5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Journey through Majestic Mountains and Cloud Forest
4.4
15 Ratings

Embark on a 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and explore majestic mountains, stunning cloud forests, and the iconic citadel. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!

Duration: 5 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

CUZCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAGOON (MEALS: L, D) CAMP.

Salkantay Trail - Today we pick you up between 4:45 - 5:00 am and travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata (2,900m) where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. Continue by car to Challacancha where we will make final preparations and double check our equipment. Embark on a 3-hour walk that will take us to Soraypampa (3,920m) where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains. Hike up to Laguna de Humantay (approx. 1.5 hours each way) for more incredible views of the Andes mountains and then return to camp for the night. Our first campsite is located at 3,920m and is the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Take some time to rest up and enjoy your first night immersed in nature. Have dinner and go to sleep early.

SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHAWLLAY. (MEALS: B, L, D) CAMP

Salkantay Trail - We will have breakfast at around 5:00 am and begin our 4-hour walk to the highest pass on this trek (4,650m) located halfway between 2 huge mountains: Salkantay (6,267m) and Humantay (5,900m). (Optional horse rental available to reach high pass for approx. 100 – 120$). From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible with a possibility of snow here. After a 2-hour downhill hike, a well-deserved lunch will be served at Huayracpampa, followed by another 3-hour trek to our campsite at Challhuay or Colcapampa as we near the beginning of the high jungle region at 2,900 meters.

CHAULLAY – SANTA TERESA. (MEALS: B,L,D) CAMP

Salkantay Trail - After breakfast at 6:00 am, we start trekking for the day through the upper jungle crossing the Santa Teresa River and a variety of little brooks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will have lunch at La Playa (2,200m) and continue by car to Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters), our camp for the night, with a warmer climate. After a rest, we have the option do the zip line activity and visit the hot springs in Santa Teresa town (extra cost) and enjoy the well-deserved soothing water, a real treat after 3 hard days of trekking! Dinner and rest.

LUCMABAMBA - LLACTAPATA - HIDROELECTRICA- AGUAS CALIENTES (MEALS: L, D) HOSTEL

Salkantay Trail - After your breakfast at 5:00am we will drive to the trail-head Lucmabamba, this monging you will be able to walk along a bit of a original world famous inca trail after a 2 hour uphill climb a fascinating viewa over the Santa teresa valley, you will reach llactapata (8,858f) an inca archaeological site right in front of Machu Picchu Llactapata os the first inca site you will see on the trek. Your guide will fill you in on all the history of the inca while you take all the photos you want to share your awesome experience. Along the way you will see couple of peeks of mountain and ancient rock used as a sundial, which worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu. There were used to measure and read the winter solstice, meaning the beginning of the farming season for the incas. then you will freach the train track that lead to aguas calientes, once in the small town, you will enjoy dinner at a restaurant and spend the night in a confortable hostel.

EXPLORE THE MAGICAL CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU AND RETURN TO CUSCO

Machu Picchu - Today the highlights of your expedition “Machu Picchu”. After early breakfast, we will start the hike or catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu starting at 5:30 am. The bus will take 30 minutes to get to the checkpoint. Once you arrive, your guide will introduce you to Machu Picchu. You will head directly to a beautiful place to see the sunrise and to take pictures. Your guide will walk you around the citadel for about 2h. At the end of the tour, you will have free time to yourself, if you arranged to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (must be booked in advance – Optional hike no mandatory) as it sells out and costs ($90 per person), which will take no more than three hours round-trip. You should start heading to the bus line to head back to Aguas Calientes around noon and get your lunch before to catch the train, as your train will leave at 18:20 or 19:00h. After two hours, you arrive at Ollantaytambo station and from there, a bus to Cusco City.

