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Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Itinerary
Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Guide(s)
Roland Llave, CrossoverPeru
Trip options

Booking for a group?
Reserve spots for 5 or more people, and get $16 off for each

Add-ons

If you’d like to upgrade your train rides or have a tent to yourself, your guide can organize this at an additional cost. Let us know down below if you’re interested.

Most meals are included in the price of this trip. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated, please let us know down below if you have any.

Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Itinerary
Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
4 day
Guide(s)
Roland Llave, CrossoverPeru
Reserve deposit ($250.00) $250
Second Payment Amount: $0

  • Machu Picchu is on everybody’s wishlist—this ancient Incan citadel is a sight like no other in the world. There are several ways to reach it, and only a small fraction of visitors actually hike to get there. Instead of following the popular Inca Trail, a fantastic alternative is the less-trodden Salkantay Trek. We’ll do this trek over 4 days, experience an awe-inspiring change of scenery, and on our last day, we’ll reach the legendary Machu Picchu. As local guides who have great knowledge of this place, we made sure to organize everything for you, from transfers and meals to lodgings and entrance tickets.

    • We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 5am, and enjoy a 2-hour ride in a private van to Mollepata community. After breakfast here (not included), we’ll continue our transfer to Challacancha, the trailhead. Here we’ll meet the chef and muleteers, check our luggage, pack the horses, and begin the long ascent to our campsite. We’re going to walk this part of the route on stone ballast, with clean and cold water running besides us. After circa 3.5 hours and 10 km (6 miles), we’ll arrive at our Soraypampa campsite. In the distance, we’ll see the breathtaking Salkantay mountain.

      After lunch and setting up our camp, we’ll have some free time to take in impressive views of the canyon. In the afternoon, after a well-deserved rest, we’ll leave the campsite for a short hike to the Humantay Lagoon (around 1.5 hours), located at 4,200 m (13,780 ft). This gorgeous turquoise lake at the bottom of the snow-capped Humantay mountain is a sight to behold. We will then return to our Soraypampa camp, watch the sunset in the middle of glaciers, and enjoy a delicious dinner. And maybe even appreciate constellations in the sky if it’s a clear night!

      Meals: Lunch and dinner
      Hiking: 14 km / 8.7 miles, 4 hours
      Maximum elevation: 3,900 m / 12,800 ft
      Accommodation: Soraypampa campsite at 3,900 m / 12,975 ft

      Soraypampa campsite, Peru

    • After an early-morning waking with coca leaves at 5am, we’ll get our energy with a hearty breakfast and start the hike up to the Salkantay Pass, 7 km away. After an hour’s uphill walk to Pampa Salkantay, we’ll take a short rest and then continue for 2 more hours to the highest point, Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). We’ll enjoy incredible views of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.

      From there, we’ll enjoy the back of the mountain, which always has snow on its summit, and a cloud forest in the lower part of the valley. With luck, we’ll see the sunset over this magical place and see condors flying. We’ll keep going 9 km downhill, along a zigzag rocky gravel path until reaching Huayracmachay for lunch. Continuing our descent, we’ll arrive at High Forest (also Cloud Forest), where we’ll see some wonderful native plants. At around 4pm we’ll reach the village of Chaullay, where a vehicle will be waiting for us and take us to our private campsite, located in the Loreta La Playa area. We’ll conclude the day with an amazing dinner.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Hiking: 10 km / 7.4 miles, 6 hours
      Maximum elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
      Accommodation: Campsite at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft

      Hikers walking the Salkantay trek

    • After a challenging day behind us, we will wake up early in the morning to have a delicious breakfast and coca leaves tea. We will then visit the local plantations of bananas, avocados, oranges, passionfruit, papaya, medicinal plants, and more. These plantations are the livelihood of locals, especially the coffee plantations, so we’ll also visit the local organic coffee farm, where we can savor freshly prepared coffee and indulge in its marvelous scent.

