The Salkantay Trek: My Experience & Everything You Need to Know

Just imagine, you’re hiking in the Peruvian Andes, surrounded by the towering, snow-capped mountains, when a glacier covered peak comes into view.

Below it sits a stunning, turquoise lake, glowing against the rugged mountain landscape. This was only the beginning of my first day on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and I knew instantly that this was going to be an unforgettable adventure.

The Salkantay Trek is a 5 day hike through the Peruvian Andes that many people choose to do as an alternative to the more famous Inca Trail.

After doing both of these treks, I can confirm that they are both incredible experiences, but they offer completely different adventures. While the Inca Trail takes you through ancient ruins and centuries of history, the Salkantay Trek immerses you in some of Peru’s most dramatic mountain scenery.

In this Salkantay Trek guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before hitting the trail, including my own personal experience, who the best tour operator to book with is, what each day of the trek is really like and what to expect.

If you’re dreaming of trekking through the Andes and arriving at gateway to Machu Picchu on foot, keep reading to discover everything you need to know before taking on the Salkantay Trek.

girl in yellow jacket at blue lake - Humantay Lake in Peru

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My Top Tour Pick for the Salkantay Trek

Hike to Machu Picchu on the Salkantay!

Visit Machu Picchu
Get incredible photos at the turquoise Humantay Lake
Hike surrounded by towering mountains

Book your Salkantay Tour!

Quick Overview & Salkantay Trek Map

The below map shows the day by day itinerary day for the Alpaca Expeditions Salkantay Trek which is the one that I did.

Map for the Alpaca Salkantay Itinerary — *Salkantay Itinerary Map (Credit: Alpaca Expeditions)*

What is the Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is a 4 day trek through the Peruvian Andes that covers 72 km (45 miles), taking you through a huge variety of landscapes, from snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes to lush cloud forests and tropical valleys.

It ends in Agias Calientes, the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu. On the 5th day of the Salkantay, you will visit Machu Picchu itself.

The Salkantay is an alternative trek to the very popular Inca Trail but offers a completely different experience. Unlike the Inca Trail, you don’t need to secure one of the limited hiking permits months in advance, making it a great option for travellers with more flexibility.

The Salkantay Trek is all about incredible mountain scenery, remote landscapes and small villages and the challenge of hiking through the Andes.

Girl excited to start hiking the Salkantay Trail

Is the Salkantay Trek Worth it?

Personally, I absolutely loved the Salkantay Trek and would definitely say it is worth it if you like hiking and are up for a challenge. It’s no “walk in the park”, but it’s also a great way to get into backpacking because the porters help carry your belongings and all of your food etc and the accommodation is less camping and more glamping.

If you are trying to choose between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay, I can relate. When Dave and I first went to Peru in 2017, we found it so hard to choose which one to do.

We ended up choosing the Inca trail at the time which was AWESOME but if you’re really struggling and would like to know the differences between the two, I have written down my thoughts on each and the differences and pros and cons between the two in this blog post here.

One of the things I loved most about the Salkantay Trek was just how quickly the scenery changed. One day I was hiking beneath towering glacier-covered peaks, and the next I was walking through the warm, green cloud forest surrounded by waterfalls and tropical vegetation.

Every day felt completely different, which made the trek feel like several adventures rolled into one.

You will get to know your group really well and may even make some lifetime friends!

2 girls in tent on morning of Salkantay Trek

Salkantay Trek Itinerary: Day by Day

Day 1: Driving to the Skydomes + Humantay Lake

Driving: 4.5 hours to the trailhead
Distance hiking: 8km / 5 miles
Elevation change: +500m / 1,640 ft
Highest elevation: Humantay Lake (4,200m / 13,780 ft)
Trail hours: 5-6hrs
Highlights: Humantay Lake! This lake sits below a glacier and is super turquiose!
Accommodation: Glass Cabins

On day 1, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning at 4-4:30am and driven to the trailhead. Along the way, you’ll stop for breakfast about an hour into the drive and then continue on to Challacancha which is another 3.5 hours drive and where you will begin your hike.

