The Salkantay Trek 5 Days is the premier alpine expedition to Machu Picchu, named by National Geographic among the world’s best treks. It connects Humantay Lake (4,200 m) and the Salkantay Pass crossing (4,630 m) with cloud forest descents, Santa Teresa coffee trails, and the Llactapata Inca ruins overlook facing the citadel.
The 5-Day, 4-Night Salkantay Trek is the ultimate alternative hiking route to Machu Picchu, crossing spectacular high Andean glacial passes and the lush cloud forest of Cusco. Covering a total of 74 km (46 miles), this elite expedition takes you to explore the famous Humantay Lake at 4,200 m, conquer the majestic Salkantay glacial pass at 4,630 m, relax in the volcanic hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, and hike through the edge of the jungle before an immersive guided tour of the Machu Picchu Citadel with a classic train return.
Conquer the majestic Salkantay glacial pass at 4,630 m.a.s.l. and descend into the Cusco cloud forest. You will cross Humantay Lake on the most spectacular Andean expedition in the world.
For travelers with shorter itineraries, the 4-Day Salkantay Trek is an excellent option. Furthermore, the Classic Inca Trail remains the most requested archaeological expedition to Machu Picchu.
| Operational Feature | Salkantay Trek 5 Days (Classic Route) | Salkantay Trek 4 Days (Express Route) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration & Pace | 5 Days / 4 Nights — Progressive pace with optimal acclimatization | 4 Days / 3 Nights — Active continuous pace for travelers with tight schedules |
| Humantay Glacial Lake | Included on Day 1 (4,200 m / 13,779 ft) with dedicated hiking and photo time | Included on Day 1 (4,200 m / 13,779 ft) with dedicated hiking and photo time |
| Salkantay Mountain Pass | 4,630 m / 15,190 ft (Alpine high summit beneath the glacier) | 4,630 m / 15,190 ft (Alpine high summit beneath the glacier) |
| Camps & Tents | Double high-mountain tents (4-season, max 2 travelers) + thermal insulating mat | Double high-mountain tents (4-season, max 2 travelers) + thermal insulating mat |
| Luggage Transport | 5 kg personal gear carried by support pack mules included | 5 kg personal gear carried by support pack mules included |
| Llactapata Inca Overlook | Included on Day 4 (first direct panoramic overlook of Machu Picchu) | Direct route via Santa Teresa – Hydroelectric (fast-paced transit to Aguas Calientes) |
| Cocalmayo Thermal Pools | Optional afternoon visit in Santa Teresa (~ USD transfer & admission) | Direct express route without thermal springs detour |
| Final Night Accommodation | 3 nights high-mountain camping + 1 night in private hotel in Aguas Calientes | 2 nights high-mountain camping + 1 night in private hotel in Aguas Calientes |
| Price per Person | From $450 USD | From $400 USD |
🚶♂️ Hiking Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
⏱️ Estimated Time: 4 to 5 hours
⛰️ Max / Min Altitude: 4,200 m (Humantay Lake) / 2,900 m (Mollepata)
🍽️ Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. to travel by private bus to Mollepata (2,900 m) for breakfast. We then continue by car to Challacancha to start the trek to our first camp at Soraypampa (3,900 m). In the afternoon, we gradually ascend to the majestic Humantay Lake (4,200 m) to explore its spectacular turquoise waters beneath the glacier, before returning to Soraypampa to dine and sleep under the starry Andean sky.
🚶♂️ Hiking Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
⏱️ Estimated Time: 7 to 9 hours
⛰️ Max / Min Altitude: 4,630 m (Salkantay Pass) / 2,900 m (Chaullay)
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
The most demanding day begins at 5:00 a.m. with an energy-boosting breakfast. We start the gradual ascent crossing high Andean mountain valleys to crown the majestic Salkantay Glacial Pass (4,630 m), the highest point of the trek with spectacular views of the Salkantay snow-capped peak. After taking elite photos at the glacial pass, we begin the steep descent along rocky mountain trails to Huayracmachay for lunch. We continue descending into the tropical cloud forest until reaching the Chaullay camp (2,900 m) to dine and rest.