      We’ll then go back to the camp to rest and have lunch. At 1pm, we will board our vehicle for a 1.5-hour ride to the Hydroelectric Power Plant. This is where the hike starts, as we follow train tracks near the banks of Urubamba River. Along the way, we will tour the archeological site of Intihuatana, an ancient sundial from the Inca period. From there, Sacred Mountains like Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu can already be seen! The walk continues and goes through cloud forest, and after 3 hours of walking, we will arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes at around 5:30 pm to spend the night in a hotel.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Hiking: 11 km / 7 miles, hours
      Maximum elevation: 2,000 m / 6,560 ft
      Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes at 2,000 m / 6,560 ft

      Salkantay trek views

    • Today’s the day! We’ll start our last journey very early in order to reach Machu Picchu before those doing the Inca Trail, and even before those who travel with trains. By 6:30, we’ll walk to the bus station and enjoy a zigzag ascent to reach the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu at 2,430 m (7,972 ft). Take in what you’re just witnessing and begin with a guided tour that will last approximately 2 hours—let a professional guide share everything about the site’s history and what has made it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

      After the tour, you’ll have plenty of time to take photos, explore the site on your own, and maybe even climb the Huayna Picchu mountain. In the afternoon, we’ll take the tourist bus down to Aguas Calientes (25-minute ride), where we’ll have lunch at one of the village’s restaurants. Around 6pm, we’ll board the train to the village of Ollantaytambo, arriving by 8. We’ll then take the bus back to Cusco city and arrive at around 9:30pm, and take you to your hotel.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Maximum elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

      How to Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from a Sacred Valley Local

    • What you get on this adventure:

        • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 4-day Salkantay Trek tour
        • Pre-departure briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before the trek
        • All transfers during the tour, detailed in the itinerary
          • Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the trailhead
          • Round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
          • Vehicular transfer from Eco-Lodge Majesty Sky Domes to Hydroelectric Power Plant
          • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition or Voyager service)
          • Return transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
        • Warm meals during the trek (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
        • Tea, snacks, and boiled water at every campsite
        • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, Salkantay, and Humantay Lake
        • Accommodation
          • Tents (two people in each tent) while on trek
          • 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
        • Tables, chairs, and kitchen equipment
        • Chef, muleteers, and horses (to carry your belongings, duffel bags, food, and equipment)
        • First-aid and oxygen kit
        • Duffel bag — you’ll get it before the trek to put your belongings in it (your guides will carry up to 5 kg (11 lbs) of your luggage)

      What’s not included:

        • Flights to Cusco
        • Accommodations prior to and after the tour
        • Huayna Picchu entrance fee ($80 per person, if you’d like to climb it, and additional $30 if you’d like the guide to go with you)
        • Some meals (breakfast on Day 1, lunch and dinner on Day 4)
        • Private tent (at an additional cost)
        • Sleeping bag ($20 per person, rental available)
        • Inflatable mattress ($20 per person, rental available)
        • Trekking poles ($15, rental available)
        • Vistadome train upgrade ($75 extra)
        • Personal snacks
        • Tips for chefs, muleteers, and trek guides — optional
        • Travel and medical insurance — optional

    • While previous hiking experience is not necessary for this Salkantay tour, you need to be in excellent shape! The days are long and hiking is quite intense.

      Check out the itinerary to learn about day-by-day distances and changes in elevations. Keep in mind that there are no flat areas on the entirety of the trail—it’s either uphill or downhill. Prior to your trip, you can prepare by exercising on steep inclines or even stairs.

      For more Machu Picchu hiking tours and adventures, click here!

    • Here’s what you need to bring:

        • Backpack (your guides will provide you with a duffel bag that fits up to 5 kg (11 lbs) of your luggage, and you won’t have to carry this)
        • Hiking poles — optional (can be rented)
        • Water storage for 2-3 liters
        • Sleeping bag (can be rented)
        • Inflatable mattress (can be rented)
        • Quick-dry towel
        • Battery charger (there is no place to plug in while trekking!)
        • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
        • Sunglasses
        • Cash
        • Camera — optional (but recommended)

      Clothing and gear list:

        • Hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
        • Shoes for camp
        • Dry-wicking t-shirts
        • Hiking pants
        • Undergarments
        • Hiking socks
        • Fleece jacket
        • Warm down jacket
        • Rain jacket and pants
        • Sun hat
        • Wool hat
        • Headlamp
        • Waterproof gloves
        • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
        • High quality sunglasses

    • It is advisable and important that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the trek, in order to acclimatize to the altitude. The city of Cusco is located at 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level so you may feel slightly ill or dizzy due to altitude sickness, known as “soroche”.
      A few tips on dos and don’ts for acclimatizing in Peru:

        • Do not eat heavy food the day before traveling to Cusco.
        • Make sure you drink between 6-8 glasses of water the days before your trip and during your stay in Cusco.
        • Once you arrive at your hotel, lie down a few minutes before going out to explore the city.
        • Once you are ready to go out and explore the city, try not to become agitated climbing stairs or walking fast. The best thing is to enjoy every corner of Cusco with calm and respect.

    • Indeed you can! It would be a sin to go hiking in Peru without paying a visit to the spectacular Rainbow Mountain. If you haven’t heard of it yet, the name tells you all about it—it’s this incredible multi-colored mountain that leaves everyone speechless with its rainbow-like appearance. These colors are created by the sediment of minerals, giving the mountain turquoise, lavender, gold, and other hues. Up until several years ago, it was a hidden gem completely covered in snow! Today you’ll find it in National Geographic’s “Top 100 Places To Visit Before You Die”.

      Rainbow Mountain Hike

      So, your guides have prepared a choice between two one-day treks to the Rainbow Mountain as an extension to your trip. You can add it to your booking upon checkout, but here’s what you can expect.

      You can choose between the Vinicunca and the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour.

        • Vinicunca is the more difficult, steeper, more strenuous, and longer hike to the most famous viewpoint. Depending on the weather, you might even see the highest mountain in the Cusco region in the distance, Ausangate Mountain. Total distance is 2.6 miles (4.2 km) round-trip.
        • Palcoyo tour offers a more gentle climb at a slightly lower altitude, and it’s also a shorter hike, making it significantly more suitable for beginners. With this tour, you’ll get to see three different colorful mountains along the way! It’s also worth noting that it’s less crowded, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into the Andean culture and their way of life. Total distance is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip.
        • The price for Vinicunca is $100, while for Palcoyo it’s $120.

      What’s included in these tours?

        • Professional bilingual English-speaking tour guide
        • Pre-departure briefing
        • Pick-up from your hotel and transportation to the trailhead
        • Return transportation
        • Breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant
        • Emergency oxygen bottle & medical kit
        • One trekking pole
        • Entrance fees to Rainbow Mountain

      What’s not included?

        • Personal snacks
        • Guide gratuities — optional
        • Horses — available to hire one if you need them at the beginning of your trek

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • For this Salkantay tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
        • Keep in mind that it takes a minimum of 2 people for this group tour to operate. The trip can run if there are at least 2 people signed up.

      Salkantay tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements

        • If you are older than 17, you’re good to go.

    • To get to Cusco, most people fly into Cusco International Airport (CUZ). From there, head to your accommodation in the city.

      Make sure to stay in Cusco at least two days prior to your trip, as it will help with acclimatization to the altitude, but you’re also starting your adventure very early in the morning of Day 1. Your guide will come pick you up early in the morning of Day 1 at your hotel.

    • Generally, Peru is safe to visit. Like all countries, it has some bad neighborhoods, crime and political instability. However, there is no need to be concerned about political unrest.

      We had a chance to catch up with our local guide Roland Llave, co-founder of CrossoverPeru Tours, who shared a few thoughts on the current political climate in Peru: “At the core, these protests are a way for the people in South America to express themselves and fight for what they believe in. We recognize this might be unnerving for travelers, but this is part of our culture.”

      Roland let us know that the protests have stopped for now. Roads, airports, and lives are back to normal. As always, there is potential for more unrest because, as he mentioned, protesting is part of their culture and how they honor their beliefs and rights. If you have any concerns about traveling to Peru or South America, please reach out and we will help you navigate the best option for your travels.

      We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

      With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

      If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

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