Group tour
FromUS$315per person
- Expedition or Voyager train
- Standard hotel (double or matrimonial room)
Trekking & Hiking
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Humantay LakeMachu Picchu
- Duration
- 4 days
- Physical level
- Challenging
- Max. altitude
- 4,615 m
- Group size
- Group (private on request)
- Accommodation
- 2 nights camping, 1 night in Aguas Calientes
- From
- US$315
From the glaciers of Salkantay to the jungle, with Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu
The Salkantay Trek in 4 days: Humantay Lake, the Salkantay pass (4,615 m), the descent into the jungle past fruit and coffee plantations, a night in Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Camping, meals, entrances and train back included.
Salkantay (6,271 m) is a sacred mountain: the Incas called it Apu, "the protector", and also the "wild mountain", because no one had reached its summit. Today the Salkantay Trek is one of the great routes to Machu Picchu, famous for its constant change of microclimates, from the high Andes to the deep jungle.
Along the way you see mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes — including the hike to Humantay Lake — and hike up to an altitude of 4,600 m.
The trek at a glance
Distance: 14 km on day 1, 20 km on day 2 and 15 km on day 3 (plus 8 km from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes). Difficulty: moderate to high — you need good physical condition and to be used to walking for long periods. Accommodation: 2 nights camping and 1 night in Aguas Calientes. Meals: vegetarian and vegan options available.
Private tour
Any of our tours can be done privately: you choose the departure time, add or remove sites and, above all, walk at your own pace. Ask us for availability and prices.
Acclimatisation
The highest point is the Salkantay pass. Even if you are fit, spend at least two days in Cusco before the trek so your body can adapt to the altitude.
- Humantay Lake (4,200 m) below Humantay mountain
- The Salkantay pass (4,615 m), the highest point of the trek
- From the high Andes to the jungle, past coffee and fruit plantations
- A guided tour of Machu Picchu after walking up from Aguas Calientes
Salkantay Trek 4 days route map
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
01
Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa – Soraypampa
Drive to Mollepata, hike to Soraypampa and an afternoon at Humantay Lake (4,200 m).
Overnight: SoraypampaLunch, dinner14 km · 5–6 h
Salkantay Trek 4 days itinerary
Soraypampa
Lunch, dinner14 km · 5–6 h4,200 mDay 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Marcocasa – Soraypampa
Pick-up from your accommodation early in the morning (around 04:30) and a 2.5-hour drive to Mollepata, where you can have breakfast. Here you can hand us a bag of 5–6 kg, which a horse will carry. We drive on to Marcocasa, the starting point of the hike, and walk for about 4 hours to Soraypampa, our lunch stop. After lunch and a short rest, a one-hour hike up to Humantay Lake (4,200 m), with time to explore and take in the view of Humantay mountain (5,450 m), part of the Vilcabamba range. Back at Soraypampa for dinner and the night. Distance: 14 km.
Chaullay
Breakfast, lunch, dinner20 km · 8 h4,615 mDay 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayramachay – Chaullay
Breakfast around 06:00 and the first part of the hike (about 6 km), past rocky mountains, switchback trails and rivers, with alpacas and llamas along the way. We reach the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay pass (4,615 m), where your guide explains the mysteries of the mountains and their sacred meaning for local people. An hour downhill to Huayramachay for a well-deserved lunch, then about 3 more hours to Chaullay (2,900 m), where we spend the second night. Time to relax before dinner; you can rent a hot shower for S/10. Distance: 20 km.
Aguas Calientes
Breakfast, lunch, dinner15 km · 6 h + 2.5 h2,900 mDay 3: Chaullay – Collpapampa – La Playa – Aguas Calientes
Breakfast around 06:00 and on the trail by 07:00. The landscape changes from mountains to tropical jungle: we walk down to a river and follow it for about 6 hours, past plantations of passion fruit, papaya, coffee and avocado, to La Playa. After a long morning you can enjoy a cold beer while lunch is prepared. After lunch we drive to Hidroeléctrica and walk for 2.5 hours (8 km) to Aguas Calientes. If you prefer not to walk this part, you can take the 16:35 train to Aguas Calientes (40 minutes; one way only, paid there: US$30–35). Night in Aguas Calientes. Distance: 15 km.
Humantay Lake
Breakfast1.5 h + 2 h2,430 mDay 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Very early, after breakfast (around 05:00), we start the walk up to the citadel of Machu Picchu, which takes about 1.5 hours. We arrive around 07:00 for a two-hour guided tour of its most important buildings, including the Inca temples and palaces. At the right time we walk down to Aguas Calientes (or take the bus, not included), where you can have lunch before the train back to Ollantaytambo, and then a shuttle bus to Cusco.
Customize this journey
Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation: 2 nights camping
- Camping equipment (tents and mattresses)
- Entrance to Humantay Lake
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- First-aid kit and oxygen
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners (vegetarian and vegan options)
- Professional guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese during the trek and at Machu Picchu
- Train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Transport Cusco – Mollepata (start of the hike)
- Transport from Lucmabamba to Hidroeléctrica
- Transport of your luggage from Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes
- Transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- 1 night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes
Not included
- Accommodation upgrade in Aguas Calientes
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, if you decide not to walk (US$12 one way)
- First breakfast in Mollepata (about S/20)
- Last lunch in Aguas Calientes (about S/30–40)
- Machu Picchu Mountain ticket (US$55, book in advance)
- Huayna Picchu ticket (US$55, book in advance)
- Sleeping bag (US$20) and trekking poles (US$20 a set), to be reserved 24 hours before the trek
- Train Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes, one way, if you decide not to walk (US$30–35, paid there)
Salkantay Trek 4 days prices
Before you go
Acclimatisation
Spend at least two days in Cusco before the trek so your body can adapt to the altitude, even if you are in good shape.
Backpacks
A backpack for the horse (5–6 kg) and a small backpack for the day, with water, snacks, camera, sunblock and your poncho.
Clothing
Warm clothes, a beanie, gloves and a scarf for the cold days, light clothes for days 3 and 4, a waterproof jacket and trousers or raincoat, a hat, hiking shoes, flip-flops or sandals and swimwear.
Protection
Sunblock, sunglasses, mosquito repellent (40% DEET or more), coca leaves and your personal medication.
Useful items
Torch with batteries, water bottle, towel, toiletries, a plastic bag, snacks and extra cash for souvenirs.
Salkantay Trek 4 days FAQs
G
It is highly recommended for a safe, hassle-free trek. Machu Picchu has rules that are easy to overlook when you travel on your own; with us you have the guidance and safety measures for an unforgettable experience.
It is moderate to high difficulty. You should be in good physical condition and used to walking for long periods.
The highest point of the trek is at 4,650 m. Even if you are fit, spend at least two days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatise properly — this is very important.
It changes a lot with altitude. On day 1 and on the morning of day 2, when you cross the Salkantay pass, it can be around 17 °C, dropping to 0 °C and even -5 °C in winter. From the afternoon of day 2, as you descend to Chaullay, and above all on day 3 in the jungle, it gets much warmer, so bring clothes for a wide range of conditions.
The dry season (April to October) brings sunny days with little rain and is the favourite of many travellers. In the rainy season (November to March) it rains more often, but the landscape is greener and there are fewer people.
We plan a gradual ascent, starting in the lower Sacred Valley. Our guides carry oxygen, monitor how you feel and adjust the pace whenever needed.
What our travelers say
- ★★★★★
“Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style - ★★★★★
“Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle - ★★★★★
“Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle - ★★★★★
“Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style
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