Your starting point of the trek in Challacancha sits at around 3,800m (12468 ft) elevation so a bit higher than Cusco which is 3,399m (11,152 ft) above sea level.

Your first stretch of the hike will take around 1.5 hours to reach the Glass Cabins (the sleeping spot for the night) where you will have lunch prepared by the chef (the food on this tour is INCREDIBLE btw) and rest before hiking up to Humantay Lake.

The hike to Humantay Lake will take another 1.5 hours one way and at the top you’ll have some free time to get photos and enjoy the insane views of the turquoise coloured lake.

Once you are back at the Glass Cabins at around 4pm, you have free time to rest and enjoy the views before dinner and bed.

The star gazing here was insane so make sure you stay up late enough to check it out! The best part is that you don’t have to go anywhere. You can literally see the stars from you bed in the glass cabin.

Glass cabanas on night 1 of the Salkantay Trek — *Glass Cabanas*

Day 2: Salkantay Pass

Distance: 11km / 6.8 miles
Elevation change: -2,530m / 8,300 ft
Highest elevation: Salkantay Pass (4,650m / 15,165 ft)
Trail hours: 6-7hrs
Highlights: Salkantay Pass, snow capped mountains
Accommodation: Glass Domes

Getting ready to set off to Salkantay Pass

Day 2 is the hardest day of the Salkantay Trek because you reach the highest elevation of the entire trail at Salkantay Pass, 4,650m / 15,165 ft but the views on this day completely and utterly epic. I hiked amongst some of the tallest and largest mountains I had ever seen.

Crossing a bridge at the start of the Salkantay Trek

When I did this trek, we actually hiked up to Humantay Lake in the same day which made it a longer hike. I think this itinerary is actually better because you get to enjoy Humantay Lake the day before.

It will take around 3 hours to reach the viewpoint just below Salkantay Peak and 1 additional hour after that to reach the highest point of the entire trek, Salkantay Pass.

It was freezing up here and even though I was there in the warmer time of year, I really had to rug up with my neck warmer, beanie, fleece, puffer and raincoat.

girl rugged up in the cold on the Salkantay Trek

When we were up here the clouds were going in and out but we did get a few small peaks of the monstruous mountain! It’s absolutely insane to see a mountain this tall and big in real life.

From here, you start hiking downhill (FINALLY), although I remember this part of trail going on forever. I wasn’t feeling the great tummy-wise (I think probably due to the high altitude as I found out later that our whole group was feeling it).

You’ll hike down for 2.5 hours where you will reach your final destination of the day, the Glass Domes, and be welcomed with lunch from the team.

It seems like this itinerary is much less exhausting than the one that I did because we reached our campsite in the dark this day and were also camping rather than staying in glass domes.

Lunch on the Salkantay Trek and washing our hands — *washing our hands for lunch*

Day 3: The Cloud Forest

Distance: 18km / 11 miles
Elevation change: +600m (1,970ft) / -1,000m (-3,280ft)
Highest elevation: 2,950m / 9,678 ft
Trail hours: 7-8hrs
Highlights: Authentic Peruvian coffee experience, jungle and wildlife including toucans
Accommodation: Hobbit Houses

girl sitting at the door to the hobbit house along the Salkantay Trek

Day 3 is a big day of hiking and I remember my feet being very sore by the time we reached the hobbit houses. You will be hiking downhill into the jungle and it will get quite a bit cooler. I really noticed how the air changed from cool windy mountain air to humid, hot jungle air.

Our guide helped us spot different plants and wildlife. We tried sooo hard to spot a toucan but sadly didn’t see one.

Our guides even painted our faces with natural paint made from plants!

girl with paint on on the Salkantay Trek

Guides showing us insects on the Salkantay

We did come across a gorgeous waterfall at one point!

girl standing at bottom of waterfall on the Salkantay Trek

We hiked up to a coffee plantation where we had lunch and did a coffee tour, learning how the locals grew their beans and roasted them. We were given coffee to try and this absolutely delicious coffee cocktail which was similar to Baileys but if I’m being totally honest, EVEN BETTER. I ended up buying some to take home.

hot tub and stargazing at the hobbit houses on the Salkantay Trek

After lunch and the coffee tour, it was a long way to the hobbit houses but when we arrived, SHOWERS and a hot tub were waiting for us! At the hobbit houses, you can rent a towel if you need one. Just don’t forget to bring cash.

