5-Day Salkantay Trek is one of the most scenic and adventurous ways to reach Machu Picchu, with the 5-day trek offering the best options. It has glacier mountains, picturesque lakes such as Humantay and Salcantay Lake, and passes through the Amazon jungle, making this one of the most beautiful and interesting treks in all of Peru.
When you book this tour with us, you’ll enjoy the best services at affordable prices. We offer exclusive camps with newly-built Mountain Sky Huts, glass igloos, professional knowledgeable guides, and supporting staff, we have all-inclusive itinerary options to make sure you don’t miss a thing. We’ll pass by brilliantly-blue lakes, reach heights up to 4,630 meters, and pass by the waterfalls, rivers, and hot springs.
We will also trek through the original Inca Trail to the Llactapata ruins, where you will have a fantastic view of Machu Picchu from a different angle, motivating you to finish the final stretch before you make it to the famous lost city of the Incas.
5-Day Salkantay trek is listed by National Geographic as 1 of 25 “World’s Best Treks.” Choose an experienced, highly-rated company for your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and make it an amazing and unforgettable experience.
BELOW, WE OUTLINE WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 5-DAY SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
Services Not Included in the Salkantay Trek Package and Optional Expenses
We detail below the services and expenses not included in the Salkantay Trek package. These are optional and can be paid directly on-site. Typically, the local community provides these services, and they are common across all companies operating the Salkantay Trek. Our goal is to offer clear and accurate information.
Packing efficiently for the 5-day Salkantay trek is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Here’s a detailed packing list to guide you:
ESSENTIALS:
FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAG:
Horses will transport up to 7 kg of your gear, including your sleeping bag.
Clothing:
Gear:
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACK:
For Machu Picchu, bags over 25L are not permitted inside. Larger bags must be stored outside.
NOTES
Following this comprehensive list will help ensure a memorable and comfortable experience during your Salkantay trek.
About the Salkantay Trek 5 Days
The Salkantay Trail connects Cusco to the Citadel of Machu Picchu and runs approximately 89 km/55 miles through high Andean peaks, cloud forest, and steamy jungle. The hike starts at the village of Mollepata, a few miles from Cusco.
The Salkantay Peak – Savage Mountain – is located within the Vilcabamba mountain range, to the northwest of Cusco. Salkantay is one of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the Andes (6,271m/20,574ft).
National Geographic’s Adventure Travel Magazine named the Salkantay trek among the 25 Best Treks in the World.
The amount you walk each day varies. An average day is 5-8 hours, but on the summit, night combined with the following day you can walk between 8 and 11 hours. Have a look at the itinerary for a day-to-day account.
For an average traveler or tourist, Salkantay is considered a challenging but certainly not impossible hike. Due to the physical demands, anyone who wishes to trek Salkantay should at least be moderately fit. Plus, all trekkers should spend at least 2 days in Cuzco before the trek, to get acclimatized. Being extremely fit does not grant any immunity from altitude sickness.
The entire hike is approximately 72 kilometers (approximately 45 miles), and this hiking takes place for 4 days and 3 nights. The remaining 1 day of the trek is spent at Machu Picchu. In general, Salkantay is considered to be slightly harder than the Inca Trail. Other trails, such as Choquequirao, are considered to be slightly harder than Salkantay.
The Salkantay Pass, at 14,760123 feet above sea level, is the most difficult section on the trail. Expect wind and cold temperatures. Some hikers might experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Symptoms will disappear as soon as you start your descent. Oxygen will be provided if needed. The Salkantay Pass, at approximately 4,650 meters above sea level is the most difficult section in the trail. These challenges are a result of several factors: the challenge of uphill climbing, cold winds, low temperatures in general, and the fact that you are trekking at a low-oxygen altitude.
Very young children may not enjoy this. They should be able to walk (without being carried) for 90 minutes without whining (the whining part applies to children of all ages.
Weather conditions during the rainy season make the Salkantay trek a risky decision. Therefore we cannot guarantee the availability of the Salkantay treks from mid-march to the end of February. If the weather is good, we will give the OK for a trek to start. If we think the safety of our porters and clients is being threatened, we will cancel the trek.
The dry season is the best time for this trek. In Cuzco, the dry season lasts from April to November, and the wet season is from December to March. June to September are the most popular months to do the trek, due to summer vacations in Europe and the US. It is generally thought that May and October offer the best weather conditions.
