Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

An early start, we have a fine breakfast and prepare ourselves for the longest and most difficult day of the excursion. We start on a moderate pace for 1 hour till we get to Soyrococha. Then we hike uphill for around 3 hours more till we reach the high pass, at 4,800m close to the wonderful frosty peaks of Salkantay (6,271m) and Humantay (6,100m), the second highest peak in the Cusco region.

Here we enjoy the stunning scenery, you will also see heaps of stones called Apachetas and why not? You can built your Apacheta too. From here we descend for 1 hour to Wayracmachay (3,800m) where we have lunch and a rest. Then follows a 3 hour hike to our campsite Chaullay.

Salkantay Trek Map - Day 2

Another early start,  after our delicious breakfast, we will start our trek for about 6 hours, on this part of the hike we will walk on a narrow trail on the mountainside, discovering various types of orchids and species of plants, some cornfields and fields of fruits. We also get the chance to pass an exquisite waterfall on the path. After walking for around 5 hours we reach at La Playa. From here you have 2 options, if you choose the Santa Teresa option, we take a bus to Santa Teresa town. That will take about 45 minutes. Upon arrival we set up camp and have the opportunity to go to the hot springs nearby - about 45 minutes from town. (optional). In the evening we have dinner and rest at camp. The other option, if you want to see the Llactapata ruins is a two hour hike to Aobamba, where you camp for the night.

Salkantay Trek Map - Day 3

If you chose to go via the Llactapata ruins, you start the day with breakfast and then a 4 hour hike to the restored ruins (2,860m) from where you can view both Machu Picchu and Salkantay Mountain! Our tour guide shows us around the ruins. After that, we start descending for about 4 hour to Aobamba River through lush bamboo groves, orchards and coffee plantations providing us some excellent bird-watching opportunities. This way brings us to the Hydroelectric Plant, a place where we have lunch to later and continue along trails leading us to our hotel in Aguas Calientes town!

If you chose the Santa Teresa option, we have breakfast and after a short bus trip (1hour) we hike for about 2 hours passing the Urubamba River and onward to the Hydroelectric Station, where we have lunch nearby. We then continue to the town of Aguas Calientes crossing the bottom of the valley for about 3 hours along the train tracks until reaching the town. Once there we will go to our hostal. We have dinner and rest for our next bih day at Machu Picchu!!!

Salkantay Trek Map - Day 4

An early start to continue hiking to Machu Picchu and see the sunrise over this glorious old city! We walk for about 2 hours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and have a full guided tour that takes about 2 hours. After you have plenty of time to traverse the fortress on your own, and maybe climb Huayna Picchu (if you have a permit) or the Inca Bridge. Afterwards you can take the bus to Aguas Calientes. You can have lunch at Aguas Calientes (not included in the cost). In the afternoon, we return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.

Machu Picchu is both, the best and the least known site of the Incas as it is not mentioned in any Spanish conquistador´s chronicle so that contemporary archaeologists can not do anything more than just speculate on its functions. Local Quechuan farmers had known about Machu Picchu for centuries before an 11-year-old boy showed the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in a search of Vilcabamba) this site on the 24th of July 1911. At that time, all the rest of the world became aware of its existence. However, the site was covered with thick vegetation so Hiram Bingham along with his team returned and within the years of 1912 and 1915 cleared its surface. Over the years, plenty of work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain!

Salkantay Trek Map - Day 5

• Pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing);
• Early morning transfer by private bus to Challacancha - the initial point of the trek;
• Accommodation: Campsites (3 nights) and a Hotel in Machu Picchu (1 night);
• Entrance fee to the red of Salkantay and Machu Picchu;
• Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner and 4x afternoon hot beverages (please advise us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide (a group of up to 8 participants receives 1 Guide, a group over 8 persons receives 2 Guides);
• Professional Cook;
• Horseman;
• Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff; 
• An emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower;
• Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
• Camping equipment Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);
• Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress); 
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
• A pair Hiking poles
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
• Rain Ponchos;
• Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
• A T-shirt of the Salkantay Trek Map;
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town;
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo;
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

• Breakfast on the day 1 and lunch on the last day;
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ( U$80);
• A shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (U$12 - one way);
• Travel insurance;
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.

Optional Services to be hired

• You need to take 7 kilos of personal belonging included in the tour price carried by horses. If you would like to request more porterage for personal items each extra 3 kilos requested is USD 60 additional charge but you can just request this in the office at your checking.
• Maybe you have to doubt to walk in this trek, you can hire the extra emergency horses, the price is USD 80.