What's Included
  • Perurail train tickets to Ollantaytambo from Aguas Calientes
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco’s San Francisco Plaza
  • All meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Admission to Machu Picchu
  • 3 nights of camping and 1 night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes
  • Professional chef and cooking equipment during the trek
  • Certified local guide for the Salkantay trek
  • Drop-off near San Francisco Plaza in Cuzco downtown
  • Pre-trek briefing with the guide
What's Not Included
  • Sleeping bags ($30) and Walking sticks($20) available for rent in Cusco
  • Extra expenses: first day Breakfast, Lunch and dinner on the last day
  • Train from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu town $34(tourist usually hike this part)
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu and vice-versa ($24) (tourists usually hike this part)
  • Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • Note: Your extra luggage can be stored at your hotel or our office during your trip
  • Entrance fee Humantay Lake 7$
Additional Information

The Salkantay Trekking Machu Picchu is the number one alternative to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The impressive Salkantay and Humantay Mountain, dominates your first two days, as you pass through the high puna landscape. On the third day, you descend to the warm cloud forest, to reach Machu Picchu town. The impressive magic citadel of Machu Picchu visited on the fifth day of the trek. The Salkantay Trekking Machu Picchu was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(15 Ratings)
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Lacmerkaur
Jan 28, 2020
Trek of a lifetime - My son was travelling for 4 months in South America and when he asked if I'd like to accompany him to trek and see Machu Pichu I jumped at the chance. The trek was superbly agonised and the food was amazing! I wouldn't say it was easy for a 54 year old but my son and the group and guide we were with kept me going. Worth every day of waking up at 4:45am with a cup of cocoa tea delivered to you! Our guide, Felix, was so knowledgeable about all the history, land and culture so we were well educated along every step of the way. We had the add-ons, with the poles, sleeping bags and the extra day hike to Rainbow Mountain. Totally recommend it to anyone that wants to do it in style and enjoy it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bearadventurez
Nov 25, 2019
Hiking to remember! - Our guide Nilton was part of a sister company called KB Adventures. He was very enthusiastic and helpful along the entire route, took time to check on the group and ensure we were all in good stead. I thoroughly enjoyed this trek. Day 2 is by far the toughest / longest but it all evens out. We were fed well and as a plant based machine I felt very looked after and was rarely hungry - that coupled with pre bought nuts and some delicious chocolate from San Pedro market kept me fuelled up. MachuPicchu USA guide was very informative and was able to help with surplus bags and logistics whilst on the trek. Thank you for all the incredible memories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phillip
Nov 22, 2019
Time of my life -- Carlos and Huevito were fantastic, fun guides! - If you're going to do the Salkantay, I highly recommend booking through Machu Picchu Reservations and asking for Carlos and Huevito. They were both extremely knowledgeable, fun to talk to, and always looking for ways to engage everyone. I've heard some horror stories about other booking services and guides. Trust me: this was the best money I've ever spent. You won't regret it.
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Chabinuh
Oct 10, 2019
Wonderful experience! - We have booked this trip as part of our honeymoon and we don't regret it! It was a great experience! Our guide was Raul Bueno and we had a wonderful time together. He provided great info, was funny and make our group interact really great. The fact that he woke us up with coca tea every morning was really an added bonus! Thanks, Raul! We were 10 in the group, only couples and all of us in the same age range - the fact they have grouped us together was the best. We had a really great time. The information provided, the explanations and the accommodation were really good. And about the food - it was EXCELLENT! Our group chef, Freddy, did wonders! Thank you, all, for making this experience an unforgettable one!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fabian237
Jul 25, 2019
Great Experience - Our guide was juan, very funny and well organized. Two or three times we had a inca-history-lesson with him. The overnight-places are very cute and adventurous and the tents were in good shape. The food was always amazing. Every morning you get waken up by some assistants with tea. Overall it was so exiting and we recommend it a lot
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Säry
Jun 21, 2019
5 days Salakantay Trek - The hardest, but also the best thing I've ever done! We had a really great guide (Rojelio). Everything was well organized. I was happy that I booked the trip with tripadvisor, because with it, almost everything was included. Not included is the first breakfast, and the last lunch and dinner as well the optional hot spring bath. At the end of the trip we had a train back to cusco (also included). It was a really expensive train. I wish that more money goes to the local people instead giving money out for a expensive train. Overall...just great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
741niting
Jun 13, 2019
5 day Salkantay Trail - Amazing views and well organized event, with lot of options. Great Guide, our Guide was billy and he was really good, I did zip line in last day before Matchu Pitchu... it was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Madaskazoo
