Full Itinerary - Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Salka Glamp Campsite (16km, 8hrs)

Your Salkantay Trek 4 Days begins with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. We can collect you from any hotel near the historic center, then drive for about 2 hours to Mollepata for a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we continue for 1 more hour to Challacancha (3,600 meters / 11,811 feet), the trailhead. Your expert TreXperience guide will give you time to get ready, warm up, and begin the hike toward Machu Picchu through one of Peru’s most beautiful mountain routes. The first section is a 3-hour walk to the famous Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). Along the way, watch for Andean geese, vizcachas, and wide-open views of the surrounding peaks.

At Humantay Lake, take your time to enjoy the turquoise water, the dramatic mountain setting, and the peaceful energy of the Andes. After exploring the shore, descend to Soraypampa, where our trekking chef will serve a fresh picnic-style lunch prepared with local products.

After lunch, begin a 2-hour hike to our campsite in Salkantaypampa. Tonight, you’ll stay at our exclusive Salka Glamp Campsite (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), located below Salkantay Mountain in one of the closest and most peaceful campsite locations near the mountain. Away from the typical crowds, you’ll enjoy comfortable glamping-style bell tents, clear night skies, impressive views of Salkantay, a warm basecamp atmosphere, coffee surrounded by nature, tea time, and a delicious dinner prepared by our trekking team.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
• Highest Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Salka Glamp Campsite
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Salka Glamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs)

The second day of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the most challenging and one of the most rewarding. Wake up with hot coffee or coca tea delivered to your tent, then step outside to sweeping mountain plains and snow-capped peaks. After a fresh breakfast prepared by our trekking chef, begin the 2-hour ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft).

At the pass, we’ll pause to take in the power of the Andes: glacial views, dramatic ridgelines, and a beautiful lake at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. Your guide will give you time for photos, rest, and a deeper connection with this sacred mountain before we begin the descent.

From the summit, continue with a 3-hour downhill hike to our lunch spot in Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), where our trekking team will be waiting with a fresh meal. This is where the landscape begins to change, slowly leaving the high Andes and moving toward the greener cloud forest.

In the afternoon, descend for another 3 hours into warmer valleys, where the air feels softer and the vegetation becomes richer. We’ll arrive at Collpapampa (2,770 m / 9,087 ft), a peaceful village surrounded by greenery and river sounds. Tonight, you’ll stay in comfortable Andean huts at a locally owned campsite, a calm place to rest after the longest hiking day and connect with the local setting.

• Hiking Distance: 18 km / 11.2 mi
• Duration: 9 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
• Highest Altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
• Accommodation: Andean huts
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Collpapampa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes (14km, 6hrs)

This is one of the most cultural and flavorful days of your Salkantay TreXperience. After a hearty breakfast, we hike about 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,561 ft), where the cloud forest, coffee plantations, and warmer valley air create a completely different side of the trail.

Here, our chef will prepare a traditional Pachamanca barbecue, an authentic Peruvian underground hot-stone meal made with fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs, and local ingredients. You’ll participate in the preparation and extraction of the food, making this more than lunch; it becomes a real cultural and culinary experience.

After the Pachamanca, visit a local coffee farm with local hosts. When available, you’ll help harvest coffee, learn the process from plant to cup, roast or grind the beans, and prepare your own fresh coffee. It is a simple, human, and memorable way to connect with the families who live along this route.

Later, we drive one hour to Hidroeléctrica and hike 3 more hours along the railway to Aguas Calientes. By around 5:00 p.m., you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, and settle into a comfortable hotel before your early visit to Machu Picchu.

• Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.6 mi
• Duration: 6 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Highest Altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas! (4 hrs)

Today we wake up early for the highlight of the Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu. Around 5:30 a.m., we’ll head to the bus line to catch one of the first rides up to the citadel. As the morning light reaches the mountains, we’ll enter Machu Picchu and walk to the upper terraces, where the classic views of the ancient city await.

Once inside, your professional guide will lead a 2 to 3-hour exploration through the main areas of Machu Picchu, sharing the history, architecture, sacred spaces, and meaning of this extraordinary Inca site. If booked in advance, you can also hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain after the guided tour for even wider panoramic views.

In Machu Picchu, we include Circuit 2 by default when available. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we’ll secure the best available option, which may be Circuit 3 or Circuit 1. We strongly suggest booking your Machu Picchu trip early, as tickets, circuits, and schedules are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

When you’re ready, return to Aguas Calientes on your own for lunch (not included), and then board the panoramic Vistadome Train. With wide windows and beautiful views along the route, this is one of the most scenic ways to return after your trek. Upon arrival, the TreXperience team will be waiting at the station to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Tour Duration: 2–3 hours in Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• Difficulty: Easy

Salkantay Trek 4 Days Price and Booking

Join one of our premium small-group departures for a more personal Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu experience, or choose a private Salkantay Trek for extra flexibility and a more exclusive service. If you are traveling with family or friends, contact us for a customized quote based on your group size and travel preferences.

Small-Group Tour: Price Per Person

Private Tour: Price Per Person

Booking and Payment

• Deposit: US$200 per person to secure your booking. The remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco by credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer. Contact us if you need an alternative payment option.
• For each traveler, we require the full name exactly as shown on the passport, passport number, date of birth, passport expiration date, and nationality.