Day 4: Hidroelectrica Town, Inca Ruins and Llactapata Viewpoint arriving in Aguas Calientes

Distance: 20km / 12.4 miles
Elevation change: N/A
Highest elevation: 2,700m / 8861ft
Trail hours: 8-10hrs
Highlights: Inca Ruins, Amazing viewpoint where you can see Machu Picchu
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes!

On day 4, you’ll start by hiking up to some Inca Ruins and the Llactapta Viewpoint which is absolutely epic and you can even see Machu Picchu over the valley! We also came across some grazing alpacas up there which was fun.

girl with dog at viewpoint along the Salkantay Trek

The next part of the hike is not as fun. After hiking down to Hidroelectrica Town where you will have your last lunch with your chefs (best lunch ever btw), you will be hiking along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This part of the trek to me was the hottest and the most boring.

My feet were also pretty sore and I was ready for a shower but eventually we made it and it was the best feeling!

Walking along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes

After checking into your hotel and freshening up, you will have some time to visit the nearby hot springs (if you have the energy. I did not), and then meet up with your group for a final dinner together.

The group dinner was so lovely and we were even presented with Pink Machine tops by our guides because we were an all girls group!

Our guides presenting us with pink tops on behalf of Alpaca Expeditions

Day 5: Machu Picchu Day

The day you have been waiting for! It’s time to visit Machu Picchu. Depending on which circuit and entry time, you organised, you may or may not need to wake up super early.

From memory, our entry time was at 6am so we had to get up pretty early to be there on time and honestly, the earlier the better because the crowds descend on Machu Picchu very quickly.

After your tour of Machu Picchu, it’s time to head back to Cusco. You’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and then your group will catch the train together to Ollantaytambo where the rest of the journey will be by bus to Cusco.

My tour group got back to Cusco at around dinner time and then the next morning we were crazy and had booked a sunrise tour to Rainbow Mountain which was SO worth it but I recommend a days gap in between.

girl standing in peruvian poncho with a view of machu picchu

Difficulty of the Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is a solid 4 days of hiking and involves hiking at high elevation. I would rate this hike at hard – challenging due to the high altitude. My biggest tip for the days where you hike at high altitude (up Salkantay Pass) is to go slow and steady. Take lots of breaks and make sure you stay hydrated and are getting enough oxygen.

The Exact Tour I Did (and the cost)

I did this Salkantay tour in November 2025 and it has changed slightly since then. My tour started at 3pm from Cusco and we just drove and went to bed, however now you are picked up from Cusco very early in the morning and do a portion of the hike on the first day, which honestly I think is much better.

Our tour also had a camping portion for 2 nights and also an additional night on the trail so it was 4 nights on the trail and 1 night in Aguas Calientes.

I cannot recommend this tour more! If you book, ask for Sol and Ethel. They were our tour guides and they were both the absolute sweetest.

The cost for the tour starts at USD680 per person but this depends on the time of year.

Things to Know About the Salkantay Trek

Accommodation

The accommodation on the Salkantay is much more luxury than the Inca trail. Instead of camping, you’ll be staying in glass cabins, hobbits houses and glass domes. You will still need to bring a sleeping bag but this is something you can rent from the tour company on the briefing day.

Food and drinks

You will be provided with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day, but I recommend buying a few extra snacks in Cusco depending on how much you tend to eat while hiking.

Salkantay Trek Altitude: What you need to know

The highest point of elevation on the trek is at Salkantay Pass which goes up to 4,650m / 15,165 ft above sea level.
Many people take altitude sickness medication (just in case). I didn’t and I was okay, but if you are worried then this is an option.
Acclimate in Cusco for 2-3 days or more to get used to being at altitude.
Drink Coca Tea and stay hydrated, eat light meals, walk at a slow pace.
Your guides will have oxygen should you need it, as well as Coca Tea and a herbal concoction they nickname Condor Pee which helps open up your lungs when you breathe it in.

