Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Activity Level :
Overview
Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular alternatives to the Inca Trail, offering breathtaking mountain scenery, diverse ecosystems, and a rewarding approach to Machu Picchu. Over 5 days, you’ll cross high Andean passes, walk through cloud forests, and follow ancient paths once used by the Incas.
What to Expect
- A challenging yet rewarding adventure on remote mountain trails combined with cultural immersion.
- Daily hikes of 6-8 hours, from towering peaks to cloud forests.
- Campsites and a hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
Main Challenges
- High altitude: the trek reaches 4630 m / 15190 ft at the Salkantay Pass.
- Long days hiking on the trails.
- Fastly changing weather, due to the several ecosystems and geographical situation.
Highlights
- Stunning views of Apu Salkantay, one of the sacred peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
- A stop at Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacier melt lake.
- Crossing several mountain passes, pushing the limits of body and mind.
- Descending into the cloud forest, an unique ecosystem between the Andes and the Amazon.
- The best guided tour in Machu Pichu to wrap up the adventure.
Who Is This Trek For?
Ideal for travelers looking for adventures deep in the backcountry, for those looking to avoid the crowds and a closer experience to local rural communities and nature. If you are ready for long days in the heights of the Andes, physically and mentally decided to push your limits. The reward in Machu Picchu will be waiting for you.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soyroccocha
Lets start our journey to Machu Picchu across the Andes!
Cusco-Soraypampa.
5 am, time to pick you up from your hotel. Get used to the early mornings! We will shuttle in our private van to Soraypampa along a scenic drive, next to charming towns like Izcuchaca and Limatambo. During this first lap we will spot for the first time Apu Salkantay.
Humantay Lake & Salkantay Pampa
Once at Soraypampa, we will get ready for the day. First an energizing breakfast, then we will get ready to hike. Our first goal will be the Humantay Lake, that will take us about 2.5-3 hours for the complete loop. The reward at the top is the views of the stunning glacier fed lake.
After completing this first hike, we will descend to Salkantay Pampa. There, our lunch will be waiting for us. This meal is topped with the imposing views of the glacier in front of us.
Soroccocha: first campsite.
To complete our first day in the Salkantay Trek, we will continue to Soroccocha. Our first campsite, is located in the base of Apu Salkantay. Upon arrival, we will be welcomed with hot beverages and appetizers, as we settle in our tents.
Finally, we will dine together and enjoy the magic of the Andean nights.
Statistics of Day 1:
- Highest altitude: 4200 m (13780 ft) at Soroccocha campsite
- Distance covered: 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Lowest altitude: 3900 m (12795 ft) at Soraypampa
- Level of difficulty: Moderate, with gradual ascents
Day 2 Soyroccocha – Apacheta Pass – Colpapampa
Another early morning, this time with a hot beverage served to your tent. Our second day on the Salkantay Trek will be full of stunning sights to be captured and unforgettable challenges.
Apacheta Pass.
Before heading back to the trail, we will enjoy our breakfast, making sure to have enough fuel in the tank for the day. The first goal of the day: the Apacheta Pass, will be at about 1 hour hiking and will take us to 4650m (15367ft).
From this mountain pass we will enjoy the views of Huayanay, Humantay and Salkantay, 3 snowcapped peaks in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Plus, the views are completed by staggering valleys, lakes and streams in between the peaks.
Salkantay Lake.
Time for a side adventure! We will have the chance to add a 30 minute hike to Salkantay Lake. This lake is located in the base of Apu Salkanty and offers an unique perspective of the sacred mountain.
Rayanniyoc-Colpapampa Campsite.
After our side quest, we will head to Rayanniyoc for lunch. The way to our lunch will be mostly downhill. At our lunch stop, we will enjoy a tasty meal prepared by our team of chefs and cooks. Then, we will continue our trek to our next campsite: Colcapampa. Here, we will be greeted with hot beverages and appetizers before a well deserved dinner.
Statistics of Day 2:
- Lowest altitude: 2850 m (9350 ft): Colpapampa campsite
- Level of difficulty: Challenging: steep ascents and descents
- Highest altitude: 4650 m (15367 ft): Apacheta Pass
- Distance covered: 22 km (13.7 mi)
Day 3 Colpapampa – the Hot Springs – Lucmabamba
On our third day, we will be halfway to Machu Pichu.
Today’s goal: Lucmabamba. But first, we will hike across the cloud forest and discover fruit crops, colorful orchids, cacao fields and all of the characteristic flora and fauna of this unique ecosystem.
Lucmabamba & Cocalmayo Hot Springs.
Our first activity of the day will be a little different. This time we will immerse in the coffee farming scene, learning about the crops, harvesting and post-harvesting processes. Followed by the exploration of nearby crops, with tomatoes and avocados.
The afternoon will be used to relax at the Cocalmayo Hot Springs. We will shuttle there and enjoy a well deserved medicinal bath.
To wrap up this day, we will shuttle back to Lucmabamba for our dinner and rest time.
Statistics of Day 3:
- Level of difficulty: Moderate: cultural and natural exploration day.
- Lowest altitude: 1550 m (5085 ft): Cocalmayo hot springs
- Distance covered: 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Highest altitude: 2100 meters (6890 ft): Lucmabamba
Day 4 Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca ruins – Aguas Calientes
Puncuyoc Pass-Ruins of Llactapata.
Day 4 is here and is time to continue our journey.
The first goal of the day sill be Puncuyoc Pass. We will get there following a segment of the Inca Trail for approximately 3 hours. Then, we will continue to Llactapata Ruins. From there, we will have our first glance at Machu Picchu. Following this stop, we will descend to Hidroelectrica, for our lunch and break before the final stretch of the day.
Final stretch: to Aguas Calientes.
After our hearty lunch, we will take on a hike of about 10 km (6.2 mi) along a trail next to the trainlines. This segment is mostly flat and will take us next to the Urubamba river. We will be able to spot Machu Picchu from different angles and share this experience with many other fellow hikers.
Past 2 or 3 hours we will be in Aguas Calientes. Here, we will check into our hotel and refresh before dinner. Our guide will take us to a local restaurant to enjoy a tasty celebratory meal.
Statistics of Day 4:
- Level of difficulty: Challenging: uphill and downhill trekking
- Highest altitude: 3600 m (11810 ft): Puncuyoc Pass
- Lowest altitude: 2040 m (6690 ft): Aguas Calientes
- Distance covered: 16 km (10 mi)
Day 5 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Machu Picchu exploration.
Finally! our time to explore Machu Picchu has arrived.
This day we will start early, again, to get on time to the Citadel to enjoy the sunrise. Our guide will take us on a 2 hour guided tour around Machu Picchu, sharing with us all his knowledge about the buildings, plazas, temples and different rooms.
After, if you booked ahead, there will be time to hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain. This will be on your own, but if you want a guide for this extras, you can book it as an add-on.
After our exploration if the Hidden Inca City, we will go back to Aguas Calientes. There, you will have time for lunch (not included), souvenir shopping, visiting the local Hot Springs or just rest.
Back to Cusco.
Our way back to Cusco will start with the 2:55pm or 3:20pm train to Ollantaytambo. This train ride takes us along the Urubamba canyon, where we will have the chance to spot Wiñay Wayna high in the slopes.
Once at Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting for us, ready to drive us back. We will drop you at your hotel around 7pm, wrapping up an adventure of a lifetime.
Statistics of Day 5:
- Level of difficulty: Easy: focused on exploration & sightseeing
- Lowest altitude: 2040 m (6690 ft): Aguas Calientes
- Highest altitude: 2430 m (7972 ft): Machu Picchu
- Distance covered: Minimal walking in Machu Picchu
What’s included?
Included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Tents for camping nights.
- Hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals and Drinks
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Guided Tours
- Professional bilingual guide(s).
- Entrance Fees
- Camping Equipment
- Additional Activities
- First Aid and Safety
Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Meals in Cities
- Personal Trekking Gear:
- Sleeping bags $15.
- Trekking poles $10.
- Hiking boots and other personal clothing.
- Additional Activities and Entrance Fees:
- Extra hikes such as Huayna Picchu (69$) or Machu Picchu Mountain (69$), which require separate entrance tickets.
- Entrance fees to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes ($4).
- Transportation:
- Any transportation not specified in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides, cooks, and porters.
- Visa Fees.
Pricing
Packing list
- Clothing
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
- Warm jacket (down or similar for cold nights).
- Hiking pants and casual pants for evenings.
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts.
- Thermal underwear.
- Sun hat and woolen hat for cold nights.
- Gloves, especially for the higher, colder altitudes.
- Footwear
- Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof and broken-in).
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for camp.
- Backpack and Daypack
- Backpack (if not using porter service).
- Lightweight daypack for personal items.
- Hydration and Snacks: minimum 2 liters.
- Health and Personal Items
- Personal medication.
- High SPF sunscreen, lip balm with SPF.
- Insect repellent.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper and small shovel (if needed for nature calls).
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap).
- Accessories
- Trekking poles (optional but recommended).
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.
- Camera with extra batteries and memory card.
- Portable power bank.
- Lightweight, quick-dry towel.
- Documents.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose our tour services
Small groups
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Philosophy & values
We are experts in the field of making dreams come true! With a unique experience in all of Cusco, wherever you want to go, we can take you there
Locally based guides
At Hotel Andenes del Inca, we have experienced tour guides. And they are all locals, which means they know the area you are exploring like the back of their hand.
