
  • Trilingual tour guide Quechua, Spanish and Englesh
  • Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
  • Basic foam mattress and sleeping bag.
  • Personal hand soaps.
  • Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
  • We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items. (up to 5 kg per person) carry horses
  • First-aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
  • 1-night accommodation in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu in a basic hotel.
  • Bus tickets up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
  • Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes.
  • Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
  • 5 Breakfast 4 Lunch 3 Dinner.
  • Every morning we give you cooled boiled water in your bottle for you to drink on the way

What is not included?

  • Day 4 Dinner Day 5 Lunch and Dinner.
  • Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu USD $60 per person
  • Entrance ticket to the thermal springs in Cocalmayo Santa Teresa.

What we recommend you to bring:

  • A light day pack.
  • Original passpor.
  • Warm clothes.
  • Rain jacket and rain plastic poncho you can to buy in Cusco USD $2
  • Sunblock.
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs.
  • Cash in soles.
  • Trekking shoes.

How to make a booking:

  • If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please contact us.
  • You have to send your passport photo via WhatsApp.
  • WhatsApp number +51974323730.
  • You have to bring Original passport.

Prices

Optional Extras

  • Sleeping Bag USD 5 per day.
  • Walking Stick USD 2 per day.
  • Inflatable Mattress $5 per day.

PRICE $USD PER PERSON

Private
Person
2
3
4
5-6
7-8
9+
$ USD
780
730
660
630
580
530
Group
Per person USD
400
Scroll to Top