Our guide will visit your 2 or 1 day before the trek and He/ She will give you a briefing and more information about your trip and the suggest items. So it is very important, let us know, where you will be staying in Cusco. You can send us this information 2 week before your trek.

All Salkantay Trek Tour groups are accompanied by a Tierras Vivas Tour Guide. The aim of our Tour Guides is to take a hassle out of our customers’ trips and to help them to have the best trip in Peru. The Tour Guides provide all the information on places visited, offer suggestions of what to see and to do, recommend a good place to eat and introduce to his/her colleagues. The Guides have a broad general knowledge of each country visited during a tour, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local Tour Guides where we think that more specific knowledge could add more enjoyment to visited places.

During the Salkantay trek we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will put up and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: so you only need to carry your daily pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with. and in the last night you will spend the night in a cozzy hotel.

Our tents are of the brand MOUNTAIN PASS 3XTE or DOITE 3 ST, we use this brands for its high quality and recommendations. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent. After each trek, we carefully check our tents and fix or discard them if it is necessary! Remember ,we provide the sleeping bag, inflatable pillow and blanket.

On this hike is included the following train services:

PeruRail - Expedition Train

Machu Picchu to Cusco

IncaRail - The Voyager Train

Machu Picchu to Cusco

• On the Expedition and The Voyager is not included extra service inside the train.
• Our driver will drop off in your hotel.

UP GRADING Train service:

If you prefer Vistadome train or Machu Picchu Train 360 for this trek, the extra price is U$ 50 dollars. let us know before your booking your service.

Vistadome train Machu Picchu - Perurail

The Vistadome train have panoramic windows, which allows to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the route.Live an unforgettable experience of magic connection with nature on the Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo route on the PeruRail Vistadome train. 

In the Vistadome service you can enjoy of: 

• Long Stretch (from the Poroy Station, Cusco):
• Outbound: Snack Service
• Inbound: Snack Service
• Short Stretch (from the Ollantaytambo Station):
• Outbound: Light Snack Service
• Inbound: Light Snack Service
• Selection of hot or cold non-alcoholic drinks (one hot drink and one cold drink per person)

The 360 train Machu Picchu - Inca Rail

The only train in Peru with an entertainment app on board which will allow you to learn more about the train journey and the Inca civilization. Experience a unique way to travel to Machu Picchu, exploring the Andean landscape like never before with wider and taller panoramic windows and an observation outdoor carriage including a bar. Enjoy our appetizing selection of cold and warm drinks, prepared using fruit juices and Andean herbs, and our delicious gourmet and organic delights made with products from the Sacred Valley.

You can enjoy of:

• Comfortable seats with tables in front
• Bigger and wider panoramic windows
• Outdoor carriage including a bar to enjoy the landscape
• Gourmet and organic delights made with products from the Sacred Valley
• InTrain entertainment system.

The Hotel used in Aguas Calientes town is a 3 star hotel that have a good quality of service. Since it is clean, safe and comfortable with a friendly and very helpfully staff. They have private Twin, Double and Triple rooms, with small private bathrooms and hot gas water system. Hotel has one of the best locations in town, only few blocks from Train and Bus Station and you don't have to walk too much long uphill hikes to get to your room! It is about 10 minutes from the hot spring pools. We try to include an economical accommodation option for this trek to make it accessible for everyone but recommend that if you want a better accommodation in Aguas Calientes to celebrate your accomplishment of the trek, you can tell us when booking.

Accommodation during the Salkantay Trek tour:

These following hotels are used to accommodate you during your tour:

Single Accommodation: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we'll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 50 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the train or accommodation or do you want to stay extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly to info@tierrasvivas.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.

IMPORTANT TO ACCOMMODATION: You must present your passport with the TAM immigration slip (copy) to all hotel accommodations. The national sales tax (18%) is charged to all Peruvian citizens and foreigners staying 60 consecutive days or more. In case the room is shared by both a taxable and non-taxable guest at the same time, the sales tax will be applied to the whole room. So please take every caution to not lose this piece of paper. You need to bring it to the Cusco office for your checking.

UP-GRADING HOTELS in Aguas Calientes town: If you would like to stay in a Hotel 3 star or more, you have to pay extra, the discount for your hotel on the Salkantay Trek is U$ 25 per person (Double or Single room) Please request this at the time of booking.