Best time of the year to hike the Salkantay Trail

The best time of the year to hike the Salkantay Trail is during the dry season from May to October. I did it in November which is the very start of the wet season and I was extremely worried. I brought sooo much wet weather gear with me but got really lucky and didn’t use anything except for my raincoat as a wind breaker while hiking Salkantay Pass.

Apparently, the weather we got in November was extremely abnormal and very very lucky so don’t count on my weather review for hiking the Salkantay in November.

Dave and I hiked the Inca Trail in June and also got great weather the entire time we were in Peru except it was a lot colder than in November.

Toilets and facilities

Along the way, there are toilets that you can use. Most of these require 1 or 2 soles as payment because they belong to the locals. At a couple of the lunch spots and campsites where there were no facilities, our porters set up porter potties for us to use which I think is absolutely amazing because they then have to carry them out!

Note

You must bring your own toilet paper as this is not provided in any of the toilets on the Salkantay Trail.

How much cash to bring

You should make sure you have lots of 1 and 2 soles coins to use for some of the bathrooms in the villages along the trail. There are also a few little local cafes that sell things like chocolate bars and packets of chips and nuts that you will stop at along the way so having cash for this is useful if you want to buy some food or drinks.

On the coffee tour, you’ll be able to purchase coffee and liquor and you’ll also need cash for tips for your guide, the chefs, the porters and the horsemen.

For incidentals including toilets, towel rentals and souvenirs, I would bring around 300-400 soles. Then you also need to bring money to tip your guides and the team.

How cold the nights get

I was pretty nervous about this but I didn’t end up having any issues. I went in November which is a little warmer than peak season because it’s the start of Peru’s summer. Peak season is in June / July during their winter and so colder at night.

During our coldest night, our tour guides and porters from Alpaca gave us all hot water bottles which was a lovely surprise.

How tough day 2 is

I went into the Salkantay Trail pretty blind and didn’t really have a huge understand of what each day would be like until I joined the briefing the night before the trek started.

So as you can imagine, the length and elevation gain on the 2nd day was a bit of a surprise for me. I was fine and able to do it but hiking at high altitude made the Salkantay Pass section pretty tough.

Your guides should have tips and tricks to help you get through it though, including the infamous “Condor Pee,” which is essentially a herbal tonic which your guide will pour into your hands, you rub them together, clap a few times and then breathe it in.

It helps open up your lungs, enabling you to breathe more easily.

Showers

I did not expect there to be any showers along the trail, however, there were showers available at the hobbit houses AND a hot tub!

The hot tub wasn’t super hot but the showers were wonderful. You can rent a towel from the hobbit house’s host. Just make sure you bring some cash for this. I brought my own small microfibre towel.

frequently asked questions

I recommend having some sort of hiking experience and fitness level before signing up for the Salkantay Hike because you will have a much better time. In the group that I went with, there were a few girls who had never done a multi day hike before but they were still pretty fit and had been hiking before. There were a couple of moments of struggle but everyone enjoyed themselves and did the whole thing.

Personally, having done both, I think the Salkantay is harder than the Inca Trek because you hike up to higher elevation and hike over a longer total distance.

It is recommended to spend at least 2 days in Cusco before the Salkantay Trek but personally I would spend at least 3 days. You never know how your body might react to being at high altitude and some people take longer to adjust than others.

Altitude sickness is common on the Salkantay Trek and so many people take altitude sickness medication which you can arrange with your doctor before travelling to Peru. Personally, I only had mild symptoms (funny tummy) and didn’t take any medication.

Unlike the Inca Trail, you can do the Salkantay Trek without a guide, however, this means you will need to carry all of your food, water and supplies for 5 days because you won’t have access to the porters.

Final Thoughts: Is the Salkantay Trek Worth it?

If you are up for an adventure that you will never forget and want a more unique way of visiting Machu Picchu as opposed to the public transport option, then I definitely think the Salkantay is worth it!

The Inca Trail, at the time, was the largest hike that both Dave and I had ever done and it’s something we’ll never forget and then doing the Salkantay was a completely different experience that has made my love of Peru even stronger.

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