Accommodation

• Tent: 2 people in a 4-person tent, allowing for greater comfort and backpack storage!
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can rent you an inflatable mattress. See Optional Extras & Upgrades below.
• Toilet tent
• 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a Standard Hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe 3-star hotel with breakfast included and private bathroom. You can also upgrade to a higher quality hotel.

Meals

• Cook and cooking equipment, plus assistants for larger groups.
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs, and kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Our professional cooks prepare a combination of traditional Peruvian and Western cuisine. Talk to your guide if you have certain preferences! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. When served, salads are washed in boiled water.
• Boiled water provided for drinking water (which you carry in your own reusable water bottle)
• Bottled water provided during the drive to the trailhead on the first day
• Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes on Night 3
• Lunch on the last day.

Trekking Team

• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 8
• Horses and horsemen, who carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7kg/15lbs per person).
• Tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for our staff to sleep in, plus a budget for their meals

Transport

• Collection from your hotel on the morning of the trek departure
• Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead and return at the end of the trek
• Bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
• Train ticket from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Safety

• 1 emergency horse which you can ride if you are feeling ill or if you are a little slower
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Additional inclusions

• Pre-trek briefing
• Entry fee to Machu Picchu and Salkantay Trek

Meals

• Breakfast on the first morning
• Dinner on the last night

Equipment

• Sleeping bags. Available for rent if you don’t have one with you.
• Additional horses for your personal luggage

Optional Activities

• Entrance to the Aguas Calientes hot springs
• Entrance to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Other

• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Flights to/from Cusco
• Travel insurance

We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.

Equipment available for rent

• Extra horse to carry luggage exceeding the allowed 7kg (15lbs) per person
• Extra horse for you to ride, and horseman to lead it
• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5˚C
• Deluxe sleeping bag suitable for -15˚C
• Light-weight aluminum walking stick. Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
• Thermarest inflatable mattress
• Thermarest inflatable pillow

Service Upgrades

• Single-occupancy tent supplement
• Comfort Camping Upgrade
• Aguas Calientes Hotel Upgrade
• Extra Day at Machu Picchu
• If you’d like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.
• If you’d like more flexibility in your return travel to Cusco, consider upgrading to the Vistadome train (Executive Class) for an extra $35 per person. This upgrade must be requested at time of booking.
• For some extra cultural immersion, opt for a family homestay in Lucmabamba on Day 3.

Important!

• When calculating the cost of renting equipment, calculate using the length of the entire trip, not just the number of trekking days.
• Please be careful with rented equipment! You are responsible for the cost of replacement if something is damaged or broken.
• Any upgrades or trip extensions must be requested at time of booking.

See What to Bring for our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack for your trek.

Climate & Weather Conditions on the Trail

The 4 day Salkantay trek in Peru takes you through a series of different climates, from the high alpine to the Andean jungle, so it’s important to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Layering and flexibility are key!

Our first night will be spent at a very high altitude campsite – 4490m (14,731 ft). It will feel VERY cold, and you will need thermals, a winter hat (toque or beanie), mitts and scarves. The overnight temperature is most likely to be below freezing.

By Day 2, however, we will already start to walk down into the high jungle and temperatures will warm up! As you move quickly on the Salkantay Trail, by the end of the day, you might just be in a t-shirt and shorts!

What to Wear During the Hike

When it comes to flexible trekking clothes, you can’t go wrong with convertible hiking pants made out of a quick dry fabric. Hiking pants typically have a special design giving you a maximum range of motion, and when it gets hot you can zip off the lower section of the pants to convert them into shorts. This is ideal for a trek like the 4 day Salkantay which features extremes of temperature.

Trekking pants also feature many pockets. You might feel more like an explorer than a tourist, but they can be very useful on the trail. We recommend starting out on the 4 day Salkantay trail with thermals under your hiking pants to help keep you warm as you ascend into higher altitudes, and colder climates.

When it comes to footwear, water-resistant trekking boots with a high top are the best hiking boots to take on the 4 day Salkantay trek. If you’re not ready to invest in specialist hiking boots, at a minimum hiking shoes will suffice.

What is the difference between hiking shoes and hiking boots? Hiking shoes are durable, trekking shoes that are generally water resistant. They don’t have ankle support though. Hiking boots are tough footwear that last a long time due to their strong construction. They have ankle support and often are very waterproof.

For more help with what to pack, check out our blog How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.

