5-Day All-Inclusive Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu

The Andes change by the hour. This five-day trek links glacial lakes, a high mountain pass, cloud forest, Inca ruins, and Machu Picchu in one carefully arranged journey from Cusco. At $699 per person, it offers a lot for the money, especially with meals, camping equipment, porters, buses, trains, and a hotel included.

I especially like the small groups of no more than eight and the way the scenery shifts from cold, bare mountain country to warm jungle. I also like that guides such as Edwin, Julio Cesar, JC, Elio Mach, and Paul are praised for adjusting their pace and plans to suit the group. The main caution is altitude and effort: this is not a gentle walk, and Day 2 reaches 4,600 meters.

The trip has earned a 4.9 rating from 102 ratings, with 99 percent of participants recommending it. That strong record fits the tour’s best features: excellent food, attentive guides, and a support crew that carries camping gear and up to 7 kilograms of your personal belongings. Still, you need to arrive prepared, carry altitude medication prescribed for you, and accept a strict non-refundable booking policy.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Humantay Lake comes on Day 1: You reach the turquoise lake at 4,200 meters after beginning the hike near Challacancha.
• Salkantay Pass is the physical high point: Day 2 reaches 4,600 meters, followed by a long descent into warmer country.
• The scenery keeps changing: Snowy peaks give way to waterfalls, farms, coffee plantations, and cloud forest.
• Your overnight comfort is better than basic camping: You get a Thermarest mattress, shared four-person tents, a dining tent, and a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Small groups make a real difference: The maximum group size is eight, and groups of nine or more receive an assistant guide.
• You need altitude preparation: Spending two or three days above 3,000 meters before the trek is strongly advised.

Why This Salkantay Route Is Worth Your Five Days

The Salkantay route is a strong choice if you want Machu Picchu but also want the journey to matter. The famous citadel is the final prize, yet the trek gives you four full days of changing terrain before you reach it.

You begin high in the Andes, close to enormous peaks, then move down through increasingly warm country. That change is the route’s special feature. One day you may need a warm jacket and gloves. A couple of days later, you are walking beside fruit trees, waterfalls, and coffee plantations.

The all-inclusive setup also removes much of the usual planning work. A guide handles the route and site explanations. A chef prepares meals. Mules carry cooking and camping equipment, along with 7 kilograms of your personal items. Tents are put in place, and you finish with a hotel night in Aguas Calientes rather than another night under canvas.

At $699, I consider this good value for a five-day guided trek. The price includes all entrance fees, transport from your Cusco hotel to the trailhead, four breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners, camping equipment, the Machu Picchu bus, the train to Ollantaytambo, and private transport back to Cusco. You still need to budget for a sleeping bag rental, food on the final day, travel insurance, and any Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket.

Day 1: From Cusco to Humantay Lake at 4,200 Meters

The day starts early, with pickup at about 5:30 a.m. from Cusco, which sits at 3,399 meters. The first ride takes you to Mollepata at 2,900 meters, where you can stretch, use the restroom, and buy last-minute supplies.

That stop is useful. Do not treat it as a full shopping trip, but use it to check that you have water for the first four hours, snacks, sunscreen, and anything you may have forgotten. Water is supplied after that initial stretch, but you need to begin prepared.

From Mollepata, transport continues to Challacancha at 3,600 meters. This is where you meet the support team and begin walking. Mules carry the group equipment, so you are not hauling tents, cooking gear, or your full pack uphill.

The first part of the trail gives you broad views of Salkantay and the Apurímac Valley. You then reach Soraypampa at 3,900 meters for lunch. The schedule allows about eight hours of walking on Day 1, although the exact pace depends on the group and conditions.

The afternoon climb to Humantay Lake is the day’s great reward. At 4,200 meters, the lake sits below huge mountain walls, with clear turquoise water that can look almost unreal. The altitude makes this visit more demanding than the photographs suggest, so take your time and follow your guide’s pace.

After the lake, you return to camp for dinner and your first night in a tent. A dining tent with tables and chairs gives the evening a more organized feel than ordinary backpacking. A Thermarest inflatable mattress is included, but a sleeping bag is not. You can rent one locally for $25.

