Salkantay Trek
An amazing off-the-beaten path hike to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trail is frequently voted one of the best hikes in the World. The trek takes 5 days and follows a quiet but well-trodden path through the wild North-west of Cusco.
The main highlight on the trek is the snow-capped peak of Mount Salkantay (6,271m), which dominates the landscape and provides an awesome backdrop to an unforgettable trek.
The trail finishes at the small town of Aguas Calientes, situated just below Machu Picchu.
Summary
DURATION
5 days
LOCATION
Peru
START & ENDS
Cusco, Cusco
DIFFICULTY
Easy Moderate Challenge Hard
Highlights
Itinerary
- day 2
- day 3
- Day 4
- DAY 5
CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE
FOOD
Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Camping
ACTIVITY
Drive: 3 hours. Hike: 12km
ELEVATION
Starting Elevation (3350 m)
Highest Elevation (4200 m)
Campsite Elevation (3900 m)
We will leave Cusco around 4:30 am by bus to the town of Mollepata (2,900 m) where we will arrive at about 8:00 am. Here we will stop for last-minute supplies, a quick stretch and restroom break. We will then continue upwards by bus to our trek starting point at Challacancha.
At Challacancha we will meet with our support staff, load our equipment onto horses and mules, and by 9:00 am we begin our walk towards Soraypampa (3,900 m). During this part of the trek, we already can have (weather permitting) panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay and Humantay mountains. By midday its time for a classic Peruvian lunch. After lunch, our trail continues upwards toward Humantay Lake, turquoise waters right at the foot of the glacier. Upon descending back to our camp, our tents will be ready for you, as well dinner.
Dates & Prices
Below are our open group dates for the Salkantay Trek. If the dates below don't suit, please get in touch as we can open a new group on any day as long as you have at least 2 people in your party.
Please note: January and February are the rainy season and we therefore don't recommend trekking during this period.
If the dates below don't suit, please get in touch as we can open a new group on any day as long as you have at least 2 people in your party.
What's Included
Included
Not Included
Pre-trip briefing: The evening before departure we ask guests to visit the offices of Inkayni Peru Tours in Cusco at 19:00 for a pre-departure briefing. You will be sent details for this briefing once your trip is booked.
FAQ
When is the best time to complete this adventure?
When should I arrive in Cusco prior to this adventure?
How fit do I need to be?
Do I need a visa for Peru?
What immunisations should I get?
Are vegetarian and other special dietary needs available?
How big are the groups?
Can I do the trek privately?
Is there a minimum age requirement?
How much should I tip the crew?
What are your cancellation terms?
Got a question?
Our expert travel consultants can help you plan the perfect adventure!
Email: [email protected]
Packing List
Clothing
- 2 x hiking shirt + 1 x long-sleeve hiking shirt
- 1 x hiking trousers and 1 x shorts
- Base layer
- Mid-weight fleece jacket
- Hard shell rain jacket
- Insulating down or synthetic jacket / gilet
- Light gloves and warm insulating gloves
Headwear
- Sun hat + Sunglasses
- Beanie for the nights
- Neck warmer
Bags
- 20-25L daypack
- 45-55L Backpack (carried by mules, needs to be no heavier than 7kg). Only pack what is necessary for the 5 days of the trip. The rest of your luggage can be left in a storeroom at your hotel/hostel in Cusco or our office.
- Plastic bags to protect sleeping bag and other gear from rain
Footwear
- Mid-weight hiking boots
- 3-4 x hiking socks
- Trainers for camp
Sleeping
- 4-season sleeping bags
- Sleeping mat (optional)
Other Essentials
- Original passport (you need this to enter Machu Picchu)
- Hiking poles
- Headlamp with new batteries
- Snacks
- Water bottle / hydration bladder
- Water treatment tablets
- Camera
- Sun cream
Accommodation
Night 1, 2 and 3: Great quality camping tents for 2 trekkers sharing.
Night 4: Golden Sunrise Machu Picchu Hotel or similar 3 star hotel.
Accommodation in Cusco: Accommodation in Cusco is not included in this tour. We recommend arriving in Cusco 48 hours before the tour to properly acclimatise to the high altitude. There are many hotel options in Cusco. See deals on Agoda.
Reviews
We loved it!
I went with my family to visit Everest basecamp. I cannot thank Himalaya Leisure enough for this! Truly something you have to experience for yourself!
Breathtaking Experience!
Every person on the planet has to experience this for themselves, It’s honestly one of the most breath taking experiences you will ever have. I honestly trekked many places but this was among my top 20 treks. I highly recommend them! You can also check out my blog at: https://outsideorigin.com
Pretty good
I loved it, really cool experience
Best Adventure Yet
Thanks Mountain IQ and Altezza for arranging our climb. It is by far the best adventure holiday I have ever experienced, the toughest too! Our guides and the entire support were truly amazing – I don’t think I would have made it without their support and encouragement! Thanks again!
Tip top trekking experience
Visiting the Annapurna Sanctuary has been one of the highlights of my life. I was very nervous joining this trek as I was a solo female and had never trekked at altitude. The team at Mountain IQ were fantastic at answering all my questions and putting my concerns to rest. Once in Nepal, Upendra and the Himalayan Leisure team were just amazing. Our guide, Dorchi, was an absolute hoot and very caring. The whole experience from beginning to end was awesome. Thanks again!
Simply magnificent!
We joined this trek with short notice. Upendra was very responsive and accommodating to our needs. The tour from pick up to drop off was professional and fun. Would highly recommend joining this tour!
An once in a lifetime experience!
This was by far the most amazing adventure we’ve ever had. We can’t thank the team at Himalayan Leisure and at Mountain IQ enough for arranging such an incredible trek for myself and my girlfriend. From the very get go, the support from Mountain IQ and Upendra was top notch. All our questions were answered quickly and in detail. Once we arrived in Kathmandu we were warmly welcomed. The pre-trek briefing was excellent and we immediately liked our guide Dawa, and felt confident putting our safety in his hands. The trek itself is truly amazing – the views throughout were spectacular. The high pass was a big challenge but the whole group managed it without too much strain. We can’t wait to return to Nepal to complete the EBC trek via Gokyo and will definitely be going with HL again!
Epic experience with Dawa and his team
Just a quick note to say thank you to Himalayan Leisure for an amazing trekking experience to EBC. We felt well looked after throughout and really enjoyed the company of our guide Dawa. I highly recommend booking this adventure!
A superb trekking experience
We had an absolutely amazing experience with Himalayan Leisure on this trek in the Langtang region. The Langtang is a lot quieter than the popular trails to Everest. If you are looking to get off the beaten path then I highly recommend this trek and HL!
Superb Tour!
This tour company is excellent. From the time they met us at Cusco airport, their interaction with us was first class. They were able to accommodate the tour changes we requested. Our guide, Percy, was excellent, very knowledgeable and took the time to explain and answer questions. I highly recommend Inkayni. I would advise anyone who wants to see Cusco and Choquequirao to select this tour company.
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BOOKING TERMS
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LOCAL TOUR OPERATOR
GO TO MOUNT KENYA
This tour is operated by Inkayni Peru Tours, a fantastic local operator based in Cusco, Peru. The company is run by Edgar, Alex, and Percy, spiritual brothers and natives of the town of Chinchero in the Sacred Valley. Together they are united by their ambition of offering personalised services of great quality, aiming to make every experience unique and unforgettable. With Inkayni Peru Tours you can expect a professional tour to the highest standard!