The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days/ 4 Nights

Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days, Cusco, PERU

Very Good

from 3 reviews

Duration

5 Days / 4 Nights

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

12 people

Languages

English, Espanol, Português

Overview

SALKANTAY TREK & MACHU PICCHU

Trekking Salakantay 5 days/ 4 Nigths

The Salkantay Mountain (6,271 meters/20,471 feet above sea level), part of the Vilcanota mountain range, was called “Apu” by the Incas and was worshipped as a deity of guidance and protection. Salkantay dominates a great part of the Sacred Valley, and the spectacular Vilcanota Mountains which are the main starting point for this trekking program. The whole area is filled with fantastic natural landscapes and attractive Inca archaeological sites.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Trekking Salakantay

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 5 days:

Begin from: Cusco / Mollepata
End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco
Duration: 05 Days/ 04 Nights
Physical Rating: Moderate/Challenging
Accommodation: Camping service & Mattresses
Difficulty degree of this hike: Moderate/Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.

MAP THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS

Program Itinerary: Trekking Salakantay 5 Days.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Day 1: CUSCO / MOLLEPATA / SORAYPAMPA.

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 mi
Starting Elevation: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Campsite Elevation: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

This morning, hike to Soraypampa and enjoy some lunch before walking up to Humantay Lake in the afternoon. Spend the night in Camp at Soraypampa.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Day 2: SORAYPAMPA / CHALLWAY.

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Walking Distance: 22 km / 13.67 mi
Starting Elevation: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
Campsite Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

This morning, hike to Soraypampa Trek up the challenging trail to the Salkantay Pass to see Salkantay Mountain before beheading down through the cloud forest. Spend the night in Chaullay.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Day 3: CHALLWAY / LA PLAYA.

Difficulty: Moderate
Walking Distance: 18 km / 11.18 mi
Starting Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
Campsite Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Enjoy the day hiking through the lush jungle and visiting an organic coffee farm.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Day 4: LA PLAYA / AGUAS CALIENTES.

Difficulty: Challenging
Walking Distance: 25 km / 15.53 mi
Starting Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Campsite Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Hike up to the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata in the morning to see Machu Picchu for the first time before making your way to Aguas Calientes for the evening.

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHUPICCHU / CUSCO.

Difficulty: Easy
Walking Distance: 2 km / 1.3 mi
Starting Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Accommodation Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hostal
Machu Picchu Site Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Huayna Picchu Mountain Elevation: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
Machu Picchu Mountain Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Difficulty of Opcional Activities: Moderate to Challenging / 2-4 hours

It’s the big day! You’ll spend the morning exploring Machu Picchu before coming back to Aguas Calientes. Take the train to Ollantaytambo and our private transport back to Cusco.

Note A: for students with ISIC card and children up to 7 years old the entrance fee to Machu Picchu will be 50% discount.
Note B: Fares are subject to change due to any readjustment made by (inc) Instituto Nacional de Cultura or Perurail.

SALAKANTAY TREK INCLUDED:

• Pick up from your hotel transfer to the head of the trail in Mollepata
• Return ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco via Ollantaytambo and connectiong bus Ollantaytambo/Cusco
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Transfer train station to Hotel.
• Professional guide in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Portuguese (according to the group participants request.)
• Meals: 4 Breakfast, 4 Lunch, 4 Dinner.
• Camping equipment (tents, kitchen, dinning tent, chairs, tables, mattresses)
• First aid kit
• Emergency oxygen tank
• Cook and assistant cook/waitress
• Horseman and horses in charge of loading and transportation of the camping equipment
• One night lodge in Aguas Calientes.
* All our tour packages are tailor-made according to your needs and specific requirements so, for price information please contact us at any of the following email addresses or booking form.

SALAKANTAY TREK NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast the first day (usually hotels have this service, or you can have breakfast in Mollepata). Lunch & dinner the last day after Machu Picchu tour
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (entrance fee S/. 15.00, clean towels and swimsuits can be rented in the entrance office)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented in our offices).
• Bus up or down from Machu Picchu unless required.
• Extra horse for carrying personal equipment from the first to the 4th day.

