The Ultimate Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights is the second most popular route to Machu
Picchu after the Classic Inca Trail. You’ll visit Humantay Lake, cross the Salkantay
Pass, descend into the cloud forest, tour organic coffee farms, take part in a
Pachamanca underground barbecue, camp at Llaqtapata overlooking Machu
Picchu, finish in the citadel itself, and return to Cusco on panoramic trains.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salkantaypampa
Your Salkantay TreXperience begins with a 04:30 pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
(depending on location) and a 3-hour drive to the trailhead, arriving around 08:30.
Enjoy your first breakfast prepared by the trekking chef and meet the team of porters
and horsemen.
Start hiking along an ancient Inca aqueduct for about 3 hours to
Soraypampa (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), where lunch will be served using
fresh local ingredients.
In the afternoon, climb for 2 hours to the stunning glacial
Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). Take time to explore, relax, and
enjoy views of the turquoise water and surrounding peaks. Then continue for about
2 more hours to the first campsite at
Salkantaypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), located at the base of
Salkantay Mountain with unobstructed views and incredible starry skies.
- Campsite altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Highest altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
- Distance: 12 km / 7.4 mi
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping under a million stars
- Considered: Moderate
Day 2 | Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa
Wake up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea while you admire the
sunrise over snowcapped Salkantay. After breakfast, begin a
2-hour ascent to the highest point of the trek:
Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft. On top, explore the area and
visit a small lake at the base of Salkantay Mountain if conditions allow.
Then descend for about 3 hours to Wayracmachay
(3,800 m / 12,467 ft) for lunch, keeping an eye out for vizcachas (Andean chinchillas).
After lunch, continue 3 more hours downhill, leaving the high, dry
alpine zone and entering the lush cloud forest where the air is warm and humid. This is
one of the fastest changes in climate and scenery you’ll experience. The second
campsite is near the village of Collpapampa (2,770 m / 9,087 ft).
- Campsite altitude: 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
- Highest altitude: 4,630 m / 15,190 ft
- Distance: 18 km / 11.1 mi
- Duration: ~9 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping next to a village
- Considered: Challenging
Day 3 | Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llaqtapata (Pachamanca & Coffee)
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Collpapampa with views of the mountains behind you. After
breakfast, hike along narrow jungle paths for about 3 hours, following
the river and passing wooden bridges, waterfalls, and plantations of granadilla,
bananas, and other tropical fruits until you reach Lucmabamba
(2,000 m / 6,561 ft) for lunch.
Today’s lunch is a highlight: participate in a traditional
Pachamanca Barbecue, an underground stone oven used to cook meats,
potatoes, and vegetables. While the food cooks, visit organic coffee farms and learn
how to harvest, roast, and brew your own cup. After about 45 minutes, uncover the food
and enjoy a delicious feast including cuy (guinea pig), Andean potatoes, and local
produce.
In the afternoon, climb for about 3 hours along an original Inca trail
to Llaqtapata (2,750 m / 9,022 ft), a small Inca site discovered by
Hiram Bingham and later “lost” again until recently. From here, you’ll get your first
distant view of Machu Picchu across the valley. Camp at Llaqtapata,
on a ridge directly facing Machu Picchu—if the weather cooperates, you’ll enjoy both
sunrise and sunset over the citadel from your tent.
- Campsite altitude: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft
- Distance: 16 km / 9.9 mi
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping in front of Machu Picchu
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4 | Llaqtapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
Open your tent to see Machu Picchu on a neighboring mountain while your trekking team
offers you coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, descend for about
2 hours to the Hydroelectric station. Enjoy a final
brunch with your trekking chef, say goodbye to the muleteers and kitchen team, and
then continue on foot toward Aguas Calientes.
The last stretch is a 3-hour walk along the railway, following the
Urubamba River upstream. You’ll stop at Mandor Botanical Gardens,
where Hiram Bingham met the farmer Arteaga, who first guided him to Machu Picchu in
1911. Visit Arteaga’s farm, home to endemic birds such as the cock-of-the-rock,
parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and orchids.
Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your 3-star hotel
where you can shower, rest, explore town, or visit the hot springs. Dinner will be in a
local restaurant while you review plans for the big day at Machu Picchu.
- Town altitude (Aguas Calientes): 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
- Distance: 14 km / 8.6 mi
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5 | Machu Picchu (Beat the Crowds!) – Return to Cusco
Today is the highlight of the trek. Wake up early, have breakfast at your hotel, and
take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to arrive for sunrise.
Enter the citadel when it’s quieter and watch the first light illuminate this
magnificent site.
