About this trip
The Salkantay Trek is Cusco's best-known alternative to the classic Inca Trail, and this 5-day group route takes you through some of the most varied scenery in the Andes on the way to Machu Picchu.
You move between snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes early on, then drop into cloud forest as the altitude falls away, passing through ecosystems that shift noticeably day to day. Altitude ranges from around 2,100m up to 4,200m at the Salkantay Pass itself, so there's real physical effort involved before the reward at the end.
Along the way there's contact with local communities living in the valley, and the trek finishes at Machu Picchu, which lands with more weight after several days of walking to reach it.
What you'll do
- Hike up to Humantay Lake, a glacial lake beneath the mountains
- Cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,200m, the trek's high point
- Walk through changing ecosystems from high Andean terrain into cloud forest
- Pass through local Andean communities along the route
- Arrive at Machu Picchu as the finish point of the trek
- This is a demanding trek with significant altitude gain, so a reasonable level of fitness and some acclimatisation beforehand matters
- Group service means you'll be trekking alongside other travellers on a fixed schedule rather than a private itinerary
Worth it if you want a genuinely challenging trek with standout guides and excellent logistics. Think twice if you need easier mountain days or prefer larger group anonymity.
- Guide quality is exceptional—Wilbert, Herlin, Percy consistently praised for passion, knowledge, humour and making strangers feel like family.
- Food, camping and porter support are genuinely impressive; hot, varied, abundant meals daily and muleteers carry your pack without fuss.
- This is mentally and physically demanding; multiple reviews emphasise 'most challenging journey' and high altitude. Not a casual stroll.
- Group dynamics matter hugely; small groups bond tightly, but larger groups still need attentive guides to feel individually cared for.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
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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 · 19 Jul – 20 Jul
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