Everything you need to know if you’re planning to hike the Salkantay trek in Peru
From Cusco, there are several options for multi-day treks to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay is known as the most diverse with the most scenic landscapes for the entirety of the trek. It’s also known to be less busy than the Classic Inca which is why we went with this one. During this trek, you cross multiple climate zones from jungle to glacial peaks, making it an extremely impressive hike.
The Salkantay trek is not an easy hike and good preparation is essential. In this article, read everything you need to know about the hike, how to prepare yourself, what to expect, where you should book the hike, and many more tips.
Quick facts:
Hike duration: 4 days or 5 days
Start: Cusco
End: Machu Picchu
Distance: 48km | 30 miles
Highest point: 4630 meters
The itinerary:
This Itinerary is for the 4 days and 3 nights version of the trek -
*the only difference with the 5 days was an extra night of camping and an afternoon at a hot springs. If you’re short on time, it’s okay to skip this!
Day 1: Cusco – Lake Humantay – camp
Total: 7km/4.3 miles
Wake up super early and drive to Cusco (leaving at 5:30 am)
You stop for breakfast on the way. Breakfast is a buffet of croissants with jam and butter, fruit, yogurt, eggs, cheese, ham
You arrive at the trailhead around 9:30am, pack your bags, reapply your sunscreen and set off.
On this day, the total distance is about 7pm. The first 3.5 km is a steep incline up to the incredibly beautiful Lake Humantay.
There’s the option to take an Andean Uber (horses) for the uphill parts of the trek.
You spend some time around the lake, taking in the scenery and soaking in how this gorgeous lake exists. Together with the guide, you will do a typical Inca ritual in which you will stack stones and ask Pachamama (mother earth) for a prosperous journey.
Then make your way down a fairly steep decline to your home for the night (the campsite).
After lunch, you have free time at camp to enjoy the mountains! Play some card games, have a beer, take a nap. Then join everyone in the dining hall for dinner before heading back to the mountain hut for a good night’s sleep.
The huts come with a sleeping pad, pillow and blanket.
Bring your own trekking poles/sleeping bag or they are available for rent
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay -Chaullay -Collpampa
Total: 22km/13.6 miles
The guides come knocking on your mountain hut door with coca tea at 4:45am (the only way I want to be woken up). Pack up, roll up your sleeping bag and head to the shared space for coffee and breakfast. The guides (and a lot of trekkers) feel like this is the hardest day so fuel up.
The distance today is about 22km (about 13.6 miles).
Today you ascend to the Salkantay pass, the highest point on the trek. Locals call the first part of the climb the Gringo killer and the second part of the climb the Peruvian killer – meaning this is going to be steep - be prepared! A positive mindset goes a long way for this – you can do it!
Pace yourself at the start of the day as you ascend (this is the most challenging part of the day). Take your time, stop for water and sugar snacks and chew on coca leaves for the altitude.
At the top, take some time to rest and take photos.
Continue the trek (mostly downhill) to the lunch spot. The rest of the day is long in distance but feels easier as you get to lower elevation.
After lunch, you trek through the jungle and cloud forest en route to camp. Tonight’s campsite is at a much lower elevation so you do feel better physically. And there’s showers!
Day 3: La Playa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Total: 24km / 14.9 miles
This day is long but feels much easier than the previous two. On this day you start the trek to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). On this day, you’re trekking through a beautiful mountain landscape, passing a couple of waterfalls and walking along a river.
Although the total for today is 24km (about 14.9 miles), it’s mostly flat.
In the morning you have the option to go ziplining and you visit a local coffee grower and taste their coffee.
Walk along the hydroelectric (train tracks) which doesn’t sound stunning but it’s a beautiful walk. Arrive in Aguas Calientes in the early evening (we saw fireflies popping up just outside of town). Aguas Calientes is a lovely small town – check into a hotel and get a real shower (so exciting) and have dinner at one of the locally owned delicious restaurants.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu -Cusco
It’s Machu Picchu day!
Wake up around 4am and you have two options:
1. Walk to the trailhead (about 30 minutes) and set off on foot up the stairs to the entrance of Machu Picchu (about 1 hour)
2. Walk to the bridge in tow (depending on which hotel you’re staying at but it’s a small town so less than a ten minute walk) and take the bus up the hill to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Recommended to purchase the ticket for the bus ahead of time and ensure you have your passport and your entry ticket to Machu Picchu
Spend the day exploring this impressive Incan site and learn from your guide. Everything you learn will absolutely blow your mind. There is a magic spiritual feeling in the air at the citadel that you feel as soon as you walk in. It’s unbelievable how well preserved everything is which you’ll notice as you walk around the temples, houses and important sites. This place will mesmerize you.
Spend as long as you want here and then head back to Aguas Cailentes. Explore the little town (there’s a great market for souvenirs) and then hop on the train back to Cusco.
Why do the trek with a group vs solo?
Even if you’re a well seasoned solo traveler, I would highly recommend doing this trek with a group and guide. The local guides know everything there is to know and are well prepared in case you need assistance (they bring oxygen, medications and other supplies in case of any emergency). The trek is challenging and you don’t know how your body will adapt to the altitude.
You also learn a lot about the history and landscape of Peru from the local guides and you’re supporting the economy in a big way. This is an important source of jobs and income for the locals of this area.
The guides know the area so you can’t get lost. The porters carry your food and equipment and the trail chefs cook delicious hot meals (and who wants dehydrated food instead?!)
It’s also fun to trek in good company but there’s also enough guides that you can hike at your own pace.
What’s the trek like?
The trek is difficult but not impossible. A good level of fitness is required and it’s important to be in tune with your body and listen to what it needs.
During the days, there’s opportunities to rest for snacks and water and a longer break for lunch. In the evenings you have time to rest and socialize. The evenings are some of the most memorable for me because after a long day of trekking, it’s so nice to sit down with other people and chat and play some cards. The simple things!
What to pack:
When you’re travelling to Peru and especially for the Salkantay trek, expect to experience all four seasons. During the day you’ll be wearing a t-shirt and hat for the sun and in the evening you’ll want pants and a sweater.
For the trek, you don’t want to be carrying too much so only bring what you need. You’re able to leave your bigger pack at a safe place with the tour agency or the hotel for the duration of the trek so bring a smaller backpack to take with you on the trek.
Aim to have less than 10kg total. The guide will provide you a duffel with a max weight for the stuff you need at night. Pack your day backpack with what you need during the day.
What you’ll need:
A day backpack (recommended size 10kg) with a rain cover
Comfortable pair of hiking shoes (waterproof ones recommended)
A pair of hiking socks (Merino wool is best) and dry socks to change into at camp
Underwear
A t-shirt, sweater and pants for hiking during the day (Merino wool clothing is the best for this! Stays cool when it’s warm, warm when it’s cool and doesn’t get stinky for days)
Pants and a long sleeve that will stay dry to change into at camp
Fleece jacket
Rain coat
Hat and gloves
Slides for camp
Passport
Cash and snacks (things like nuts, chocolate, candy)
A large water bottle
Best time of year to do the trek:
The best months to hike the Salkantay trek is during the dry season between April and October with July and August being the best. There’s not much rain but it is busier. September is ideal in my opinion!
General tips:
Bring small change for water, beers, showers along the trek
The temperature changes throughout the day so make sure your day pack has layers and a waterproof jacket
Comfortable hiking boots are so important!
Rent the trekking poles (even if you don’t normally hike with them)
Amp up your cardio routine before the trip to make sure you’re in your best shape to take on the hike
Climb mountains with elevation leading up to the trip if possible
Bring medications for altitude sickness – you can experience nausea and headaches
Drink plenty of water throughout the trek and bring hydration tablets to put into your water
Follow our Peru itinerary to get your body used to the altitude
Ready to book your trip to Peru and hike the Salkantay? Email travel@origin-travels.com to start planning!