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5 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants
8 peopleMaximum group size
5 - 79 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
4600mHighest point reached
Starts
Ends
Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru
Highlights
Salkantay snowpeak
Llactapata archaeological site
Machu Picchu
What's Included
Licensed guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua, plus an assistant guide for large groups.
Support staff including professional cooks and wranglers for the mules and horses
Horses and mules to carry group gear as well as large duffels provided at the briefing, for personal items. Up to 8kg per person.
All meals on trek, which incorporate traditional Peruvian dishes as well as modern fusion cuisine and special dietary needs.
Drinking water and snacks.
Dining tent with table, stools, and all dining implements, toilet tent, and kitchen tent
Sleeping tents, and Thermarest. Three-person tents are provided for single occupancy and four-person tents for double occupancy to allow plenty of room for personal gear.
One riding horse for emergencies. Additional riding horses can be provided for an additional charge.
First aid kit, including oxygen.
Pre-trek briefing.
All group entrance fees, including Machupicchu.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes. (3 star hotel)
One way train service to Ollantaytambo or Poroy Train Station)
All transfers, including private van from your hotel in Cusco to trailhead at Soraypampa, train to Aguas Calientes, bus to and from Machu Picchu, and private transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.
Customer Reviews
This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 3 reviews for other tours with an average 5.0rating.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.
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Good to Know
Travel Insurance
Other Practical Information
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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
4.67/5
Excellent based on 848 customer reviews from
Bronwyn
Booking with Bookmundi is so easy. The website is straightforward and easy to use. Peter Adley is an absolute star! He is quick to respond to my many queries and to offer helpful guidance. I am looking forward to the 2 tours I have booked!
3 weeks ago
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The Ancascocha trail is a spectacular trail that remains off the beaten path also known as the Hidden Inca Trail or the Super Inca Trail; It is less traveled and more rewarding path. It was considered as one the World’s best hikes by National geographic. Along the way you will see Inca ruins, villages, and snowcapped mountains of both main mountain ranges of Cusco, the Vilcabamba and the Urubamba mountain range.
This trek is highly recommended for those who don’t like crowds, this trek is where you find the solitude, just hearing the wind blowing in the campsites, bird calls during the hike, also you will be able to interact with local families especially on the first campsite.
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.
Ready for a trek that stirs both the spirit and the senses? The Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu tour is a five-day adventure through Peru’s breathtaking Andes, perfectly suited for young adults and experienced travelers seeking a challenging, immersive experience.
Hike under the imposing shadow of Salkantay, the region’s most spectacular peak, as you traverse dramatic trails and encounter remote mountain communities. Along the way, explore forgotten ruins and interact with locals, gaining insight into Andean traditions. The journey culminates with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes and an early-morning visit to the legendary Machu Picchu—a true crown jewel for trekkers and history buffs alike.
The USP of this trip is its blend of demanding trekking with authentic cultural encounters, promising not just a physical triumph, but a deeper connection to Peru’s mountain heritage.
Are you ready for one of Peru’s most revered trekking challenges? Trekking the Inca Trail: 5D/4N is a demanding, guided adventure from Cusco to the iconic Machu Picchu. Over five days, traverse ancient Inca ruins, dramatic mountain vistas, and winding rivers with the support of experienced guides, porters, and cooks. Designed for physically fit travelers and those seeking an authentic connection with Peru’s history, this trek’s USP is the immersive blend of natural splendor and cultural legacy—culminating in the awe-inspiring Lost City of the Incas.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N is a remarkable journey for those who crave both adventure and cultural immersion. Starting and ending in Cusco, this relaxed-paced trekking tour traverses snow-capped peaks, lush cloud forests, and vibrant Andean villages. Marvel at ancient ruins, soak in breathtaking vistas, and camp under starlit skies. Tailored for young adults and experienced trekkers, the tour’s unique appeal lies in its combination of diverse landscapes and authentic Peruvian culture, leading you to the legendary Machu Picchu.
