Visiting: Mollepata · Humantay Lake · Salkantay Pass · Lucmabamba · Llactapata Inca Site · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Salkantay Trek 4 Days via Llactapata is the best short version of the full Salkantay route — ideal for travelers who want the most important highlights in less time. You'll cross the 4,650 m Salkantay Pass beneath the glaciers of Nevado Salkantay, descend through cloud forest to the Lucmabamba coffee valley, and walk an original section of the Inca Trail to the Llactapata viewpoint for a unique, less-crowded view of Machu Picchu before your guided visit to the citadel.
What makes it special: it keeps the Llactapata trek — an original Inca Trail section that many shorter itineraries leave out — plus 2 nights in our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes, 360° glass domes with panoramic views of the night sky. No permit and no quota required, unlike the classic Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu entrance is included. We aim to secure Circuit 2 – Route 2-A (Classic), the iconic panoramic viewpoint; if it isn't available we book the best alternative circuit. For the classic circuit we recommend booking 3–4 months ahead, as tickets are sold by the Peruvian government.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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1
Cusco → Humantay Lake → Sky Star Crystal Domes
Hotel pickup in Cusco is between 4:30 and 5:00 AM; once the group is together you set off around 5:15 AM for the ~2-hour drive to Mollepata, where a hearty included breakfast and a last chance to grab supplies await. From there it's another hour to Soraypampa, the trailhead, where you meet the muleteers and horses that carry the camping gear and your duffel bag.
The hike up to the turquoise Humantay Lake starts at 3,900 m and climbs to the lake at 4,200 m — about 2 hours, a gentle first hour then a steeper climb — with 1 to 1.5 hours at the glacial lake to take it in. A short descent leads to the Quiswarniyoc camp (arrival ~2:00 PM) for lunch and free time, Salkantay Mountain rising right in front of you. Dinner is around 6:00 PM, followed by a Day-2 briefing and your first night in the Sky Star Crystal Domes.
Good to know: Day 1 is a great warm-up for acclimatization, helping you prepare for Day 2 — the most challenging day of the trek.
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2
Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) → Lucmabamba
The day starts early with a wake-up cup of coca-leaf tea at 5:00 AM and breakfast at 5:30, before the most demanding hike of the trek. The steady 3–3.5-hour climb from Quiswarniyoc to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the route, is more about altitude than technical terrain, with a rest break roughly every hour. At the top you'll spend 30–45 minutes soaking in close-up views of Salkantay, and many groups make a traditional offering of thanks to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits.
From the pass a 2-hour descent brings you to Wayracmachay for a hot lunch, then a final 2.5–3-hour downhill — scenic but slightly steep — as the high Andes give way to lush cloud forest, ending at Chaullay. There your driver takes the group by vehicle (about 1 hour) to Lucmabamba (2,200 m) for a second night in the Sky Star Crystal Domes and a well-earned dinner.
Good to know: Day 2 is the most challenging day of the trek, but you have the whole day to complete it at your own pace — and it's also one of the most scenic, with spectacular views of Salkantay and the surrounding peaks.
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3
Lucmabamba → Llactapata → Aguas Calientes
Today starts at a relaxed pace — wake-up at 6:00 AM, breakfast at 6:30, on the trail around 7:00 — leaving Lucmabamba for a roughly 3-hour uphill hike along an original, well-preserved section of the Inca Trail to the Llactapata ruins. From here you get one of the trek's most rewarding moments: a unique, distant view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and the surrounding mountains set in their dramatic landscape.
After exploring Llactapata comes the steepest descent of the trek, about 2 hours down to Hidroeléctrica (trekking poles really help here), where a well-earned lunch waits at a local restaurant. The day finishes with a scenic 3-hour walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes — catching glimpses of Machu Picchu from the valley below — where you check into your hotel, freshen up, and have dinner around 7:00 PM.
Good to know: This is one of the longest days of the trek, combining a roughly 5-hour morning hike over Llactapata, a lunch break and a final 3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes, where you sleep in a hotel before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.
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4
Machu Picchu Guided Tour → Return to Cusco
The day you've been waiting for — your entry time is printed on your ticket, and you must be at the gate exactly then. From Aguas Calientes you can either hike up (about 1.5 hours: a flat 30-minute walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, then a roughly 1-hour climb of about 1,700 steps) or take the shuttle bus (about 30 minutes, $12 USD one way, running every 5–10 minutes from 5:30 AM).
