Salkantay Trek
Tours in Salkantay Trek, Peru
National Geographic named the Salkantay Trek the #1 trek in the world for its combination of dramatic scenery, accessibility, and the transformative experience of arriving at Machu Picchu after five days on foot. It is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail — and in many ways, more spectacular.The trek’s centerpiece is Nevado Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), one of the most sacred mountains in the Inca cosmology and the second highest peak in the Cusco region. On Day 2, you cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 m — higher than Dead Woman’s Pass on the Inca Trail — with the glacier looming 1,600 m above you on the right and the cloud forest beginning 2,000 m below on the left. It is one of the most dramatic mountain passes on any trekking route on earth.Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek requires no government permit. This makes it easier to book on shorter notice and more accessible for travelers whose Inca Trail permits sold out. Our 5-Day Salkantay Trek departs daily year-round (weather permitting) in groups of 4–12 people.
Tours in Salkantay Trek
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Why visit Salkantay Trek
- Salkantay Pass (4,638 m) — The highest point of the route; crossing on Day 2 with Nevado Salkantay's glacier directly above you is one of the great mountain experiences in South America
- Nevado Salkantay (6,271 m) — The «Savage Mountain» of Quechua mythology; Apu Salkantay controls weather and harvests across the entire Cusco region in Andean cosmology
- Cloud forest descent — The Salkantay route drops from 4,638 m to 1,900 m over two days, crossing every ecological zone from high puna grassland to tropical cloud forest with orchids, bromeliads, and hummingbirds
- Hot springs at Santa Teresa — Natural thermal pools at 1,500 m on Day 4; after 3 days of high-altitude camping, these are the most appreciated waters in Peru
- Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes — The final 10 km to the Machu Picchu gateway town, walked along the railway tracks through cloud forest
- Humantay Lake (optional) — Many trekkers add a side trip to this glacial turquoise lake on Day 1; a 4 km detour gaining 400 m from base camp
- Llactapata Inca ruins — Overlooked site on Day 4 with a direct line-of-sight view to Machu Picchu from 2,840 m; archaeologists believe it was a sister site aligned with the citadel
Best time to visit Salkantay Trek
Dry season (April–October) is the best time. The Salkantay Pass is passable year-round in normal conditions, but in dry season, the views of Nevado Salkantay are consistently clear. May and September are particularly recommended — fewer trekkers than June–August, excellent visibility, and wildflowers on the pass.
Wet season (November–March) — The trek runs in the wet season but with important caveats: the Salkantay Pass can be dangerous in heavy snowfall or whiteout conditions, and trail sections in the cloud forest become very muddy. We monitor weather daily and have contingency route plans. January and February are the wettest months; the Inca Trail portion near Aguas Calientes is closed in February, but the Salkantay route itself remains open.
Best month overall: May. Post-wet-season vegetation is vivid green, the pass is clear, and crowds are noticeably lower than June–September.
How to get to Salkantay Trek
Trailhead: Soraypampa (3,900 m) — Reached by private minibus from Cusco (3 hours, departing 04:30–05:00 am). Our Salkantay trek price includes this transfer. You cannot reach the trailhead by public transport.
The route: Soraypampa → Salkantay Pass (4,638 m) → Wayracmachay → Chaullay → La Playa → Santa Teresa → Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu → Ollantaytambo → Cusco. Total: ~74 km over 5 days.
Permits: No trekking permit required for the Salkantay route. Machu Picchu entrance ticket and train tickets are required and must be booked in advance. Our packages include both.
