The trek begins with a visit to Humantay Lake, a turquoise water body sitting at 4,200 meters elevation, surrounded by glacial peaks that dominate the Andean landscape. From there, you continue toward the imposing Salkantay Mountain, which reaches 6,271 meters and serves as one of the most sacred peaks in Andean cosmology. The ascent to Salkantay Pass at 4,700 meters represents the physical pinnacle of the entire route, offering unobstructed views of snow-covered summits and deep valleys that extend toward the Amazon basin.
As you descend from the high mountains, the environment transforms completely. The arid, cold highlands give way to the lush Lucmabamba Valley, where subtropical conditions support coffee cultivation and diverse vegetation. Here you’ll participate in a hands-on coffee experience with local families who maintain traditional cultivation methods passed down through generations. This cultural interaction provides direct insight into agricultural practices that define the regional economy and daily life in these mountain communities.
The route includes a night at our exclusive accommodations featuring panoramic cabins and Star Domes – crystal-clear geodesic structures that allow you to observe the southern hemisphere’s night sky without leaving your sleeping area. This overnight experience in Lucmabamba combines comfort with immersion in the natural surroundings, creating a memorable contrast to the more rustic camping conditions of previous nights.
On the fourth day, you’ll hike along an original Inca trail section to reach Llactapata, an archaeological site that remains less visited than other locations in the region. From Llactapata, you gain a unique perspective of Machu Picchu across the valley – a viewpoint that few travelers experience. The Inca constructions at Llactapata demonstrate sophisticated terracing and water management systems that characterize Inca engineering throughout this territory.
The trek culminates with a complete guided visit to Machu Picchu, where our expert guides provide detailed explanations of the site’s architecture, astronomical alignments, and historical significance. The circuit you follow depends on ticket availability at the time of booking, and we prioritize the most comprehensive routes that allow maximum access to the citadel’s structures and viewpoints.
Throughout the entire 5 days, MACHU PICCHU TEAM provides all necessary logistical support. Our guides are experienced mountain professionals who speak multiple languages and have extensive knowledge of both the natural and cultural features along the route. The cooking team prepares fresh meals using local, organic ingredients, accommodating various dietary requirements. Our private transportation is owned and operated by MACHU PICCHU TEAM, ensuring reliability and safety throughout the journey. Horses and muleteers transport all camping equipment and your personal belongings (up to 7 kilos per person), allowing you to hike each day with only a light daypack containing essentials.
This trek demands proper physical preparation and altitude acclimatization. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco before starting the route to allow your body to adjust to elevations that range from 2,000 to 4,700 meters. The combination of altitude, daily distances, and terrain variability makes this a challenging undertaking that rewards those who come prepared with an authentic mountain experience and access to some of Peru’s most impressive landscapes and historical sites.
📅 AVAILABILITY & BOOKING
To check availability and book the Salkantay Trek, click the BOOK ONLINE button to access our real-time calendar.
If your start date is available, it means Machu Picchu tickets are also available.
Once your booking is confirmed, we will purchase your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, choosing the
best available circuit at the time of booking.
We prioritize circuits according to real-time availability shown on the official Peruvian government website.
- Opt 1: Llaqta Machupicchu / Circuit 2 – Route 2-A (Classic):
Classic viewpoint and full citadel tour. Photo | Video - Opt 2: Circuit 2 – Route 2-B (Lower Terrace):
Similar to Opt 1 with a slightly different route. Photo | Video - Opt 3: Circuit 1 – Route 1-B (Upper Terrace):
Panoramic views, no citadel access. Photo | Video - Opt 4: Circuit 3 – Route 3-B (Royalty Route):
Lower Machu Picchu only. Photo | Video - Opt 5: Circuit 1 – Route 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain):
Mountain hike, no citadel visit. Photo | Video - Opt 6: Circuit 3 – Route 3-A (Waynapicchu Mountain):
Waynapicchu hike + partial citadel visit. Photo | Video
If Opt 1 is important to you, book at least 4 months in advance. Tickets are sold exclusively by the Peruvian government.