Your guide will lead a 2–3-hour tour through the most important areas:
temples, palaces, plazas, terraces, and viewpoints, explaining the history, mysteries,
and Inca engineering behind this “city in the sky.” After the guided tour, you’ll have
free time to explore or, if you booked in advance, hike
Huayna Picchu or
Montaña Machu Picchu.
When you’re finished in the citadel, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for
lunch (not included), collect your bags from the hotel, and board the exclusive
panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo. A private van will then transfer you to Cusco,
with drop-off at your hotel around 19:30.
- Guided tour duration: 3–4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy (optional extra hikes are demanding)
Salkantay Trek 5 Days FAQs
What is Salkantay?
Salkantay is the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region
(6,271 m / 20,574 ft), located in the Vilcabamba range about 60 km west-northwest of
Cusco. The name means “Savage Mountain,” and it has been revered since Inca times as a
sacred Apu that controls weather and fertility. It was first climbed in 1952 by a
French-American expedition and is considered a difficult technical climb.
What is the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Trek is an alternative route to Machu Picchu that uses
ancient paths near Salkantay Mountain. It can be done in 4 or 5 days and reaches a
maximum altitude of 4,630 m / 15,190 ft at the Salkantay Pass. National Geographic
Adventure has named it among the “25 Best Treks in the World.”
How long is the Salkantay Trek?
Salkantay Trek 4 days / 3 nights:
Starts in Soraypampa, visits Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, then arrives at Machu
Picchu after 3 days of hiking. Day 4 is spent at Machu Picchu, returning to Cusco on
panoramic trains. Approx. 44 km / 28 mi of hiking (not including walking around Machu Picchu).
Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights:
The ultimate Salkantay version, visiting Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, and camping at
Llaqtapata in front of Machu Picchu. Approx. 60 km / 38 mi of hiking over 4 days,
plus a walking tour in Machu Picchu on Day 5.
How high is the Salkantay Trek?
It’s important to distinguish between the summit of Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft)
and the highest point of the trek: Salkantay Pass, at
4,630 m / 15,190 ft. Key overnight elevations:
- First campsite (Salkantaypampa): 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Second campsite (Collpapampa): 2,770 m / 9,087 ft
- Third campsite (Llaqtapata): 2,750 m / 9,022 ft
- Last night in Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
How cold is the Salkantay Trek?
Conditions vary greatly due to changing altitude and ecosystems:
- Day 1: Daytime up to ~18°C / 64°F; nights can drop below 0°C / 32°F.
Humantay Lake is always chilly, even in sun.
- Day 2: Cold and dry up to the pass (can feel very cold if it rains),
then much warmer as you descend into the cloud forest (up to 24°C / 75°F by day and
~10°C / 50°F at night).
- Days 3–4: Mostly warm, humid cloud forest and valley conditions;
daytime ~18–24°C / 64–75°F, nights around 10–12°C / 50–54°F.
- Day 5: Machu Picchu’s weather is typically warm and humid year-round.
Is the Salkantay Trek worth it?
Yes—Salkantay is one of the most varied and scenic treks to Machu Picchu. It combines
high alpine passes, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and cloud forest with cultural
experiences like coffee farms and Pachamanca, as well as a unique campsite facing
Machu Picchu. It’s challenging but extremely rewarding.
How difficult is the Salkantay Trek?
It is considered the most challenging trek to Machu Picchu that TreXperience offers,
with long days (up to 9 hours of hiking), altitude up to 4,630 m, and variable
weather. However, anyone with a moderate fitness level and some preparation can
complete it. You don’t have to be an expert hiker, but you should be active and
comfortable walking uphill.
How should I prepare?
You don’t need months of training, but we recommend:
- Doing short hikes (1–2 hours) and gradually increasing duration and frequency.
- Incorporating cardio (jogging, cycling, spinning) and some leg-strength exercises.
- Practicing walks that include some uphill sections, if possible.
Is altitude sickness a problem?
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness or experience. To minimize
risk:
- Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek departure.
- Use those days for light activities (City Tour, Sacred Valley, Maras–Moray).
- Avoid long, high-altitude hikes like Rainbow Mountain until after Machu Picchu.
- Drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and try coca tea.
- Bring altitude medication (Diamox or similar) if recommended by your doctor.
When is the best time to hike Salkantay and visit Machu Picchu?
The
best time is generally from April to November, during the dry
season. April and November are shoulder months with fewer people and slightly warmer
temperatures. January and February bring heavy rain and increased landslide risk, so
Salkantay is not recommended then—consider the Lares Trek instead.