Dare to take the road less traveled? The Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a five-day adventure that beckons young adults and experienced explorers ready for a challenge. This trek, second in popularity only to the Inca Trail, is renowned for its breathtaking variety—crossing high-altitude passes, lush cloud forests, and the dazzling turquoise waters of Humantay Lake. Along the way, you’ll witness the dramatic snow-capped Andes, walk through coffee plantations, and join a traditional Pachamanca Barbecue for a true taste of local culture.
The journey culminates at the legendary Machu Picchu, perched high above misty valleys. Each day brings new sights and unforgettable vistas, making this not just a trek but a journey through the heart of Peru’s natural wonders and heritage. The USP here is the blend of physical adventure and authentic cultural immersion—promising an exhilarating, rewarding trip that will linger in your memory long after you’ve descended from the mountains.
Embark on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, a high-altitude journey that promises both adventure and breathtaking scenery. This tour introduces you to the majestic Apu Salkantay (6,271m), sacred to locals and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range. Traverse remote valleys, bathe in natural hot springs, spot condors and alpacas, and stroll through orchid-filled forests—all while sampling Peru’s famed coffee in Quillabamba. The trek culminates with awe-inspiring views of Machu Picchu, capping off an experience rich in both nature and culture. The USP? This tour delivers a lesser-traveled, spectacular alternative to the Inca Trail, ideal for those seeking an intimate connection with Peru’s wild beauty.
Join us on a Peruvian adventure along the less trodden trail. Go trekking to the Salkantay Pass, which is a less-crowded alternative to the Inca Trail and also the only trekking route that affords views of Machu Picchu. This trek involves crossing the Salkantay Pass (4600m) on the second day.
Make a steep ascent to Abra Huayracmachay (15,100 feet/4,600m), the highest point in the hike, where you will get the chance to enjoy magnificent views of the high glacier of Salkantay. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including that of Salkantay Mountain itself, before you start descending through cloud forests rich in wildlife. Walk downhill following the trail along the Salkantay River.
Walk through a winding rainforest gorge around the base of Huayna Picchu and enjoy watching sunrise from Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek will take you from high passes between snow-capped mountains and glaciers to lowland jungles with hot springs and coffee plantations. So strap on your trekking boots, you've got an adventure coming your way!
For those craving a less-trodden route to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek delivers with five days of expansive scenery, challenging mountain passes, and Andean culture. Unlike the crowded Inca Trail, this alternative trek offers more solitude and variety, traversing altitudes from 1,900m up to a breathtaking 4,600m and covering approximately 50km on foot.
Your journey winds through lush valleys, soaring peaks, and diverse landscapes before culminating at the iconic Machu Picchu. The route incorporates the less-visited Llaqtapata, sidestepping the busier sections and ensuring a more intimate experience with nature and history alike.
All logistics—guides, meals, accommodation, and transportation—are included, freeing you to focus on the adventure. With moderate physical demands, this fully-inclusive tour appeals to hikers seeking both challenge and comfort. Its standout feature? Access to Machu Picchu via a scenic and uncrowded path, offering a fresh perspective on Peru’s most legendary site.
day 1Cusco-Soraypampa-Soyroccocha
We leave Cusco early in the morning and take the Panamerican Highway through the province of Anta, Cusco’s dairy region. Following steep-sided river canyons, we descend into the rich and fertile valley of Limatambo before climbing again to the town of Mollepata, where we will stop for breakfast. We continue on to Soraypampa (3700m) where we meet our wranglers and pack animals and begin our trek. After an hour’s walk, our first stop will be Laguna Umantay where we will have lunch. From here we continue across Salkantaypampa, just below glacial moraines, before starting a fairly steep section of switchbacks known as the 7 vueltas , which will take us up to 4300m. From here the path is almost flat to Soyroccocha, where we will camp just below Salkantay mountain. This campsite offers spectacular views of the glacier and, if the weather is clear, an unparalleled view of the southern sky, but is high and usually very cold.
day 2Soyroccocha-Unuyuq
day 3Unuyuq-Sahuayaco (La Playa)
day 4La Playa-Aguas Calientes
day 5Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Cusco
Availability
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What's Excluded
Altitude Map
Highest point: Cusco-Soraypampa-Soyroccocha (6271 m)
