Fantastic holiday, a real adventure. We saw sights I had only dreamed about. Every day there was something new to wonder at, from…
Anonymous | Traveled in MayDiscover one of Peru’s most spectacular trekking routes on our 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, a journey that combines high-altitude mountain scenery, cloud forest, local culture, archaeological sites, comfortable accommodations, and the unforgettable experience of reaching Machu Picchu on foot.
Your adventure begins in the Peruvian Andes, where you will visit the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake before continuing toward the imposing Salkantay Mountain and crossing the famous Salkantay Pass at 4,700 meters above sea level. From there, the landscape changes dramatically as you descend from rugged alpine terrain into the warmer and greener cloud forest.
Unlike shorter versions of the Salkantay route, this itinerary also takes you through Lucmabamba, a coffee-growing region where you will visit a local family and learn about traditional coffee production. You will then hike along an original section of the Inca Trail to Llactapata, an archaeological site offering a remarkable distant view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu before descending toward Hidroelectrica.
Your journey concludes with a professionally guided visit to Machu Picchu, followed by your selected return to Cusco either by train or by car via Hidroelectrica.
For travelers looking for more than simply reaching Machu Picchu, this is one of the most complete ways to experience the diversity of the Salkantay route.
Your Salkantay adventure begins with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. Once the group has been collected, we leave Cusco at approximately 5:15 AM and travel for around two hours to Mollepata.
Here, you will enjoy an included breakfast at a local restaurant and have time to purchase any last-minute supplies before continuing approximately another hour to Soraypampa, where you meet our muleteers and horses.
From Soraypampa, the first hike takes us toward the spectacular Humantay Lake. The trail begins at approximately 3,900 meters and climbs to around 4,200 meters above sea level. The hike takes approximately two hours, beginning gradually before becoming steeper in the final section.
At Humantay Lake, you will have approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on weather conditions, to enjoy the scenery, take photographs and learn about the surrounding mountains and local Andean traditions from your guide.
After visiting the lake, we descend toward our first campsite at Quiswarniyoc. We expect to arrive at camp at approximately 2:00 PM, where our cooking team will have lunch waiting.
The afternoon is free to rest, explore the area or enjoy views of Salkantay Mountain. Dinner is normally served at approximately 6:00 PM. Tonight, you sleep in our Sky Star Crystal Domes.
During the dry season, particularly between May and August, nighttime temperatures can fall to approximately -5 C.
Today is the most demanding but also one of the most spectacular days of the entire trek. Your morning begins at approximately 5:00 AM, when our kitchen team brings you a warm cup of coca tea. Breakfast is served at approximately 5:30 AM.
At around 6:00 AM, we begin the ascent toward Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the route. From Quiswarniyoc, reaching the pass normally takes between 3 and 3.5 hours, depending on the group’s pace and acclimatization.
The terrain is manageable for prepared hikers, but the altitude makes this section physically demanding. Your guide maintains an appropriate pace and organizes regular stops along the ascent.
At Salkantay Pass, approximately 4,700 meters above sea level, you will have around 30 to 45 minutes to rest, take photographs and appreciate close views of Salkantay Mountain and surrounding peaks. Your guide will also explain the cultural and spiritual importance of the mountains in Andean traditions.
We then begin a two-hour descent to Wayracmachay, where our cooking team prepares lunch. After eating and resting, we continue descending toward Chaullay. This second section takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours and marks the transition from the high Andes into the greener vegetation of the cloud forest.
We arrive at Chaullay, located at approximately 2,900 meters above sea level, where you can rest before dinner. Tonight, you stay in one of our panoramic mountain cabins overlooking the Salkantay Valley.
After the physical challenge of Day 2, today’s route offers a more relaxed hiking experience. You wake at approximately 5:30 AM, followed by breakfast at around 6:00 AM.
At approximately 6:30 AM, we begin hiking from Chaullay toward Lucmabamba. Today’s trail takes approximately four hours and follows relatively gentle terrain through the lush Santa Teresa Valley.
As we continue descending, the high-mountain environment gives way to subtropical vegetation and cloud forest. Along the trail, your guide will help identify local plants and wildlife found in this part of the Salkantay route.