It’s very important to take EXTRA MONEY. You need to take at least 200-300 soles emergency money:

• The local people built the small markets in the route and you can find the water, snack, chocolate, cola etc.
• Your first breakfast, last lunch no included
• Entrence fee to the hot spring
• If you cannot walk to Salkantay trek, our guide will help to you to up the horse.
• Tipping: If at the end of your trek you felt your trekking guide(s), and staff did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference: however as a guideline we suggest each hiker contributes USD 50 per person to a collective tipping pool, more is always appreciated.

Why to Choosing Salkantay?

If you’re looking for adventure and a challenge but also want privacy and authenticity, this is the trek for you! You need to know that making this trek is extremely difficult, but in reality anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do it. The overall trail distance is around 40 miles from the start to the finish point, which allows you to have the opportunity to see more of this fantastic region than you would see on the Inca Trail.

Do I need to book Salkantay Trek in advance?

This trek has departures 100% guaranteed, but train tickets and entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain is subjet to availability. For that reason, Tierras Vivas recommend book in advance, in the High trekkers season, it is very difficult find spaces available the train ticket and entrance to the lost city!

Not destroy the Salkantay Mountain with your trip

Why choose Tierras Vivas as your tour operator?

• A liscensed tour guide for 8 trekkers, two licensed tour guides from 9 up to 16 trekkers.
• Specialist operators for international tour companies;
• Highly experienced english speaking guide.
• Inclusion all equipment for your trek (sleeping bag, thermarest mattress, etc)
• Clean quality brand new camping equipment, 2 people per tent (4 season tents)
• Tents are of the brand MOUNTAIN PASS 3XTE designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, 
• Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
• Nutritious, well-balanced, hearty and healthy buffet meals with fresh, high quality ingredients, high in energy value and prepared carefully to avoid illness.
• Drinking water since the second day to fill up your water container for the day hike
• Daily afternoon tea
• Gentle wake up each morning! with a hot drink (coca tea, chocolate, coffee, etc)
• We catter for any food restriction
• Private Transportation to head trail
• Comfortable sleeping foam roll matts (inflatable)
• Tierras Vivas hires peruvian professional staff like guides, assistant guides, chefs, and porters and pay them with good wages far lots better than other tour companies do.

Salkantay Trek Tours TripAdvisor - Reviews

Tierras Vivas is a fully licensed tour operator and has 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor. The copy of our Salkantay Trek Tours Tripadvisor reviews below proves our experience and enthusiasm to offer our customers the best trip to the 5 day Salkantay Trek.

Check our Salkantay Trek Tours Tripadvisor comments below:

Unforgettable journey with Tierras Vivas

Salkantay Trek 5 days

Elena D. wrote a review: "This tracking was my first experience. And it was very successful. Self-testing, beautiful nature, completely unusual way of life. The team that accompanied us greatly helped us on the trip. Guide Edy is a very attentive, responsive and patient person. With a good sense of humor. Every day hi told us about details of the action plan for the next stage. The accompanying team did everything to make us comfortable: woke up whit hot cocatea,fed us deliciously, setting up tents etc. Тhank you so much for everything!!!"

Salkantay Trek: Amazing Guide!

Travel Guy  wrote a review: "I did the Salkantay 5-day Trek 2 weeks ago and had an amazing time! The views were amazing and so was the overall experience. Most notably, the 5-star food and our wonderful guide Alvina. She was incredible and helped us out with everything we possibly needed. Thanks for a great experience!"

Llactapata or Santa Teresa hot spring

Inca Trail Trek - Llactapata

From La Playa its a 2 hour walk to Aobamba, where you camp for the night. The next day its a 4 hour hike to the Llactapata ruins. After the visit you will descend for 3 hours till you reach hidroelectrica.

If you choose this option, you will continue the hike for 2 hours from La Playa to Aobamba camping where you will stay the night. On the following day, wake up early and we walk up to Llacatapata Mountain, 4 hrs. We get to the lower (and warmer) subtropical areas observing the different landscapes and the Incan ruins of Llactapata. Then we walk down 2 hrs to Hidroelectrica and 3 hrs more to Machu Picchu.

Santa Teresa hot spring

The easy route down the valley to Santa Teresa. If your group decide to go straight to Santa Teresa you will take the bus for an additional cost. At Santa Teresa you will visit the hot springs

The other option: We will rent the car (not included), and we ride 1 hr 45 min to Santa Teresa where we camp, between 4 pm and 5pm, we catch the local bus to Santa Teresa Hot Springs (USD 8 dollars) where you can relax. Next day, we will wake up 07:00 am and we continue the trek to Machu Picchu or you can choose the other activity, ZIP Line (USD 40 dollars). Lunch in Hidroelectrica. The last stretch of the trail, we follow the railway, which goes along the Urubamba River to Machu picchu. 