• Students: USD $30 off, in certain circumstances. Please enquire for details about eligibility.
• Youth 12-17: 5% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
• Children 5-11 years: 15% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
• Children 0-4 years: 75% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking. Children under 4 will not count towards the total number of guests in a group, but will be charged 25% of the per person price based on final group size. For example, a group of 4 adults and one child under 4: adults will be charged the full price per person based on a group size of 4 and the child will be charged 25% of the per person price for a group of 4. Children under 3 will not be considered to occupy a seat on any train or bus, and instead must ride on a parent’s lap. Car seats, cribs and other baby needs may not be included and must be discussed in advance. For more information about travelling with infants and toddlers, please see this blog as well as the Age Requirements section of our Booking Conditions.
• 5% off a day tour listed price when you also book a 3-day or longer trek operated by Apus Peru

All of our guides are handpicked for their personality, knowledge of the trekking routes and communication skills, and it is no different for the Salkantay 4 day trek. In addition to being formally licenced guides, they receive frequent training at Apus Peru that includes topics like mountain rescue and high altitude first aid. Get to know our team.

Apus Peru is one of an elite group of trekking agencies in the Cusco region that put people before profit. Safety is paramount and we have a comprehensive risk assessment policy that covers a very wide range of details from vehicle maintenance to illness and evacuation on the trail.

There are several treks we will not operate in the wet season under any circumstances – including Salkantay – due to safety considerations.

Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!

Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!

• Each guide has their own preferred route and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group, and the guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.

• Does this Salkantay 4 day trek sound like just what you were looking for? If you’re ready to book or just want to find out a bit more information, fill out the Inquiry Form in the top right-hand corner of this page to get the ball rolling. You’ll be connected with one of our amazing sales people who will be able to turn your dream of hiking in the Andes into a reality. For more information on the entire booking process, please see our How To Book page.
• Travel insurance is a must! World Nomads offers travel insurance for adventure activities.

• • • Walking Distance: 17.5 km (10.9 mi)
    • Total Walking Time: 8-9h
    • Minimum Altitude: 3650m (11,975 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4490m (14,731 ft)
    • Altitude of Campsite: 4490m (14,731 ft)
    • Approx Night Temp: -2 to -5˚C

Today is the beginning of your Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu! We start early, picking you up from your Cusco hotel in our private vehicle. From Cusco we head out of the city and towards Tarawasi, an important but often overlooked Inca ceremonial site in the Limatambo valley. We will drive for about hour and a half until we reach Tarawasi where we’ll have some time to explore its fascinating stone architecture.

After our visit to Tarawasi, we continue on to Mollepata where we will stop to rest, pick up some snacks, or even have breakfast if you missed it at your hotel.

From Mollepata we continue our drive until we reach Chuñuna (3650m / 11,975 ft), the start of the trail for us. Here we’ll meet our muleteers who will accompany us the rest of the way on our hike to Machu Picchu. This is where our Salkantay adventure begins! Now, we head out along an undulating path until we reach the lookout point with stunning views of the majestic Humantay mountain.

Want to see more of Humantay? We also offer a Salkantay trek that includes a trip to Humantay Lake! Or, check our one-day tour to Lake Humantay.

Then, it’s another 2.5 hours along a more gentle path until we reach Soraypampa, where we will stop for lunch. After a delicious lunch prepared by our personal trail chef, we continue our trek. We will climb upwards along a very impressive path for about 3.5 to 4 hours until we reach Soyroq’ocha (4490m / 14,731 ft), our campsite for the first night of the 4 day Salkantay trek. You will be treated to some spectacular sights, but know that this is a very challenging zig zag walk uphill.

• • • Walking Distance: 14.3 km (8.9 mi)
    • Total Walking Time: 6-7 h
    • Minimum Altitude: 2040m (6693 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4600m (15,092 ft)
    • Altitude of Campsite: 2040m (6693 ft)
    • Approx Night Temp: 10˚C

Our goal today is to reach the highest point on the Salkantay Trail – the Salkantay Pass, coming in at an impressive 4600 m (15,092 ft). We will start very early, climbing up for about 45 minutes until we reach the pass, where we can take a well deserved rest!

After a few minutes of enjoying the feeling of being “on top of the world,” we continue walking down for about 2 hours to Huayracmachay. Here we will rest a bit and have a snack before continuing down another 2 hours until we reach Andenes, our lunch spot today.

