Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu

4 Days
3 Nights
Challenging
Trekking
Salkantay to Machu Picchu

Walk from glaciers to cloud forest in four days: Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft) and a guided visit to Machu Picchu at the end.

Duration 4 Days / 3 Nights
Difficulty Challenging
Max altitude 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Best season April to October
Distance 55 km / 34 mi on foot, approximate (varies with camps and the final stretch)
Meals Included on the trek (confirmed with your quote)
Accommodation Camping (2 nights) and a hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 night)
Transportation Road, train and bus
Guide Local trekking guide

Overview

Salkantay, at about 6,271 m (20,574 ft), is the great glaciated peak west of Cusco, and the trek that bears its name is the best-known alternative route to Machu Picchu. In four days you walk from high Andean grassland, over a pass at the foot of the mountain’s ice, and down through cloud forest into warm valleys of coffee and banana farms, before visiting Machu Picchu on the last morning.

What makes this route special is the change of scenery. On the first day you’re among glaciers and alpine lakes, including Humantay Lake. The second day crosses the Salkantay Pass at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft), the highest point of the trek, and then drops more than 1,500 m into a completely different world of mossy forest, orchids and waterfalls. By the third day you’re walking in short sleeves beside a river, with the air warm and humid.

Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay route doesn’t need a government trekking permit, so it’s often available when Inca Trail permits are sold out, and it stays open in February, when the Inca Trail closes. You see fewer Inca sites along the way and more mountain landscape, and you reach Machu Picchu by bus from Aguas Calientes rather than through the Sun Gate. If walking the original Inca road matters most to you, look at our Classic Inca Trail first.

This is a challenging trek. The pass day is long and high, the descent is hard on the knees, and the nights on the first part of the route are cold. It suits hikers in good shape who have spent a few days acclimatizing in Cusco. Nights are spent camping for the first part of the trek and in Aguas Calientes before your Machu Picchu visit. We confirm the campsites, meals, the final stretch into Aguas Calientes and every inclusion with your quote. If you’d rather have more time after the pass, our 5-day Salkantay route adds an extra day in the cloud forest. Our Salkantay Trek page compares the two routes side by side.

Highlights

Cross the Salkantay Pass at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft), below the ice of Salkantay
Visit turquoise Humantay Lake on the first day
Descend from glaciers into cloud forest, with orchids, waterfalls and warm valleys
Walk past coffee and fruit farms in the valleys above Santa Teresa
Finish with a guided visit to Machu Picchu
No Inca Trail permit needed, and open in February

Itinerary

Day 1:
Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
An early drive to the trailhead, a climb to Humantay Lake and the first night camping below Salkantay.4–5 hoursMax altitude 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco before dawn and drive west through Mollepata to the trailhead near Soraypampa, with Salkantay’s summit coming into view. After meeting the trek team, you make the steep climb to Humantay Lake, a turquoise glacial lake at about 4,200 m, then return to the valley to settle into camp.

This is an important acclimatization day. The walking time is modest, but you’re sleeping high, so take it slowly, drink plenty of water and dress warmly for the evening.
Starts
Cusco
Ends
First camp below Salkantay
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Camping
The coldest night of the trek. Sleep in dry layers and a warm hat.
Day 2:
Over the Salkantay Pass into the cloud forest
The hardest day: a climb to the pass at about 4,600 m and a long descent into cloud forest.8–10 hoursMax altitude 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
You start early and climb steadily up the valley toward the pass, with the glaciers of Salkantay above and the path zigzagging over rock and scree. At the Salkantay Pass, about 4,600 m, you’re face to face with the mountain’s ice. Guides often take a moment here to explain what the mountain means to the Andean communities who live around it.

