Visit Humantay Lake, cross the high pass beside Salkantay mountain and walk down through cloud forest and coffee farms towards Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek CUSCO SALKANTAY PAMPA, SALKANTAY PAMPA QOLLPAPAMPA, QOLLPAPAMPA TO LUCMABAMBA, LUCMABAMBA TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Salkantay Trek 5 days: Humantay Lake, the Salkantay pass, Qollpapampa, Lucmabamba, Llactapata and a guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPA, ICHUPATA TO INCA CANAL, INCA CANAL TO LLULLUCHAPAMPA, CHAQUICOCHA TO WIÑAY WAYNA
7-day trek combining Salkantay and the Classic Inca Trail: Soraypampa, the Incachiriasca pass, Dead Woman's Pass, Wiñay Wayna and…
Duration, distance, highest point, difficulty, group size and starting price, from each tour page.
| Tour | Duration | Distance | Max altitude | Difficulty | Group | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu | 5 Days / 4 Nights | 74 km | 4,630 m | Moderate / Challenging | – | $420 |
| Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek: 7 Days | 7 Days / 6 Nights | 90 km | 4,850 m | Moderate to Challenging | Max 8 travelers | $1,450 |
The Salkantay Trek crosses the high pass beside Salkantay mountain and then descends through cloud forest and coffee country towards Machu Picchu. It has no daily permit quota like the Inca Trail, but it climbs higher, so arrive in Cusco a few days early to acclimatize.
The 5-day trek (about 74 km) visits Humantay Lake, crosses the Salkantay pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft) and continues through the coffee farms of Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The 7-day trek crosses the Incachiriasca Pass (4,850 m) in the Salkantay area and joins the Classic Inca Trail over Dead Woman's Pass, so you reach Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate.
Not for the 5-day trek: it does not use the Inca Trail, and the tour includes your Machu Picchu entrance. The 7-day trek joins the Inca Trail, so it needs an Inca Trail permit issued in your name for a specific date; book it early, because permits are limited.
Moderate to challenging. The 5-day trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft), and the 7-day trek the Incachiriasca Pass at 4,850 m. The route is not technical, but you need good fitness and at least 2 days in Cusco beforehand to acclimatize.
The dry season, from May to October, has the most stable weather. From November to March heavy rain and landslides can close sections of the trail for a few days, and the 7-day trek is not possible in February, when the Inca Trail is closed.
Yes. A cook prepares three meals a day, served in a dining tent, and the tents are included. Horses carry the camping gear and your duffel bag, up to 7 kg (14 lb); on the 7-day trek porters take over from Wayllabamba, because animals are not allowed on the Inca Trail.
