Classic 5-Day Salkantay, Small Group

Hike the Salkantay Trek over five days in a small group, reaching Machu Picchu on foot. The route offers an alternative to the Inca Trail.

Overview

This five-day trek from Salkantay Trekking follows the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu with a maximum of 10 travellers per departure. It begins with hotel pickup in Cusco, drives through Mollepata, and reaches Soraypampa, from where the group hikes to Humantay Lake. The nights are spent at a Sky Camp in Soraypampa, at Mountain Sky View, and in the Super Jungle Domes, before a final night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Along the way the route crosses Abra Salkantay, descends through Chaullay and Colcapampa, stops at a coffee farm in Lucmabamba, and passes the Llactapata lookout on the way down to Hidroeléctrica.

The package covers the Machu Picchu entrance fee, with Circuit 2 for bookings made five months ahead and a fallback to Circuit 3, then Circuit 1, when those sell out. Trail fees for Salkantay and Humantay Lake, most meals, an expert chef, porters, horsemen, camping equipment, a personal duffel bag up to 5 kg, and a panoramic return trip on the Expedition or The Voyager train are all part of the price. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco are included, and there is a pre-departure briefing the day before the trek at 17:00.

The listing is blunt about difficulty: this is a challenging trek that calls for strong physical fitness and good health. Reviewers back that up, describing five hard days that pay off. Solo travellers can join shared groups with no minimum participant count, and children aged 12 and over may take part when accompanied by a responsible adult.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Cusco pickup and drive outHotel pickup in Cusco, then travel through Mollepata (2 hours) toward the trailhead at Soraypampa (3 hours).
2. Humantay Lake hikeA 3-hour stop at Humantay Lake with admission included. An optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to the lake on Day 1 costs extra.
3. Sky Camp and Salkantay PassOvernight at the Soraypampa Sky Camp (10 hours), then Day 2 crosses Abra Salkantay (3 hours), where an optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to the pass costs extra, and continues to Colcapampa (3 hours) before the night at Mountain Sky View (10 hours).
4. Coffee farm and Jungle DomesDay 3 passes through Santa Teresa (4 hours) and includes the Lucmabamba Coffee Experience (2 hours) with admission included, ending with an overnight stay at the Super Jungle Domes (10 hours).
5. Llactapata to Aguas CalientesDay 4 takes in the Mirador de Llactapata (3 hours), Ahobamba (2 hours), and Hidroeléctrica (3 hours). A train transfer from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes is an alternative to walking, paid on site. The night is spent in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (10 hours).
6. Machu PicchuA 2-hour visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu with the entrance fee included. One-way bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu are covered; the return bus is optional and paid directly to the bus operator on site.
7. Train back to CuscoThe panoramic return trip runs on the Expedition or The Voyager train, with a stop in Ollantaytambo (2 hours) before passing by Cusco. Breakfast is included on Day 5; lunch and dinner that day are not.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this trek goes, from booking windows to what you carry.

• Book early. Machu Picchu spots sell out quickly, and the listing advises booking at least five months in advance to secure a place. Booking early also matters for the circuit: five-month bookings get Circuit 2, with Circuit 3 and then Circuit 1 as fallbacks.
• Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a strong physical fitness level and describes the trek as challenging. Several reviewers echo this, saying the five days are physically demanding even though the scenery and company make up for it. Arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before departure is recommended to adjust to the altitude.
• Group feel. Groups are capped at 10 travellers, and solo travellers can join shared departures. One reviewer described the trip as a life-changing experience filled with camaraderie, crediting the accommodations and the people on the trail.
• Food on the trail. Breakfast on all five days, plus four lunches and four dinners, come with the package, along with water, tea time, and daily snacks. Vegetarian and vegan options exist if you state them at booking. Lunch and dinner on Day 5 are on you.
• Gear to arrange. Sleeping bags and trekking poles are not included, so bring your own. The operator provides a personal duffel bag for up to 5 kg of gear, plus a backpack cover, and the camp setup includes dining rooms, kitchen, tables, and chairs.
• Weather and plans. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can mean a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The trek is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Weather can force changes or cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. Extra costs can add up: the return bus from Machu Picchu, the Hidroelectrica train transfer, optional horseback rides on Days 1 and 2, sleeping bags, trekking poles, and gratuities are all outside the package. One reviewer felt left in the dark when weather caused last-minute changes and wished the guide had communicated better.

Common Questions