Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu

The Salkantay route earns its drama the hard way: five days on foot, a pass at 15,200 feet, cold camps and long stretches of trail before you reach Machu Picchu. In return, you cross from snow-bright Andean peaks into warmer jungle country, then see the citadel with a guide.

I like the contrast between the high mountain pass and the lush valleys below it, and the practical support: meals are cooked on the trek, mules carry shared gear and up to seven kilos of your belongings, and the group averages four people. One important caution: this is a strenuous, high-altitude hike, and the first night is also the coldest.

At a glance

• The highest point is 4,650 meters: You cross between Salkantay and Humantay, with possible snow and big mountain views.
• The route changes climate quickly: Camp at 3,920 meters, then descend through valleys and tropical vegetation toward Santa Teresa.
• Three nights are spent camping: A basic sleeping pad and tent are supplied, but you need to bring or rent a sleeping bag.
• The final night is in Aguas Calientes: A three-star hotel gives you a bed before the early bus to Machu Picchu.
• The group is small: Maximum 16 people, with an average group size of four.
• The $797 fare covers much of the trip: Meals, guide, entrance fees, trek transport, train and Machu Picchu buses are included, while some useful extras are not.

What the $797 price covers

At $797 per person, this is a guided, supported trek rather than a bare-bones hike. The price includes pickup from your Cusco accommodation, transport to the trailhead, a bilingual professional guide, three nights of camping, one hotel night, meals, entrance fees and the scheduled bus and train transfers at the Machu Picchu end.

Food is a real part of the value here. The package includes four breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners and three snacks, with typical menus prepared on the trek. Breakfasts can include porridge, quinoa, eggs, pancakes and hot drinks. Lunch and dinner may include soup, vegetables, chicken or beef dishes, rice and local recipes, followed by dessert. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at least two days ahead.

The mules carry cooking and camping equipment, plus up to seven kilos per trekker. That helps keep your own day pack manageable, but it does not mean you can leave every personal item behind. The sleeping bag is not included, bottled water is not included, and you should budget extra for drinks and snacks sold along the route. Prices can rise on the trail, so bring cash.

Optional costs can add up. Hot springs in Santa Teresa cost about 20 soles; a bus from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station is about 10 soles; and the train from the station to Aguas Calientes is listed at $28. A Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike also costs extra and requires advance booking. Check current prices before you go, since optional rates may change.

Day 1: Soraypampa and the cold climb to Humantay Lake

Pickup begins between 5 and 6 a.m. You travel by tourist-class bus to Mollepata, at 2,900 meters, where there is time to stretch and buy snacks. From there, a car takes the group to Challacancha for final gear checks and the start of the hike.

The first walk to Soraypampa takes about three hours. At 3,920 meters, this is already high country, and lunch comes with views of snow-covered mountains. Afterward, you can hike to Humantay Lake, a roughly three-hour round trip according to the stated timing of about 1.5 hours each way. The lake visit adds a worthwhile mountain scene, but it also adds effort on a day when your body is still adjusting to altitude.

Your first camp is at Soraypampa, the highest and coldest campsite of the trip. Plan on a chilly night, even if the day felt comfortable. Get warm layers and your sleeping gear ready before dinner, and do not treat the first evening as a casual warm-up. The early start and high sleeping altitude make rest especially valuable.

Day 2: The 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass

Breakfast is around 6 a.m., followed by a four-hour ascent to the trek’s highest point. The pass sits between Salkantay, at 6,267 meters, and Humantay, at 5,900 meters. Views from the top are the defining reward of this day, though the altitude, possible snow and sustained climb make it the toughest section for many people.

A horse can be hired for the climb to the pass for roughly 100 to 120 soles. That option may help if the altitude or exertion becomes too much, but it is an added cost and availability should be confirmed with the operator. After the pass, the route drops for about two hours to lunch at Huayracpampa, then continues for another three hours to camp near Challhuay or Colcapampa, around 2,900 meters.

The day covers about 22 kilometers and takes nine to ten hours. That is a substantial amount of walking, not just a scenic stroll between camps. Trekking poles, sturdy boots and a realistic pace will help; so will carrying only what you need for the day.

Day 3: Waterfalls, river crossings and Santa Teresa

The route now descends into the upper jungle. You cross the Santa Teresa River and smaller brooks, moving through valleys with waterfalls, tropical plants and fruit. The change in temperature and vegetation gives the trek a different feel from the stark high-altitude terrain above.

After about 15 kilometers and five and a half hours on foot, lunch is served at La Playa, at 2,200 meters. A car then takes the group to Santa Teresa, at 1,700 meters, for the night’s camp. This vehicle transfer is included, which breaks up the day after several hard hours walking.

Santa Teresa’s hot springs are an optional visit for about 20 soles. They offer a chance to rest tired legs, but they are not included in the tour price. Bring a swimsuit if you want to go, and remember that the day has already involved several hours on your feet.

