The Salkantay trek is a 5-day, 42-mile route through the Andes to Machu Picchu, crossing the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters (15,090 feet) before descending through cloud forest to the Machu Picchu ruins. It's the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail: permit-free, bookable year-round, and trading ancient stonework for glacial lakes, snow peaks, and jungle. This is the full day-by-day itinerary, what each day actually involves, and what it costs.
Salkantay Trek at a Glance
- Distance: approximately 42 miles (68 km) over 4 days of hiking, plus a 5th day at Machu Picchu
- Highest point: Salkantay Pass, 4,600 meters (15,090 feet)
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging, mainly due to altitude and one long summit day. See our full Salkantay Trek difficulty guide for a realistic fitness breakdown.
- Permits: none required, unlike the Inca Trail's 500-hiker daily cap
- Cost: $400 to $1,500 depending on service level (see the full breakdown below)
Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
Hotel pickup is between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, with departure from Cusco around 5:15 AM for the roughly 2-hour drive to Mollepata, where the group stops for breakfast and last-minute supplies (about an hour). From there it's another hour to Soraypampa (3,900m), where you'll meet the muleteers and horses handling the gear for the rest of the trek.
The first hike of the trip climbs from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters, a turquoise glacial lake beneath Humantay mountain, before returning to camp at Soraypampa for the night.
Day 2: Salkantay Pass (4,600m)
This is the trek's hardest and highest day. An early wake-up and breakfast lead into the main ascent to Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters (15,090 feet), the highest point of the entire route, with views of Salkantay mountain's glaciers directly above the trail. After the pass, the trail descends in stages to a lunch spot and then continues down to camp at Chawllay.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent at Chawllay
- Maximum altitude: 4,600 meters (15,090 feet) at Salkantay Pass
- Distance: approximately 22 km (14 miles)
- Duration: 9 to 10 hours
- Difficulty: challenging
Day 3: High Jungle to Lucmabamba
The trail drops in elevation and the landscape changes fast, from high mountain terrain into cloud forest and then high jungle. The day includes a hands-on coffee tour in the Lucmabamba area, with an optional stop at Santa Teresa's hot springs for anyone who wants to soak after two hard days.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Distance: approximately 15 km (10 miles)
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Camping altitude: 2,000 meters
Day 4: Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
A roughly 3-hour climb leads to the archaeological site of Llactapata, which has one of the best long-range views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu on the entire trek. From there, the steepest descent of the trip (about 2 hours, trekking poles recommended) drops down to Hidroeléctrica, where the group stops for lunch before the final flat walk along the train tracks into Aguas Calientes for the night.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
An early bus ride from Aguas Calientes gets you to Machu Picchu in time for sunrise, followed by a guided 2 to 3 hour tour of the citadel covering its history and architecture. After exploring, the group returns to Aguas Calientes for lunch before catching the afternoon train back to Cusco.
What the Salkantay Trek Costs
Salkantay Trek prices range from about $400 to $1,500 depending on service level and group size:
- Budget ($400 to $600): larger groups, basic camping equipment, shared tents
- Mid-range ($600 to $900): smaller groups, better equipment, more comfortable camps
- Luxury ($900 to $1,500): domes or lodges instead of tents, private or small-group service
Whatever the price, make sure it includes an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, the train from Hidroeléctrica or Aguas Calientes, a professional guide, and camping equipment or lodging for every night, some budget listings leave one of those out and add it back as a surprise cost later.
Salkantay vs the Inca Trail
Both routes end at Machu Picchu, but they're different trips. The Inca Trail follows ancient Inca stonework the whole way and ends on foot through the Sun Gate, but it's capped at 500 hikers a day and regularly sells out 3 to 6 months in advance. Salkantay is permit-free, bookable year-round, and swaps ruins for higher passes, glacial lakes, and cloud forest, with the final approach to Aguas Calientes made by train rather than on foot. For a full side-by-side on cost, difficulty, and scenery, see our complete Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Salkantay Trek?
Moderate to challenging. The main factors are altitude (up to 4,600m/15,090ft at the pass), daily distances of 12 to 22 km, and changing terrain from high mountain to jungle. Most reasonably fit hikers who spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco first can complete it. For a full breakdown by fitness level, see our Salkantay Trek difficulty guide, and if you're worried about the elevation specifically, our guide to altitude sickness on the Salkantay Trek.
Which is harder, Inca Trail or Salkantay?
Salkantay reaches a higher maximum altitude and covers longer daily distances, which makes it more demanding cardiovascularly. The Inca Trail has more consistent stone steps and stairs, which is harder on the knees in a different way. Neither is objectively harder for everyone, it depends on whether altitude or sustained stair climbing is more difficult for you personally.
Does the Salkantay Trek include Machu Picchu?
Yes. Every legitimate Salkantay Trek itinerary, including this one, ends with a guided visit to Machu Picchu on the final day, with the entrance ticket and train ticket included in the tour price.
How much does it cost to trek the Salkantay?
Between $400 and $1,500, depending on group size and service level. See the full cost breakdown above.
Can a beginner do the Salkantay Trek?
Yes, with real preparation. It's not a technical climb, but the altitude and the Salkantay Pass day are genuinely hard on an unconditioned body. A few months of cardio training beforehand and 2 to 3 days acclimatizing in Cusco before you start make a large difference.
For the trail's official distance data, see AllTrails' Salkantay Trek page. Salkantay mountain itself, which the pass is named for, is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range at 6,271 meters (20,574 feet), towering more than 1,600 meters above the trail's highest point.
Ready to Book Your Salkantay Trek?
This exact 5-day itinerary, guided, with camping and Machu Picchu entrance included.
See The Itinerary →Small groups and private departures available.
Sources: AllTrails, Salkantay Trek; Wikipedia, Salcantay; altitude figures verified against Salkantay Trek elevation data.
Related Guides: Salkantay Trek Difficulty · Salkantay Trek Packing List · Salkantay Trek Altitude Sickness · Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek
