Ultimate Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights

The Ultimate Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights takes you to explore the second most popular route to Machu Picchu after the Classic Inca Trail 4 days, and it is not difficult to see why. You will be able to see the Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains, the cloud forest, visit organic coffee farms, participate in a Pachamanca, camp at Llaqtapata, and finish the Trek at Machu Picchu.

Trip Details:

•  Duration: 5 Days / 4 nights
•  Hiking Distance: 64 km – 39 miles
•  Depart: Cusco
•  Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
•  Season: March to December
•  Destination: Machu Picchu
•  Type: Adventure – Camping – Hotel

Highlights of the Salkantay Trek

•   Book with Confidence and Flexibility; you can change travel dates with no fees!
•  Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator and best trekking company from Cusco city
•  We are the only company that offers PACHAMANCA demonstrations in the Salkantay Trek.
•  We offer a real camping experience with tents and hot showers.
•  We camp at Llatapata on day 3, a mountain located in front of Machu Picchu.
•  Come back to Cusco on the last days in the Vistadome Panoramic trains.

Price per person: 590.USD  Book Now

To book the Ultimate Salkantay Trek 5 days, you need to make an initial payment of 50.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.

Student Discount:
All travelers under 17 will have a $35. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the 35$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.

Day by day Summary of the Salkantay Trek 5 days:

 Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – SalkantayPampa (16km, 8hrs)
We start the Salkantay Trek at your hotel located in Cusco and travel for 3 hours to the trailhead. After breakfast, we will start hiking for 3 hours to Soraypampa using an ancient Inca aqueduct. Lunch will be served by your trekking chef using local products. Then, you will continue the afternoon with 2 hours hike to Humantay Lake at 4200mts and camp near Salkantay Mountain at 3900 meters.

Day 2: Basecamp -Hayrajpunku – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs)
Wake up with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy breakfast with the mountains, then hike up to Salkantay pass at 4630mts for 3 hours and two more down to lunch. The second part is a 3 hour downhill until the 2nd campsite at 2770mts.

Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata (16km, 8hrs)
Wake up in your tent and breakfast; we start hiking along the cloud forest for 3 hours. Lunch is a special PACHAMANCA (underground hot stone barbecue), the visit the organic coffee farms. After lunch, 3 hours up to Llaqtapata campsite located on top of a mountain right in front of Machu Picchu.

Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (14km, 6hrs) 
Wake up, and when you open your tent, you will see Machu Picchu. Today is a 2-hour downhill to Hidroelectica for brunch and continue another 3-hrs to Aguas Calientes. We spent the night in a Hotel, Susanna INN or similar.

Day 5: Machu Picchu (Beat the crowds!) – 4hrs

After breakfast, we take the early buses up to Machu Picchu for the sunrise, visit the Sungate or Inca Bridge, and then we explore Machu Picchu with your guide. Once you finish, you will take the Panoramic Vistadome train and bus back to your hotel in Cusco.

Included in The Salkantay Trek 5 days

• Safety briefing the day before the tour at 6:00 pm in our office
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of the tour.
• All transportation during the duration of the Trek
• Duffle bag up to 7 kilos for your stuff carried by horses
• Professional highly trained mountain tour guides
• Experience chefs, porters, and horsemen
• Pachamanca barbecue
• Organic coffee farms tour
• Three nights camping in the mountains with comfortable equipment
• One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
• All meals during the Trek with local natural ingredients
• Entrance ticket to Salkantay and Machu Picchu
• Buses up and down to Machu Picchu
• Panoramic Exclusive train on the last to come back to Cusco.

 Not Included in the Salkantay Trek 5 days

• Sleeping bags, air mattress, or trekking poles
• Last day Lunch
• Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu entrances
• Tips for porters, chef, guides

Additional hike after the guided tour in Machu Picchu:

Huayna Picchu Mountain – Tickets cost an additional $75 per person. We need to book far in advance; climbing takes 2 hours round trip.

Machu Picchu Montaña – Tickets cost an additional $75 per person. You need to book in advance; It is the highest mountain around Machu Picchu with a 3 hours hike round trip.

Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling

• Temperature checks for all travelers are mandatory.
• Face masks required for travelers and staff in public areas
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times
• High traffic places and equipment are sanitized regularly between use.
• Maximum eight people per group to reduce crowds
• Transportation and touristic sites capacity will be reduced to 50%
• Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be avoided.
• 100% online payments with no booking fees at all
• Flexible bookings during COVID – 19 outbreak

Full itinerary of the Ultimate Salkantay trek 5 days 4 nights

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa

Start the Salkantay Trek with a pick-up from your hotel’s door around 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive for 3.5 hours to the trailhead at Soraypampa (3600 m / 11811 ft) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. Once in Soraypampa, surrounded by mountains, you will enjoy the first perfect breakfast prepared by your chef, then meet the team of porters, horsemen chef-led by the tour guide to later start the Salkantay TreXperience!

The first part starts with a 2-hour walk up until you reach the stunning glacial lake of  Humantay (4200 m / 13779 ft). Once at the lake, you will have time to explore the surroundings and relax, enjoying this spectacular turquoise water lake’s beautiful vistas. Then continue down to the lunch place for two more hours, where the chef is waiting to serve you a delicious meal prepared using local organic products from the area. Along the way, you will see a variety of flora and fauna, such as the Andean goose (the love birds), deer, and vizcachas (which look a lot like a rabbit).

After lunch, you will continue for two more hours along a beautiful valley with meandering streams until reaching Salkantay Pampa (3900 m/12795 ft). This basecamp offers you an unobstructed view of Salkantay Mountain and the sky at night. Get ready for dinner, stargaze, and sleep under a million stars.

Campsite Altitude: 3900 m/12795 ft
Highest altitude: 4200 m / 13779 ft
Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
Accommodation: Camping under million stars
Considered: Moderate

Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Wayrampunku – Collpapampa

Wake you bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea, admiring the spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains. After breakfast, you will start the ascent for 2 hours to the Salkantay Trek’s highest point at 4630 m (15190 ft). Once on top, you will take some time to explore and enjoy the area and even visit a beautiful lake at the base of Salkantay Mounatin. It’s then another 3-hour downhill hike to the lunch place at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). Along the way, it is possible to see Vizcachas (Lagidium Peruanum), a unique type of Chinchilla endemic to Peru.

After a well-earned lunch, you will get ready for the day’s final stretch, 3-more hours of downhill from the highland where the air is dry and cold, into the lush cloud forest where the weather is warm humid. For sure, this is one of the fastest changes in temperature and landscape that you will experience. The campsite is located next to the village of Collpapampa at 2770m (9087ft).

Campsite Altitude: 2770 mt  / 9087 ft
Highest altitude: 4630 m /15190 ft
Distance: 18 km/ 11.1 miles
Duration: 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping next to a village
Considered: Challenging

Day 3: Collpapampa – Llucmabamba – Llactapata

Enjoy a leisurely time in the village while admiring the view of the mountains you left behind. After breakfast, you will prepare for the most beautiful day of this expedition to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, hiking along narrow paths, following the river, passing wooden bridges, waterfalls, granadilla, banana plantations,  until you arrive at Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6561 ft) for lunch.

Today’s lunch is unique and a highlight of the Salkantay Trek. After hiking for about 3 hours, taking a van, the last part, you will get ready to participate in a Pachamanca, an old traditional underground stone barbecue. After burying the food, you will visit the organic coffee farms and prepared your cup. The cooking takes about 45 minutes; then, you sit down to enjoy the different delicacies like the Cuy (Guinea pig), different types of potatoes, fruits, vegetables prepared like locals.

Once fed and re-energized, get ready for a final 3-hour climb along an ancient Inca Trail to Llaqtapata, a small citadel located in a mountain top at 2750m (9022ft), where you will catch the first glimpse of Machu Picchu from a distance. This place was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and lost again until recently. You will be camping right in front of Machu Picchu; when you open your tent, you will be able to see the sunrise and sunset over Machu Picchu if the weather allows.

Campsite Altitude: 2,750 m / 9022ft
Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Duration of hike:  6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping in front of Machu Picchu
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Open your tent, and the first you see is Machu Picchu in another mountain in front of you while your trekking team offers you a cup of coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, it’s an easy 2-hour downhill to the hydroelectric station. You will have the last brunch offered by the trekking chef, say goodbye to them, and hike the final last stretch of the Salkantay TreXperience to Aguas Calientes.