From the pass, the trail descends steadily for hours. Grassland gives way to shrubs, then to cloud forest full of moss, ferns and bromeliads, and the air grows warmer and more humid with every hour. You reach the second camp in the afternoon or early evening, tired but more than 1,500 m lower than the pass.
Starts
First camp
Ends
Second camp (cloud forest)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Start with warm layers and gloves, and keep light clothes handy for the afternoon.
Day 3:
Through the valleys to Aguas Calientes
A warmer day along the river through farms and forest, ending in Aguas Calientes.5–8 hours, depending on the final stretch
The trail follows the river downstream through a lush valley of cloud forest, small farms, coffee plants, bananas and passion fruit. It’s a gentler day on the legs, with gradual descents and some short climbs, and there are usually small shops and farm stops along the way.

In the afternoon you continue toward Aguas Calientes. Depending on your program, the last stretch is either a walk of about three hours along the railway from Hidroeléctrica station, or a road transfer and a short train ride. You check in at your hotel, have a shower and dinner, and get ready for Machu Picchu.
Starts
Second camp
Ends
Aguas Calientes
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 4:
Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
An early bus to Machu Picchu, a guided visit and the train back toward Cusco.2–3 hours at the siteMax altitude 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
You take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu and explore the site with your guide, following the circuit and entry time on your ticket. After four days in the mountains, walking into the citadel is a fitting end. If you’ve booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you climb at the time on that ticket.

In the afternoon you take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, then the train and a road transfer to your hotel in Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Starts
Aguas Calientes
Ends
Cusco
Meals
Breakfast
Large bags, trekking poles and food aren’t allowed inside Machu Picchu. Leave them at your hotel.

What’s Included

Included

Local trekking guide for the whole route and at Machu Picchu
Transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the trailhead
Camping equipment and a trek cook (details confirmed with your quote)
Meals on the trek, as listed in your confirmed itinerary
Pack animals to carry the camping gear
One night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu entry ticket, round-trip bus to the site and train back toward Cusco

Not included

Community entrance fees on the route, unless shown in your quote
Sleeping bag and trekking poles (available to rent)
Meals in Aguas Calientes not shown in your itinerary
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
Travel insurance
Tips for your guide, cook and horsemen

Campsites, meals, personal gear allowance, the final stretch into Aguas Calientes and every inclusion are confirmed in writing with your quote.

What to Bring

Documents

Original passport, needed for Machu Picchu and the train
Cash in Peruvian soles for fees, snacks and tips

Clothing

Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support
Warm layers for sub-zero nights: thermal base layer, fleece and insulated jacket
Warm hat and gloves for the pass
Lightweight shirts and shorts or light trousers for the warm valleys
Waterproof jacket and rain cover for your pack

Gear

Sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C (14 °F), your own or rented
Trekking poles
Headlamp with spare batteries
Daypack and water bottles or a hydration bladder (2 liters)

Health & personal

Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
Insect repellent for the cloud forest and valleys
Personal first-aid items, blister care and any altitude medication your doctor recommends

Food, Lodging & Transport

Food & meals

On a camping trek, meals are cooked fresh by the trek team and served in a dining tent: a hot breakfast, a lunch stop on the trail and a warm dinner, with snacks and hot drinks along the way. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book so we can plan the menu. The exact meals included, especially on the first and last days, are confirmed with your quote.

Accommodation

The first nights are spent camping. The first camp sits high in the valley below Salkantay, where nights are often below freezing in the dry season, and the second is much lower, on the warmer cloud-forest side of the pass. Campsites on this route range from simple tent pitches to sites with fixed shelters, and we confirm yours with your quote.

The last night is in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you can shower and sleep in a bed before your Machu Picchu visit.

Transportation

You travel by road from Cusco to the trailhead near Soraypampa, about three hours via Mollepata. At the end of the trek you reach Aguas Calientes, either on foot along the railway from Hidroeléctrica station or by a road transfer and train, depending on your program. After Machu Picchu you take the bus down, the train to Ollantaytambo or the Cusco area and a road transfer back to your hotel.

Difficulty & Altitude

Difficulty: Challenging
Highest point: 4,600 m / 15,092 ftSalkantay Pass (published figures range from about 4,600 to 4,650 m)

Fitness

We rate this trek as challenging. You’ll walk for six to nine hours on most days, and the second day, over the pass and down into the forest, can take ten hours or more. The trail is rocky and steep near the pass and long and knee-testing on the descent. You don’t need technical skills, but you should be a regular hiker who is comfortable with long days.

