Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 2027 (5 Days / 4 Nights)

Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu takes 5 days and 4 nights: we pick you up at your Cusco hotel around 4:30 a.m. and finish with a guided visit to the citadel. It costs US$550 per person, with entrance tickets, the return train, guide and camping included. You book by paying 40% online and the rest in Peru.

The route passes at the foot of Salkantay peak, climbs to about 4,600 m and drops into the cloud forest, among rivers, waterfalls and coffee farms, before reaching Aguas Calientes. We travel in groups of 8 to 12 people, with a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese, a cook, and muleteers whose horses carry the kitchen equipment and tents. You carry your own personal belongings (clothes and sleeping bag), so it pays to pack light.

Can you hike to Machu Picchu via Salkantay without an Inca Trail permit?

Yes. The Inca Trail requires limited permits that sell out months in advance. The Salkantay Trek has no limited permit like that: you only need the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which is already included, along with the Humantay Lake entrance. That is why it is the most popular alternative when Inca Trail spots are gone. To compare routes, read our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu guide and our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu.

How high is the Salkantay Pass?

The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, at about 4,600 m (15,090 ft) above sea level, which you cross on day two. On the first night you already sleep at Soraypampa, at about 3,900 m, after hiking up to Humantay Lake (about 4,200 m), which is good preparation for the pass. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco before you start, walking at your own pace and drinking plenty of water. If it’s your first time at high altitude, read our guide to altitude sickness in Peru.

The Salkantay Trek day by day

From Llactapata you get your first distant view of Machu Picchu across the valley. The full detail of each day is in the itinerary tab.

How hard is the Salkantay Trek?

We rate it as moderate to challenging. Day two is the toughest: it combines the climb to the pass with a long descent, and at that altitude every step takes more effort. It suits active people with some hiking experience who are well acclimatized. Horses carry the kitchen equipment and tents (you carry your own personal belongings), and if you need it you can ask for an optional riding horse, paid separately.

When is the best time to do the Salkantay Trek?

The dry season, from April to October, brings clearer skies and better views of the mountain. From November to March it rains more often and the trail can get muddy. In any month the night at Soraypampa is cold and the days in the cloud forest are warm, so pack layers. Read more in our guide to the best time to visit Cusco.

Salkantay Trek, Inca Trail or Lares Trek?

All three routes end at Machu Picchu. The Classic Inca Trail reaches the citadel on foot, but it depends on limited permits. The 4-day Lares Trek is more cultural, with Quechua communities and hot springs, and tops out at about 4,400 m. The Salkantay Trek is the highest of the three and has the most varied scenery: you go from snow peaks to cloud forest. If you only have one day, our Humantay Lake tour takes you to the start of this same route.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Salkantay Peru 2027: Route Day by Day, Altitude, Difficulty and Best Time.

Book with a local Cusco agency

We are a Cusco-based agency and run our own Salkantay departures, with guides in Spanish, English and Portuguese, cooks and muleteers. Book through the form on this page: once you make the online payment, we confirm your date, arrange your Machu Picchu entrance and train, and send you the hotel pickup details.