The last part it’s a 3-hour hike along the railway, following the Urubamba river upstream. This section of the Trek is steeped in history as you will stop at Mandor Botanical gardens, visited by Hiram Bingham, who found a farmer named Arteaga living in the area. He will be the first to take the American to Machu Picchu in 1911. You will visit Arteaga’s farm, home to various endemic birds such as the Rupicola Peruviana (locally known as the cock-of-the-rock), parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and orchids. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your hotel, shower, visit the city, hot springs. You will have dinner in a local restaurant as you plan the next and most important day of the Salkantay Trek in the evening.

Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m/ 6561 ft
Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Machu Picchu (Arrive With The First Ones)

Today is the most important day of the Salkantay Trek. It is visiting one of the world’s new seven wonders, a city abandoned for unknown reasons during the 16th century by the great Inca Empire. Wake up early, have breakfast in the hotel, and take the first buses to catch the sunrise in Machu Picchu. Your tour guide will take you on tour to the most famous temples, palaces, and plazas and explain the mysteries hiding this spectacular Inca city perched in this impossible mountain peak. The guided tour takes about  3 hours, and then you will have time to explore the magical or climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña (Machu Picchu Mountain).

After finishing with the citadel, you need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, collect your belongings from the hotel, and take the Exclusive Panoramic train to return Ollantaytambo and our private van to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will drive back to your around 7:30 pm.

Duration of the tour: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy

Salkantay Trek Ultimate Packing List

When you sign up for the Salkantay Trek, you hike for the second most popular hike in Peru and hike the most challenging trek to Machu Picchu. You will be walking from high altitudes into the jungles. The terrain will be varied with unpredictable weather, and you need to be prepared. 

It’s important to note that you won’t be carrying all your stuff into this trek; you will only take to the Salkantay trek essential for the trek and leave in Cusco the rest of your luggage. We will provide a duffle bag to put 7 kilos of your stuff; this must include your sleeping bag and air mattress. Mules carry the duffle bags for the first 2 days, and then our porters will transfer to the hotel in Aguas Calientes. 

You will also have a daypack; this must be with you at all times when hiking with all the essentials for the day. We recommend being a maximum of about 5 to 8 kilos.

You need to take to the Salkantay Trek:

What you will have on the daypack:

Original passport, you must always have with you in your day pack and kept in a safe pocket, and dry is better to keep inside a plastic bag or something waterproof; rain can occur at any time, even in the driest months. Ziploc bags will help you to have it all organized.

Plastic Ponchos, TreXperience will provide you the plastic ponchos. Remember that you will still need your rain jackets as ponchos are used when the rain gets strong. We reuse the ponchos; please return them together with the duffle bag after the trek. 

Sunscreen, you will be hiking out in the open space with the direct sun; make sure you bring the right sunscreen for you or buy in Cusco before leaving for the trek. Bring some lip protectors as well.

Toilet paper, you will find toilets from locals; they usually charge one sol, you must always have toilet papers with you in your daypack.

Insect repellent, you will be hiking in the jungle after the second day. You need insect repellent all the time with you and always wear long sleeves.

1 rain jacket, 1 warm/winter jacket, Jackets must always be with you in your daypack, the first 2 mornings the temperatures will be cold, and you will start hiking with all layers, then as you warm-up, you will begin removing and put in your daypack. 

Snacks, the average duration of the trek each day is around 8 hours, and you will be burning much energy; besides the meals and snacks we provide, we recommend bringing power bars, granola bars, chocolate, and candies.

Water Container, you will need to bring water for the first half day, then we will provide you water after the first lunch; however, you need to have a container of at least 2 liters. Camel bags, reusable bottles.

Flashlight or Headlamp must always be in your daypack if needed during hiking, and at night, you will need to walk around the camp and use the restrooms. Headlamps work better to have hands-free.

Hat, you need to bring a sun hut for day time and for the night we recommend get something warm. Also, gloves are recommended for the nighttime and early mornings.

Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the intense sun in the Salkantay.

Extra Money in Cash, we recommend bringing to the Salkantay Trek around 600 soles (200.USD); make sure to have some small coins, this is emergency money, and you won’t spend everything. You will need to use toilets, buy souvenirs, buy drinks or snacks, and tip if you see it is convenient to your staff.

Personal medication, also you need to bring some band-aids, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness pills, feminine products.

Devices, cameras, cellphones for photos.

What you will have on the duffle bag:

The sleeping bag, the first night during the Salkantay, will be freezing, below 0 degrees Celcius; you will need a suitable sleeping bag that can handle -10 degrees Celsius. You bring your own, or you can rent from us as well.