YOU MUST BRING:

• Backpack
• Original passport
• Extra clothing
• Warm clothes
• Well fitted trekking shoes
• Small towel
• Swimsuit
• Plastic poncho
• Canteen or bottle
• Snacks: cookies, sweets, chocolates, energizing bars (optional)
• Camera and extra batteries
• Bug Repellent, Sun screen and hat
• Purifying water pills
• Walking sticks with rubbers endings
• Flashlight

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED:

An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
• If you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee.
• An extra horse to carry your additional personal items (above the included 9kg) days 1 to 3: A horse can carry up to 20 kg.
• An extra porter to carry your additional personal items (above the included 9kg) days 3 to 5: A porter can carry up to 18 kg, which should be enough for 2 people.
• Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost
• Sleeping Bag rent
* Available discounts: Students: (students require a valid International Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age)

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy a spectacular trek to Machu Picchu through the majestic Peruvian Andes
Explore Machu Picchu with expert, local tour guides
Soak in views of snow-capped Andean peaks and awe-inspiring ruins sites
Enjoy the incredible turquoise Humantay lagoon
Get to know the Inca culture, its rites, and offerings with coca leaves to the most important mountains and divinities
The Salkantay Trekking offers the possibility of getting to know the life of the local people. You can also interact with the guides and muleteers who accompany you, sharing with them long cultural talks.
Enjoy the thermal baths of Cocalmayo, there is nothing better than quality thermal waters to regain strength and follow the hike to Machu Picchu.

Bulk discount (by percent)

Bulk discount adult

#	Discount group	From adult	To adult	Value
1	Group 5 adult	5		5
2	Group 10 adult	10		10

Itinerary

Expand All

We’ll meet you at your hotel lobby in Cusco the night before the “The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days” to go over the itinerary and you’ll able to take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trek begins. In case you can´t at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.

CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA

Level: Challenging/Tough
Max Elevation: 4200 m
Hiking Distance: 10 km
Approximate walking time: 8 hrs
We’ll leave Cusco at around 4:30am. To 5:00am. Heading to Mollepata village (9570 f.a.s.l.) in our private transportation, were we will arrive approximately at 9:00am for breakfast in a local restaurant. This day we’ll have a beautiful and panoramic trip to Limatambo, during the trip we’ll be able to view the majestic Salkantay Mountain and the Apurimac river valley. Once in Mollepata we will meet our support personnel which will load the camping equipment and food supplies on the horses to start with the hike towards Cruz Pata (10,560 f.a.s.l.), we’ll hike for a 3 hour period through the Andean communities of Cruz Pata and Challa Cancha were we will stop for lunch around 12pm. And after a short break we’ll continue to the Soraypampa village (12705 f.a.s.l.), arriving approximately at 5:30pm. For camping and dinner.

SORAYPAMPA - SALKANTAY PASS - CHAULLAY

Level: Challenging/Tough
Max Elevation: 4630 m
Hiking Distance: 22 km
Approximate walking time: 12 hrs
After a nice breakfast we’ll start the hardest stage of the trail leaving at 7:00am. We’ll hike through the place called Pampa Salkantay then head to the left side of the Umantay Mountain located near the Salkantay Mountain around 12:00pm. We’ll be at the highest point named Salkantay Umantay Pass (14850 f.a.s.l.), Appreciating spectacular views of the mountains and the impressive Salkantay white peak (20671 f.a.s.l.) just at hands reach, It’s known as the second highest peak in the Cusco region same as the Umantay and Huayanay mountains, after an hour resting we’ll have our lunch in the area known as Huayrac Punku continuing with our trek we’ll hike headed to the camps of Rayanniyoc (9537 f.a.s.l.), or the Chaullay campsite (9636 f.a.s.l.), where we will camp for the night and have dinner ending the second day.

CHAULLAY - COLPAPAMPA- LA PLAYA - LUCMABAMBA

Level: Challenging/Tough
Max Elevation: 2800 m
Hiking Distance: 18 km
Approximate walking time: 8 hrs
At 7:00am. After breakfast, we’ll start our hike for 5 hours passing through villages such as Collpabamba also called the cloudy jungle edge where we can appreciate waterfalls, fruit trees, a variety of flora and fauna, coca plantations and birds Here we can appreciate the banana harvest, if we’re lucky we can see the “Rooster of the rocks” (gallito de las rocas), the national bird. Following we’ll have our lunch in Wiñaypoko plus an hour of rest and then continue the hike for approximately 3 hours to arrive to the community named Playa (7755 f.a.s.l.), appreciating a great variety of orchids and camping for the night, dinner.

SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU: LLAQTAPATA - HIDROELECTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

Level: Challenging/Tough
Max Elevation: 2000 m
Hiking Distance: 25 km
Approximate walking time: 10 hrs
After breakfast at 7:30am. We’ll start our hike heading to the archaeological site of Llactapata where we’ll hike through a pass at (9735 f.a.s.l.) here we’ll appreciate some Inca traces. From this place we’ll have a view over the Machupicchu mountains and other peaks of the area, we’ll enjoy free time to rest after which we’ll descend for 2 hours towards the hydroelectric train station (6171 f.a.s.l.), after lunch we’ll leave at 3:20pm. Boarding the train (optional), or continue hiking on the train tracks for another 2 hours to Aguas Calientes village (6600 f.a.s.l.), you can visit the thermal pools (optional) which are veru close to the village, we’ll check–in at the hotel and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Level: Leisurely/Moderate
Max Elevation: 2720 m
Hiking Distance: 6 km
Approximate walking time: 6 hrs
This last day after breakfast we’ll board the bus up to the Machu Picchu sanctuary where we’ll arrive in 30 minutes, the guided tour will last around 3 hours, after which we will have time to take pictures or climb to the Huaynapicchu or visit the moon temple or the sun gate. Lunch in Aguas Calientes (optional) and return to Cusco city in a combined transportation train/bus where we will arrive at 8:30pm.

