Salkantay and Inca Trail 5 days: the complete trek guide
If you cannot choose between the raw mountain drama of the Salkantay Trek and the history of the Inca Trail, this five-day route refuses to make you. It links the glaciers and turquoise lakes of Salkantay with a stretch of the original Inca pathway, finishing through the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu. Here is everything you need to plan it.
Part of our complete guideThe complete Inca Trail guide →Why this route is special
Most treks give you either mountains or ruins. This one gives you both. You spend the first days high among glaciers, crossing the Inca Chiriaska pass at over 5,000 m with the Salkantay massif at your shoulder, then drop into cloud forest and join the Short Inca Trail for the legendary walk past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate. It is, in our view, the most complete way to arrive at Machu Picchu.
The route, day by day
The trek builds logically: two big mountain days, a transition through Llactapata with its distant view of Machu Picchu, then the Inca Trail finale and the guided tour of the citadel.
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Humantay Lake → Salkantay Pampa | ~10 km | Turquoise Humantay Lake |
| 2 | Inca Chiriaska Pass → Canal Inca | ~16 km | 5,100 m glacier pass |
| 3 | Llactapata → Ollantaytambo | ~14 km | First distant view of Machu Picchu |
| 4 | Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate | ~12 km | Walk through Inti Punku |
| 5 | Guided Machu Picchu tour → Cusco | — | The citadel itself |
See the full itinerary and dates
Read the complete day-by-day plan, what is included, and live availability.
How hard is it?
This is a challenging trek, and we will not pretend otherwise. You cross very high passes and put in two long mountain days back to back. It rewards anyone with good general fitness who has acclimatized properly in Cusco first — you do not need to be an athlete, but you should not arrive straight off the plane. Read our altitude guide before you go.
Salkantay-and-Inca-Trail vs the Classic Inca Trail
A question we hear constantly. Both are wonderful; they simply suit different travelers.
| Salkantay + Inca Trail 5D | Classic Inca Trail 4D | |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Glaciers, lakes, cloud forest, ruins | Cloud forest and Inca ruins |
| Sun Gate finish | Yes | Yes |
| Permit-capped | Short trail permit, more available | Strict daily cap, sells out early |
| Crowds | Quieter on the high section | Busier |
| Difficulty | Challenging, very high passes | Challenging, one big pass |
If the Classic Inca Trail is sold out for your dates — which happens often in high season — this route is the answer, because its Short Inca Trail section uses a permit that is far easier to secure. Check both on our live calendar.
When to go
The dry season from May to September brings the clearest skies and the most reliable trail conditions, and it is also the busiest. April and October are lovely shoulder months with thinner crowds. The green season can be beautiful and quiet but expect rain, and remember the Classic Inca Trail closes every February — though Salkantay itself keeps running.
Frequently asked questions
You need good general fitness and proper acclimatization in Cusco. The route crosses very high passes over two long mountain days, but you do not need to be an athlete.
Yes, for the Short Inca Trail section, but that permit is far easier to secure than the Classic Inca Trail cap. We collect your passport details at booking.
Neither is better — they suit different travelers. This route adds glaciers and lakes and is easier to book, while still finishing through the Sun Gate.
May to September for the clearest weather, April and October for fewer crowds. Salkantay runs year-round, unlike the Classic Inca Trail which closes each February.