About this experience
Enjoy a 5 day 4 night trek to Machu Picchu. One of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, the Salkantay is a great alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. You will enjoy a unique experience and visit Machu Picchu to top-off your adventure. A professional guide and transport are included.This trek is open to everybody meaning that there are no permit limitations. We will have horses and mules to carry all your gear, and a chef and porters. It’s a beautiful trek that takes us along the highlands of the Andes into the cloud forest. This trek is located less than sixty miles northwest of Cusco in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Rising to 20,574 feet, Mount Salkantay is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped by local Peruvians. Our classic Salkantay Trek is a custom-designed alternative to the traditional Inca Trail. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity
At a glance
- Duration: 120 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 120 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please provide a copy of every participants passport after confirmation so we can secure train tickets.
Local guides to help you plan
Choosing the Right Train to Machu Picchu
PeruRail or IncaRail, Vistadome or Expedition, Ollantaytambo or Poroy. The trade-offs nobody explains until you're already at the station.
Machu Picchu Day Trip From Cusco
A Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco is possible, but it requires advance entry tickets, carefully matched transport, and a very early start. Use this practical guide to choose a circuit, build a realistic schedule, compar
Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits Guide
Choose the right Machu Picchu circuit, understand the 2026 ticket system, and avoid common booking mistakes with this practical guide to routes, identification, seasonal access, and last-minute entry.
What is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Train ride from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo on the Vistadome trains from Peru Rail or Similar
- 3 nights camping, with all camping equipment included, except sleeping bag
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- All tours stated in the itinerary are with English-speaking guides
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes hostel
- Chef during the hike, helpers, horsemen, cargo horses as well as riding horses for the passengers
- Private transportation to the beginning of the trek
Not included
- Sleeping bags for the trek
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.
Meeting and pickup information
- Optional briefing orientation is held the night before departure. We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel the morning of the trek.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Amazing Andean Adventures
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please provide a copy of every participants passport after confirmation so we can secure train tickets.
- Note: There are optional activities including zip line in the rainforest and hot springs on the 4th day. You can contact the local tour operator to arrange these activities
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Questions about this experience
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