Salkantay Trek And Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 5 Days

CUSO- HUMANTAY LAKE - JAPONESAPAMPA-WALLYABAMBA-KM 82-WIÑAYHUAYNA-SUNGATE- MACHU PICCHU -CUSCO

2 to 8 persons

Group Size

Demanding

Difficulty level

Hiking

Trip styles

CAMP AND HOTEL

Accommodation

Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 5 Days

If you didn’t get the permits for the Inca Trail 4 Days, this is the best alternative due to geographical and historical region. We can see the Humantay Lake and Salkantay Lake with Instagramable colors (that in Quechua is translated to “qochas” a place of the origin of the Incas) – natives from this area still make special ceremonies to those Lakes.

You can also see many South American Camelids typical of Peru, Chile, and Argentina, especially many alpacas, llamas, and guanacos, who were especially sacred to the Incas (Llamas played a very important role in transportation and some were used in sacrifices as a form of sanctification for a good yield in crop production.

Along the hike from the Salkantay trek and short Inca trail to Machu Picchu for 5 days, you’ll meet local people who are cheerful and still use the traditional attire (bright and colorful) of the original natives from the area.

This Salkantay Trek is definitely for those individuals who like to hike, attain more historical knowledge, and meet people seeing their everyday contact with the Pachamama (“Mother Earth”). This trek towards Machu Picchu also allows you to fully enjoy the microclimates and unique landscapes, along with old-fashioned cuisines and fresh natural products. We have a very experienced cook

Itinerary of Salkantay Trek And Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 5 Days:

Day 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA-HUMANTAY LAGOON -PAMPA JAPONESA

Our Salkantay trek and short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days, begin picking you up at your hotel at 4:00 am. Then we will drive to Mollepata town, once there, We will have a nutritious breakfast, then will go to Soraypampa (trailhead) this place is where we also meet our trek leader, porters, and riders to begin our hike.

So the first part gonna be uphill, one hour and a half to get to the Humantay lagoon. Once there will have time to take pictures and enjoy this magical place and you will see the glaciers as well as the seem name after a while you will start hiking down to the trailhead, and our cook will prepare a good lunch after that and then will hike one hour and a half ruffly to Salkantay pampa 4000 masl, from there will see the Salkantay glaciers (SAVAGE MOUNTAIN) one of the most sacred place in Cusco region. after that will keep hiking 3 hours to our base camp Japanese pampa. ( hot tea and dinner)

Walking distance: 14km
Trailhead elevation: 3,800 km
Campsite elevation: 4,700mt
Difficulty: Challenging

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 2: PAMPA JAPONESA – PAMPA JAPONESA PASS – PAUCAR CANCHA

Our 3 day of the Salkantay trek and short Inca Trail begins with hot coca tea and breakfast, then continue with our hike towards “pampa Japanese pass 5000masl”. You’ll marvel and appreciate, at different angles, the beautiful views of the Salkantay Mountain (a.k.a.) the “Wild” Mountain (Alt. 6,271 m/20,573 ft.). From above you’ll also relish the colorful lagoons of the area. As we descend, we’ll reach a small village called “Lluscamayu” (Lunch). Afterward, we continue our downslope hike to the archeological site of “Paucarcancha”, once there the tour guide Will explain this beautiful Inca site. where we will camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodations: Camp 3800 meters.
Hiking Distance: 15 km / 7.4 miles
Hiking Time: 7 hrs.
Highest Elevation: could and worm
Weather: Warm / Cold
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Arduous

Day 3: PAUCAR CANCHA – LLACTAPATA INCA SITE -km 82- OLLANTAYTAMBO

Our morning begins with a nutritious breakfast prepared by our specialized chef. Then we’re off to continue our expedition of the famous Inca Trail.

This part of the trek we’ll descend to Huallabamba town (where the people are farmers) (40 minutes once there the tour guide Will explain the Inca site with the seem to name, Here you’ll appreciate the excellent panoramic view of the valleys below. After a short break, we’ll descend to the high forest where we will have lunch, and then Will visit the Inca site call (LLACTAPATA)

After that, we’ll continue our downhill hike to the km 82 ( 2 hours), where we will cross the bridge, once there Will get our transportation to Ollantaytambo town (part of the sacred valley of the Incas)

Walking distance: 15km
Campsite elevation: 3300km
Trail end elevation: 2700mt
Aguas Calientes elevation: 2000km
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodations: Tunupa Lodge or Iskay Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO-KM 104-WIÑAYHUYANA-MACHU PICCHU