Backpack
Original passport
Extra clothing
Warm clothes
Well fitted trekking shoes
Small towel
Swimsuit
Plastic poncho
Canteen or bottle
Snacks: cookies, sweets, chocolates, energizing bars (optional)
Camera and extra batteries
Bug Repellent, Sun screen and hat
Purifying water pills
Walking sticks with rubbers endings
Flashlight

While we expect the tour will run as the itinerary describes. Participants should accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary liable to local conditions, e.g, strikes, natural disasters, these changes might be at the discretion of your travel company.

Included/Excluded

Pick up from your hotel transfer to the head of the trail in Mollepata
Return ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco via Ollantaytambo and connectiong bus Ollantaytambo/Cusco
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
Transfer train station to Hotel.
Professional guide in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Portuguese (according to the group participants request.)
Meals: 4 Breakfast, 4 Lunch, 4 Dinner.
Camping equipment (tents, kitchen, dinning tent, chairs, tables, mattresses)
First aid kit
Emergency oxygen tank
Cook and assistant cook/waitress
Horseman and horses in charge of loading and transportation of the camping equipment
One night lodge in Aguas Calientes.
* All our tour packages are tailor-made according to your needs and specific requirements so, for price information please contact us at any of the following email addresses or booking form.

Breakfast the first day (usually hotels have this service, or you can have breakfast in Mollepata).
Lunch & dinner the last day after Machu Picchu tour
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (entrance fee S/. 15.00, clean towels and swimsuits can be rented in the entrance office)
Bus up or down from Machu Picchu unless required.
Extra horse for carrying personal equipment from the first to the 4th day.
Sleeping Bags $ 20.USD (you can rent in our office in Cusco)
Walking Sticks $ 15 USD (you can rent in our office in Cusco)
Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas calientes ($ 34 usd)
Huayna Picchu Mountain ( $ 80 usd check before the availability )
Other personal expenses
Additional Services
Insurance
Additional Services
Insurance

Tour's Location

Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days, Cusco, PERU

FAQs

The Salkantay trek route is located within the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, in the district of Santa Teresa, province of La Convención and department of Cusco. Therefore, to get to the beginning of the walk, we will first pass through the inhabitants of Limatambo and Mollepata.

The Salkantay Trail connects the city of Cusco with the Machu Picchu Inca Citadel and travels approximately 89 km / 55 miles through high Andean peaks, cloud forest, and misty jungle. The walk begins in the town of Mollepata, a few kilometers from Cusco.

The Mountain of Salkantay; is located in the Vilcabamba Mountain range, northwest of Cusco. Salkantay is one of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the Andes (6,271 m / 20,574 ft).

National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine named the Salkantay Treks are the 25 best hikes in the world.

During the Salkantay Trek tour you will cross different altitudes; from 4630 meters above sea level, being the highest point the Abra Salkantay and will descend to 2050 meters above sea level in the town of Aguas Calientes.

Below we show you the different altitudes you will find on the route:

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Soyroccocha

Mollepata 2900 masl
Soraypampa 3900 masl
Salkantaypampa (lunch and rest) 4100 m.a.s.l.
Soyroccocha (camp) 4400 m.a.s.l.

Day 2: Soyroccocha – Abra Salkantay – Huaraymachay – Collpapampa

Salkantay Pass 4630 masl
Ichu Pata 4200 masl
Huayraqmachay 3853 masl
Rayampata 3400 masl
Platforms 3300 m.a.s.l.
Challhuay 2920 masl
Collpapampa 2900 masl

Day 3: Collpapampa – Sahuayaco – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

Playa Sawayaco 2000 meters above sea level
Santa Teresa 1600 m.a.s.l.
Hydroelectric 1800 m.a.s.l.
Aguas Calientes 2040 m.a.s.l.

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level
Waynapicchu: 2800 meters above sea level
Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,200 meters above sea level
Intipunku: 3,400 meters above sea level

Altitude sickness or soroche as some call it is very common. Because, it is a natural reaction of the body when going through sudden changes in height. For this, the fundamental cause is the lack of oxygen in the body (hypoxia). It seems that this occurs in people who come from a very low altitude. Whose destination has an altitude greater than 2000 meters above sea level and consequently may have the following symptoms:

Mild symptoms:
This list of symptoms can be alleviated with coca leaf tea (highly recommended), altitude sickness pills (check with a doctor before self-medicating). For this reason, you must descend to a lower altitude area, drink hot infusions and remain completely at rest. If the situation does not improve, it is advisable to call a doctor.