Train from Hidrolectry to Aguas Calientes

From Aobamba (Playa Sahuyaco), Llactapata ruins, Aguas Calientes are 12 hrs walk. If you tired and you want to take a break! you can continue your trip by train, there are trains leaving from Hidrolectrica to Aguas Calientes town between to 14:30 and 15:00, You can book this ticket on the train station. The extra price is U$ 35 per person.

Important Note:

• The camping equipment to Salkantay trek will be returned to Cusco on day 4th, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, mattress.
• Camping (double tent) provided in 1st, 2nd, 3rd nights
• The bed (double room) provided in Aguas Calientes town on 4th nights
• This trek to Salkantay included 7 kilos of personal items in the tour price carried by horses. Regarding horses who carry personal items. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather clothing and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution and anything you will need before lunch as horses do not walk alongside you
• You will meet up with your bag at lunch and then it will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
• The bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is included in this trek and our guide will provided on day 4

Usually The Salkantay hike is starting from Cusco, you can choose the best hotel or Airbnb insite de city. Please check your trip and location for pick you up.

On Trails

Along the Salkantay trail, on the first day and second day, between to the head trail (Challacancha - Huayracmachay) the temperatures range from 0-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny and can drop below freezing at night. in the night is cold between -05-2ºC.  Second and fourth day, it is subtropical zone and the altitude is lower, the weather are changing everyday. it is possible to rain, sunny or cloudy, the temperatures range from 25 - 35ºC during the day and if it raining is 10 -15ºC. In the night is 5 - 10ºC.

Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes

In Aguas Calientes/Machupicchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night. the altitude of the Machu Picchu is 2300 m and Aguas Calientes town 2200 m and usually everyday the weather are changing.

Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

What to Take on the Hike to Salkantay

1. Trekking shoes/hiking boots to walk on trails, Inca trails, mountains, glaciers, it is very important to wear hiking shoes that offer support, anti-slide, grid and shock absorption so that you can focus on a beautiful scenery of your trek and not on your feet. The shoes also should be waterproof and have got a cartage tongue and ankle cuffs that provide comfort and protection. Rubber sole as an impact protection is also recommended.

2. Small rucksack to carry your personal items during daily travels when all your baggage is not necessary.

3. Travel insurance (+ copies in a case of lost).

4. Jacket needs to be light, waterproof, windproog, especially designed for adventure and preferably made of bright colours to make you visible from far.

5. Trekking trousers should be convertible (trousers - shorts), should have pockets of a big capacity as well as satisfy your comfort during weather changes. It is suitable to be made of resistant and waterproof fabrics.

6. Walking sticks/poles enable you to walk with ease providing you with support on each step. They should be light, compact, preferably made of aluminum alloy and have an antishock system that absorb impacts before they reach your hand wrists.

7. Sandals for a better comfort whilst at a campsite.

8. Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping).

9. Hat or a cap as a protection against the Sun, rain as well as cold).

10. Sun cream or sun block

11. After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.

12. Insect repellent when in area with insect occurrence.

13. Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions).

14. Flashlight/headlamp + batteries

15. Handkerchiefs and toilet paper

16. Small towel and toiletries

18. Sufficient reserve of underwear and extra socks

19. Swimsuits when you pass through warm areas with lagoons, rivers, hot springs in Agua Calientes and Lares or other water sources.

20. Snacks such as biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.

21. Bottled water and a water bottle to be refilled. Metallic (alternatively Nalgene) bottles are ideal.

22. Water-purifying tablets if you like to use water from streams along a trail.

23. Cash in a local currency

24. Passport

If you have extra luggage, you can be left safely in your hotel in Cusco, in the Ollantaytambo train station or Tierras Vivas store luggage. if you decided in our store luggage, in the morning our driver will pick your luggage and He leave in our office and we will save 5 days and when you will return to Cusco, you can pick your luggage.

Extra information

• What is difference between large and small groups
• Inca Trail vs Salkantay
• Salkantay Trek vs Lares Trek
• Do you need to book salkantay trek in advance?
• How to book Salkantay?
• Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
• Salkantay Superior vs Cheaper
• Salkantay Trek Reviews