Visiting: Salkantay Mountain · Humantay Lake · Salkantay Pass · Llactapata Inca Site · Santa Teresa · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Salkantay Trek 5 Days is our most complete route to Machu Picchu — a National Geographic top-20 trek that blends high Andes, cloud forest and Amazon scenery with real comfort. You'll cross the 4,650 m Salkantay Pass beneath the glaciers of Nevado Salkantay, descend to the Lucmabamba coffee valley, walk an original section of the Inca Trail to the Llactapata viewpoint, and finish with a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
What makes it special: 2 nights in our exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes — 360° glass domes with panoramic views of the night sky — plus a panoramic cabin, the Santa Teresa hot springs, and an optional zipline adventure. 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 (3,900 m), 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 (4,200 m) takes 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 magical night in the Sky Star Crystal Domes.
Good to know: Day 1 is the perfect warm-up for acclimatization, getting your body ready for the high pass on Day 2.
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2
Salkantay Pass (4,650 m) → Chaullay
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 to the Salkantay Pass (4,650 m), the highest point of the route, is more about altitude than technical terrain, with a rest break roughly every hour.
At the pass you'll spend 30–45 minutes soaking in close-up views of the glaciers, with many groups making a traditional offering of thanks to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits. A 2-hour descent brings you to Wayracmachay for lunch, then a final 2.5–3-hour downhill — scenic but steep — as the high Andes give way to cloud forest, ending at the Chaullay mountain huts (2,900 m) for dinner.
Good to know: This is the longest and hardest day, but you have the whole day to go at your own pace — and the Salkantay views are the most spectacular of the trek.
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3
Lucmabamba Coffee Valley → Sky Star Crystal Domes
After Day 2's effort, today is a welcome change of pace: a 5:30 AM wake-up tea, breakfast at 6:00, and an easy ~4-hour walk from Chaullay through the lush Santa Teresa valley to Lucmabamba, a region famous for its coffee. The mostly flat trail through cloud forest is a great chance to spot the area's rich flora and fauna.
In Lucmabamba you'll visit a local family's coffee farm for a hands-on tour — from bean to cup, brewing and tasting your own — with the optional Salkantay zipline available before or after lunch. Lunch and the night are at the exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes; the afternoon is free to rest or visit the Santa Teresa hot springs (optional, ~40–50 soles), before dinner around 7:30 PM.
Good to know: An easy, rewarding day on the Amazon side of the trek — the coffee tour and the hot springs are the highlights.
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4
Inca Trail to Llactapata → Aguas Calientes
A more relaxed start — wake-up at 6:00 AM, breakfast at 6:30, on the trail by 7:00 — leads to 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 and Huayna Picchu set in their dramatic landscape.
Next comes the steepest descent of the trek, about 2 hours down to Hidroeléctrica (trekking poles really help here), where a well-earned lunch is waiting. The day finishes with a scenic 3-hour walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes — catching glimpses of Machu Picchu from below — where you'll check into your hotel, freshen up, and have dinner around 7:00 PM.
Good to know: Llactapata combines Inca history with untouched cloud forest, and the night in a real hotel sets you up for an early Machu Picchu start.
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5
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 ~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 2-hour tour of the citadel's history and architecture, with time for photos; an optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (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 for Machu Picchu entry times between 6:00 and 9:00 AM; later entries return to Cusco the next day.
Trek at a Glance
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
| Highest point | Salkantay Pass — 4,650 m / 15,255 ft |
| Total distance | ~75 km / 47 mi |
| Difficulty | Challenging (altitude, not technical) |
| Accommodation | 2 nights Sky Star Domes + cabin + hostel |
| Meals | 5 breakfasts · 4 lunches · 4 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 | $310 | $290 | $290 |
| By train | $380 | $360 | $360 |
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 challenging — the main challenge is altitude, not technical terrain. Day 2 is the hardest. 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. You stay 2 nights in them on this trek, 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.
Up to 7 kg in the duffle bag carried by horses (includes your sleeping bag). Carry daily items in a daypack (max 25 L). Extra luggage is stored free at our Cusco office.
