Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular Machu Picchu Hiking Tours you can experience in Peru. This classic route offers a dramatic journey through the Andes, combining snow‑capped peaks, lush cloud forest, Andean culture, and the unforgettable arrival at the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

What Makes This the Best Machu Picchu Trek

• Epic Andes Trekking Adventure: Hike through diverse ecosystems from high mountain vistas to tropical cloud forests as you trek toward Machu Picchu.

• Iconic Salkantay Pass: Reach high altitudes near the legendary Salkantay Mountain, one of the most stunning peaks in Salkantay Trek Peru, before descending into jungle landscapes.

• 5D/4N : Classic itineraries like the Salkantay Trek 5D/4N longer 5‑day tours offer flexibility for different trekking styles and fitness levels.

• Cloud Forest Trek Machu Picchu: The route takes you deep into the cloud forest — a vibrant habitat of waterfalls, orchids, wildlife, and ancient Inca paths — before reaching the rail corridor near Aguas Calientes.

• Cultural Immersion: Along the way, you’ll pass through traditional villages, experience local coffee farms, and connect with Andean culture.

• Best Alternative to the Inca Trail: This trek is widely regarded as the Best Machu Picchu Trek for adventurers who want a less crowded, more scenic route to the Lost City of the Incas.

Highlights of the Adventure

• Adventure Trek Cusco: Start and finish your journey near Cusco — the ancient heart of the Inca Empire — with expert guides and all logistics handled for you.

• Spectacular Natural Views: From the turquoise Humantay Lagoon and glacial valleys to lush jungle rivers and cloud forests, every day brings new landscapes and photo opportunities.

• Arrival at Machu Picchu: On the final day, enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Options for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes can be added.

• Peru Trekking Tours: This route is one of the most popular and rewarding Peru Trekking Tours available and is perfect for both first‑time hikers and experienced trekkers.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Ultimate Hiking Adventure in Peru

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa

Day 2: Soraypampa – Colcapampa

Today is the final stretch of the trek before we reach Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The main focus of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata sat on the mountainside high above. Following an original Inca Trail we’ll arrive to Llactapata by early to mid morning and can enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu that we get from here.
Salkantay Trekking machupicchu 5/4 After a tour of Llactapata in which we’ll learn about the Inca people and their culture we’ll head back down the mountainside to the Hydroelectric Station from where we’ll walk to Aguas Calientes.

Day 4: La Playa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Our destination today is the village of La Playa about 12km down the valley from Colpapampa. Our route takes us along the Lluskamayo River through an area that is teeming with life and that has various coffee and fruit plantations. The scenery in this area is not as stunning as the previous day but the warmth and lush vegetation are a welcome respite from the high mountains we’ve left behind.
Tonight we will stay at the village of La Playa (2400m / 7874ft.) which is well connected and there are plenty of places where you can buy snacks and refreshments, you can also try some of the locally grown coffee. If you are interested there is the option to visit some hot springs that are close by, let your guide know in advance so that he can organise this for you.

Day 3: Colpapampa – La Playa

Today is the longest and hardest day of the trek but also the most beautiful. The scenery throughout the day goes from one extreme to another; starting from the high Puna covered in Ichu grass we make our way up and over Salkantay pass where everything is rock and ice and then descend the far side down to the warm and lush cloud forest below. Along the way we’ll see a variety of wildlife from the small finches that scrape by at the higher altitudes to hummingbirds and toucans in the cloud forest, there is also a chance to see Andean Fox, White Tailed Deer and Viscacha (rabbit-like Chinchillas).
Our campsite for tonight is at Colpapampa (2900m / 9514ft), it is recommended you put on insect repellant from this point on as the mosquitoes in the area have a nasty bite.

• Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu begins in Cusco with hotel pickups scheduled between 4:30 and 5:00 AM. During this period, the guide will gather participants from their respective hotels in Cusco. After assembling the group, you will depart from Cusco around 5:15 AM, heading towards the town of Mollepata by car, a journey of approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival in Mollepata, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast at one of the local restaurants, included in the tour. Typically, the stay in Mollepata, including breakfast and last-minute supplies shopping, lasts about an hour.

• Post breakfast, the journey continues by car towards Soraypampa for another hour. Once at Soraypampa, you will meet the team of muleteers and horses, marking the start of the Salkantay trek. Before beginning the hike, all equipment and duffle bags will be handed over to the muleteers and horses. The trek from Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon starts at an elevation of 3,900 meters and ascends to 4,200 meters, the location of the lagoon. The initial part of the trek involves a gradual ascent for about an hour, followed by a steeper climb for the last hour. The total hike to the lagoon takes approximately 2 hours.

• Upon reaching Humantay Lagoon, you’ll have free time to enjoy the breathtaking views, take photos, and listen to the guide’s insights. The stay at the lagoon typically lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours, weather permitting. After visiting the lagoon, the descent begins towards the Quiswarniyoc campsite. This part of the trek involves a 1-hour downhill walk followed by a 45-minute nearly flat trek.

Day 5: Machu Picchu! Cusco

Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco

Includes

Includes

Travel insurance
Gratuities
Last lunch
Entrance to hot springs
We recommend that you bring:
Original passport and Student card
Sleeping bag (can be hired from us)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable trousers
Sun hat
Sun protection cream
Insect Repellent
Water
Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
Toiletries
Personal medication
Camera and films
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:
Shorts
Walking stick
Plasters and bandages
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa or/and in Aguas Calientes.
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Last lunch
Entrance to hot springs

Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
Collection from hotel
Return transportation (bus to start of trail and tourist train back to Ollantaytambo)**
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Cook
2-people tents
Sleeping mattresses
Horseman and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 8 kilos of tourist’s belongings)
1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Extra oxygen
First Aid kit
Vegetarian/special diet options available on request
**Train included in all tours is the backpacker train. Times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. We will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).

WHY CHOOSE INCA LAND ADVENTURES ?Inca Land Adventures is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. IncaLand Adventures is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

Price Per Person:2026

• 1 people : US$1250.00 per person

• 2 people : US$850.00 per person

• 4 people : US$800.00 per person

• 6 people : US$750.00 per person