Our destination is Lucmabamba, a region known for high-quality Peruvian coffee. Here, we visit a local family for an authentic coffee experience. You will learn how coffee is traditionally grown, harvested, processed and roasted, and you will have the opportunity to prepare and taste freshly produced local coffee.
Travelers looking for additional adventure can participate in the optional Salkantay Zipline experience. Lunch is served at our Sky Star Crystal Dome campsite in Lucmabamba, where you also spend the night.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy. You can relax at camp or take an optional trip to the Santa Teresa hot springs, approximately 40-50 soles including local transportation and entrance fee. Travel time is approximately one hour each way, with around two hours available to enjoy the pools.
We return to Lucmabamba for dinner at approximately 7:30 PM. After dinner, your guide explains Day 4 and prepares the group for the hike along the Inca Trail toward Llactapata and Aguas Calientes.
The climate becomes significantly warmer and more humid at this elevation.
Today combines trekking, Inca history, cloud forest scenery and your first distant views of Machu Picchu. We begin with wake-up at approximately 6:00 AM, followed by breakfast at 6:30 AM.
At around 7:00 AM, we leave Lucmabamba and begin hiking toward Llactapata. This section follows part of an original Inca Trail and takes approximately three hours uphill.
When we reach the archaeological site of Llactapata, you will be rewarded with one of the most memorable viewpoints of the Salkantay route. Weather permitting, you can see Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and the surrounding mountains from a completely different perspective.
After exploring the archaeological site with your guide and taking photographs, we begin our descent toward Hidroelectrica. This is one of the steepest downhill sections of the trek and takes approximately two hours. Trekking poles are particularly useful on this part of the route.
At Hidroelectrica, we stop at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch and a short rest, we begin the final section of the day: the approximately three-hour walk following the railway line from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, your guide accompanies you to your hotel. You will have time to shower, rest and prepare before dinner at approximately 7:00 PM. After dinner, your guide provides final instructions for your Machu Picchu visit.
Today is the highlight of the journey: Machu Picchu. Your exact schedule depends on the entrance time printed on your Machu Picchu ticket. It is very important to arrive at the entrance according to your assigned schedule.
Option 1 – Walk to Machu Picchu: the complete walk takes approximately 1.5 hours. From your hotel, you first walk approximately 30 minutes to Puente Ruinas checkpoint, then climb approximately one hour up around 1,700 steps to the main entrance.
Option 2 – Shuttle Bus: the shuttle bus takes approximately 30 minutes and costs approximately $12 USD each way. Buses begin operating at around 5:30 AM and normally depart every 5 to 10 minutes.
Once you enter Machu Picchu, your professional guide leads you through the circuit assigned to your entrance ticket. The guided visit lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the circuit and conditions inside the archaeological site.
If you purchased an additional entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, your mountain hike will be coordinated according to the time printed on that ticket.
Return by Train: after visiting Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes and board the train to Ollantaytambo. The train journey takes approximately 1.5 hours, followed by approximately two hours by transport to Cusco. Arrival is normally during the evening.
Return by Car via Hidroelectrica: you must walk back from the Machu Picchu area toward Hidroelectrica, a journey of approximately three hours. You must arrive no later than approximately 2:30 PM to board the return vehicle departing around 3:00 PM. The drive to Cusco takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, with arrival around 10:00 PM.
Passengers with later Machu Picchu entrance times may need to spend an additional night in Aguas Calientes and return the following day at their own expense.
A mandatory pre-trek briefing takes place at 7:00 PM the day before departure at the Machu Picchu Team office in Cusco. You will meet your guide, receive final information, review equipment recommendations, confirm Machu Picchu and train details when applicable, receive duffle bag instructions and pay any remaining balance if needed. Please bring your passport.
A certified professional trekking guide accompanies the group throughout the Salkantay Trek and your Machu Picchu visit. Guides are trained for high-altitude environments and carry a first aid kit and emergency oxygen.
Each traveler receives a duffle bag with a maximum capacity of 7 kg. The duffle bag is transported by horses, allowing you to hike with only a small daypack. Your sleeping bag must fit within the 7 kg allowance.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be accommodated at no additional cost when requested in advance.
