Cusco · Salkantay Pass 4,630 m · Peru
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The high road to Machu Picchu: over the Salkantay Pass at about 4,630 m, down through cloud forest and coffee farms, and up to the citadel. No permit needed for the trek, which makes it the trek you can still book when the Inca Trail is sold out.
From US$990 per person
Is the Salkantay trek for you?
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu crosses the shoulder of Salkantay (6,271 m), the highest mountain near Cusco. The classic route starts at Soraypampa, climbs to the Salkantay Pass at about 4,630 m on day two, then drops more than 2,500 m into the cloud forest and coffee country of the Santa Teresa valley before reaching Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. It is longer, higher and quieter than the Inca Trail, and it needs no trekking permit.
Operators quote anywhere from 55 to 78 km for the same trek, because the start point and the last day vary. Plan on about 65–75 km and 6–8 hours of walking on the long days. The terrain is not technical; the challenge is the altitude on the pass day and the long descent after it. To compare it with other routes, see our Peru trekking guide, which puts Salkantay next to the Inca Trail, Lares and Huayhuash.
Why we add two days before the pass
Most 5-day Salkantay tours pick you up in Cusco (3,400 m) at 4 am, sleep you at Soraypampa (about 3,900 m) that night and send you over 4,630 m the next morning. Many people manage it, many feel awful. We recommend two nights in the Sacred Valley (around 2,900 m) first, with an easy acclimatisation walk, which turns the 5-day trek into 7 days and makes the pass day far more enjoyable.
Your itinerary
Recommended: 7 days with acclimatisation
Arrival in Cusco and transfer down to the Sacred Valley to sleep lower, around 2,900 m.
An easy half-day hike among Inca terraces and villages, then a trek briefing and gear check.
Drive to Soraypampa and hike up to Humantay Lake (about 4,200 m) beneath the glacier. Night at camp, about 3,900 m.
The big day: up to the pass at about 4,630 m, then a long descent to Collpapampa (about 2,900 m). 7–9 hours.
Down the Santa Teresa valley through orchids, waterfalls and fruit farms to Lucmabamba (about 2,000 m), among coffee plantations.
Climb to the Inca site of Llactapata for a first distant view of Machu Picchu, then down to Hidroeléctrica and the walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m).
Early bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m) for a guided visit, then the train and road back to Cusco.
Also possible: classic 5 days, or Salkantay + Inca Trail
Days 3–7 above without the Sacred Valley nights. Fine if you have already spent several days at altitude.
Crosses the Salkantay Pass, then joins the Inca Trail near Wayllabamba and finishes through the Sun Gate. Needs an Inca Trail permit, which sells out months ahead for May–August.
Salkantay trek altitude profile
The profile explains the trek: one hard climb to the pass, then nearly three days of descent towards Machu Picchu.
- Cusco: 3,400 m
- Soraypampa: 3,900 m
- Salkantay Pass: 4,630 m
- Collpapampa: 2,900 m
- Aguas Calientes: 2,040 m
- Machu Picchu: 2,430 m
Prices
- 5 days: classic SalkantayFrom US$990
- 7 days: with acclimatisationFrom US$1,390
- 7–8 days: Salkantay + Inca TrailFrom US$2,290
Per person in US dollars, based on 2 travellers sharing. Groups of 4 or more pay less per person; solo travellers pay a supplement. We confirm the exact price for your dates and group. Peru prices are based on current market rates for this trek; we confirm the final price with our local partner operator for your dates.
What's included
Included
- Licensed Peruvian trekking guide (through our local partner operator)
- Camp or dome nights on the trek, hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Meals on the trek and mules for your duffel bag
- Machu Picchu entry ticket, bus and guided visit
- Train and road transfer back to Cusco
Not included
- International flights and Cusco hotels
- Travel insurance (required)
- Sleeping bag and trekking-pole rental
- Tips for guides, cooks and muleteers
Gear
Typically provided
- Tents or domes and sleeping mats
- Cooking team and meals
- Mules for duffel bags
- First-aid kit and emergency horse on the pass day
You bring
- Broken-in hiking boots
- Warm layers for nights near 0 °C
- Rain jacket (cloud forest)
- Insect repellent and sun protection
- Passport (needed for the Machu Picchu ticket)
Safety on the mountain
- Licensed Peruvian guides through a vetted local operator
- Acclimatisation days before the pass on our recommended plan
- Emergency horse and turn-back plan on the pass day
- Small groups
Salkantay trek FAQ
How hard is the Salkantay trek?
Challenging but not technical. The second day climbs to about 4,630 m and then descends more than 1,500 m, with 7–9 hours on foot. Fit hikers manage it well, especially with a couple of days at altitude first.
Do you need a permit for the Salkantay trek?
No trekking permit is needed, unlike the Inca Trail. You do need a Machu Picchu entry ticket, which since September 2026 is issued to a named holder for a fixed date, time and circuit, so we book it with your passport details.
Salkantay trek or Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is shorter, busier and ends through the Sun Gate, but permits are limited and sell out. Salkantay is higher (about 4,630 m against 4,215 m at Dead Woman's Pass), wilder and available almost any date. If you want both, the 7–8 day Salkantay + Inca Trail combines them.
How many days is the Salkantay trek?
The classic version is 5 days. We recommend 7, with two acclimatisation nights in the Sacred Valley before the pass, or 7–8 days if you link it to the Inca Trail.
When is the best time to do the Salkantay trek?
May to September is the dry season, with cold, clear nights near the pass. January to March is the wettest period, with muddy trails in the cloud forest.
How much does the Salkantay trek cost?
From US$990 per person for the 5-day classic, US$1,390 for the 7-day version with acclimatisation and US$2,290 for Salkantay + Inca Trail, for two travellers sharing, including the Machu Picchu ticket and train. We confirm the final price with our local partner for your dates.
Plan your Salkantay trek
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and whether you want the 5-day classic, the 7-day version with acclimatisation or the Inca Trail combination.