I have been lucky to do a 5 day Salkantay trek twice: in November 2023 with a tour provider "Salkantay Trekking" and in May 2026 with "Machu Picchu Team". The summary is: "You get what you pay for". If I were to repeat the trek again, I would much rather pay extra $200 and avoid Machu Picchu Team. Having spent at least $1000 to get to Cusco, it is definitely worth to spend an extra $200 to have a fully enjoyable 5 days.
Facts from my experience are described below:
Pluses of "Machu Picchu Team":
a. As of May 2026 the cost of the trek is circa $400 vs $600 for Salkantay Trek.
b. Cheaper trip attracts younger and faster moving participants
c. Our group guides from both companies were equally professional, patient, knowledgeable, caring
Minuses of "Machu Picchu Team":
a. Salkantay Trekking stayed in slightly better camps for the first 2 "cold" nights. The tents/domes were wind and somewhat cold proof. The Machu Picchu team tents had huge holes and were located at higher elevation. Sleeping in them was very cold, which affected the quality of sleep, and the altitude reaction.
b. Salkantay Trekking stayed at slightly better equipped sites, with WIFI access, which was helpful for me staying connected to work. MPTeam lied that they do not have any WIFI, but later shared a the passcode with one Spanish speaking member of our group, who later shared it with the rest of the group. This lie was upsetting.
c. Salkantay Trekking boiled water overnight and allowed the group to fill up the bottles each morning. MPTeam only offered to water for purchase (at suitably inflated prices)
d. The Salkantay Trekking food felt like a "Deli Food", with variety of all kinds. There was always an excess. The MPFood felt bland, monotonous, and like "stuffing". There was barely enough and we went to bed slightly hungry.
e. On day 4 of the trek simultaneously 4 group members out of 11 had food poisoning. Not just an indigestion, common with altitude sickness, but a simultaneous reaction, with vomiting, stomach pain, etc. Without proof, but with some confidence, I believe that MPTeam lunch on day 4 has poisoned 4 persons sitting at one end of the table.
d. Salkantay Trekking provide a free snack every day - to be eaten as needed between breakfast and lunch. The MPTeam provided the snack only 1 day.
e. On night 4 the MPT "Star Domes" location decided to play some very loud and strange music - instead of allowing us to enjoy the sounds of nature
f. Both MPTeam and Salkantay Trekking guides put gentle pressure on the group to collect money for the muleteer, for the cook, for the guide, not prescribing the amount, but pressing nonetheless. At Salkantay Trekking this happened only once, the recipients made short speeches, it felt deserved and warm. At MPTeam this happened 2 times, for 2 different sets of cooks, helpers, etc. The recipients said nothing, took the money. So, I felt like MPT was pressing me to fork out the tips 2 times, for some unknown reasons.
g. Not at all the company fault, but Salkantay Trekking purchased the tickets to Machu Picchu archeological site, while MPTeam made us purchase the tickets.
h. Both companies' guides have limited command of English (which, of course, it is also my fault not having a command of Spanish) and provide fairly simplistic and superficial explanations. So, if you want to better understand this wonderful place, history, etc. - better read on your own.
As a note, there are quite a few folks who do the trek independently. I have not tried, but this may be an option.
Enjoy the hike !