Day 2: Crossing Salkantay Pass at 4,600 Meters

Day 2 is the hardest and most dramatic section. You climb toward Salkantay Pampa beneath Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 6,264 meters. The high country is open and stark, with snow-capped peaks dominating the views.

The route reaches Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters, the highest point of the trek. At this height, even a modest climb can feel serious. I would keep your camera accessible, but I would not rush to take photographs. The views are best enjoyed after you have caught your breath.

After the pass, you descend to Huayracmachay for lunch. The afternoon brings about three hours of downhill walking toward Challway at 2,920 meters. That drop in altitude is welcome, but downhill walking can be tough on knees and thighs, particularly after the morning ascent.

The day takes around eight hours. It is also the clearest reason to take the altitude advice seriously. Cusco itself is high, but the trek quickly goes higher. Spending two or three days above 3,000 meters before starting can help reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

One useful lesson comes from the way some guides handle changing conditions. On one trip, the guide chose to camp more than 200 meters lower than planned because it was the wiser option for the group. Another guide suggested a lighter backup plan for Day 4. That flexibility is valuable in the mountains, where a fixed schedule should never matter more than your health.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Farms, and Coffee Near Lucmabamba

Day 3 changes the mood completely. You leave the cold high country and enter the high jungle, sometimes called the eyebrow of the Amazon. The trail passes waterfalls, fruit trees, plants, butterflies, and other wildlife.

The walk lasts about five hours before lunch at Playa Sahuayaco. You might spot Peru’s national bird, the brightly colored Cock of the Rock, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. This section rewards slow walking and attention to what is around you. The mountain peaks are no longer the only attraction.

After lunch, the route follows the river downstream through small Andean farms and coffee plantations. You finish at Lucmabamba, at about 2,000 meters. The lower altitude brings warmer temperatures and a very different feel from the first two days.

Lucmabamba is the final campsite and the starting point for the path toward Llactapata. The walking time is about six hours, making this a more manageable day after the pass. It is also a good place to appreciate the work of the cook and support staff. Several meals are described as abundant, multi-course Peruvian food, not just the usual trek fare of rice and soup.

The food is one of this tour’s most praised features. Cooks named in the trip accounts include Reuben, Nazario, and Ronald. Their meals helped turn long hiking days into something to anticipate, which matters when your legs are tired and the camp is simple.

Day 4: Llactapata, the Railway Walk, and Aguas Calientes

The fourth day begins with a two-hour ascent to Llactapata, an Inca site on a ridge at 2,840 meters. The ruins are not the main Machu Picchu visit, but their position is memorable. From here, you can see Machu Picchu and Sayacmarca across the surrounding cloud forest.

This is where a good guide adds real value. You receive explanations about the site, the surrounding Inca routes, and the setting rather than simply stopping for photographs. Guides have also been praised for explaining local plants, fruit, Peruvian traditions, history, and language along the way.

A 1.5-hour descent brings you to the Hydroelectric Station for lunch. From there, you walk for about three hours beside the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Town.

The railway walk is not the most scenic or remote part of the trek. It is a practical final approach, and you should expect a flatter, more developed route than the previous days. Still, it gives you time to let the trip’s big transitions sink in, from high mountain pass to jungle farms to the town below Machu Picchu.

That night, you stay at the WAMAN HOTEL, a three-star hotel. This is a welcome change after three camping nights. You have time to rest and explore Aguas Calientes before meeting for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Machu Picchu and the Ride Back to Cusco

The final morning begins with breakfast and a bus to Machu Picchu. The round-trip bus is included, so you do not need to arrange that separately.

Inside the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, your guide leads a detailed visit covering temples, ceremonial spaces, terraces, and storage structures. The duration of the guided visit is not clearly stated, so check the final schedule with the operator. The important point is that the site visit is guided rather than a quick, unsupported entry.

If you reserve the correct additional ticket in advance, you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Neither mountain ticket is included in the base price. The Huayna Picchu addition was especially valued by one participant who wanted a more demanding final view, but it adds another physical challenge after four days on foot.

After Machu Picchu, you return to Aguas Calientes for a short rest and lunch at your own expense. The train then takes you to Ollantaytambo, where a private van continues to Cusco.

Dinner on Day 5 is not included, and neither is lunch. Keep some Peruvian soles available for food and small purchases. Your return to Cusco marks the end of the arranged service.