The best preparation is time on your feet: long walks with hills, stairs or a loaded pack in the weeks before your trip. Trekking poles help a lot on the descent.

Altitude

The trek starts around 3,900 m (12,800 ft), visits Humantay Lake at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft) and crosses the Salkantay Pass at about 4,600 m (15,100 ft). From there it drops steadily, and by the third day you’re below 2,500 m.

Arrive acclimatized. Spend at least two or three nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek, ideally with an easy day hike.
The first night is the coldest and highest. Expect a restless sleep and a cold morning. It gets easier after the pass.
Your guide monitors the group. Tell them early if you feel unwell. Descending is the best treatment for altitude sickness.

Permits, Tickets & Rules

No government trekking permit. Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay route doesn’t have a daily permit quota, so it’s easier to book at short notice.
Community fees. Local communities collect entrance fees at points along the route, including at Humantay Lake. We confirm the current amounts and whether they’re included.
Machu Picchu ticket. Your ticket is for a set date, time and circuit, issued in your name and passport number, with limited daily capacity.
Open all year. The route doesn’t close in February, but from December to March expect rain, mud and possible snow on the pass.

Traveling with Family

The Salkantay trek can work for teenagers who hike regularly and handle cold and altitude well, but it isn’t suitable for young children: the pass is high, the days are long and the first nights are cold.

Talk with our local team about whether this route fits your family. For a family trip with some hiking, a day at Humantay Lake and a relaxed visit to Machu Picchu can be a better balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for the Salkantay trek?

No government trekking permit is needed, unlike the Inca Trail. Local communities charge entrance fees along the route, and your Machu Picchu ticket is booked separately for a set date and time.

How hard is the Salkantay Pass day?

It’s the toughest day of the trek: a steady climb to about 4,600 m followed by a long descent, eight to ten hours in total. A slow pace and trekking poles make a big difference.

How cold does it get at night?

The first camp is high and often drops below freezing in the dry season, sometimes well below. After the pass, nights are much milder. A good sleeping bag and warm layers are essential.

Salkantay or the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail follows an original Inca road past many archaeological sites and enters Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, but needs a permit booked well ahead. Salkantay is higher and more about mountain scenery and changing ecosystems, and it’s easier to book. Both are excellent; it depends on what matters most to you.

Do we walk all the way to Aguas Calientes?

It depends on the program. Some groups walk the last stretch along the railway from Hidroeléctrica, about three hours; others take a road transfer and a short train. We confirm this with your quote.

Can I rent a horse for the pass?

Riding horses for part of the climb are sometimes available through local horsemen, at extra cost. It depends on the departure, so ask us when you book and we’ll tell you what’s possible.

Should I choose 4 or 5 days?

Choose 4 days if you’re short on time and comfortable with long walking days. The 5-day version keeps the same high section but splits the descent, adding a night in coffee country and the walk past Llactapata.

When is the best time to hike Salkantay?

April to October is drier and clearer, with cold nights. November to March brings rain and mud, and snow is possible on the pass, but the trail stays open.

Route

Route map coming soon

Route at a glance

Cusco, about 3,400 m (11,150 ft)
Soraypampa area, about 3,900 m (12,800 ft)
Humantay Lake, about 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Salkantay Pass, about 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
Cloud forest descent toward Santa Teresa
Aguas Calientes, about 2,040 m (6,690 ft)
Machu Picchu, about 2,430 m (7,970 ft)

The route circles the western flank of Salkantay and follows the valleys down toward Santa Teresa and the Urubamba River, ending in Aguas Calientes. A route map and elevation profile are being prepared.

Tour Video

Travel Tips for This Trip

Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek: Which Is Right for You?
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Inca Trail Packing List: What to Bring (and What to Leave)
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Cusco Altitude: How to Acclimatize and Avoid Altitude Sickness
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Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu Compared
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Why DSL Adventures

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Trip facts

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

Over the Salkantay Pass into the cloud forest

Through the valleys to Aguas Calientes

Machu Picchu and return to Cusco