Jun 18, 2019
Very unique hike - Together with my friend, we booked 5 days 4 nights Salkantay trek. We were 18 in the group and had 2 guides - Edgar and Zenovio. While we were booking the tour they promised us a pick up from our hostel, but when we came to the briefing the day before they told us that it will be easier and as a part of teamwork we should get there by foot. Since I hate when sb is promising me things and not doing it, we had to argue about the transport and in the end we got it, but had to bargain about it. Also guides started talking about the tips before the service started which I found annoying. But when we started the hike I must say that the first bad impression disappeared. Both guides were friendly, responsible, took good care of us and Edgar spoke English, Zenovio is learning it and tried his best. With my friend, we were always at the back walking slower and the group was always waiting for us and there was one guide walking with us at the end. The food buffet was exxcelent, always a lot of food and always delicious. The accommodation is also good, the first night in the cabins with a beautiful view, 2 nights in the tents and the last one in the hostel warm water and wifi. The only thing I can complain about is when you get to MP at 6 a.m you have only 4 hours there in total, which for me was not enough to just relax, sit and stare at the ruins. They told us that the bus from Hydroelectrica leave at 2 but when we got there we waited almost an hour for the driver and we could spent this time at MP. But the overall experience was great. Muchas gracias por experiencia muy linda Edgar and Zenovio! Oh, and when you will survive this trek, they get you a survivor t-shirt - nice souvenir.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dirksc5781mp
Jun 13, 2024
Deception - I booked the 5 days Salkantay Trek with another company without knowing that KB Adventures would be the organizing operator. The trek in itself was amazing, the food was good and I recommend to do this tour if you don't mind if it's quite crowdy. However not with this company. They have been too many different informations for not to say wrong informations. Sadly the list is long, I am gonna pick the big ones to share with you. I was told in Cusco that I will be with a guide from Cusco to Cusco. I was also told that I would be better to buy the Machu Pichu ticket in Aguas Calientes with the guide to be in the same group at the same hour. At the third night our leading guide, Maritza, told me that it would be better for me to skip the hike to Hydroelectrika to be earlier in Aguas calientes to buy the Machu Pichu ticket. She came up with that information at 9pm when it was hardly possible to communicate with my booking agency in Cusco. Another member of our groupe got a similar situation the next day at the same hour about the guiding in Machu Pichu. I do not understand why Maritza was waiting so late with these bad news. I totally understand that it is not her fault that the agencies have a cruel lack of communication (or do not care?), but - even if it is uncomfortable for her and Fernando the second guide - it is part of her job to find solutions and stay polite. Finally I skipped that hike to be early in Aguas Calientes. She announced us an additional fee of 30 soles pp. The transfer bus was one hour late, then we had to hike on ourselves to Aguas Calientes and to buy the tickets without the guide. She made us buy tickets for 6am and the next day we woke up early to be at Machu Pichu at 6am to wait one hour for the other members of our groupe while Maritza was complaining that is was too cold. No guides with us to take the train back. Some other points were confusing to annoying. The main complaint is how the guides handled the problems. We could see that they were annoyed when it came to problem solving. They were more and more tired and less and less likeable. This is not a professional attitude. Even getting the free t-shirt became complicated. Fernando said "Just walk into the office and they will give to you." At the KB office they refused to give us the t-shirts without writing a TripAdvisor review. I told the KB woman that it would better for them if I won't do that, but she remained firm in her position.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pierrick
Dec 5, 2021
Just a (bad) middleman - Macchu Picchu USA is not a tour operator. Our first surprise came when we reached Cusco and tried to visit their HQ because they were not responding: it is located within a shopping center where no one heard of them. After reaching back through TripAdvisor Customer Support, we finally managed to meet « the guide » which turned out to be a glorified salesman that did not accompany us for the trip. The fake guide promised to arrange a meeting with the group before the tour left but did not deliver - cancelling 1h before. The tour did not go as described: incomplete Macchu Picchu visit, no zipline contrary to what was advertised, no handling of our luggage for the last day of walking contrary to what advised. The tour itself was great but handled by another travel agency, KB tours, which I would recommend if you travel to Cusco. When we informed Macchu Picchu USA of those issues, they proposed to arrange a free tour for us but that we had already done. When informed we already went, they stopped answering our messages. An expensive and unreliable middle man. Go directly to one of the agencies that actually walk the Macchu Picchu treks and avoid paying a hefty margin to incompetents middle man that have no clue what they’re selling.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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