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Salkantay Trek

Peru🇵🇪 | hikesSalkantay TrekSavage Mountain, Humantay Lake, 4,630 m pass, coffee-country descent | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Salkantay Trek
🏆 Top pickhike ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Guided or independent is the first call on the Salkantay Trek, and it comes down to whether you want to carry a tent and gear or have mules and cooks handle the load. Independent hikers save money and set their own pace; guided groups get hot meals, camps and a haul-free back. The trek runs through the Cordillera Vilcabamba in southern Peru, northwest of Cusco, ending near Machu Picchu. Expect glacier views, a 4,630-meter pass, then cloud forest dropping into coffee country. It is a strenuous 4 to 5 days. Buses and shared vans reach Mollepata from Cusco, so the start is easy. At a roadside hut near Soraypampa, a cook ladled me a mug of muña tea and said, “Drink it slow, like the mountain.” I did, and it worked. Best for fit, curious hikers; skip it if altitude worries you or you need comfort.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.
Best time to go: April - October
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 60 kilometers
Total ascent: 2800 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 hike in PeruWhy Salkantay Trek should be on your travel list

Salkantay Trek gives you a completely different Machu Picchu approach: you leave the Inca Trail crowds and permit lottery behind and still end up at the citadel. The big draw is the contrast. You start beneath Salkantay Mountain at 6,271 meters, cross the high pass among stone cairns and offerings to the apus, then drop through cloud forest where orchids and hummingbirds replace ice. Camps and basic lodges fill the valleys, so you can choose a tent or a bed each night. The other big reason is flexibility. Route options let you shorten the trek, ride out from Santa Teresa for its hot springs, or walk the last stretch along the railway to Aguas Calientes. You need no permit months ahead, only a ticket for Machu Picchu itself. That makes it a smart fit if you are already in Cusco and decide late. … read more 👉
Salkantay Trek gives you a completely different Machu Picchu approach: you leave the Inca Trail crowds and permit lottery behind and still end up at the citadel. The big draw is the contrast. You start beneath Salkantay Mountain at 6,271 meters, cross the high pass among stone cairns and offerings to the apus, then drop through cloud forest where orchids and hummingbirds replace ice. Camps and basic lodges fill the valleys, so you can choose a tent or a bed each night. The other big reason is flexibility. Route options let you shorten the trek, ride out from Santa Teresa for its hot springs, or walk the last stretch along the railway to Aguas Calientes. You need no permit months ahead, only a ticket for Machu Picchu itself. That makes it a smart fit if you are already in Cusco and decide late. Few treks pack glaciers, jungle and Inca ruins into one week this efficiently.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Salkantay Mountain: The Quechua name means “Savage Mountain,” and its glaciated pyramid dominates the first two days. The view from the pass is the one everyone photographs.
  2. Humantay Lake: A turquoise glacial lake reached by a steep 1.5 to 2 hour climb from Soraypampa. Go early, before the day-trippers from Cusco arrive.
  3. Salkantay Pass: At about 4,630 meters, this is the highest point, marked with piles of stones left as offerings. Wind, thin air and open views of the glaciers make it the emotional peak of the trek.
  4. Cloud forest below Chaullay: The trail drops into green, humid forest with waterfalls, ferns, bromeliads and birds. The change in vegetation within a single day is dramatic.
  5. Llactapata: An Inca site on the alternative route that looks across the valley to Machu Picchu. It is an uncrowded
… read more 👉
  1. Salkantay Mountain: The Quechua name means “Savage Mountain,” and its glaciated pyramid dominates the first two days. The view from the pass is the one everyone photographs.
  2. Humantay Lake: A turquoise glacial lake reached by a steep 1.5 to 2 hour climb from Soraypampa. Go early, before the day-trippers from Cusco arrive.
  3. Salkantay Pass: At about 4,630 meters, this is the highest point, marked with piles of stones left as offerings. Wind, thin air and open views of the glaciers make it the emotional peak of the trek.
  4. Cloud forest below Chaullay: The trail drops into green, humid forest with waterfalls, ferns, bromeliads and birds. The change in vegetation within a single day is dramatic.
  5. Llactapata: An Inca site on the alternative route that looks across the valley to Machu Picchu. It is an uncrowded first glimpse of the citadel from a distance.
Humantay Lake combines well with the first day, when you can visit it in the morning and continue toward the pass camp.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Salkantay Trek

Humantay Lake Horseback Riding Tour from Cusco

Humantay Lake Horseback Riding Tour from Cusco

4.8(11) 13h
From €36
per personViator
Humantay Lagoon Full Day

Humantay Lagoon Full Day

5.0(7) 12h
From €45
per personViator
Huamantay Lagoon

Huamantay Lagoon

0.0(0) 13h
From €68
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (May to September): May to September gives the most stable trekking window, with mostly sunny days, frosty nights and the best views of Salkantay’s 6,271 m (20,574 ft) summit. Days reach 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) in the valleys, while camps near the pass drop to -5 to 0°C (23 to 32°F). Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • Peak Crowds (June to August): Camps fill, Machu Picchu tickets sell out weeks ahead, and operators charge their highest rates.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Fewer trekkers, greener slopes and lower prices, with a few afternoon showers.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Daily rain, muddy trail, cloud-hidden peaks and occasional landslides. Warmer at lower altitude, around 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F) near Santa Teresa. Prices drop, and February is the wettest month.
Book … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (May to September): May to September gives the most stable trekking window, with mostly sunny days, frosty nights and the best views of Salkantay’s 6,271 m (20,574 ft) summit. Days reach 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) in the valleys, while camps near the pass drop to -5 to 0°C (23 to 32°F). Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • Peak Crowds (June to August): Camps fill, Machu Picchu tickets sell out weeks ahead, and operators charge their highest rates.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Fewer trekkers, greener slopes and lower prices, with a few afternoon showers.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Daily rain, muddy trail, cloud-hidden peaks and occasional landslides. Warmer at lower altitude, around 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F) near Santa Teresa. Prices drop, and February is the wettest month.
Book your trek and Machu Picchu entry together, ideally two to three months ahead for June to August.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🥾 Hike detailsEverything you need to know before hiking Salkantay Trek

