Cusco: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5-Day Small Group

Five days crossing the Andes to Machu Picchu without the Inca Trail crowds

You start in Cusco, climb to Humantay Lake and cross the Salkantay Pass, descend through cloud forest and coffee plantations, hike a section of the original Inca Trail, and finish with sunrise at Machu Picchu. The five days include all transport, three nights in mountain camps, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, meals, a guide, entry fees, and a two-hour tour of the ruins. Book five months ahead to secure your spot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

• Pickup from hotel in Cusco
• Travel to Mollepata for breakfast
• Arrive at Challacancha and meet team
• Hike to Soraypampa Sky Camp
• Lunch at Soraypampa
• Hike to Humantay Lake and return
• Dinner and overnight at Sky Camp

Day 2: Salkantay Pass to Colcapampa

• Breakfast with view of Apu Salkantay
• Hike to Abra Salkantay summit
• Descend to Huayracmachay for lunch
• Continue hike to Colcapampa through cloud forest
• Dinner and overnight at Mountain Sky View Camp

Day 3: Santa Teresa Valley to Super Jungle Domes

• Breakfast and start hike in Santa Teresa Valley
• Hike past rivers, waterfalls, and plantations
• Vehicle transfer from Zona Propiedad to La Playa
• Visit organic coffee farm
• Travel to Lucmabamba for lunch and check-in
• Free time and dinner at Super Jungle Domes

Day 4: Llactapata to Aguas Calientes

• Breakfast and start hike to Llactapata
• Explore Llactapata archaeological site
• Descend to Ahobamba for lunch
• Hike or optional train to Hidroelectrica
• Continue hike or train to Aguas Calientes
• Dinner and overnight in Aguas Calientes hotel

Day 5: Machu Picchu visit and return to Cusco

• Early morning climb to Machu Picchu
• Two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Optional climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
• Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport back to Cusco

The experience

The alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. in your Cusco hotel, and the truck is already waiting. You climb in with a small group (usually no more than a dozen people), and drive toward Mollepata while the city is still asleep. Breakfast happens at a roadside stop, then the real work begins at Challacancha, 3,800 meters up, where you meet your guide and the porters who'll handle the heavy gear. The first day is a three-hour walk following an ancient Inca canal, climbing to Soraypampa and the Sky Camp, where you'll sleep in a panoramic dome with a direct view of Apu Salkantay. After lunch, there's a three-hour round-trip hike to Humantay Lake: turquoise water backed by a glacier, the kind of view that makes you stop talking and just stare.

Day two is the hardest. You wake to coca tea and the mountain looming above, then climb for three hours to the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters, the highest point of the trek. The descent takes another three hours, and by afternoon you're dropping into the cloud forest where the air gets warm and thick and the vegetation turns tropical. Waterfalls appear between the trees. You sleep at Mountain Sky View Camp, surrounded by the sound of water and birds you can't name. The third day is gentler: the trail descends through the Santa Teresa Valley past banana and coffee plantations, and you stop at an organic coffee farm to learn how they grow it and taste it fresh. That night you're in the Super Jungle Domes at Lucmabamba, 2,000 meters down, where the jungle sounds take over.

Day four is the last push. You hike for two hours on an original section of the Inca Trail to Llactapata, an archaeological site where your guide explains the engineering and you get your first real view of Machu Picchu from a distance. Then you descend to Hidroeléctrica, passing a 250-meter artificial waterfall that powers Cusco. From there, you can take the train or walk three more hours along the tracks to Aguas Calientes, where a hotel and dinner are waiting. On the final morning, you take the bus up before sunrise and walk into Machu Picchu while the mist is still thick. The two-hour guided tour covers the temples, terraces, and water channels: the guide points out the hydraulic system that still works after 500 years. You can climb Huayna Picchu if you booked it in advance, or just sit and look. Then the train back to Ollantaytambo, a private vehicle to Cusco, and it's over.

Book at least five months ahead: Machu Picchu spots fill fast. You'll need your passport details when you reserve, and it's worth arriving in Cusco two days early to adjust to the altitude. The trek is challenging. You need to be in solid physical shape. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if you request them at booking.

What’s included

Your five days include hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, all transport to and from the trailhead, three nights in exclusive mountain camps (Sky Camp, Mountain Sky View, Super Jungle Domes), one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, an experienced mountain guide, expert porters and chef, all meals and daily snacks on the trail, water and tea, entry fees to Salkantay and Humantay Lake trails, Machu Picchu entrance and a two-hour guided tour, a visit to an organic coffee farm, train tickets (one-way Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return from Ollantaytambo), backpack cover, personal duffel bag for gear, walkie-talkies and first aid kit, and a pre-departure briefing in Cusco the day before you start.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English or Spanish05:00

Guide in English or Spanish05:00

Guide in English or Spanish05:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Demanding physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Salkantay Trekking

Is this one for you?This trek suits travelers who want the main Machu Picchu experience without the crowds on the Inca Trail, and who are willing to spend five days hiking and camping to get there: the small group size and remote route are what make the alternative possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are small, usually under a dozen. Solo travelers can join shared departures. No minimum group size is required.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, all transport during the trek, three nights in mountain camps, one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, meals and snacks on the trail, guide, porters, Machu Picchu entry, train tickets, and equipment like backpack covers and oxygen.

Can I do this trek if I'm not very fit?

The trek is challenging and requires good physical fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries. Arrive in Cusco at least two days early to acclimatize.

What if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

Vegetarian and vegan options are available. Let the operator know at the time of booking.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Book at least five months ahead to secure entry to Machu Picchu, as spots sell out quickly.

What's the weather like on the trek?

You'll experience a range of climates: cold at high altitude (Salkantay Pass), cool in the cloud forest, and warm in the jungle valleys. Bring layers.

Can children do this trek?

Children aged 12 and over may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Is there a train option instead of hiking the last section?

Yes. From Hidroeléctrica, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes or hike three more hours along the tracks. Both options are available.

What happens if I can't do the full trek?

The itinerary is fixed and designed as a complete five-day experience. Modifications are not standard, so confirm any concerns before booking.

What documents do I need?

A valid passport is required. Provide your passport name, number, expiry date, and country at booking. Ensure it's valid for your travel dates.