The Salkantay trek is the most spectacular alternative to the Inca Trail, and it needs no permit. On day one you hike from Mollepata to Soraypampa, below the glacier of Salkantay (6,271 m), with an optional climb to the turquoise Humantay Lake. Day two is the big one: about 22 km over the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m) and down into the cloud forest to a night in a geodesic dome at Loreta Playa.
Day three is gentler, with a visit to a coffee farm and the walk beside the railway from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, where you sleep in a hotel. On day four you have a guided visit of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco by train. Horses carry the main luggage, a cook prepares the meals on the trail, and the Machu Picchu entrance is included for US $470. Read our 4-day Salkantay guide.
The highest point of the trek at 4,600 m, at the foot of the Salkantay glacier.
Humantay Lake
An optional climb on day one to the turquoise glacier lake at about 4,200 m.
From ice to jungle
In two days the trail drops from glaciers to orchids, waterfalls and fruit trees.
Nights with a view
Cabins at Soraypampa and a geodesic dome at Loreta Playa.
A coffee farm
See how coffee is grown, picked and roasted in the warm valleys of Santa Teresa.
Machu Picchu to finish
A guided visit of the citadel on the last morning, entrance included.
No permit needed
Unlike the Inca Trail, you can book Salkantay at shorter notice.
Horses carry the luggage
You hike with a daypack while horses carry your main bag.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Salkantay Trek 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake
You leave Cusco early for breakfast in Mollepata (2,900 m), then drive to Challacancha and trek 2.5–3 hours to camp at Soraypampa (3,850 m), loading gear onto horses along the way.
In the afternoon an optional 1.5-hour hike climbs to the turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200 m) before returning to Soraypampa for dinner and a night in cozy cabins.
Distance
10 km / 6.2 mi
Max altitude
4,200 m (Humantay)
Campsite
3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Soraypampa cabins
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 2
Soraypampa, Salkantay Pass and Loreta Playa
The biggest day of the trek crosses the famous Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), the highest point, with glacier views of Humantay and Salkantay before lunch at Huayracmachay.
You then descend through cloud forest to Chaullay and on to the Majestic Ecolodge at Loreta Playa (2,900 m) for dinner and a night in a geodesic dome.
Distance
22 km / 13.7 mi
Max altitude
4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Accommodation
Geodesic dome, Loreta Playa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Loreta Playa, coffee farm and Aguas Calientes
A relaxed morning lets you visit a local coffee plantation to learn how coffee is grown, picked and roasted, passing farms of cacao, banana, passion fruit and avocado.
In the afternoon you drive to the Hydroelectric Station and walk the railway beside the Urubamba River past the Intihuatana site to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m) for a hotel night and dinner.
Distance
10 km / 6.2 mi
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,040 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation
3-star hotel, Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Medium
DAY 4
Machu Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco
A morning two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu (2,430 m) reveals the Royal Rooms, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza and the Temple of the Three Windows, with free time to hike the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge, or climb Huayna Picchu (optional, $70).
After lunch nearby you take the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer by bus 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 4 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 4 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 2 is the hardest: 22 km with the climb to the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m) and a long descent into the cloud forest. The other days are shorter. Horses carry the main luggage; you carry a daypack.
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.
Challenging, mainly because of the altitude and the long second day: 22 km with the climb to the 4,600 m pass. Spend two or three days in Cusco first.
No. Salkantay does not need an Inca Trail permit; only the Machu Picchu ticket, which is included.
Cabins at Soraypampa, a geodesic dome at Loreta Playa and a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