What to pack for Salkantay Trek
- Waterproof trekking boots (essential — you'll cross streams and mud on Day 3–4)
- Trekking poles (included in our packages)
- Sleeping bag -10°C (included in our packages)
- Warm layers: thermal base layer, mid-fleece, down jacket, waterproof shell
- Warm hat and gloves for the Salkantay Pass (temperature can be -5°C to -10°C even in dry season)
- Sun protection: SPF 50+, lip balm with UV protection, glacier glasses (wraparound UV400)
- Gaiters (very useful for muddy cloud forest sections)
- Daypack 20–30 L (horses or donkeys carry main bags for most of the route)
- Altitude medication and personal first-aid kit
- Extra camera batteries (cold kills charge at the pass)
- Swimwear for the Santa Teresa hot springs on Day 4
- $80–120 USD cash for tips and Aguas Calientes expenses
Salkantay Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco → Soraypampa (3,900 m) → Humantay Lake (optional)
Depart Cusco 05:00 am. Arrive at trailhead (Soraypampa) around 08:30 am. Optional 4 km side hike to Humantay Lake (+400 m elevation, 2 hrs return). Set up camp at Soraypampa below the glacier. First views of Nevado Salkantay. Distance: 4–8 km depending on Humantay option. Camp altitude: 3,900 m.
Day 2: Salkantay Pass (4,638 m) — the hardest and most spectacular day
Pre-dawn start (04:30 am) to reach the pass before afternoon clouds. Summit the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 m — the glacier fills the northern horizon. Steep 1,600 m descent to Wayracmachay camp in the cloud forest (3,100 m). Distance: 15 km. Elevation gain: 738 m. Loss: 1,538 m.
Day 3: Cloud Forest Descent
Trek through subtropical cloud forest. Orchids and bromeliads replace the puna grass. Pass the community of Chaullay and La Playa. Temperatures rise from 12°C to 22°C during the day. Camp at La Playa (2,450 m). Distance: 22 km.
Day 4: Santa Teresa Hot Springs → Aguas Calientes
Morning: Llactapata ruins with Machu Picchu view. Continue to Santa Teresa — 2 hours in the natural hot springs. Afternoon: walk 10 km along the railway line to Aguas Calientes. Dinner, overnight hotel.
Day 5: Machu Picchu → Return to Cusco
05:30 am bus to Machu Picchu. 2.5-hour guided tour. Free exploration time. Afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, transfer to Cusco. Arrive Cusco ~21:00.
FAQ about Salkantay Trek
4Is the Salkantay Trek harder than the Inca Trail?
The Salkantay Pass (4,638 m) is higher than the Inca Trail's Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m), making Day 2 of Salkantay marginally more demanding in terms of altitude. However, the Salkantay Trek is 5 days vs. 4 days for the Inca Trail Classic, which spreads the effort more evenly. Day 3–4 of Salkantay are long (22 km) but at lower altitude and less strenuous than the Inca Trail Day 2. Overall difficulty is comparable — both require good cardiovascular fitness and altitude acclimatization.
Do I need to book the Salkantay Trek in advance?
Unlike the Inca Trail, no government permit is required, so you can book the Salkantay Trek on much shorter notice — even 1–2 weeks ahead in the low season. However, during June–August peak season, our groups fill up 4–6 weeks in advance. Machu Picchu entrance tickets (included in our packages) should still be booked at least 3–4 weeks ahead. Contact us to check current availability.
What is the temperature at the Salkantay Pass?
At 4,638 m, temperatures at the Salkantay Pass can drop to -5°C to -10°C even in the dry season, and much colder (-15°C to -20°C) in winter (June–August) or during bad weather. Wind at the pass amplifies the cold significantly. Warm gloves, a down jacket, and a warm hat are essential — not optional. The temperature changes by roughly 20°C between the pass (morning) and the Santa Teresa hot springs (Day 4 afternoon).
Can I do the Salkantay Trek independently (without a tour)?
Technically yes — there's no permit required. In practice, independent trekking on Salkantay is not recommended: the trail is not always well-marked, weather on the pass can change suddenly, altitude medical emergencies require guide response knowledge, and camping infrastructure (food, tents, horses) is complex to arrange independently. If you have prior high-altitude expedition experience and speak Spanish, it's possible — but most travelers find the cost savings don't justify the logistics and safety risk.
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