Trip details
- Badge: Featured Tour
- Duration: 5-Day, 4-Night Trek
- Price From: $310
- Student Price: $290
- Special Offer: Book the Salkantay Trek with us and get our Rainbow Mountain Full Day tour for just $22
- Trip Style: Hiking
- Difficulty Level: Challenging
- Group Size: Maximum 16 People
- Meals Included: 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- Total Distance: 75 Km
- Departures: Daily departures
- Trip Start: Cusco – Pick-up from your accommodation
Trip Summary
Day-by-Day Summary (Hour by Hour)
DAY 1: CUSCO, EXPLORATION OF HUMANTAY LAKE AND CAMPING AT QUISWARNIYOC
- 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. – Hotel pickup in Cusco
- 5:15 a.m. – Departure from Cusco toward Mollepata
- 7:15 a.m. – Arrival in Mollepata, breakfast at local restaurant
- 8:15 a.m. – Departure from Mollepata toward Soraypampa
- 9:15 a.m. – Arrival at Soraypampa, meet muleteers and horses
- 9:30 a.m. – Begin trek to Humantay Lake
- 11:30 a.m. – Arrive at Humantay Lake (4,200 meters)
- 1:00 p.m. – Depart Humantay Lake, descend toward Quiswarniyoc
- 2:00 p.m. – Arrive at Quiswarniyoc campsite, lunch
- 3:00 p.m. – Free time for rest and acclimatization
- 6:00 p.m. – Dinner at campsite
- 7:00 p.m. – Briefing for Day 2
DAY 2: QUISWARNIYOC, ASCENT TO THE HIGHEST POINT, SALKANTAY PASS AT 4,700 METERS, AND DESCENT TO CHAWLLAY CAMP
- 5:00 a.m. – Wake-up coca tea service
- 5:30 a.m. – Breakfast at campsite
- 6:00 a.m. – Begin ascent to Salkantay Pass
- 9:30 a.m. – Arrive at Salkantay Pass (4,700 meters)
- 10:15 a.m. – Depart Salkantay Pass, begin descent
- 12:15 p.m. – Arrive at Wayracmachay for lunch
- 1:15 p.m. – Depart lunch spot toward Chawllay
- 4:00 p.m. – Arrive at Chawllay campsite (2,900 meters)
- 6:30 p.m. – Dinner at campsite
DAY 3: EXPLORATION OF SANTA TERESA VALLEY: LUCMABAMBA COFFEE PARK AND STAR DOMES
- 5:30 a.m. – Wake-up tea service
- 6:00 a.m. – Breakfast at campsite
- 6:30 a.m. – Begin trek from Chawllay to Lucmabamba
- 10:30 a.m. – Arrive at Lucmabamba, coffee tour experience
- 12:00 p.m. – Lunch at Star Domes
- 1:00 p.m. – Optional activities (zipline or hot springs) or free time
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner at Star Domes
- 8:00 p.m. – Briefing for Day 4
DAY 4: TREKKING THE INCA TRAIL TO LLACTAPATA, EXPLORING INCA SITES AND MACHU PICCHU VIEWPOINT, HIKE TO AGUAS CALIENTES
- 6:00 a.m. – Wake-up call
- 6:30 a.m. – Breakfast at campsite
- 7:00 a.m. – Begin trek to Llactapata
- 10:00 a.m. – Arrive at Llactapata archaeological site
- 11:00 a.m. – Depart Llactapata, descend toward Hidroeléctrica
- 1:00 p.m. – Arrive at Hidroeléctrica, lunch
- 2:00 p.m. – Begin walk to Aguas Calientes
- 5:00 p.m. – Arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into hostel
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner in Aguas Calientes
- 8:00 p.m. – Final briefing for Machu Picchu visit
DAY 5: FINAL DAY – EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU & RETURN TO CUSCO
- Variable wake-up time based on Machu Picchu entry ticket (between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.)
- Entry time to Machu Picchu as shown on ticket (typically 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
- 2.5-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Return to Aguas Calientes
- Departure to Cusco (by train: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. / by car: 3:00 p.m. from Hidroeléctrica)
- Arrival in Cusco (by train: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. / by car: 10:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)

