If you did not manage to reserve permits for the Inca Trail, we highly recommend the Salkantay as an alternative. Apart from the classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is without a doubt one of the most beautiful treks in the Andes. National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine listed it as one of the 25 best treks in the world. The trek is currently open to everyone and there are no limitations on spaces and permits.
The Salkantay Trek will take you through unique and varying landscapes with the scenery nothing short of breathtaking! Photographers will experience sheer ecstasy as we walk along ancient and solitary footpaths: from picturesque grassy highlands to flourishing cloud forests, where luxuriant tropical rainforests meet colossal snow-capped mountains. The Salkantay Trek is off-the-beaten path and authentic. You will be spirited away into a world of phenomenal beauty and abundance of nature, with sacred solitude and hours of deliciously quiet contemplation.
Since the ancient Incan times, the spectacular glacier-capped peak of Mount Salkantay has been considered as sacred and the protector of the local people and their crops. The name Salkantay or Salcantay is a Quechua word meaning invincible, wild or savage. Thus, Salkantay is often called "Savage Mountain". Salkantay (Nevado Salkantay), or Sallqantay in Quechua, is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, which forms part of the Andes Mountain Range, rising to 6271 meters above sea level (20,574 ft). Salkantay is located less than 50 miles from the city of Cusco.
We are looking forward to taking you on a great hike.
Trekking and HikingMountains
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent, Hostel
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, peruvian
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Colcapampa, La Playa, Aguas Calientes
Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative to the very-crowded classic Inca Trail. It offers more distance, more mountains, more scenery, and a wider variety of landscapes, but still concludes with a visit to the iconic city of Machu Picchu. As the route does not have as many regulations as the Inca Trail, this also means that it can provide a “back door” trek to Machu Picchu when Inca Trail permits are sold out. This new itinerary, Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu via Llaqtapata, includes the highlights of the other Salkantay trek, but avoids many of the areas that are becoming crowded with other trekkers.
This trip is fully-inclusive, including a guide, accommodation, meals and transportation.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Distance trekked: about 50km
Elevation: 1900-4600m
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Trekking and HikingMountains
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This 5-day 4-night Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent substitute for the Inca Trail — considered by most to be the best alternative route, and maybe even better!
This magnificent trail is perfect for adventurers who wish to become personally integrated in changing ecosystems from one day to the next. You will walk through sweeping, magical landscapes of a snowy mountain paradise to a tropical jungle where you will find a wide range of animals, medicinal plants and flower varieties. Witness with your own eyes a living but ancient culture in remote villages hardly ever seen by foreigners. End your trek at the famed Machu Picchu for an experience of a lifetime.
Let’s start exploring the mountains!
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Tent, Camping
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Soraypampa, Ch
Salkantay, Cusco, Soraypampa, Chaullay, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes
We came away from this trip with a much better understanding of not only Machu Picchu, but Incan culture and the history of the region. All thanks to our kind and very smart guide, who took such good care of us over these 5 days. I would recommend this tour operator in a heartbeat, I have no complaints at all.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Soraypampa, Colcapampa, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes
Unrivalled, the staff, the group, the trek and the destination were all amazing. The chefs and their food as well were incredible, you felt very taken care of!
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Book your place in this guided, 5-day tour and conquer the trail that is a popular alternative to the crowded, classic Inca Trail. The Salkantay Trek offers more distance, more sceneries and a wider variety of landscapes to enjoy and takes you past one of the highest mountain passes in the country.
Start your trek on the very first day of this trip. Conclude your journey with a visit to the iconic monument of Machu Picchu, which you will also get to glimpse on the fourth day of the tour. Avoid the regulations that have been imposed on the Inca Trail. We have designed this itinerary in such a way that it includes many of the highlights of the popular routes in the Salkantay Trek but avoids most of the areas that are fast becoming crowded with tourists.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Have you missed out on doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Do not miss out on any adventures and enjoy the Salkantay trek from the different perspectives of valleys, grasslands, glaciers, cloud forests and jungles. You will admire beautiful lakes with crystalline waters surrounded by snow covered mountains, and there are also excellent hot springs at the end of your trek! The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is within the list of 25 best treks in the world and it has everything that an adventure lover needs. The best part is to finish the tour visiting one of the seven wonders of the world
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with the Salkantay Trek, immersing yourself in breathtaking Andean landscapes en route to Machu Picchu. Experience a dynamic journey through lush cloud forests, towering glaciers, and pristine mountain passes. Delight in unique cultural encounters with locals and marvel at the ancient ruins. This trek offers hiking enthusiasts an invigorating alternative to the Inca Trail, ensuring a blend of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and profound serenity. Discover a once-in-a-lifetime Peruvian escapade filled with captivating highlights.
AdventureTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Peru with the Lares Trek, an alternative trek to Machu Picchu. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Andes, pass through traditional Andean villages, and explore ancient Inca ruins. This extraordinary journey offers stunning landscapes, fascinating cultural interactions, and an exhilarating hike culminating in the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Perfect for trekkers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, this tour combines nature, history, and local traditions for an unparalleled, immersive adventure.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Embark on an unforgettable 5-day journey from the vibrant city of Cusco through the mesmerizing Andes, experiencing breathtaking highland treks, mystical lagoons, verdant jungles, and the awe-inspiring ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Embrace a myriad of landscapes and cultural encounters, culminating in the ultimate exploration of the Lost City at sunrise.
ExplorerAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hostel, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Soraypampa, Colcapampa, S
Cusco, Soraypampa, Colcapampa, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes
This "Five-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu" is an adventure that will allow you to experience the best of the sacred mountains of the Peruvian Andes, since you will be traveling through ancient trails surrounded by snowy mountains and abundant vegetation. You will also get to see the beautiful Humantay Lake, an attraction not to be missed when visiting the Cusco region.
The time spent on the Salkantay trail will be a perfect build-up to our ultimate goal: Machu Picchu. Along the way, you will be able to interact with the local people, learn a little about their lifestyle, as well as share their beliefs and traditions. Come and join us on this fantastic journey!
See the itinerary section for more details.
AdventureTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
