About this trip
Four days on foot through the Andes, following the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu. You climb through changing terrain, from high mountain passes down into cloud forest and jungle, with the scenery shifting as much as the altitude.
The trek takes in Humantay Lake, the Salkantay Pass itself, and a soak in hot springs before you reach Machu Picchu with a guided walk through the citadel.
This is a private, self-guided trip, so it suits people who want the structure of a set route without travelling as part of a fixed group.
What you'll do
- Hike up to Humantay Lake
- Cross the Salkantay Pass
- Descend through cloud forest into changing ecosystems
- Relax in hot springs along the route
- Guided exploration of Machu Picchu citadel
- Self-guided and private — you move at your own pace rather than with a set group
- This is a genuine mountain trek with a high pass, so previous hiking fitness matters
- Available over Christmas and New Year for those wanting to trek through the holidays
Worth it if you're fit enough for a challenging trek and get a guide like Niko or Percy. Think twice if Machu Picchu site guidance matters—some groups get left to wander alone.
- Best guides (Niko, Percy) deliver local stories, historical context on-site, and genuine follow-up care afterwards.
- On the final day at Machu Picchu, some guides drop you off at 10am with tickets and disappear—no on-site commentary whilst others get full guided tours.
- Meals catered to preferences, camping and hotel stays comfortable, logistics handled smoothly throughout the 4-day trek.
- Trek is physically demanding but manageable with proper support; stunning scenery and mountain ranges are genuinely breathtaking.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Cusco · 31 Aug – 1 Sept
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
Sort the essentials
Partner offersWe may earn a commission from partner offers. It never changes your price or our ranking.
More trips like this
Ranked on real fit — in case this one isn't quite yours.
Booked with the operator via TourRadar · we may earn a commission.
Want longer in Peru?
Working holidays, volunteering & more — £50 off with code 18TO35TRAVEL.
Powered by Global Work & Travel · we may earn a commission on bookings.