Total Distance: Salkantay Trek covers roughly 60 to 74 kilometers, depending on the route. The classic version runs from Soraypampa to Hidroeléctrica (or on to Machu Picchu Pueblo) and the longer version adds the Llactapata detour.
Estimated Duration: Most hikers take 4 to 5 days, with 5 days giving more time at the pass and the cloud forest. Add a day if you want to visit Machu Picchu itself.
Difficulty: Moderate to hard. Day 2 is the crux, with a long climb to Salkantay Pass at about 4,630 meters. Altitude is the real challenge, so spend at least 2 days in Cusco beforehand.
Starting Point: Mollepata,
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Salkantay Trek covers roughly 60 to 74 kilometers, depending on the route. The classic version runs from Soraypampa to Hidroeléctrica (or on to Machu Picchu Pueblo) and the longer version adds the Llactapata detour.
Estimated Duration: Most hikers take 4 to 5 days, with 5 days giving more time at the pass and the cloud forest. Add a day if you want to visit Machu Picchu itself.
Difficulty: Moderate to hard. Day 2 is the crux, with a long climb to Salkantay Pass at about 4,630 meters. Altitude is the real challenge, so spend at least 2 days in Cusco beforehand.
Starting Point: Mollepata, a town west of Cusco, with the trailhead at Soraypampa a further ride up a dirt road.
  • Public Transport: Colectivos and minibuses leave Cusco for Mollepata from the Santiago area in the morning. From Mollepata, shared taxis or arranged transfers go on to Challacancha or Soraypampa.
  • Finish: Hidroeléctrica, then a train or a walk along the tracks to Aguas Calientes.
Major Landmarks:
  • Humantay Lake: A turquoise glacial lake reached by a steep side hike of about 1.5 hours up from Soraypampa.
  • Salkantay Pass: The high point, below the glaciated peak of Salkantay (6,271 meters), marked with stone offerings.
  • Chaullay and La Playa: Villages in the descending valley where you find simple lodging and camping.
  • Llactapata: An Inca site with a first distant view of Machu Picchu on the longer route.
Terrain and Scenery: The path starts on rocky high-Andean slopes and moraines, then crosses the pass over loose stone. After that it drops through river valleys with waterfalls and steep green walls. The final stretch follows the Urubamba valley, with an old railway line.
Vegetation: Open puna grassland and bare rock near the top, then cloud forest with ferns, orchids and bromeliads. Lower down, coffee, avocado, banana and passionfruit farms line the trail.
Wildlife: Andean condors circle over the pass on clear days. You may also spot Andean foxes, vizcachas, hummingbirds and colorful cloud forest birds including the Andean cock-of-the-rock at lower elevations.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Salkantay Trek is a well-trodden route, and the main risks come from altitude and weather rather than the trail itself. The Salkantay Pass sits at about 4,630 m (15,190 ft), so spend two or three days in Cusco first and walk slowly on day two, the steep climb from Soraypampa. Headaches and nausea are common; descend if they worsen. Temperatures drop well below freezing at night, so bring a proper sleeping bag, layers and a rain shell, since the weather can turn within an hour. Footing is loose and rocky on the pass and slippery in the wet season, so poles help on the long descent. Navigation is simple with muleteers and groups, though solo hikers should download offline maps. Wildlife is minimal; you may see Andean condors, and stray dogs near camps are usually harmless. Keep valuables out … read more 👉
Salkantay Trek is a well-trodden route, and the main risks come from altitude and weather rather than the trail itself. The Salkantay Pass sits at about 4,630 m (15,190 ft), so spend two or three days in Cusco first and walk slowly on day two, the steep climb from Soraypampa. Headaches and nausea are common; descend if they worsen. Temperatures drop well below freezing at night, so bring a proper sleeping bag, layers and a rain shell, since the weather can turn within an hour. Footing is loose and rocky on the pass and slippery in the wet season, so poles help on the long descent. Navigation is simple with muleteers and groups, though solo hikers should download offline maps. Wildlife is minimal; you may see Andean condors, and stray dogs near camps are usually harmless. Keep valuables out of sight in shared campsites, and carry small cash, since there are no ATMs along the trail.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Salkantay Trek takes 4 to 5 days for the standard route from Soraypampa or Mollepata to Machu Picchu, covering roughly 60 to 74 km (37 to 46 miles). Most groups walk about 6 to 8 hours a day, with the pass crossing on day two. Shorter 2 to 3 day versions exist, but they skip the Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes sections.
Salkantay Trek is moderate to challenging, mainly because of altitude and the long second day. You climb to about 4,630 m (15,190 ft) at Salkantay Pass, then descend roughly 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to cloud forest. Reasonable fitness and a couple of days of acclimatization in Cusco make it doable for most active first-timers.
No permit is required for Salkantay Trek itself, and you can hike independently. Since the route is open, most trekkers pay a local operator US$250 to 450 for a 4 to 5 day guided trip including meals, camping and muleteers. Some campsites charge a small fee, and Machu Picchu entry must be booked separately, often weeks ahead in peak season.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian hikes near Salkantay Trek

Explore more nearby:

  • Huayna Picchu—Cabled stone stairs, rock tunnel, summit terraces, citadel overlook| 21 km away
  • Inca Trail—Permit-only, Sun Gate, Dead Woman’s Pass, cloud-forest ruins| 24 km away
  • Choquequirao Trek—Canyon descent, Inca ridge ruins, llama terraces, few crowds| 34 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Salkantay Trek suits fit, adaptable hikers who want glaciers and jungle with a Machu Picchu finish and don’t mind basic camps. If you hate cold nights or thin air, skip it. I would spend two days acclimatizing in Cusco first and pack a warm sleeping bag, because high camps get properly cold.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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