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Cusco

Cusco Region

Peru

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of Peru's most impressive trails. This 5-day, small-group hiking adventure offers an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail. You'll have the opportunity to explore a range of eco-systems, from snow-capped peaks to cloud forest. The trek takes care of all the necessary logistics, including accommodations, porters, and meals.

Day 1

Start with an early pickup and a drive to Mollepata, where you'll get an optional breakfast before continuing to Challacancha, the trek's starting point. The first-morning walk will be about 3 hours and will take you to your first accommodation, the Sky Camp of Soraypampa. After an energizing lunch at the facilities, the afternoon trek goes to the famous Humantay Lake, known as the jewel in the mountains. The 3-hour round trip will allow you, on this first day, to soak in the impressive Andean scenery and the lake reflections before you head down for a tasty dinner and well-earned sleep.

Salkantay Trail

Day 2

Today is the toughest day, but you’ll be greatly rewarded with fantastic views and the most wonderful scenery. After breakfast, you’ll be heading for 3 hours up to the Salkantay Pass, where you’ll spend some time taking photos of the incredible landscape and recovering your energy. Next, you’ll hike downhill to the lunch spot through the cloud forest before continuing on your way to the edge of the jungle. Amidst exotic scenery, you'll get to Chaullay, where you’ll spend the night in your Andean Hut.

Day 3

The adventure continues by hiking through the jungle of the Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll observe a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including banana, coffee, and avocado. You’ll get to our Jungle Domes camp at lunchtime for a rest before you get to enjoy a free afternoon to explore your surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm. You’ll get a good night’s rest this evening, listening to the sounds of nature all around.

Day 4

Today, things get more exciting as you hike along a part of the original Inca Trail. You’ll walk up for 2 hours to the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata and enjoy your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. You’ll also learn about the site’s history before beating the next stretch.

Next, you’ll walk downhill to lunch before making your way to Hidroelectrica. From here, you can continue on foot to Aguas Calientes for about 3 hours or board a train for an extra fee. Tonight, you’ll be dining in a restaurant and sleeping in a hotel before the grand day tomorrow.

Day 5

This day is to crown your journey at one of the World's Seven Wonders, Machu Picchu. To beat the crowds, you'll kick off early to the Citadel and get in for the first lookover. You'll enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the site and learn everything there's to know about it, including a visit to the most important nooks and sectors. If you book any additional hikes to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains, there's plenty more time to explore at your pace. You'll later return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and catch your train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can rest and reflect on this unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Salkantay Classic Trek 5 Days from Cusco

Overview

About

What you'll do

Meeting and pickup

What is included?

What is not included?

Meet your host

Itinerary

Cusco Multi-day Tours Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do

Here is the starting point

Salkantay Trail