Our adventure begins to with a pick-up at your hotel (5:30 a.m.) where we’ll drive to the train station,(to catch our train) to “Kilometer 104”.is 1 hour and 30 minutes ruffly, Once there we Will pass the control, our trekking of the short Inca Trail begins. Our first hike is approximately 4 hours to reach the “wiñayhuayna” archaeological complex. Afterward, lunch will be served. (actually, Will have a box lunch)if you are vegetarian let me now,

Following lunch, you’ll continue hiking to towards to the (Intipunku – Sungate), one hour and a half then Will have time to take some picture (THE FIRST STUNNING LOOKOUT OF MACHUPICCHU) and then gonna be just 40 minutes to Machupicchu, one of the seven wonders of the world and enigmatic place after a whole, Will have to catch the bus to Aguas Calientes and Will have dinner in the restaurant and spend the night in our hostel

DETAILS:

Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles
Time: 6hrs approximately
Hostal
Hot shower,wifi,tv cable
Difficulty: moderate
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (The Sacred City Of The Incas) – Cusco
After a delicious early breakfast, we will board the bus transporting us to the Majestic Lost City of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. The trek leader will impart the history of this mystical place. We will have the opportunity to visit the “Temple of the Sun”, the “Royal Palace”, the “Main Temple”, the “Temple of the Three Windows” and the “Sun Dial”. Here, we promise an unforgettable experience. After your guided tour, you’ll have free time to do your exploring.
If you have reserved your visit to “Huaynapicchu” (tickets limited to 400 per day – not included), you’ll begin your hike at 7:00 – 10:00 a.m., please coordinate with the Tour Guide for your visit depending on Municipality’s programmed time.
There are many more activities that you can do. These activities are optional (not included with the package) for example The “Puerta del Sol” (2 hours hike up and down), where you will appreciate the Inca city from a different viewpoint.
In the afternoon, you’ll catch the train (4:20 p.m.) to reach the City of Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, we will have transportation waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco (2 hours Approx.).
Depends on the ability the train to back to Ollantaytambo

DETAILS

• Meal: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

You will need to start off right: breakfast (5:00 a.m.) at the hotel. Then, you will board the bus that goes up to Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 25 minutes to arrive (the gate opens at 6:00 a.m.) Once there we will have to show our passports and depending on the circuit they will give us some necklaces (The best circuit is the 2nd, for this you have to book 3 months in advance).

We will go to the top, there are 4 platforms where you can take classic photos with the view of Huayna Picchu Mountain, once on the last platform the guide will give an introduction about Machu Picchu and then we will visit the most important places in Machu Picchu such as the Stone Quarry, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Inca Compass, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, the Inca Terraces, Food Stores this is the second circuit and the best.

After touring Machu Picchu, you will have to board the bus to Aguas Calientes town and have lunch (not included) in the afternoon board the train to Ollantaytambo town and then take the bus to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

If you have reserved a visit to “HUAYNAPICHHU” (tickets $ 60.00 per person/limited to 400 per day – not included), you’ll begin your hike at 7:00 – 10:00 a.m., please coordinate with the Trek Leader for your visit depending on Municipality’s programmed time.

DETAILS:

Meals: Breakfast
Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6.691 ft
Highest Altitude: 2,440 m / 8,052 ft

Note: If you want to stay an extra night, just lets us know and we can help book a hotel in Aguas Calientes, as well as your train ticket for the next day

Rangers don’t allow people to carry bags bigger than 25 liters when entering Machu Picchu

No trekking poles are allowed in Machu Picchu
Snacks and water are allowed – in bags-

Bilingual English-speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
Four-person tent for every 2 people.
Entrance to the Short Inca Trail
dinner in Ollantaytambo
hostal in Ollantaytambo(day 3)
dinner in aguas calientes
Chef
Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, tables, etc)
Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
Duffle bag for your personal gear
Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
One-night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Tips: Guide, Cook, Horseman.
Water on Day 1
$ 60 Waynapicchu Mountain (walk to the top without a guide; the trail is well marked).
First breakfast and last lunch
Sleeping Bag 20 USD
Hiking Sticks 20 USD

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2026 through January 2027. All prices quoted are in $USD

group service $800 per person

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need for extra Porter hire!).

Discounts:

Student Discount 20$ dollars
Under 15 years will pay as a student: US$20.00
Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 60.00 (Need to book in advance)
Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 60.00 (Need to book in advance)

As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress, and extra clothing.