Difficulty to sleep
Feeling of vertigo
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea – vomiting
Tachycardias
Respiratory distress

Severe symptoms:
This list of symptoms, unlike the previous one, are more dangerous, they can be alleviated with the administration of oxygen through a mask. It is important to descend immediately from the altitude in which you are and medical attention is necessary since an inappropriate maneuver can be fatal for the patient. Likewise, it is suggested to keep the body hydrated by drinking at least 3 to 4 liters of water, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and adding a diet of carbohydrates and sugars.

Chest stiffness
Cough
Loss of consciousness
Pallor
Soft spot
Inability to walk
Respiratory distress

It is recommended to do the following:

A period of acclimatization is recommended for the body to assimilate height changes.
To rest well.
Drink hot infusions, preferably coca leaf tea.
Hydrate the body (drink between 3 to 4 liters of water).
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Feed on light food.
Consume foods based on carbohydrates and sugars.

The Salkantay trek that you will experience features many variations of climates along the route. It probably reached heights of up to 4,630 meters above sea level and unraveled up to 2,010 meters above sea level. Therefore, it is recommended to arrive in the city of Cusco at least 2 days before the trek so that you can eat a light diet, eat little, drink plenty of water and rest well. That is, being able to be in favorable conditions, acclimatize and avoid being affected by the so-called “soroche” or altitude sickness. That generates some problems such as headache, shortness of breath, beautiful, dizziness, etc.

Age: It is recommended that children under 12 years of age and older do not do this walk because it is “challenging”. Also, because it has an extreme cold climate, it requires a good physical condition.

Health: The walk is open to the general public. But, health is a very sensitive issue to take into consideration. Almost, it is not recommended to do this walk for people who have respiratory and cardiac problems. Since, the oxygenation at higher altitude is lower and harder to breathe, which will make your walk more difficult.

Another important point that you must take into consideration before starting the walk. It is to be aware if you have allergies or food restrictions. For this reason, it is preferable to take your medications if you have them and strictly comply with them, remember that there are no hospitals on the walk.

If you do this walk hiring a travel agency, it is very important to inform these details. So that they can take the necessary precautions and bring what is necessary for you to enjoy this walk.

In order to make the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu we must take into account the physical condition in which we find ourselves. To do this, we must prepare ourselves by strengthening our muscles and our endurance capacity for this walk. Because, it is not uniform and instead shows different levels of difficulty.

Thus, some specialists give the following recommendations:

Go hiking or walking:
It is advisable to walk gradually starting from 2 kilometers to 10 kilometers per day. Above all, to strengthen the muscles and test our endurance capacity. Also, we can make longer walks in mountainous areas that require a higher degree of difficulty. Taking into account that the second day of the Salkantay trek is 22 kilometers.

Breathing exercises:
To carry out the Salkantay trek, it is important to maintain the rhythm between our steps and our breathing to avoid rapid fatigue. For this reason, it is recommended to practice deep breathing exercises, diffracted breathing, full breathing and alternate breathing between nostrils and mouth.

Adequate diet:
Food is very important when doing this type of walk. Therefore, we recommend eating foods that are rich in iron and vitamin B, which helps us improve blood circulation, preferably eating green vegetables and fish.

Hydration:
Hydration is essential either on the walk or in our physical preparation so we will avoid energy wear and headaches.

from $389,00

Date

06/10/2025

Adults

Children

6-12

Organized by

inkaland

Member Since 2022

113 Reviews

The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days/ 4 Nights

Duration

Tour Type

Group Size

Languages

Overview

SALKANTAY TREK & MACHU PICCHU

Trekking Salakantay 5 days/ 4 Nigths

Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu 5 days:

Program Itinerary: Trekking Salakantay 5 Days.

HIGHLIGHTS

Bulk discount (by percent)

Bulk discount adult

Itinerary

Pre-tour briefing: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 1: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 2: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 3: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 4: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 5: The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

We recommend that you bring to The Trekking Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 Days

*IMPORTANT NOTE

Included/Excluded

Tour's Location

FAQs

WHERE IS LOCATED THE SALKANTAY TREK ?

SALKANTAY TREK OVERVIEW

WHAT ARE THE HEIGHTS ON THE SALKANTAY TREK ROUTE?

WHAT IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS

HOW TO AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS

IS ACCLIMATIZATION NECESSARY FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK?

THERE IS AGE RESTRICTION TO DO THE SALKANTAY TREK

PHYSICAL CONDITION FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK

Organized by

inkaland

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