Student and Child Discount

• US$30 off

This discount applies to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To qualify, the ID must include:

• The student’s name, photo, and university name.
• A valid expiration date. Expired IDs will not be accepted.
• ISIC cards are not accepted.

The child discount is applied automatically. Students must send a copy of their university ID when booking; if the ID is not accepted, the adult rate will apply.

Packing List - Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4-Day

The 4-day Salkantay Trek is one of Peru’s most popular alternative routes to Machu Picchu. You’ll hike from high-altitude plains into lush cloud forest, so expect quick changes in terrain and weather: sun, wind, cold, and rain can all happen in the same day. Pack smart, travel light, and be ready for the mountains.

You won’t be able to bring all your belongings on the trail. Pack only what you need for the 4 days. The rest can stay safely in Cusco. We’ll provide a 7 kg / 15 lb duffel bag, which must fit your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and the items you will use at camp but not during the daytime hikes.

You’ll also carry a daypack with the essentials you need while hiking: water, rain jacket, warm layer, sunscreen, camera, passport, snacks, and personal items.

Essentials

On the Salkantay Trek, you’ll be in remote mountain areas with limited phone signal and far from stores. Bring the right gear so you can enjoy the trek with confidence. These items are essential, and every hiker should buy or rent good-quality equipment.

Original passport

Peruvian soles cash

Good-quality daypack

Water bottle

Power bank

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Wet wipes and tissues

What to wear?

For the Salkantay Trek, dressing in layers is essential. Temperatures change fast as you move from high mountains to warmer valleys. Wear light, breathable layers that you can easily put on or take off as the weather shifts.

Here’s what we recommend wearing:

High-top hiking boots

Sport pants

Hiking crew sock

Comfortable underwear

Thermal base layers

Moisture-wicking shirts

Quick-dry hiking pants/trousers

Fleece

What to pack in the daypack?

Below is a list of what to pack in your daypack. You’ll use it every day on the Salkantay Trek, so choose one that’s lightweight, comfortable, and well made.

We suggest a 25–35 liter backpack with a rain cover. Large backpacks are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. If needed, you must leave them in the lockers. This rule depends on the bag’s physical size, not only the stated capacity, so if yours is slightly bigger but not bulky, it should usually be fine.

Sun hat or cap with neck cover

Headlamp

Insect repellent

Camera + extra batteries

Snacks

Trekking poles

Swimming wear

Personal Medication

What to pack in the duffel bag?

TreXperience will give you a duffel bag for items you won’t need during the day. Our muleteers and cargo mules carry the approved duffel weight during the trek. The maximum weight is 7 kg / 15 lb, including your sleeping bag and air mattress if you bring or rent them. These two items usually weigh about 3 kg total.

At the safety briefing, you’ll receive your duffel bag at our office the day before the trek. If you need it earlier, email us and you can pick it up in advance at our centrally located office in Cusco.

Sandals

Warm down jacket

Toiletries

Sleeping bag

Mattress

What we provide you?

TreXperience will provide the following items for the Salkantay Trek:

Duffel Bag 7kg / 15lb

Plastic Rain Coat

Trexperience T-shirt

What can you rent with TreXperience?

Forgot something? No problem. You can rent the following camping items from us for an extra cost.

Trekking poles

Sleeping bag

Air mattress

Check out our full guide: Salkantay Trek packing list

Travel Information - Salkantay Trek 4 Days

The 4-Day Salkantay Trek delivers the essence of the classic Salkantay route in less time. This itinerary follows a quieter trail, with the first night below the impressive Salkantay Mountain, one night in the cloud forest, and one night in Aguas Calientes before reaching Machu Picchu.

Here’s everything you need to know before your adventure: distance, altitude, weather, difficulty, accommodation, Machu Picchu tickets, and responsible travel.

Campsites and Accommodation

• Night 1: Salka Glamp Campsite in Salkantaypampa, below Salkantay Mountain, with glamping-style bell tents and a peaceful basecamp atmosphere.
• Night 2: Andean huts in Collpapampa, at a locally owned campsite in the warmer cloud forest.
• Night 3: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

All camps are prepared by our team before you arrive, so you can focus on resting, enjoying the views, and recovering for the next day. If you prefer more privacy, we can provide a personal tent or upgrade your hotel in Aguas Calientes for an additional cost.

Pachamanca Barbecue

On Day 3, you’ll join a traditional Pachamanca, an authentic Peruvian underground hot-stone barbecue prepared by our chef with fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs, and local ingredients.

You’ll participate in the preparation and extraction of the food, making this one of the most memorable cultural and culinary experiences of the trek.

Coffee Experience

Also on Day 3, we visit local coffee farms near Lucmabamba in the Santa Teresa Valley. Depending on the season, you may help harvest coffee, learn how it is processed, roast or grind the beans, and prepare your own fresh cup with local hosts.

This experience connects the trek with the families and landscapes of the cloud forest, turning the day into more than a hike.

Return by Panoramic Train

After exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll return on the Vistadome or 360° train, both known for wide panoramic windows and beautiful views along the route. Depending on availability and departure time, you’ll board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Salkantay Trek 4 Days - FAQs