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2026

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Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

5 days
Start and end in Cusco
5.0
2 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:
Hiking & Trekking
Epic trails and breathtaking landscapes await
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
High Intensity
Travelers should be in very good physical condition and expect continuous demanding activities
Guided in English
Other languages on request: Spanish
Group Size 2 - 8
All Ages Welcome

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Cusco to Soraypampa

    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner, Snack (Morning snack), Brunch (Afternoon hot beverages with tea, mate de coca, coffee, chocolate)

    Included Activities

    • Hike from Challacancha to Soraypampa (approximately 4 hours)
    • Climb Humantay Mountain and visit Humantay Lake (approximately 2 hours climb, descent included)
    • Early morning transfer by private bus to Challacancha

    Optional Activities

    • Breakfast at Mollepata village restaurant (not included in cost)
    • Purchase last-minute supplies at Mollepata
    Landmarks
    Salkantay
    Humantay Lake
    Apurímac River
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Soraypampa to Collpapampa

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack (Morning snack)

    Included Activities

    • Hike from Soraypampa to Soyrococha (approximately 1 hour)
    • Hike uphill to high pass at 4,800m near Salkantay and Humantay peaks (approximately 3 hours)
    • Descent to Wayracmachay (approximately 1 hour)
    • Hike to Collpapampa campsite (approximately 3 hours)
    Landmarks
    Salkantay
    Humantay
  3. Day 3

    Collpapampa to Santa Teresa or Llactapata

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner, Snack (Morning snack)

    Included Activities

    • Hike on narrow mountainside trail with views of orchids, plants, and waterfall (approximately 5 hours)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit hot springs near Santa Teresa town (optional, approximately 45 minutes from town) - Santa Teresa route only
    • Route choice: Santa Teresa town via bus (45 minutes) OR Llactapata ruins via 2-hour hike to Aobamba
    Landmarks
    Llactapata ruins
  4. Day 4

    Llactapata/Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack (Morning snack)

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Llactapata ruins (Llactapata route only)
    • Descent through bamboo groves, orchards and coffee plantations with bird-watching opportunities (Llactapata route, approximately 4 hours)
    • Hike past Urubamba River to Hydro Electric Station (Santa Teresa route, approximately 2 hours)
    • Hike along train tracks to Aguas Calientes (Santa Teresa route, approximately 3 hours)
    Landmarks
    Llactapata ruins
    Machu Picchu
    Salkantay
    Urubamba River
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to Cusco

    Meals
    Breakfast, Snack (Morning snack)

    Included Activities

    • Hike to Machu Picchu ruins (approximately 2 hours)
    • Full guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours)
    • Free exploration time of Machu Picchu fortress
    • Shuttle bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
    • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo
    • Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

    Optional Activities

    • Climb Huayna Picchu (requires permit)
    • Visit Inca Bridge (requires permit)
    • Lunch at Aguas Calientes (not included in cost)
    Landmarks
    Machu Picchu
    Huayna Picchu
    Inca Bridge
    Itinerary Image 1

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Tierras Vivas

Rating
4.5(13 reviews)
Response time
within 3 days
Response rate
50%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

5.0
Overall rating based on 2 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    5.0
  • Transport
    5.0
  • Guide
    4.5
  • Accommodation
    5.0
  • Food
    5.0
  • 4.5

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  • F
    February 11th, 2019
    Awesome trek, stunning scenery, amazing meals and a great finish at Machu Picchu. Highly recommended
    Traveled in February 2019
  • F
    February 10th, 2019
    Awesome tour, seamless organisation and very memorable! Particularly enjoyed the stunning vistas, delicious food and...
    Show more
    Traveled in February 2019

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts
  • A

    Anita

    Asked on November 30th, 2024

    How challenging is this tour? How many people will be on it? Why are there start dates every single day?

    Group size
    Tour Details
    • Tierras VivasOperatorWritten November 2024

      Sorry we dont have any group available for the Salkantay, January is start the rain season

  • L

    Lisa

    Asked on April 9th, 2024

    I am 72 would like to go in October. Am I too old? Is the age limit hard and fast?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Tierras VivasOperatorWritten May 2024

      Age is not necessarily a barrier, and many people of varying ages successfully complete the trek. However, it is a moderately challenging trek, so it's essential to assess your fitness level and any health concerns beforehand. We recommend consulting with your physician to ensure it's suitable for you. The age limit is not hard and fast, but we prioritize the safety and well-being of our participants. If you're comfortable with the physical demands and have the green light from your doctor, we'd be happy to accommodate your trek in October!

  • M

    Megan

    Asked on July 12th, 2022

    I'm looking at your Salkantay tour - 5 days and considering booking for around August 21st and have a few questions - would you have availability at that time? I'm also wondering whether you provide sleeping bags and sleep mats? I have my own if not ... Does this tour include the permit to Machu Pichu? I spoke with a rep from G-Adventures yesterday and she told me that all permits were now sold out for August and that I would not be able to go in August.

    Meals
    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Tierras VivasOperatorWritten July 2022

      Regarding your requirement, there are spots available for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu on August 21st, 2022. This trail is the alternative hike to the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is sold out 2 months ago, but at the moment, we have spots available for the Inca Trail to start on August 21st, 25th, 27th, and 28th. We can provide all camping equipment such as a sleeping bag, hiking poles, and others.

    • M

      Megan

      TravelerWritten July 2022

      So the Salkantay trek takes a different route from the classic Inca trail but does also include the permit to visit Machu Pichu ... Is this correct? Dietary. The information states that dietary needs will be catered for but I just want a bit of clarity on this ... I eat a lot of eggs, meat, fish, nuts, veg and fruit (mostly cooked as raw food is tricky) but my digestion doesn't tolerate any grains except quinoa, or pulses except butter beans. Would quinoa be the main grain used on the trek seeing as it grows in Peru?

    • M

      Megan

      TravelerWritten July 2022

      Which is more difficult - the Inca trail or the Salkantay trail? and which would you consider more beautiful? Would the Salkantay trail be less busy than the Inca trail? and what is the price difference between them?

    • M
      M
      2 more answers
  • A

    April

    Asked on January 16th, 2022

    I am looking for an active 3 day hike to Machu Picchu walking a good amount each day. I would like to depart February 11.

    Other
    Tour Details
    • Tierras VivasOperatorWritten January 2022

      Unfortunately, we don't have any groups available on February 11th, 2022 for trekking.

Can’t find the answer to your question?

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 128482

  • Currency
    S/.
    Sol
    Peru
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Rabies - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Recommended for Peru. Ideally 10 days before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before July 7th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 7th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Tierras Vivas. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Tierras Vivas will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Tierras Vivas" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec