Tour codeSAL4D3N
Salkantay Trek 4 Days, 3 Nights
4.9 · 123 reviews on TripadvisorExperience the adventure of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain, crossing mountains, valleys and rivers on an unforgettable trek to Machu Picchu. Discover the majesty of the Andes on a 4-day, 3-night journey along the Salkantay Trail to the sacred citadel.
Immerse yourself in nature and Andean culture, with hikes through snowy mountains, green valleys and crystal-clear rivers, and visits to local communities that preserve their ancestral traditions.
Enjoy panoramic views from the challenging Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m, explore the stunning Humantay Lake and see Machu Picchu from a unique angle at the Llactapata archaeological site. At night you rest in exclusive accommodation: Sky Camps and Andean Huts.
At a glance
The Salkantay Trek 4 Days, 3 Nights is a guided hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu that visits Humantay Lake, crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m and gives you a first view of Machu Picchu from Llactapata. You sleep in a Sky Camp at Soraypampa, Andean Huts at Chaullay and a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with Machu Picchu, train and bus tickets included.
- Start
- Cusco, by road to Soraypampa
- Finish
- Machu Picchu, return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
- Highest point
- Salkantay Pass, 4,600 m (Day 2)
- Accommodation
- Sky Camp, Andean Huts and a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Highlights
- Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, Llactapata
- Group size
- 2 to 16 people
Updated · Permit rules by SERNANP and Peru's Ministry of Culture
Tour Details
Why hike the Classic Inca Trail
Salkantay Pass: The Roof of the Salkantay Trek
The highest point of the route and the biggest physical challenge of the trip. You reach it on the second day, after a challenging climb from Soraypampa. At 4,600 m, the pass brings you close to the towering glaciers and the snowy mass of Salkantay. At the top, the effort is rewarded with an overwhelming mountain landscape before the long descent towards the dense high jungle.
Humantay Lake: The Turquoise Jewel of the Andes
High in the mountains, this lake of turquoise water lies at the foot of the snow-capped Humantay mountain. You visit it on the afternoon of the first day, after lunch in Soraypampa. Its colour comes from minerals carried down from the surrounding glaciers, making it one of the most photographed landscapes in the region, before your night at the Sky Camp.
Llactapata: The Hidden Viewpoint of Machu Picchu
On the third day, after leaving Chaullay, you reach this Inca archaeological site with a completely different perspective. From its terraces and ancient structures you spot Machu Picchu for the first time, from an unusual angle on the other side of the valley, before continuing to Aguas Calientes.
Exclusive Accommodation: Sky Camp and Andean Huts
One of the most distinctive features of the Salkantay Trek operated by ViajaXmundo is the comfort of the nights on the high mountain route. In Soraypampa you rest in modern geodesic domes, the Sky Camp, designed for watching the starry Andean sky, and in Chaullay you stay in cosy Andean cabins, the Andean Huts.
Itinerary: day by day
- Day 2Salkantay Pass4,600 m
- Day 4Machu Picchu2,430 m
All stops and altitudes
| Day | Stop | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Salkantay Pass | 4,600 m (15,092 ft) |
| 4 | Machu Picchu | 2,430 m (7,972 ft) |
Day 1
Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
In the morning you travel from Cusco towards the start of the trek, passing picturesque Andean villages, until you reach Soraypampa, where you have lunch.
In the afternoon you climb the slopes of the snow-capped peak to Humantay Lake, famous for its turquoise water fed by glacial meltwater.
You spend the night at an exclusive Sky Camp in Soraypampa, made for resting under a magnificent high-altitude starry sky.
Includes today:
- Transport from Cusco
- Lunch and dinner
- Professional guide
- Sky Camp in Soraypampa
Day 2
Salkantay Pass – Chaullay
Today you climb a challenging high mountain trail to the iconic Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), the highest point of the route, with close views of Salkantay mountain and the frozen landscapes around it.
After this physical challenge, a long descent takes you from the Andean puna into the lush vegetation of the cloud forest and the edge of the jungle. You spend the night in our exclusive Andean Huts in Chaullay.
Includes today:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Professional guide
- Andean Huts in Chaullay
Day 3
Chaullay – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
In the morning you hike through beautiful tropical valleys full of local flora and fauna to the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata, a strategic viewpoint where you see the citadel of Machu Picchu for the first time, from a unique perspective.
You continue through changing subtropical scenery to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you rest in a comfortable hotel before the grand finale of the trip.
Includes today:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Professional guide
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 4
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today is the big day! You spend the morning exploring Machu Picchu in depth with a professional guide, touring its sacred enclosures, terraces and main squares, before returning to Aguas Calientes.
Afterwards you board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport takes you back to Cusco.
Includes today:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Bus tickets
- Train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
What's included
Includes
- Transportation
- Meals
- Accommodation (Sky Camp, Andean Huts and hotel in Aguas Calientes)
- Professional guide
- Machu Picchu tickets
- Train tickets
- Bus tickets
Not included
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Extra sleeping bag
What Travelers Say
4.9/5 from 123 reviews on Tripadvisor-
Really unforgettable
“This trip to Cusco was much more than a walk, it was a gift to the soul.”
Katty Marita A · March 2026
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Recommended Travel
“The Lagoon of 7 Colors exceeded my expectations, a magical place.”
ESTHER MILAGROS C · December 2025
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Connecting with Peru via VIAJAXMUNDO
“I am deeply grateful for the very personalized and first-rate attention received by the agency VIAJAXMUNDO!”
Vivian Gisela P · September 2025
Excerpts from reviews on Tripadvisor, translated from Spanish by Tripadvisor. Read all reviews on Tripadvisor
How to prepare
Acclimatization
ImportantCusco is at 3,399 m (11,152 ft), so spend at least one or two days in the city before starting the trek. The Salkantay Trek reaches its highest point at the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m), and proper acclimatization lets you enjoy the trek more and reduces the symptoms of altitude sickness (soroche).
Required documents
RequiredCarry your original passport or valid ID at all times. Tickets are personal and non-transferable and are checked at the train station and at Machu Picchu. Students who want a discount must show a valid student ID when booking and during the tour.
Money and payments
WarningBring cash in Peruvian soles for personal expenses, snacks or additional services during the trek. Cusco has ATMs and shops that accept cards, but on the trail and in remote areas cash is the only payment method.
Best time to travel
TipCusco has two main seasons: high season (May to November), with clear skies but colder nights, and low season (December to April), with fewer crowds but more rain. Our recommendation is April and May, when the weather is pleasant and the landscape is lush and green.
Safety on the trek
ImportantFollow your guide's instructions and keep to the scheduled times each day. Keep your belongings secure and walk only on the marked trail.
Packing list
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Small travel backpack
Ideal for carrying personal items, water, documents and essentials on each day of the trek.
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Comfortable, lightweight clothing
Comfortable clothing that lets you move easily on walks, sightseeing and outdoor activities.
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Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
Protects you from sudden changes in weather. The trek runs almost all year, rain or shine, and the weather changes fast at high points like the Salkantay Pass.
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Comfortable walking shoes
Sports or trekking shoes that give comfort and stability on different types of terrain.
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Sunscreen
Essential to protect your skin from solar radiation at high altitude and during long hours outdoors.
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Cap or hat
Recommended for sun protection on hikes, at archaeological sites and during outdoor activities.
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Reusable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated throughout the journey and helps protect the environment.
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Portable battery
Keeps your phone, camera and other devices charged during the trek.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point of the Salkantay Trek?
The Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m, which you cross on Day 2 after a challenging climb from Soraypampa.
Where do we sleep on the Salkantay Trek?
Night 1 in a Sky Camp with geodesic domes at Soraypampa, night 2 in the Andean Huts at Chaullay and night 3 in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
When do we visit Humantay Lake?
On the afternoon of Day 1, after lunch in Soraypampa.
Are Machu Picchu tickets included?
Yes. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket, the bus tickets and the train ticket to Ollantaytambo are included, with private transport back to Cusco.
How long should I acclimatise in Cusco?
At least one or two days in Cusco before the trek, because the route reaches 4,600 m at the Salkantay Pass.
Send us your inquiry
Salkantay Trek 4 Days, 3 Nights
Important Information
Alternative treks to Machu Picchu
Compare the Salkantay Trek with Choquequirao and our other treks that need no Inca Trail permit.
Read more →Machu Picchu travel guide
Tickets, circuits, opening hours and how to get to the Inca citadel.
Read more →All Inca Trail tours
Prefer the original Inca path? See our Inca Trail treks to Machu Picchu.
Read more →
