5D/4NSalkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Humantay Lake, the Salkantay pass and cloud forest down to Machu Picchu.
from $650 USD
See trek details All the drama of Salkantay in four days. Glacier lake, the 4,600 m pass and a spectacular descent into warm cloud jungle, ending at the foot of Machu Picchu. It's the version for strong walkers with a tight schedule — longer days, the same jaw-dropping views, and our crew taking care of every meal and every camp.
Trip highlights
- Humantay Lake beneath the glacier
- Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m
- Descent from snow into cloud jungle
- Coffee tasting at a family farm
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Why book direct with a local operator
Our own crew
Guides, chefs and crew are our team in Cusco — no middlemen, no resold departures.
Fair pay
Porters and horsemen are paid fairly, carry legal weights and get proper gear and meals.
Best trail food
Our trail chefs cook fresh Andean dishes three times a day.
Low-impact trekking
Leave No Trace camps, waste carried out, community projects supported.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Cusco → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake
Walking time
3–4 h
Distance
7 km
Climb
+450 m
Descent
−450 m
Highest point
4,200 m
We pick you up before dawn and drive through sleeping villages to Mollepata, where breakfast is waiting. By late morning you reach Soraypampa, right beneath the white wall of Salkantay. After lunch you climb slowly to Humantay Lake — and nothing prepares you for that colour: a turquoise mirror held by a glacier. Sit on the rocks, catch your breath, listen to the ice crack. Back at camp the tea is hot, the stars come out, and the mountain glows pink before it disappears into the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinnerOvernight: Soraypampa 3,900 m
Departure dates
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Available Few spaces left Sold out No departure
Daily departures all year, no permit needed — book up to 3 days before. Tap a green date to book it.
What's included
- Tents set up by our team, dining tent and kitchen
- Trail chef and all meals listed in the itinerary
- Horsemen and mules / porters for all camping gear and 5–7 kg of your things
- Foam sleeping mat
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Pre-departure briefing in Cusco
- Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
- Bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu
- Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
- Train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
- Transport Cusco → Soraypampa
Not included
- Travel insurance (required)
- Hotels in Cusco
- Airport transfers
- Tips for the crew
- Meals not listed
- Sleeping bag and trekking poles (available to rent)
Trail chefs and the people behind your trek
Our chefs cook three hot meals a day — quinoa soup, lomo saltado, fresh trout, Andean herbal teas — with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Our crew are Quechua men and women from the communities around Cusco. We pay them fairly, respect legal load limits and support their families through our community program.
How hard is it? Level 4 of 5 — Challenging
Challenging. Days 2 and 3 are both long (7–8 hours), with the 4,600 m pass and nearly 2,000 m of total descent. Choose the 5-day version if you prefer a calmer pace.
Our difficulty scale
Every trek we run is rated from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard). This one is a 4.
- 1Easy
Gentle walks of 2–4 hours, little climbing. Anyone in normal health.
Unique City Tour: Inca Trail, Alpacas & Ruins
- 2Moderate
4–6 hours a day with some climbs, mostly below 3,500 m. Regular walkers.
Short Inca Trail (Express) · Inca Jungle Trek
- 3Active
5–7 hours a day, steady climbs and passes up to around 4,000 m. Good basic fitness.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu · Inca Quarry Trek to Machu Picchu · Rainbow Mountain Trek · Salkantay & Humantay
- 4Challenging
6–8 hours a day on steep stone steps, one or more passes above 4,000 m. Fit hikers who train beforehand.
Classic Inca Trail · Lares Fusion Inca Trail · Salkantay Fusion Inca Trail · Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu · Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- 5Hard
Long, remote days, big daily climbs and high passes near 5,000 m. Experienced, very fit trekkers.
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu · Ausangate Trek
Best time to go
Open all year — including February. May to September is driest.
Best (dry season)Good (shoulder)Rainy, still openClosed
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
- Jan
- Rainy season: muddy trails and cloud on the passes, but lush valleys and quiet campsites.
- Feb
- Wettest month, yet open — the Inca Trail closes, so this route is the way to walk to Machu Picchu. Good rain gear is a must.
- Mar
- Rain eases toward the end of the month. Waterfalls at their fullest.
- Apr
- Rains fade, everything is green. A great shoulder month.
- May
- Dry season begins. Clear views of the glaciers — one of the very best months.
- Jun
- Dry and sunny, cold nights at the high camp. Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June.
- Jul
- Peak season: the most reliable weather and the clearest mountain views.
- Aug
- Dry, clear and lively on the trail. Book early for Machu Picchu tickets.
- Sep
- Still dry, warmer nights and fewer hikers.
- Oct
- Mostly dry with the first afternoon showers. Good value.
- Nov
- Mixed weather — sunny mornings, some afternoon rain.
- Dec
- Rainy season returns. Fewer hikers and festive Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Salkantay Trek?
Challenging (4 of 5): long days and one big pass at 4,600 m. No technical skills needed, but good fitness and 2–3 days of acclimatization in Cusco.
Do I need a permit for Salkantay?
No. Unlike the Inca Trail, Salkantay doesn't need a permit, so you can book with short notice and it's open all year, including February.
Salkantay 5 days or 4 days?
The 5-day version is calmer, adds the coffee farm and the Llactapata trail with views of Machu Picchu, and gives you an evening at the Cocalmayo hot springs. The 4-day version is for strong hikers with less time.
Where do we sleep?
In our tents or sky-view domes at the camps, and in a hotel in Aguas Calientes the last night.
How cold does it get?
Nights at Soraypampa (3,900 m) can drop below 0 °C in the dry season. We provide warm tents; rent a thermal sleeping bag if you don't have one.
Does Salkantay go through the Sun Gate?
No. You reach Aguas Calientes by trail and train and visit Machu Picchu by bus the next morning. If you want the Sun Gate, look at our Salkantay Fusion Inca Trail.
Is Humantay Lake included?
Yes, on day 1 — it's an acclimatization walk to one of the most beautiful lakes in Peru.
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
Spend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before the trek, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol the first days and walk slowly. Our guides carry emergency oxygen and a first aid kit.
Who carries my things?
You only carry a light day pack. Our crew (porters on the Inca Trail, horsemen and mules on Salkantay and Lares) carries the tents, kitchen, food and up to 5–7 kg of your personal gear.
What food is served?
Three hot meals a day plus snacks and tea, cooked fresh by our trail chefs. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets are available on request.
Is drinking water provided?
Yes, boiled and filtered water from the first lunch onwards. Bring a 1–2 litre bottle.
What should I pack?
Broken-in hiking boots, rain jacket, warm layers, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, headlamp, water bottle, personal medication, passport and some cash.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. It must cover hiking at altitude, medical evacuation and trip cancellation.
How much should I tip the crew?
Tips are optional but appreciated. Many hikers give around 40–80 USD per person in total, shared between the crew.
What age range joins your treks?
Most of our hikers are between 25 and 60. Fit hikers older than that walk with us every month — pace matters more than age.
Can I extend my stay or add Huayna Picchu?
Yes. Ask us when booking and we'll add the ticket or move your return train.
Why book with a local operator?
We are based in Cusco and run every trek with our own guides, chefs and crew. No middlemen: your money goes to the people who make your trip.