Professional trekking chefs accompany the group and prepare fresh meals at the campsites. Kitchen equipment, cooking utensils and supplies are transported by the support team.
Muleteers and horses transport camping equipment, food, kitchen equipment and passenger duffle bags between campsites.
Your standard Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included. Whenever possible, our first preference is Circuit 2 – Route 2-A, followed by Circuit 2 – Route 2-B. A professional guided visit of Machu Picchu is included and generally lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Travelers can store luggage they do not need during the trek at our Cusco office. Guides carry emergency oxygen and first aid equipment.
Trip went very smoothly and was very well organized. Easy to highlight is Machu Picchu, but our visit of Amantani island on Lake Titicaca was a real interesting and unique experience. Read more.
This was an excellent well-organized tour at a great value with plenty of variety and lots of free time to explore. Read more.
This was our first trip with Bookmundi and we are extremely happy. From start to finish the experience was excellent. Read more.
We saw all the highlights, the guides were excellent and the trip flowed nicely. The pacing was just right. Read more.
The child price applies to travelers between 8 and 17 years old. Valid student documentation is required for the student rate.
The train option includes the return train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and connecting transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Shared Salkantay groups normally consist of approximately 12 to 14 travelers, with a maximum of 16 participants. Larger groups of around 14 to 16 travelers normally operate with a lead guide and an assistant guide.
The student rate is available to qualifying travelers who send a clear photograph of valid student identification when making the reservation.
We operate daily departures for the 5-Day Salkantay Trek. Last-minute reservations may be possible if Machu Picchu ticket availability allows it.
| Package | Adult | Student | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return by Car | $310 USD | $290 USD | $290 USD |
| Return by Train | $380 USD | $360 USD | $360 USD |
The train option includes the return train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and connecting transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
We recommend a comfortable 25-30 liter daypack. Your daypack should contain the items you need while hiking because your 7 kg duffle bag is transported separately and is normally available only at camp.
Temperatures and weather conditions can vary dramatically between the high Andes and lower cloud forest. Layering is extremely important.
Bring a sleeping bag rated to approximately -10 C / 14 F. Sleeping bags are available to rent from our Cusco office.
Store clothing, electronics and sensitive items inside waterproof dry bags or plastic liners, especially during the rainy season.
A $180 USD non-refundable deposit per person is required to confirm a reservation when the deposit option is selected.
The remaining tour balance must be paid no later than 48 hours before departure.
Machu Picchu tickets are issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and are generally non-refundable, non-transferable and non-modifiable once issued.
Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Within 48 hours of departure, cancellations are subject to a 100% cancellation charge.
Train tickets are subject to the terms established by the train operator. Once issued, they may be non-refundable and changes may involve additional fees.
Every traveler is responsible for providing complete and accurate personal information matching the travel document used during the trip.
Trekking in the Andes may be affected by severe weather, landslides, road closures, strikes, government restrictions, train disruptions, safety concerns or other force majeure events.
The Salkantay Trek is a high-altitude adventure activity with natural risks including altitude sickness, physical fatigue, sudden weather changes, uneven terrain, remote locations and limited immediate medical services.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, high-altitude trekking, evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage and repatriation.
Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward other travelers, guides, trekking staff, local communities, archaeological sites, wildlife and the natural environment.
Any issue should be communicated during the tour as soon as possible. Formal complaints must be submitted within a maximum of three calendar days after completion of the service.
The booking agreement is governed by the laws of Peru. In the event of dispute, both parties will first attempt resolution through conciliation in Cusco.
| Tour | Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu + Llactapata |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| Starting Point | Cusco |
| Hotel Pick-Up | Included |
| Trip Style | Trekking and Adventure |
| Physical Level | Challenging |
| Maximum Altitude | 4,700 m / 15,420 ft |
| Total Hiking Distance | Approximately 75 km / 47 miles |
| Group Size | Maximum 16 travelers |
| Meals | 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 4 Dinners |
| Departures | Daily, subject to operational availability and Machu Picchu entrance tickets |
If you have a question about this or any other trip, our travel experts are ready to help with dates, availability and private options.