🚶♂️ Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
⏱️ Estimated Time: 5 to 6 hours
⛰️ Max / Min Altitude: 2,900 m (Chaullay) / 1,500 m (Santa Teresa)
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After breakfast, we start a beautiful hike through the cloud forest, crossing suspension bridges, waterfalls, and abundant fields of organic coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits. We arrive at Lucmabamba (2,000 m) to enjoy a local lunch and learn about the coffee process. In the afternoon, we transfer by local transport to the relaxing Cocalmayo Hot Springs in Santa Teresa (1,500 m) to enjoy its medicinal natural hot water pools. We have dinner and spend the night at our camp in Santa Teresa.
🚶♂️ Hiking Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles
⏱️ Estimated Time: 5 to 6 hours
⛰️ Max / Min Altitude: 1,500 m (Santa Teresa) / 2,040 m (Aguas Calientes)
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We have breakfast and start the hike from Santa Teresa to the Hidroelectrica station (with the option to do an extreme zipline in the morning). After a comforting outdoor lunch, we begin a flat and highly scenic 3-hour walk bordering the train tracks and the Urubamba River canyon, under the impressive silhouettes of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains, until reaching Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). We stay in our comfortable hotel and dine at a local restaurant.
🏛️ Main Activity: Official visit to the Machu Picchu Citadel
🚶♂️ Visiting Walk: 3 to 4 km (2.5 miles) in the circuit
⛰️ Max / Min Altitude: 2,430 m (Machu Picchu) / 3,400 m (Cusco)
🍽️ Meals Included: Breakfast
The big day starts early with the morning ascent to the sacred Machu Picchu Citadel (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). You can hike up via the ancient stone staircase (approx. 1.5 hours) or take the Consettur shuttle bus (optional not included: +$24 USD round trip). We take an elite 2.5-hour guided tour with our specialized official guide, exploring the main temples, the Sacred Plaza, the agricultural sector, and the classic viewpoints. In the afternoon, we descend to Aguas Calientes to board the classic train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private driver will be waiting to take you directly back to your hotel in the city of Cusco.
Additional details of the 5 days Salkantay tour are as follows:
Cusco
7:00 am
OMGGGG the baby alpacas!!! 🦙💕 Okay but seriously, the hike was challenging but so rewarding. I went as a solo female traveler and felt super safe the whole time. The group vibe was awesome.
Hermoso desafío. Los domos de cristal de la primera noche son un sueño, ver las estrellas así no tiene precio ! Hubo una pequeña confusión con mi dieta (soy celíaca) en el primer almuerzo, pero el chef se portó de diez, me preparó algo especial en el momento y cuidó mi comida el resto del viaje con mucha dedicación. Me sentí súper cuidada.
Paesaggi mozzafiato. Guida David y organizzazione impeccabile dall’inizio alla fine. Abbiamo avuto un piccolo disguido con la tenda la prima notte (la cerniera era rotta), ma lo staff l’ha sostituita immediatamente con una nuova ancora prima che chiedessimo. Cibo incredibile per essere in montagna. Bravi!
Alta experiencia gente 🙂 Me mandé solo , el grupo fue increíble pero la bici estuvo terrible, bajamos a los piques. Tuve un tema con el casco que me apretaba mucho al principio, le avisé a Enzo y me lo cambió por uno más grande antes de salir. La comida muy rica, abundante. ¡Vayan!
Simplesmente maravilhoso. Eu não tenho muito preparo físico, sofri um pouco na subida, mas o guia foi muito paciente. A chegada em Machu Picchu compensa tudo.
O banho termal em Cocalmayo foi o melhor relaxante muscular. Amei demais <3