Food, Camping, and the Support Team

The practical side of this trek is stronger than the price might suggest. You receive a chef, a dining tent, tables, chairs, tents shared by two people, and a mattress. The support team carries communal equipment and 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.

That weight limit is important. Pack light and use a small daypack for water, rain gear, sunscreen, medication, camera equipment, and warm layers. Your passport must be carried and shown on the day of travel, so keep it protected but easy to reach.

The guide team is another major strength. Edwin is praised for being attentive and for encouraging people without crowding them. Julio Cesar is noted for taking photographs, explaining plants and culture, and making a small group feel safe. JC is praised for listening to the group and adapting the plan. Elio Mach is described as flexible and good at keeping pace with individual ability.

Those details point to the real benefit of a small group. You can ask questions, stop when needed, and receive more personal attention than you usually get in a large trekking convoy. Groups of nine or more receive an assistant guide, but this tour caps the group at eight.

How Hard Is the Trek?

You need moderate physical fitness. The daily walking times range from about six to eight hours, and the route includes steep climbs, high altitude, long descents, and changing temperatures.

The greatest challenge comes on Days 1 and 2. Humantay Lake reaches 4,200 meters, and Salkantay Pass reaches 4,600 meters. Later days are lower and warmer, but they still involve several hours of walking.

The tour is listed as suitable for families, with a minimum age of five. That does not mean every five-year-old will enjoy it. A family should consider the child’s hiking experience, response to altitude, and ability to handle long days. The operator does not recommend the trek for people with back problems, heart disease, or other serious medical conditions.

One participant became sick on the first night despite spending several days in Cusco beforehand. The guides had oxygen and a first aid kit, but the group member felt that prescribed altitude and stomach medication would have been useful. Bring personal medication and travel insurance. Do not depend on the basic first aid supplies to cover every possible problem.

What to Pack for the Five Days

The supplied packing advice is sensible for a route that crosses several climate zones:

• Walking boots with good support
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket, hat, and gloves
• T-shirts and comfortable trousers
• Sunscreen rated SPF 35 or higher
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries and hand sanitizer
• Personal medication
• Torch with spare batteries
• Passport and, if applicable, ISIC student card
• Sleeping bag, or $25 for a local rental

Bring your own water for the first four hours of Day 1. Water is included after that point. You should also keep rain gear close rather than buried in luggage, since the route moves between exposed mountain country and wet cloud forest.

Who Should Book This Trek?

I would choose this trip if you want a guided, active route to Machu Picchu and prefer having most practical details handled for you. It suits people who value scenery, local explanations, cooked meals, and a small group more than a basic, low-cost trek.

It is also a good fit for families with older children who are already comfortable with long hikes. The included hotel on Day 4 helps soften the camping experience, and the support staff means you do not need to carry all your equipment.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, high altitude, tents, or long downhill walks. I would also avoid booking if your schedule cannot tolerate changes caused by weather, trail conditions, or transport disruptions. A train strike once required extra organization, but the company arranged the return successfully. That is encouraging, though no operator can remove every mountain risk.

The cancellation rule is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended for any reason. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability, and at least three people are required per booking. Contact the email address on your voucher with special requirements and flight information after booking.

Should You Book the Salkantay Trek?

Yes, if you want strong value and a full Andean-to-jungle experience rather than a quick visit to Machu Picchu. The $699 price covers a remarkable amount, and the combination of small groups, attentive guides, excellent cooking, included transport, and support animals makes the trek easier to manage.

Book it only after you have prepared for altitude and confirmed that six to eight hours of walking suits you. If that sounds manageable, this route gives you Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, coffee country, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu in a single well-supported journey.

FAQ

How much does the five-day Salkantay Trek cost?

The listed price is $699 per person.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is eight people. An assistant guide is included for groups of nine or more, although this specific tour has a maximum of eight.

What time does the trek begin?

Hotel pickup begins at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Day 1.

Is Machu Picchu admission included?

Yes, entrance fees and admission to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are included.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain is not included. A separate ticket must be secured in advance. Machu Picchu Mountain also requires an additional ticket.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A sleeping bag can be rented from the local tour operator for $25.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is five years old. Participants should also have a moderate level of physical fitness.