Yes, it is possible for a single traveler or a small group to hike the trek by themself, without guides or porters. However, the trail is not clearly marked at all points, which makes getting lost a high possibility. This is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a tour agency like Mystic Salkantay. Our guides know the route very well.
Children under 14 years old are not allowed to do the trek, and children who are over 14 years old should be in good physical shape and used to hiking long distances.
You will get sporadic phone coverage during the trek and there will not be anywhere whilst trekking to charge your phone.
One of the trek leaders will be carrying a satellite phone. However, this is for emergency use only.
Weather is very varied on this trek, due to the fact that it winds its way through wildly different terrain at different altitudes. The only place where the weather is a serious concern is the Salkantay Pass and the nearby areas. Temperatures here, and at the nearby Soraypampa campsite, can fall below freezing. The other camps are much warmer, due to their proximity to the cloud forest.
On our tours the Salkantay trek is easy. It is not a difficult trek in the Cusco area, although it is a route of ascents and descents, it implies some physical effort, for that our guides will be there to assist you.
Due to weather conditions, the Salkantay Trek is closed from January 31 to the end of February every year and we start again operation on the 01 or March, outside this date range, the hike is open and has the best conditions to enjoy it.
If it is possible if you have previous knowledge of the route and you can carry all your equipment; it can take you more time according to your physical condition; the most advisable is to do it with our experienced guides, besides we have exclusive camps, and you will only carry what you need.
The ancient Inca Trail 4 Days, originally part of the Inca Road system interconnecting the Inca Empire. This classic trek hike through diverse scenery. The Salkantay Trek, on the other hand, is more strenuous and famous for its mountain scenery.
| Inca Trail Hike | Salkantay Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Mountains, cloud forest, and Incan Archaeological Sites | Mountains and abundant wildlife |
| Distance | 26 miles over 4 days | 46 miles over 5 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate (3/5) | Strenuous (4/5) |
| Highest Altitude | 13,828 feet | 15,000 feet |
| Availability | 200 people per day, book in advance. More customizable than Salkantay. | No permit restrictions, an average of 50 hikers per day. |
| Facilities | Mid-range camping or luxury glamping. Porters are available to carry gear. | Options from rudimentary camping to luxury lodges. |
| Best For | Travelers in good hiking shape who value comfortable camps and don’t mind a popular trail. | For experienced, hikers who want to get off the beaten path and value solitude, mountain scenery, opportunities to view wildlife, and a wider range of overnight options. |
At CHOQUEQUIRAO WASI, we are committed to providing fair and transparent pricing for the Salkantay trek. Here’s what you need to know:
Our approach is transparent and traveler-focused, ensuring you receive exceptional service at a fair price. With Machu Picchu Reservations, your adventure on the Inca Jungle Trail will be memorable and accessible.
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PRICES: SALKANTAY TREK 5 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU – GROUP SERVICE – SEASONS 2023 AND 2024
SALKANTAY TREK with Return by CAR:
SALKANTAY TREK with Return by TRAIN:
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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION: Understanding the Difference Between Returning by Car and by Train
Select the option that aligns with your preferences, ensuring a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes of Machu Picchu.
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STUDENT PRICE:
HOW TO ACCESS THE STUDENT PRICE FOR A TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU?
The Peruvian government offers discounts for students on entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. Consequently, in our tours to Machu Picchu, we provide a reduced rate for students. To qualify for this special rate, you must meet the following requirements:
The policy of the Peruvian government is stringent regarding the accreditation of students. It is imperative to present a card that fulfills these criteria to be eligible for student-priced tickets because, upon entering Machu Picchu, you will be required to show the physical student card. If you do not meet these requirements upon arrival at Machu Picchu, there is a significant risk of being denied entry and having to pay the full ticket price, depending on availability. Therefore, ensuring that your student card adheres to Peruvian regulations is crucial before booking your tour to as student Machu Picchu.
MAKING YOUR RESERVATION: Booking the Salkantay trek 5 days to Machu Picchu is straightforward. You can use any debit or credit card, with an additional 2.9% fee borne by the customer. For clients in the United States, we offer the option to pay from a bank account without extra charges.
Before Booking Please Read the Details Carefully
Reservation Prepayment: To secure your spot for either trek option, a non-refundable prepayment of $180 per person is required. This prepayment is utilized to:
