4.8/5
2,725 reviewsCross the Salkantay Pass, see Humantay Lake and sleep in our Sky Star Domes on your way to Machu Picchu, with a direct local operator.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is the most spectacular alternative to the classic Inca Trail. In just a few days, you go from the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters, at the foot of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, down through cloud forest and tropical valleys. The final stretch follows the original Inca trail of Llactapata, where you get your first view of Machu Picchu from a quiet, less crowded angle. Choose 3, 4 or 5 days, depending on your pace.
Machu Picchu Team is a direct local operator based in Cusco. We run our own departures with our own guides, cooks and muleteers, with no middlemen. You sleep in our exclusive Sky Star Domes, 360° crystal domes in private campsites used only by our groups, where you fall asleep under a sky full of Andean stars. Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and a guided tour of the citadel are included, at fair and transparent prices that also mean fair wages for our local team.
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Read recent experiences from travelers who booked with our local team and shared how the service, organization, and on-trip support felt in real situations. These reviews help future passengers understand what to expect before choosing their tour.
Just finished 4 days with Yuri & Jose, they were both amazing, super helpful and attentive. Thank you to the kitchen staff as well! Definitely a challenge, but in the end it all worth it!
Une superbe expérience ! L’équipe est au top, une superbe ambiance un tracé magnifique avec des paysages très variés. Tout est bien rôdé, transport, repas, couchage. On mange très bien et en quantité ! Par contre prévoyez de quoi manger pendant la randonnée ce n’est pas inclus. Pour moi c’est la meilleure façon pour se rendre au Machu Picchu en passant par le col du Salkantay et en montant le dernier jour par les marches du chemin de l’Inca. Un petit bémol sur la transparence du prix annoncé , ce trip se veut all inclusive, en réalité ce n’est pas le cas. Certains frais imprévus viennent s’ajouter tout au long des 5 jours ( frais supplémentaires pour les activités, taxe pour certains passages de pont ou col, Tips un peu forcé ). Ce ne sont pas des gros frais mais au cumulé ça représente aux alentours de 300 soles. Je trouve personnellement que l’organisme ferai mieux d’intégrer ces frais dans le prix de leur expérience car on a vraiment la sensation d’être mis sur le fait accompli. Prévoyez des gourdes filtrantes car les bouteilles d’eau sur place sont vendus à prix d’or !
Not sure which Salkantay Trek is right for you? Compare our 3, 4 and 5-day options by time, difficulty and comfort, and choose the one that fits your pace.
All our Salkantay Treks cross the Salkantay Pass, include the Llactapata Inca trail and nights in our Sky Star Domes, and finish with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. The difference is the pace: more days mean more rest, more acclimatization and more experiences along the way.
5 days for a relaxed pace, 4 days for all the highlights, 3 days for experienced, fit hikers.
The Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) is the main challenge. We recommend 2 days in Cusco to acclimatize first.
Our own Sky Star Domes in private campsites: 2 nights on the 4 and 5-day treks (plus a panoramic cabin on the 5-day), 1 night on the 3-day.
Your entrance ticket and guided tour of the citadel are included in every trek.
Start your Salkantay Trek any day of the week, with guaranteed departures that fit your travel dates.
We keep our groups small, so you get more attention from your guide and a calmer experience on the trail.
Three ways to hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, all run by our own local team. Every tour includes nights in our Sky Star Domes, the Llactapata Inca trail, your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and a guided tour of the citadel. Take 5 days for the most complete experience, 4 days for all the highlights in less time, or 3 days if you’re up for the ultimate challenge.
Looking for a different adventure? Besides the Salkantay Trek, our local team runs the classic Inca Trail, the Inca Jungle Trail with biking and rafting, and shorter tours like Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain. Whatever your pace, you’ll travel with the same guides, the same care and the same fair prices.
Make the most of your time in Cusco. These tours are a great match for your Salkantay Trek, whether you want to add a day trip before the hike to acclimatize or choose a different route to Machu Picchu. All of them are run by our own local team, with small groups, daily departures and fair prices.
Traveling with family, friends or a private group? We can organize a private Salkantay Trek or adapt the itinerary to your pace, your dates and your interests, with the same local team, Sky Star Domes and care as our group departures. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll design the trip with you. Message us on WhatsApp at +51 974 217 700.
Not every traveler has five days in Cusco. These shorter Salkantay options let you fit the adventure into a tighter schedule without missing what matters most: the Salkantay Pass, Andean glaciers, the Sky Star Domes and, on the longer routes, Machu Picchu.
Choose the 4-day trek for all the highlights, the 3-day trek if you’re a fit, experienced hiker, or the 2-day Salkantay and Humantay Lake trek for a short but unforgettable taste of the Andes.
Traveling as a family, a group of friends or need a private departure? Tell us your dates, your pace and what you want to see, and our local team will help you plan the right trek for you.
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Explore a quick visual preview of the landscapes, route atmosphere, local details, and travel moments that help passengers understand what this destination feels like before choosing the right tour.
Everything you need to know before your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: the best time to go, altitude, difficulty, what’s included and how to prepare. Our local team has hiked this route for years, and these are the questions travelers ask us most.
It is a moderate to challenging trek. The hardest part is the climb to the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters. The 4 and 5-day treks suit active travelers with basic hiking experience; the 3-day trek is only for fit, experienced hikers.
No. Unlike the classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek doesn’t require a trekking permit, so it’s easier to book with short notice. You only need your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which is included in our tours to Machu Picchu.
The dry season, from May to September, has the clearest skies and the best mountain views. From November to March it rains more often, but the landscapes are greener and the trail is quieter. We run daily departures all year round, including February, when the classic Inca Trail is closed.
We recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco before your trek to acclimatize. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol the first days and walk at your own pace. Our guides are trained to spot the signs of altitude sickness and always carry an oxygen tank and a full first aid kit.
In our own Sky Star Domes, 360° crystal domes in private campsites in Soraypampa and Lucmabamba, used only by our groups. The 5-day trek also includes a night in our panoramic cabins.
Yes. Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and a guided tour of the citadel are included in our Salkantay Treks to Machu Picchu.
Our groups usually have 12 to 14 travelers, with a maximum of 16. When a group reaches 16 travelers, two guides lead it, so everyone gets the attention they need on the trail.
Comfortable hiking boots, warm layers for the cold nights, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, your passport and some cash in soles for extras and tips.
We are a direct local operator based in Cusco. Our guides, cooks and muleteers are part of our own team, hired locally and paid fair wages. Do you have more questions? Message us on WhatsApp at +51 974 217 700.
It depends on your time and fitness level. The 5-day trek is the most complete and relaxed option, with 2 nights in our Sky Star Domes, a night in a panoramic cabin, a coffee farm visit and the Santa Teresa hot springs. The 4-day trek covers all the highlights in less time, with 2 nights in the domes. The 3-day trek is an intense challenge for fit, experienced hikers, with 1 night in the domes. If you’re short on time, the 2-day Salkantay and Humantay Lake trek is a brief but unforgettable taste of the Andes. Not sure? Message us on WhatsApp at +51 974 217 700 and we’ll help you choose.
Short on time? Choose the 3-day trek if you’re a fit hiker, or the 2-day Salkantay and Humantay Lake trek for a quick Andean adventure.
Want the full experience? Choose the 4 or 5-day trek for more rest, better acclimatization and more nights in our Sky Star Domes.
Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek to acclimatize before crossing the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters.
Book early for May to September: it’s high season and Machu Picchu entrance tickets have limited daily availability.
The Salkantay Trek is the top alternative to the classic Inca Trail for travelers who want dramatic mountain scenery, glacier views and no trekking permits to worry about. The route crosses high Andean terrain at the foot of Salkantay Mountain, then descends through cloud forest into warm tropical valleys before the final approach to Machu Picchu along the Llactapata Inca trail.
As a direct local operator, Machu Picchu Team runs every departure with our own guides, cooks and muleteers. You sleep in our Sky Star Domes, 360° crystal domes in private campsites used only by our groups. Every trek to Machu Picchu includes your entrance ticket and a guided tour of the citadel, at fair and transparent prices.
Which Salkantay Trek is right for you?
Original passport, required at all checkpoints and for your Machu Picchu entrance.
Small daypack (max 25L), since larger bags are not allowed inside Machu Picchu.
Broken-in hiking boots with strong grip, plus comfortable shoes for the campsite.
Warm layers: a fleece, an insulated down jacket, a beanie and gloves for the cold nights.
Waterproof rain jacket and pants, especially from November to March.
Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat for the high-altitude UV.
Reusable water bottle (1.5–2L) and water purification tablets.
Headlamp for early starts and nights at the campsite.
Insect repellent for the warmer cloud forest and jungle areas.
Personal medication, toiletries, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Portable charger, as electricity is limited along the trail.
Extra cash in soles for snacks, drinks, tips and the Santa Teresa hot springs.
Book in advance: reserve your Salkantay Trek early, especially from May to September, as Machu Picchu entrance tickets have limited daily availability.
Choose the right trek: pick 2, 3, 4 or 5 days based on your time and fitness level. If you’re not sure, message us on WhatsApp at +51 974 217 700 and we’ll help you decide.
Train before you travel: regular walks, hikes or cardio in the weeks before your trip will make the climb to the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) much easier.
Acclimatize in Cusco: arrive at least 2 days before your trek, drink plenty of water, eat light and avoid alcohol during the first days.
Pack light and smart: carry only the essentials in your daypack. Your main bag, max 7 kg including your sleeping bag, is carried by our mules.
Get ready for an early start: we pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am. Have your passport, your daypack and warm layers ready the night before.
We run daily Salkantay Trek departures all year round, including February, when the classic Inca Trail is closed. May to September is the dry season and the busiest time of year, with clear skies and great mountain views, though nights at high altitude are colder. From November to March, expect more rain, greener landscapes and quieter trails.
Our Sky Star Domes are only available to Machu Picchu Team travelers and spaces are limited, just like Machu Picchu entrance tickets. Book early to secure your preferred dates, especially in high season. Need help? Message us on WhatsApp at +51 974 217 700.