Inside, a professional guide leads a roughly 2-hour tour of the citadel's history and architecture, with plenty of time for photos; an optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (around 3 hours, booked in advance) can follow. You then return to Cusco either by train via Ollantaytambo, arriving around 7:00–8:00 PM, or by car via Hidroeléctrica, arriving around 10:00–10:30 PM, depending on your package.
Good to know: The car-via-Hidroeléctrica return only works if your Machu Picchu entry time is between 6:00 and 9:00 AM; with a later entry you spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes and return the next day.
Trek at a Glance
| Duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Highest point | Salkantay Pass — 4,650 m / 15,255 ft |
| Total distance | ~65 km / 40 mi |
| Difficulty | Demanding (altitude, not technical) |
| Accommodation | 2 nights Sky Star Domes + hostel |
| Meals | 4 breakfasts · 3 lunches · 3 dinners |
| Group size | Max 16 travelers |
| Permit | Not required |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
The price depends on your return option (by car is the most affordable; by train adds the scenic Sacred Valley ride) and traveler category.
| Return | Adult | Student | Child (8–17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| By car | $300 | $280 | $280 |
| By train | $370 | $350 | $350 |
Prices per person, group service. Student rate requires a valid ISIC-approved ID (under 25). A $180 deposit per person confirms your booking.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain$60
- Machu Picchu Mountain$60
- Vistadome panoramic train (one-way)$35
- Zipline adventure (Day 3)$25
- Trekking poles (pair, full trek)$15
- Sleeping bag (−10°C, full trek)$15
What to Pack
You'll get a duffle bag at the briefing for up to 7 kg (carried by horses, includes your sleeping bag). Everything for the day goes in your daypack. Note: bags over 25 L aren't allowed inside Machu Picchu.
- Always with you: original passport (+ student ID if applicable), 25–30 L daypack, 1.5–2 L water, broken-in hiking boots, headlamp.
- Clothing: moisture-wicking layers, warm fleece + down jacket, waterproof jacket & pants, sun hat, beanie, gloves, camp shoes.
- Extras: sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries, quick-dry towel, power bank, dry bags, personal medication, sleeping bag rated to −10°C (or rent from us).
How to Book
Book online from anywhere or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A $180 per person deposit confirms your spot and lets us buy your Machu Picchu ticket; the balance is due no later than 48 h before departure.
- Choose your date and package (return by car or train) and traveler category.
- Fill in traveler details and accept the terms.
- Add optional extras (mountains, zipline, gear, Vistadome).
- Pay the deposit or full amount — our team confirms your booking and our team contacts you by WhatsApp.
Deposit: $180 per person, non-refundable (used to buy your Machu Picchu ticket immediately).
Machu Picchu & mountain tickets: issued by the Peruvian government — non-refundable, non-transferable, non-modifiable (date, time, circuit, name are final).
Cancellation: more than 48 h before — you lose the $180 deposit; within 48 h — 100% of the amount paid, no refund.
Force majeure: we may adjust the itinerary for weather, strikes or government restrictions, always seeking the best alternative.
Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrive in Cusco (3,300 m) at least 2 days before to acclimatise. Drink plenty of water, try coca tea, eat light and avoid alcohol the first day. The highest point is the 4,650 m Salkantay Pass on Day 2.
Moderate to demanding — the main challenge is altitude, not technical terrain. Day 2 is the hardest, combining the climb to the 4,650 m pass with a long descent to Lucmabamba. With acclimatisation and reasonable fitness, most travelers complete it regardless of prior experience.
The dry season (April–October) has the most stable weather and clearest mountain views. The rainy season (November–March) is greener with fewer crowds. April and October are excellent transition months.
Our exclusive 360° panoramic glass domes — a unique glamping experience with views of the night sky and mountains. On this 4-day trek you stay 2 nights in them, a feature unique to Machu Picchu Team.
Yes, both are optional add-ons ($60), subject to government availability. You can choose only one per day. Book early — spots are limited and sell out quickly.
Yes, subject to availability for the new itinerary. Your trek would start one day earlier, but your Machu Picchu visit stays on the same date, since entrance tickets can't be modified. Contact us as early as possible so we can confirm availability.