After lunch, we continue walking down another hour and a half until we reach Chaullay where our private vehicle will be waiting for us. We will drive for about an hour until we reach tonight’s campsite at Lucmabamba (2040m / 6693 ft).

Hands-on Activities in Lucmabamba

In Lucmabamba, you will have an opportunity to learn all about the coffee-making process at the Cocla coffee cooperative. This is a hands-on exploration of fruit- and coffee-growing and how the two are interrelated. You’ll see grapefruit trees, lime trees and even avocado trees! If you’re lucky, you’ll sample some fresh avocado, picked right from the tree!

Then, we immerse ourselves in the coffee production process. After harvesting some fresh coffee beans, we learn all about the process of shelling, drying, toasting and grinding the beans in a hands-on coffee-making experience. We’ll end day 2 with some freshly-brewed coffee!

Why not consider a homestay? Instead of camping, you can choose to spend the night with a local coffee-growing family and enjoy a hot shower and a comfortable bed! There is an extra cost for this option. Read more about our homestay options here.

• • • Walking Distance: 15.5 km (9.6 mi)
    • Total Walking Time: 5-6 h
    • Minimum Altitude: 1840m (6037 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2815m (9236 ft)

After a grueling couple of days hiking, you will be rewarded by a relatively relaxing day on day 3 of your 4 day Salkantay trek! We will hike up a well-preserved Inca trail for about 3 hours until we reach an interesting pass, surrounded by thick vegetation.

From here we continue a short 15 minutes down the path until we reach Llactapata (2720m / 8924 ft). Llactapata is interesting Inca ruin from which you have a startling view of Machu Picchu. This will be the first time that you have a view of Machu Picchu and it is sure to be an impressive sight! We’ll enjoy our box lunch within view of Machu Picchu.

After lunch we zig zag down the mountain until we reach the Aobamba valley, where we can dip our feet in the refreshingly cool waters of the Aobamba river. From here we continue walking another 45 minutes until we reach Hidroelectrica train station where we will catch our train to Machu Picchu, and head to our comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (1840m / 6037 ft).

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu in the pre-dawn hours to reach Machu Picchu before the crowds. Your guide will give you a 2-3h walking tour of the historic citadel.

If you’re feeling adventurous you may wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, but take note: this requires an extra permit, and they can sell out well in advance! Be sure to tell us at booking if you would like to add one of these hikes. For more tips on what to see, check out our Visiting Machu Picchu page.

Want more time to explore? Consider our Extra Day Upgrades.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes (or walk down!). From there, we return to Cusco in the afternoon by the Expedition (tourist class) train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will meet us and transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

We rate the Salkantay 4 day trek as challenging. (See how we rate all of our treks in the Cusco region!)

The Salkantay 4 days itinerary follows the classic Salkantay trekking route at a faster pace, making for long, challenging days of hiking. Essentially, you are condensing 4 days of trekking into 3 days – this obviously makes the trek much harder.

The hardest day of the 4 day trek is definitely Day 1. It is a long day with difficult climbs; expect to walk for a total of 9 or 10 hours. The second half of the first day includes a challenging 4 hour switchback climb. This is a steep ascent that will take you to a point just shy of the highest point on the trek.

You must be well acclimatized before starting this trek, as it can be hard on the body to camp at such a high altitude. Your reward will be some impressive sights, but this is definitely the most strenuous part of the trek!

After peaking in the morning of Day 2, the rest of the trail takes you down from the highlands and into the Andean jungle. The temperatures will warm up and the vegetation will become reminiscent of the jungle, lush and green.

There is another day of steep climbs on Day 3, but it will feel relatively easy compared to the first day as it is only 3 hours. From here, you will have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu – an unforgettable sight!

Remember all treks in the Cusco region are challenging for most people due to the high altitude and steep mountains, but this 4 day 3 night Salkantay trek is certainly for those who are looking to push themselves and are looking for a more physically demanding alternative. For more about how difficult the Salkantay hike is, check out our blog post.

This 4 day trek is really only suitable for those of top fitness and who are well-acclimatized. Make sure acclimatization is part of your training schedule! If you are not well prepared then you should rather do the 5 day Salkantay trek instead of this one.

A young person of average fitness who works out several times a week will probably find the 4 day Salkantay trek a challenge. Older people, or those who are not fit, should most definitely embark on a fitness training program prior to doing the 4 day Salkantay itinerary, in consultation with a medical and fitness professional. What this will entail depends on each person and their own abilities.

