4 Days in the Andes: The Ultimate Salkantay Trek Guide to Machu Picchu

The Ultimate 4-Days Salkantay Trek Guide to Machu Picchu

If you want to reach Machu Picchu but prefer rugged mountains over stone stairs, the Salkantay Trek is for you. Voted one of the top 25 treks in the world by National Geographic, this 4-day journey takes you through the heart of the Andes, past glacial lakes, and down into the high jungle. It’s challenging, it’s high-altitude, and it is absolutely breathtaking.

I did the Salkantay Trek on my World Travel in 2022 in Peru and it became one of my favourite adventures ever! The Salkantay Trek starts around Cusco and it ends at Machu Picchu. Fun Fact: Machu Picchu was the worst part of it, I'll explain down below.

Salkantay Trek

1. Best Time to Travel to Salkantay

The weather in the Andes is the boss. Picking the right season is the difference between seeing the Milky Way or just getting soaked:

• Dry Season (May to September):
  The most popular time. Expect sunny days and crystal-clear views of the Salkantay Peak. However, the nights are freezing (below zero), and the trail is at its busiest.

• Shoulder Season (April & October):
  A great balance. The mountains are greener after the rains, and the crowds are smaller, but you might get a few afternoon showers.

• Rainy Season (November to March):
  Generally avoided. The trail can be muddy, and the Salkantay Pass is often shrouded in clouds. Note: The classic Inca Trail closes in February, but Salkantay usually stays open unless there are landslide risks.

I did the Salkantay Trek in September and we had pretty good conditions. It was a bit raining in between, but not too bad.

Salkantay Trek

2. How to Get There (Cusco to the Trailhead)

Your journey starts in the historic city of Cusco. You’ll need to arrive here at least 2–3 days early to acclimate to the altitude before starting the trek. The altitude in Cusco is already 3000 Meters, so you should let your body acclimate to those conditions. Taking stairs or just walking can be very tough.

Make sure to plan enough time to visit Cusco. It's a beautiful and impressive City. Check out my Peru Post for more information.

Alpaca in Cusco

The Departure: Most tours pick you up from your hostel in Cusco around 4:00 AM. You’ll drive about 3 hours to the village of Mollepata or Soraypampa, where the trek officially begins. If you are going solo, you’ll need to take a local colectivo from Arcopata station in Cusco.

Cusco

3. The Tour: 4 Days & 3 Nights to the Lost City

Here is what to expect on the trail:

Day 1: Humantay Lake & Soraypampa

A steep climb to the stunning, turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200m). It’s a tough first day for your lungs, but the view of the glacier reflecting in the water is the perfect "welcome to Peru." You’ll camp nearby in glass domes or tents.

Humantay Lake

Day 2: The Salkantay Pass (The Hardest Day)

You’ll reach the highest point of the trek: the Salkantay Pass at 4,630m. It’s a long, slow climb surrounded by snow-capped peaks. After the pass, you’ll descend for hours into the cloud forest to your second campsite.

The Salkantay Pass

Day 3: The Jungle & Coffee Plantations & Aguas Calientes

The landscape changes completely. You’ll hike through lush jungle, past waterfalls and organic coffee farms. Many tours include a coffee tasting session and a visit to the hot springs in Santa Teresa to soak your tired muscles. You’ll hike down to the Hydroelectric station and walk along the train tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Hiking through the Jungle

Day 5: Machu Picchu Sunrise

The grand finale. You’ll take an early bus or hike up the stairs to the citadel of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins before heading back to Cusco by train. Normally the tour company is organising the ticket for Machu Picchu. 

Every ticket has a specific time frame where you have to visit Machu Picchu. My ticket was for 8 to 10 am. So I had to wake up at 6am in the morning and I hiked up to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is very touristy and really crowded. You have to walk one specific way through the area and take your photos. 

I don't like too touristy places and experiences, so it wasn't one of my all time favourites, but it's definitely really impressive and the views are amazing.

Machu Picchu

4. Where to Book the Tour

The Salkantay Trek doesn't require a permit months in advance like the Inca Trail, but you still want a reputable agency for safety and food quality.

Our Group

Salkantay Trekking: 

Known for their famous "Sky Domes" and high-end camping gear. A bit more expensive, but worth it for the comfort.

Machu Picchu Reservations: 

A fantastic budget-friendly option that is very popular with backpackers. They offer solid service without the luxury price tag.

Booking in Cusco: 

You can save money by booking 24-48 hours before departure at an agency in the Plaza de Armas. Just ensure they include your Machu Picchu entry ticket and return train!

I actually just went to Cusco and booked my tour at one of the agencys in the Plaza de Armas. It was amazing and I can highly recommend doing that. The tour group was around 10 people and we had lovely guides.

Prices:

I payed $290 USD for my 4-Days tour and there was accommodations, food, ticket for Machu Picchu and transportation included.

Salkantay Trek

5. Final Thoughts

The Salkantay Trek is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Pro Tip: Buy "Soroche" (altitude) pills in Cusco and bring plenty of coca leaves. Also, pack in layers—you will go from freezing glaciers to humid jungle in the span of 24 hours. This trek is hard, but standing at the Salkantay Pass will be one of the best experiences ever!

I can highly recommend this adventure and it was one of my all time favourite experiences ever!