Day 4: The hydroelectric route to Aguas Calientes

Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m., a later start than the previous days. The walk from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station takes around three hours along a comparatively relaxed path. A box lunch is served there, and then the route continues for another three hours, mostly uphill, to Aguas Calientes.

This final walking day covers about 18 kilometers and takes roughly six hours. If you want to shorten it, an optional bus runs from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric station for about 10 soles. From the station, an optional train to Aguas Calientes costs about $28. These are useful alternatives if you are tired, but they are not part of the included transport.

In Aguas Calientes, you stay one night in a three-star hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant. That bed is a welcome shift from camping before the Machu Picchu visit. Single participants share a room with another participant; couples have a private room. You can ask about arranging an extra night when booking, but the added accommodation is not included in the stated price.

Day 5: Machu Picchu in the early light

The group takes one of the first buses, listed at 5:30 a.m., for the 25-minute ride up to Machu Picchu. The early arrival is intended to catch the site as morning mist lifts. Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours, after which you can explore on your own.

The guided visit is included, as are the round-trip tourist buses between Aguas Calientes and the site. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are separate hikes with extra fees. Huayna Picchu must be booked at least two weeks ahead; Machu Picchu Mountain needs at least one week’s notice. Both add exertion to a trip that has already included several demanding days.

After the visit, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes, take the train to Ollantaytambo, then continue by bus to Cusco. The return journey is not guided, and the listed drop-off is Plaza San Francisco, so arrange your own onward transport or accommodation from there. Day 5 lunch is not included.

The real challenge: altitude, cold and consecutive long days

The route is demanding even for someone who is generally active. Day 2 alone is listed at nine to ten hours, and the climb tops out at 4,650 meters. You also move between elevations near 4,000 meters and around 2,000 meters over the course of the trek, so both exertion and temperature change matter.

Give yourself time in Cusco before departure if your schedule allows, and be honest about your fitness. The tour describes the required level as moderate, but the high pass and long walking days call for good preparation. There is emergency oxygen on the trek, and an optional horse rental is offered for the pass, but neither is a substitute for taking altitude seriously.

Bring warm layers for Soraypampa, rain protection, hiking boots, sun protection, a water bottle and a personal first-aid kit. Electricity is limited or unavailable in places, so extra camera batteries are sensible. The operator suggests carrying extra cash for water, sports drinks and snacks, whose prices may be higher on the trail. A sleeping bag is your responsibility, though the packing guidance says you can bring one or rent one in Cusco.

Group size, guiding and the small practical details

The tour is led by a bilingual professional guide during the trek and the Machu Picchu visit. The group can be as large as 16, though the average is four, a difference that can shape the pace and feel of the trip. A smaller group often makes it easier to ask questions and keep the day moving, while the maximum size is worth knowing if you strongly prefer a very small party.

The mules carry the cooking and camping equipment as well as the stated allowance of seven kilos for each trekker. Your day pack still needs essentials such as water, rain gear, medication and warm clothing. Couples get their own tent; solo participants share with another person. The first three nights are camping, while the fourth night is in the Aguas Calientes hotel.

There is a mandatory briefing at the Cusco office the day before departure, usually at 7 p.m. for the Salkantay trek. Bring your passport for check-in and provide your full passport details when booking. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond travel, and the booking information must match it exactly. If you renew or replace the passport used to book, carry the old passport or a photocopy.

Departures are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, with daily departures possible for groups of four or more. The trek does not run in January or February because of unfavorable weather conditions. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your dates and passport details carefully before paying.

Who should book this Salkantay trek?

I would choose this tour if you want the mountain route itself to be a major part of your Machu Picchu trip. You get a high pass, several distinct climates, camping, prepared meals and a guided visit at the end, all for $797. The included train, buses, entrance fees and gear-carrying support make the fare more useful than a price that covers only a guide and campsite.

It is less suitable if you want a gentle walk, need a guaranteed private room throughout, or would rather avoid camping and high altitude. You should also compare optional costs and allow for the extra items not covered, especially a sleeping bag, drinks and any extra mountain hike. If you are fit, prepared for long days and keen to reach Machu Picchu by a route that shows far more than the destination, this is a strong option.

FAQ

How long is the Salkantay trek?

The trek lasts five days and four nights. It includes three nights of camping and one night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

How high does the route go?

The highest point is the pass at 4,650 meters, or about 15,200 feet. The first campsite is at 3,920 meters.

Are meals included?

The package includes four breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners and three snacks. Day 1 breakfast, Day 5 lunch and bottled water are not included.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A basic sleeping pad and tent for two people are included, but you need to bring or rent a sleeping bag.

How much luggage can the mules carry?

The horseman and mules carry cooking and camping equipment, plus up to seven kilos for each trekker. The allowance is described as covering sleeping gear and personal items.

Are the hot springs included?

No. Visiting the Santa Teresa hot springs is optional and costs about 20 soles. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to go.

Is transport between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu included?

Yes. The round-trip tourist bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is included, as is the tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and the bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

What passport information do I need to provide?

You must provide your full name as shown on your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number and passport expiry date. The passport must be valid for at least six months after your travel date.