The Salkantay Trek is challenging due to high altitude and the steep climb to the Salkantay Pass. Good fitness and proper acclimatization in Cusco are recommended.
The classic four-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu over the high pass. From $470 per person.
Trek the world-famous Salkantay route to Machu Picchu, a National Geographic top-25 hike, on this 4-day adventure with INKANET ADVENTURE. Cross the dramatic Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m beneath glaciers and snow peaks.
Descend through alpine plains into lush cloud forest, visit a coffee farm, and follow the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes before a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Stay in cozy cabins and geodesic domes along the way.
Cross the legendary Salkantay Pass beneath glaciers and the towering 6,271 m peak of Salkantay, a National Geographic top trek.
Hike to the glacial Humantay Lake (4,200 m), its turquoise water framed by snow-capped mountains.
Pass from high glaciers and alpine plains into lush cloud forest alive with orchids, waterfalls and birdlife.
Finish at Machu Picchu with an expert two-hour guided tour of its temples, plazas and terraces.
Rest in cozy cabins, geodesic domes and a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, with all gear carried by horses.
Enjoy fresh breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by your chef, with vegetarian options on request.
Travel with certified guides fluent in English and Spanish who bring Inca history and nature to life.
Horses, muleteers, oxygen and a first aid kit support you the whole way for a safe, rewarding trek.
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Salkantay Trek 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
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.
The biggest day of the trek crosses the famous Salkantay Pass (4,630 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.
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.
A morning two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu (2,490 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.
Exactly what is covered in your Salkantay Trek 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
A few essentials we recommend to make your Salkantay Trek 4 Days day the most rewarding possible.
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.
The hike is rated moderate: 3 hours uphill + 1.5 hours back down. If you can walk steadily for 4–5 hours at home, you'll be fine. Horses are available at the trailhead (~ US $20) if needed.
Dry season: April to October. Skies are clearer, trails firm, colors most vibrant. Avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar), when colors mute under cloud cover. We run tours year-round but recommend the dry months.
The Andean sun is intense at 5,000 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers. Pre-dawn is below freezing; midday can hit 18°C in the sun.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour. In case of dangerous weather (snowstorms, road closures), we'll offer a free reschedule or full refund. Safety always comes first.
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
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 |
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Full refund for cancellations 30+ days before. 50% refund 15–29 days before. Weather-related cancellations from our side = full refund or free reschedule.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Salkantay Trek 4 Days guides
