Weighing the Salkantay Trek pros and cons: the biggest pros are fewer crowds, no permit lottery, and dramatic scenery that shifts from snow peaks to cloud forest in a single day. Its biggest cons are a harder altitude day than the Inca Trail (the pass tops out at 4,600 meters, 15,090 feet), fewer emergency services along the route, and a longer, more physically demanding trek overall. Whether that trade works in your favor depends mostly on your fitness level and how much you value solitude over ancient stonework. Here is the honest breakdown.
Salkantay Trek pros
- Far fewer crowds than the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail caps at roughly 250 trekkers a day by permit. Salkantay has no daily cap, but in practice draws a fraction of the foot traffic, especially past the first day.
- No permit lottery. Inca Trail permits sell out months ahead, sometimes for entire seasons. Salkantay can typically be booked with weeks, not months, of notice.
- More dramatic scenery variety. One trek takes you past a snow-capped 6,271-meter peak, through high alpine plains, and down into tropical cloud forest, a wider range of ecosystems than the Inca Trail covers.
- Generally lower cost. Salkantay tours typically run $700 to $990 per person depending on group size, often less than equivalent Inca Trail packages once permit fees are factored in.
- A real physical challenge with a payoff. Reaching Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters is genuinely difficult, and that difficulty is part of why hikers who complete it describe it as one of the most rewarding treks in Peru.
Salkantay Trek cons
- Higher, harder altitude day. Salkantay Pass sits at 4,600 meters (15,090 feet), about 400 meters higher than the Inca Trail's highest point, Dead Woman's Pass. The CDC's Yellow Book guidance on high-elevation travel recommends acclimatizing at intermediate elevation first, exactly why 2 to 3 days in Cusco before starting matters more on this route than on the Inca Trail.
- Limited medical access on the route. The trail passes through remote terrain with only one small village en route (Marcoccasa) and no local medical facilities. So any serious issue means a longer evacuation than on the more infrastructure-supported Inca Trail.
- Weather can close the pass. The trek is best done May through October. Outside that window, particularly December through March, rain and snow can make Salkantay Pass genuinely hazardous or impassable.
- It is a longer commitment. The full experience is typically 5 days versus the Inca Trail's 4, which matters if your Peru itinerary is tight.
- Cold nights and real fitness demands. Camping at altitude means near-freezing overnight temperatures on the first two nights, and the first day's roughly 6-hour climb, some of it steep, is not a gentle warm-up.
Is the Salkantay Trek worth it
For most reasonably fit travelers who want fewer crowds and don't mind a harder altitude day, yes. It suits people who value scenery variety and solitude over walking the original Inca stonework, and who have enough flexibility to book without needing a permit reserved months in advance. It suits you less if you are short on time, have a heart or lung condition, or specifically want the historical/archaeological experience of the actual Inca road, in which case the Inca Trail is the better fit. For the full side-by-side on cost, crowds, and difficulty, see the complete Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek comparison, and for day-by-day logistics beyond this pros-and-cons breakdown, see the full Salkantay Trek itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salkantay Trek worth it?
Yes, for most fit travelers who want a less crowded, more scenic alternative to the Inca Trail and don't mind a harder altitude day. It is one of the most highly rated treks in the Cusco region among hikers who complete it.
Is Salkantay Trek hard?
It is moderate to strenuous, mainly because of altitude rather than technical difficulty. Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters (15,090 feet) is the hardest single point, about 400 meters higher than the Inca Trail's highest pass. Reasonable fitness and 2 to 3 days of acclimatization in Cusco beforehand make it manageable for most hikers.
Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail: which should you choose?
Choose Salkantay for fewer crowds, more scenery variety, easier last-minute booking, and generally lower cost. Choose the Inca Trail for the historical experience of walking original Inca stonework and arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. See our full comparison guide for the complete breakdown.
What is the best Salkantay Trek company to book with?
A fixed, reasonably sized group, a certified guide, a full support crew (cook and porters or horses for gear), oxygen and first-aid supplies carried on the trail, and transparent pricing with no hidden fees for park or bridge entries.
How does the Salkantay Trek compare to the Lares Trek?
Salkantay is higher altitude and more physically demanding, while Lares is generally considered easier and more focused on Andean village culture along the route. Both are strong Inca Trail alternatives; the right pick depends on whether you prioritize a physical challenge or a cultural one.
Ready for Fewer Crowds and Bigger Views?
Certified guides, a full support crew, and no permit lottery standing between you and booking.
Check Availability →2027 departures open now; May through October dates fill first.
Source: CDC Yellow Book, High-Elevation Travel and Altitude Illness guidance.
Related Guides: Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu · Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek · Salkantay Trek Itinerary · Salkantay Trek Difficulty