See our Tip #3 for how to get ready for your trek.

When it comes to the Salkantay 4 day trek, you must spend at least 3 days acclimatizing before beginning the hike.

The best way to prepare yourself for the altitude is very easy: spend time at a high-altitude place like Cusco. Generally speaking, the more time you can spend acclimatizing, the better. Ideally, 3-4 days at altitude would give your body an excellent chance to acclimatise.

In addition, being kind to your body – eating healthy food and staying away from alcohol – helps your body deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates.

Read more about Altitude and How to Acclimatize before starting your trek.

The best months of the year to plan your Salkantay trekking trip are the dry winter months from May to August. During this time, there is little rain but the night-time temperatures are very low, even below freezing. This is especially true on the first night of the 4 day trek.

December through March is the wet season in Peru and trekking the Salkantay trail is not recommended for safety reasons. The trail can be slippery and there is a risk of rockslides that can wipe the trail out altogether. Additionally, the pass and higher areas can be covered in snow, which makes trekking difficult if you are not properly equipped.

Trekking during the shoulder season (April, September, October) is possible, but depends on the weather and the actual conditions of the trail at the time. We reserve the right to cancel or modify any trek booked during the rainy season if conditions make the trail unsafe. Read more about the best time to hike and take note of our wet season trekking policy.

The average daily hiking time is about 7 hours per day. Day 1 is the longest day, and you can expect to hike at least 9-10 hours. Days 2 and 3 are considerably shorter, at 6.5h and 5h, respectively. These are, of course, averages, and depend on the relative fitness and speed of everyone in the group. If these trekking times seem too long, then you should consider doing our 5 day Salkantay trek.

See the day-by-day itinerary for exact hiking times per day on our 4 day Salkantay trek.

Yes! Our guides take solar-powered chargers with them during the Salkantay 4 day hike so that you can charge your phone or other device along the way.

The 4 day Salkantay hike includes 2 nights of camping and one night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes. You also have the option of staying in a family homestay in Lucmabamba on Day 2. This is a great option to get to know some local people, learn about coffee growing and enjoy a night in a comfortable bed.

On the trail, you are treated to first-class service from our field team. We use 4 season North Face tents on our treks, all dutifully set up by our team of hardworking staff. Whatever the conditions, you will have some sound protection on your side! This is particularly important for high altitude camping when temperatures can be very low.

Go luxe! You can also choose our Comfort Camping option for a full-on luxury camping experience.

You will also be accompanied by a personal chef who prepares delicious gourmet meals on the trail. Our chefs receive annual training in order to offer you some really stunning culinary creations on the trail! This is not basic trail food, but fully catered for trekking.

We have a lot of vegetarian travellers and our cooks have some great options for them to enjoy their meals. We can cater for or all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.

Read more about What to Expect on the Trail, including more about meals and equipment.

No permits are required, however you do require an entry ticket to visit Machu Picchu. This entry ticket is included in the price of your trek. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, this requires an extra permit not included in the price.

Huayna Picchu is the conical shaped mountain that appears in all the classic pictures of Machu Picchu. The climb is extremely steep and not for the faint-hearted, but is very rewarding for those who can stomach it!

Permits can sell out in advance, especially for Huayna Picchu, so you are best to tell us at the time of booking if you would like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Read more about Visiting Machu Picchu.

As alternative trekking specialists, Apus Peru already offers a range of unique customised Salkantay tours, including the 5 day Salkantay Trek, which follows the same trail as the Salkantay 4 day trek, but at a slightly more relaxed pace. It also includes a stop at the stunning Humantay Lake – a very popular Instagram photo spot! – on Day 1.

For those who want to experience two famous treks while on holidays, our combined 6 Day Inca Trail & Salkantay Trek is a great option. We are also able to offer that trek in 7 days – please ask your Apus Peru Travel Consultant for more information!

You can also customize your experience by adding on one or more of our Cusco day tours, or opting for one of our upgrade packages which includes not only an upgraded hotel but also a luxury train service and meals at the top restaurants in Aguas Calientes.

Or, customize your Salkantay 4 day trek to have two days of visits to Machu Picchu. With our Extra Day at Machu Picchu, you can visit the site at different times of day, make sure you see all the highlights, and also have enough time to do one of the Machu Picchu hikes, like Huayna Picchu.

All YOU need to carry with you is a light day pack. In your day pack, you should carry things like your water bottle, some extra layers, gloves, camera, sun hat, beanie, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Water is vital on the trek. We provide boiled water during the trekking days. You should start the day with 2 litres. You will have a chance to refill at lunchtime and again in the evening. We also provide an ample range of snacks which will fill up the average person – if you have hollow legs, you might need to bring some of your own!

The rest of your belongings – up to 7kg (15 lbs) – are carried in a duffel bag (which we provide during your Pre Trek Briefing) by mules. All of the camping equipment needed on the trek is also carried by mules.

In order to answer whether this 4 day 3 night trek is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have time to acclimatize well? The campsite on Day 1 is located at 4490m, so you must be well acclimatized before beginning the trek. The next two nights’ campsites are even higher. If you don’t have at least 3 days in your schedule to properly acclimatize to the altitude, you should not do the Salkantay 4 day trek.
• Am I prepared for a strenuous and challenging hike? This 4 day trek takes what is normally a 5 day trek and condenses it into 4 days, while also adding a unique detour on day 1. The first day in particular is a very long day of hiking (9-10 hours for most hikers) with a steep, challenging switchback climb. This requires a solid level of fitness and mental preparation.
• Am I looking for solitude on the trail and a unique experience? Although Salkantay is a popular trek, our 4 day itinerary is a unique route that takes you off the beaten path and away from the busiest campsites. You may not find total solitude, but it will certainly be less busy than the Inca Trail.
• Do I want to see a range of changing scenery & climates? Like the Inca Trail, Salkantay lets you hike through high alpine scenery which then changes to semi-tropical Andean jungle terrain. You will see snowy peaks and also lush vegetation. This is a trek for nature lovers.
• Am I interested in hands-on learning and interacting with locals? At Lucmabamba on Night 2, you have the option to learn first-hand about the coffee-making tradition, and even stay overnight with a local family in a homestay.
• Am I looking for a trek that includes Machu Picchu? Not all hikes in the Cusco area include Machu Picchu, so if you want a hike that does, Salkantay might be a good choice for you. In fact Salkantay provides the perfect combination of high mountain scenery, jungle vegetation and Inca history!
• Is hiking past Incan Ruins important to me? If so, then Salkantay may not be the trek for you. If Inca ruins are your focus, a trek like Choquequirao or the Inca Trail might be more suitable.
• Am I interested in learning about contemporary Andean culture? If so, then one of our Lares treks might be a better option.

For more information about what this region has to offer, check out our Salkantay homepage.

• The 4 Day Salkantay tour begins and ends in Cusco. Travel to/from Cusco is not included in the price of your trek.

Travel Direct…

• • • By Plane – Most international flights land in Lima, Peru’s capital. From here, you can take a domestic flight to Cusco. Some international flights go through other South American capitals, like Bogotá, Colombia, which also has connecting flights to Cusco.
    • By Bus – You can take an overnight bus from Lima to Cusco (it takes about 20-23 hours). One of the benefits of travelling slowly up from the coast is that you are automatically acclimatising as you travel. Not to mention you get an idea of the stunning landscape and mountains as you travel! The top recommended buses are Cruz del Sur, Palomino and ExcluCiva.

…or Take the Long Way

• • Via Arequipa and/or Puno – If you have the time, spend a day or two in Lima and then head to Arequipa or Puno (or both!) to gradually acclimatize to the altitude over the space of several days before you arrive in Cusco for your trek. We offer 3 and 4 day package tours to Arequipa and Puno that you can add onto to your trek.

If you’re still not sure if a short Salkantay trek is right for you, or want to read more about the area or other people’s trekking experiences, check out these helpful articles from our blog:
• • Salkantay vs Lares – Many people looking for an alternative to the Inca Trail have trouble deciding between Salkantay and Lares, the two most popular Inca Trail alternatives. Both are quite distinct and have different things to offer, depending on what you are looking for. This helpful page is designed to walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you can plan your best Peru trekking vacation.
  • How Difficult is the Salkantay Trek? – This blog provides an overview of some of the highlights of trekking Salkantay as well as the challenges that hikers face on the trail and as they prepare.
  • Which Trek Around Cusco, Peru? – Apus Peru Co-Founder Ariana Svenson writes about the best alternative hikes to the Inca Trail around Cusco, Peru, including Salkantay.
  • Inca Trail vs Salkantay – If you’re debating between two of Peru’s most famous hikes, our comparison guide between the Inca Trail and Salkantay will be a must-read.