★ FLAGSHIP TOUR
1 Day (Full Day)
FULL DAY
1 Day (Full Day)
★ MOST POPULAR TOUR
1 Day (Full Day)
HALF DAY
Half Day (3 hours)
HALF DAY
Half Day (4 hours)
HALF DAY
Half Day (4 hours)
DESERT ADVENTURE
2 Hours
BIOSPHERE RESERVE
3 Days / 2 Nights
The most spectacular alternative trek to Machu Picchu: from Humantay Lake and the snowcapped Salkantay Pass down into the high jungle, with a rare back view of the citadel from Llactapata.
The Salkantay Trek is ranked among the best mountain hikes in the world and is the top alternative to the Inca Trail. Over 5 days you cover about 72 km through wildly different ecosystems: high puna grasslands and glacial lakes, the mountain pass at the foot of snowcapped Salkantay (6,271 m) —the most revered apu (sacred mountain) in Cusco—, cloud forest, coffee farms and fruit orchards, all the way to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
This classic 5-day version is more relaxed than the 4-day option: it includes the hike up to Humantay Lake on day one and the Inca trail to Llactapata, where you get one of your first views of Machu Picchu. You spend the first three nights in domes or campsites with mountain views and the fourth night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
The Salkantay Trek sees fewer hikers, doesn’t require permits booked months in advance, costs less and offers more high-mountain scenery. The Inca Trail, on the other hand, passes archaeological sites along the way and ends at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), but spots are very limited. Both are unforgettable experiences.
In the dry season (April to October) days are sunny and nights at altitude can drop below 0 °C. In the rainy season (November to March) nights are milder but rain is more likely. We recommend spending at least 2 days acclimatizing in Cusco before starting the trek.
Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.
Pickup from your Cusco hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. and a 2-hour drive to Mollepata, where we stop for breakfast. We continue to Challacancha (3,800 m), the trailhead, and reach Soraypampa (3,900 m) in about 3 hours. In the afternoon we hike up to Humantay Lake (4,220 m), a turquoise lake at the foot of the glacier, then return to camp for dinner and a night under the stars.
The most demanding and rewarding day of the trek. We climb for about 3 hours, passing Soyrococha lake, up to the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m, where we make an offering to the apus with views of the snowcapped Salkantay, Humantay and Tucarhuay peaks. We descend to Wayracmachay for lunch and keep going down into the cloud forest edge until we reach Collpapampa (2,900 m).
We hike alongside the Santa Teresa River through the cloud forest, surrounded by orchids, waterfalls, banana plants and passion fruit. We arrive in Lucmabamba, a coffee-growing area, where you can learn how the local organic coffee is produced. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Cocalmayo hot springs in Santa Teresa (not included).
We climb an original Inca trail to the Llactapata complex (2,700 m), where Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu appear in the distance. We descend to Hidroeléctrica for lunch and walk about 3 hours along the railroad tracks to Aguas Calientes. Dinner at a restaurant and a night in a hotel with a hot shower.
Very early in the morning we head up to Machu Picchu on foot (approx. 1.5 hours) or by Consettur bus. We explore the citadel with our guide for about 2 hours, followed by free time or the Huayna Picchu climb if you booked it. In the afternoon we take the train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation drives you back to Cusco.
Complement your journey with exclusive comfort experiences and panoramic summits.
Extra ticket for one of the mountains at Machu Picchu; book 2 to 3 months ahead.
High-altitude sleeping bag for the nights at camp.
A pair of poles, very helpful on the day 2 descent.
Skip the uphill hike to Machu Picchu on the last day.
It is moderate to challenging. You don’t need previous trekking experience, but you do need good fitness and proper acclimatization. Day 2, with the 4,650 m pass and 22 km of hiking, is the hardest.
The 5-day version adds a night in Lucmabamba and the Inca trail to Llactapata at a more relaxed pace. The 4-day version reaches Aguas Calientes on day three.
Yes. With a valid university ID (showing your photo, university name and expiration date) we apply a discount on the Machu Picchu ticket.
We give you a duffel bag for up to 5 kg of clothing and your sleeping bag. You only carry a daypack with water, snacks and a warm layer.
We recommend booking 1 to 3 months ahead to secure your Machu Picchu entrance and, if you wish, Huayna Picchu.
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