Hiking Boots, lightweight and waterproof, we strongly recommend having hiking boots rather than sneakers; also, make sure you used them before to avoid blisters. 

Sandals, after the long hours of hiking, you will need to wear something light at the campsite, and for this we recommend sandals.

Six pairs of wool hiking socks are very comfortable when hiking with boots.

4 pairs of light socks as well, you will use them at night or walk around in the campsite with sandals.

6+ pairs underwear, Just in case, bring extra in case they get wet

2 or 3 hiking pants, breathable, are better. Legging for ladies works well as well.

1 Sweatpant, for the nights and early mornings

5 sets of t-shirts, long sleeve shirts work better, 

Tissues or wet wipes to freshen up after the long hike before bed.

Bathing suit, optional as you can visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.

Trekking poles, strongly recommended you can bring your own, or you can rent from us.

Inflatable mattresses. We provide foam mats; however, you want more comfort to bring or rent an air mattress.

Salkantay Trek 5 Days FAQs

What is Salkantay?

Salkantay is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region with 6,271m / 20574 ft. It is located in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, west-northwest at 6okm from Cusco in the Peruvian Andes’ central range. Salkantay means ” Savage Mountain” and is considered a Sacred Deity that controls the weather and fertility by local since Inca Times.

Salkantay was first climbed in 1952 by a French- American expedition. Due to its location on the Amazon border, shape, and steepness, this mountain is considered very difficult to climb.

What is Salkantay Trek?

The proximity of Salkantay to Machu Picchu and the existence of ancient trails makes this a perfect Alternative Trek called the Salkantay Trek.

The Salkantay trek can be done in a 4 or 5 days trek to Machu Picchu, reaching a maximum of 4630m /15190ft high, the Salkantay Pass.  This trek was Named by National Geographic’s Adventure Travel Magazine among the 25 Best Treks in the World.

How Long Is Salkantay Trek?

Salkantay Trek can be done in many ways, depending on the itinerary you follow or the operator you choose. The most popular tours are 4 days and 5 days, shorter than four days can be too challenging, and longer schedules than five days usually include city tours, Sacred Valley tours, and not actually the hike itself.

Salkantay Trek 4 days and 3 nights.- The hike starts in the town of Soraypampa, visits the amazing Humantay Lake, Salkantay pass, and arrives at Machu Picchu after 3 days hike. On the last day, you will visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco in the panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360°). The Total hiking distance is 44km/28 mi, and this doesn’t include the walking tour around Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek 5 days and 4 nights.- The ultimate Salkantay Trek starts in Soraypamapa Village, arrives at Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, and allows camp for 1 night in Llaqtapata, a unique archeological site located on a mountain top right in front of Machu Picchu. The Total Hiking distance is 60km/38mi, and this number is only for the 4 days hiking tour. On the 5th day, this a walking tour in Machu Picchu.

Is Salkantay Trek Worth It?

The Salkantay Route is not only the most popular hike to Machu Picchu after the Inca Trail. This trek is also wonderful that offers varied experiences to travelers. Salkantay Trek starts in the high mountains where the temperatures are cold, and the landscapes are usually vast grasslands surrounded by snow-capped mountains. They will arrive at Machu Picchu through the high jungle called the “Cloud Forest,” these extremely varied landscapes will offer trekkers a unique opportunity to experience different views, climates, weather, and the opportunity to camp in front of Machu Picchu.

How High Is Salkantay Trek?

It’s important to note the difference between the Salkantay Mountains that his 6,271m / 20574 ft and the highest pass used during the trek traverse from the Andes into the Amazon Cloud Forest, the Salkantay Pass, Located at 4630m /15190ft.

•  First campsite: 3900 m/12795 ft
•  Second campsite: 2770 mt  / 9087 ft
•  Third campsite: 2,750 m / 9022ft
•  Last night at Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6561 ft

How Cold Is The Salkantay Trek?

This trek offers varied landscapes as well as different ecosystems and temperatures; the weather varies throughout the year depednu¿ing if you are hiking during the dry season (April to October) or wet season (November to March), the temperatures will rise slightly during the wet season as is summer in the Southern hemisphere.

Day 1: During the first day of the trek, the temperatures will be from 18°C/64°F maximum during day time and will drop below 0°C/ 32°F at night time. It’s important to have warm clothes as the temperature will drop as soon as the sun goes down or gets cloudy. High places like Humantay lake are always chili, even with the sun.

Day 2: The second day offers 2 completely different climates, the first part of the day until lunch, you will hike through the Salkantay Pass, the highest and most difficult part of the trek, this part is usually bright and sunny; however, if rain falls, the temperature will drop to very cold, and you will need to wear jackets, hats, gloves.

In the second part of the day, the temperature will increase as we enter below the tree line (below 3000m). Here, we will start descending very fast into the second campsite located in teh Cloud Forest. The temperatures will be from 24°C/75°F during day time and 10°C/ 50°F at night time.

Day 3: During the third day, you will be hiking through the tropical cloud forest all day. You will need to wear light clothes, protect yourself from the sun, mosquitoes, and have plenty of water. At night temperatures can be around 10°C/ 53°F

Day 4: The last day of hiking start as the day before in the Cloud Forest as we lower even more until we reach Aguas Calientes town with an average temperature ranges between 12ºC/54ºF and 24ºC/75ºF

Day 5: During the 5th day, you will visit Machu Picchu in the tropical mountain forest with warm and humid weather almost all year round.

Salkantay Trip What To Expect from this Trek?

When you choose Salkantay, you are signing up for the most challenging trek we have to Machu Picchu, and you must be prepared for: Long hours of hiking in sunny, cloudy, rainy, chilly weather. Camp during the first night under freezing point weather and no electricity or cellphone service.

Not every day is freezing; it is cold on day 1 and half of day 2. Also, after the second campsite, there is a cell phone signal and wifi at specific points.

How Much To Tip Salkantay Trek?

Tours to Machu Picchu and Salkantay are so many that travelers might have difficulty deciding which one they will take.

Among the most important factors to consider is the price; you would definitely not choose the lowest prices as they have hidden costs and will end paying more or have a bad experience. The regular price of the Salkantay trek varies between 450.USD to 650.USD, this cost should include 3-star hotels, meals, porters, and all transportation, and a good English-speaking certified tour guide.

It’s important to book your tour with a company that has a good reputation, this is a hiking tour at a high altitude, slippery terrain, and you should totally trust the company and tour guides.

TreXperience provides experience tour guides, expert chefs, comfortable camping equipment, plus we include a Coffee tour, Pachamanca cooking, and Panoramic train on the last day for a great price.

How To Prepare For Salkantay Trek?

Salkantay Route is doable by anybody; however, you need a moderate fitness level to finish the trek. You don’t need to be an expert hiker but have a somewhat active life; if not, you will need to prepare before this trip to avoid bad experiences.

You do not need to train months in advance. However, you must go on occasional hikes for about an hour or 2 and increase the frequency and duration as you get closer to the tour departure. Some hours in the gym, jogging, or spinning will help as well.

We recommend going hiking on weekends or at least twice a month on short treks that include uphill.

Is altitude sickness a problem? What should I do to avoid altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is real and can affect anybody whether they are expert hikers or not. Below some recommendation to avoid altitude sickness:

•  Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek departure; this will help you to adapt to the altitude before your trek; during these first days, you should do activities that are not exhausting, or they don’t include several hours of hiking: we recommended Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley tour, or Maras Moray.

•  You should avoid tours like the Rainbow Mountain tour, including several hiking hours, and are very high. This tour is perfect after the Machu Picchu trip.

•  Bring altitude medicine like Diamox or others to recommend by your doctor.

•  During the first days in Cusco, eat lights and drink lots of water; Coca tea will help.

Where To Book Salkantay Trek In Cusco?

Machu Picchu is the most important tourist destination in South America and Peru; we have limited entrances to this Sanctuary. We have 2 train companies, Aguas Calientes town or Machu Picchu is a small town that receives thousands of visitors every day. These and other factors to consider, you must book your tour always in advance.

Booking early your tour will allow us, choose the best train schedules, best hotels, and best Machu Picchu entry shifts.

When is the best time to hike the Salkantay and visit Machu Picchu?

The best time to hike the Salkantay trek and visit Machu Picchu is from April to November, when it is Dry season, April and November are the Shoulders months, and a weather increase is expected.

January and February are months to avoid this trek since they are the heavy rainy season and landslides risk. During these months, we recommend the Lares trek.