The 3-day Salkantay trek packs the essentials of the route into a shorter trip. After a 4:00 AM transfer and breakfast at Soraypampa (3,850 m), you climb straight to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), with the glacier of Salkantay (6,271 m) above you, and descend about three hours to camp at Huayracmachay — about 16 km in all.
Day two is a long descent of about 22 km through the cloud forest to Chaullay, a transfer towards Hidroeléctrica and the walk beside the railway to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night. On day three you visit Machu Picchu with your guide and return to Cusco by train. No permit is needed, and the Machu Picchu entrance is included for US $470. Prefer a gentler pace with Humantay Lake? See the 4-day trek and our 3-day guide.
The climb to 4,600 m comes early, while you are fresh.
Salkantay glacier
The second-highest mountain of the Cusco region towers over the pass.
Cloud forest descent
Orchids, waterfalls and fruit farms on the long way down to Chaullay.
A hotel in Aguas Calientes
A comfortable night at the foot of Machu Picchu before the visit.
Machu Picchu with a guide
A guided visit of the citadel on the last morning, entrance included.
No permit needed
Book at shorter notice than the Inca Trail.
One day shorter
All the highlights of Salkantay in three days instead of four.
Camp under the glacier
A night at Huayracmachay with views of the snow peaks.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Salkantay Trek 3 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Soraypampa, Salkantay Pass and Huayracmachay
A 4:00 AM private transfer reaches Soraypampa (3,850 m) for breakfast, then a steady climb to Soyrococha for lunch with views of Humantay and Salkantay (6,271 m).
You cross the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), the highest point, for panoramic glacier photos, then descend about three hours to camp at Huayracmachay (3,800 m).
Distance
16 km / 9.9 mi
Duration
6–7 hours
Max altitude
4,600 m
Campsite
3,800 m / 11,750 ft
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 2
Huayracmachay, cloud forest and Aguas Calientes
You hike down through the lush cloud forest to Chaullay, then continue to the Majestic Ecolodge area before transferring toward the Hydroelectric Station.
A scenic walk beside the railway brings you to Aguas Calientes for a comfortable hotel night and dinner at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Distance
22 km / 13.7 mi
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,040 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Machu Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco
A two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu (2,430 m) covers the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza and the Temple of the Three Windows, with free time for the Sun Gate, the Inca Bridge or an optional Huayna Picchu climb.
After lunch nearby you take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car to Cusco
Difficulty
Easy
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Salkantay Trek 3 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport to the trailhead
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Salkantay route and Humantay Lake entrance
Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
Horses and muleteers to carry gear (up to 7 kg per person)
Chef-prepared breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks
Coca tea each morning and boiled water
Oxygen and first aid kit
Accommodation as detailed (camps, lodges, hotel)
Return train and private transfer to Cusco
Not Included
Final day lunch
Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
Trekking poles (rent in Cusco)
Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Salkantay Trek 3 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Challenging. Day 1 climbs from about 3,850 m to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m) and continues downhill, about 16 km in all; day 2 is a long 22 km descent into the cloud forest. Good fitness and two or three days of acclimatization are essential.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,600 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $470 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $446 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $423 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Yes. You reach the 4,600 m pass on day one, after a very early start, and day two is long. Acclimatize in Cusco for at least two or three days.