2 t-shirts
2 hiking pants at least
4 sets of undergarments
3 sets of hiking socks
Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
Couple Fleece/ Thermals
Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celcius.
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
Comfortable shoes for camp
Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
A small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek

Tour Price

Best Seller

Day(s)

Price USD

$800.00

Booking Form
Contact Us

SELECT DATE

TRAVELERS

Price per person
USD $ 800.00
Total Price:
USD $ 800.00

Contact

Full Name

Country

Questions

Why Choose Go Treks Peru

100% Locally Owned by a Tour Guide
Go Treks Peru was founded by Elisban Condori, a local tour guide with years of experience leading treks to Machu Picchu. His goal is simple: to offer top-quality, authentic experiences led by passionate professionals who truly know the Andes.

Fair Work Conditions
We believe in ethical tourism. That means no exploitative working hours and fair pay for all our staff. We work with trained, freelance professionals who have the flexibility and respect they deserve.

Personalized Service
At Go Treks Peru, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We tailor each tour to your preferences, always focusing on small groups to ensure a flexible, high-quality experience. For us, personal means unforgettable.

Sustainable Travel
All of our treks are 100% eco-friendly. We follow a strict “leave no trace” policy and encourage our travelers to protect nature and respect local communities at every step of the journey.

Excellent Customer Satisfaction
We’re proud to have consistent 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor and other platforms. Our travelers love the personal attention, seamless logistics, and genuine local connections we provide.

What Our Adventurers Say: Real Reviews

Discover why adventurers love traveling with Go Treks Peru. Read client reviews and explore top adventure destinations in Peru. Check our reviews on Tripadvisor or Google.

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   William K 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful Sulkantay Experience
I went on the Sulkantay Trek, a wonderful experience . It comes with a guide, a chef and a horseman. The guide was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. The chef accommodated vegetarian/pescatarian eating habits and made different food for every lunch and dinner. The hike is medium difficulty, you will need to adapt to the altitude before you go on this hike so please, spend 5 days adapting before the start date. I paid roughly 550$ for a 5-day 4-night accommodation. And you should also bring soles for the bathrooms along the hike (2 soles each), if you want to buy any snacks, coffee at the farm. And bring some to tip the staff at the end of the trip. Very peaceful atmosphere. The hike is a great place to connect with people, and in the evening you can get some well needed rest.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Janet 
 
 
 
 Verified Machu Picchu 2026
I met up with my son in Aguas Calientes for a planned Machu Picchu visit. Go Trek Peru organized everything from the hotel accommodations to the roundtrip bus to Machu Picchu, to an excellent guided tour of circuit 2 (approximately 3 hours) by Nilo. He has been a tourism expert for years, which is evident as he shares his knowledge of Inca history. Go TREK Peru also organized the train tickets to Ollantaytambo with private transport to Cusco. I highly recommend Go Trek Peru! They are a newer tour company who provides an outstanding tour experience. Thank you to everyone at Go Trek Perú who made this experience memorable for my son and I. ¡Gracias por todo! ~ Janet
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paulo P 
 
 
 
 Verified Salkantay Trek
It is 5 days of tracking. There has to be some experience because some parts are difficult. You may have to walk for 10 hours in one day. Everything was well organized. The Nile guide speaks fluent Spanish and English. It is 4 nights, with 3 of them sleeping in Domes, comfortable but sometimes there is no electricity and the bathroom is outside. It is recommended to have a portable charger and appropriate rain gear. The cook Santiago who made us food during the journey is very attentive and professional. The horseman who was in charge of carrying the bags was also very professional. I recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lian T 
 
 
 
 Verified 5 day Salkantay Trek
We did the 5 day Salkantay Trek with Nilo as our guide and it was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and considerate with how our energy levels were throughout the hike. We had a small group of 3 travelers (us and one solo traveler), Nilo, chef Santiago, and horseman William. I loved traveling with everyone and it felt like a little family by the end! This was the most beautiful hike I’ve been on and I cannot recommend it enough. Each night you will be briefed on the next days activities/itinerary and it was so nice to just show up and have Nilo lead the way. It ended up being a little pricier because 2 people dropped out and to operate the company needs 4 travelers - so the original $500 turned into $667 each. For a practically private hike I think it was still a great deal. I just wish we had known ahead of time that 4 people is a requirement and we would have to offset if people dropped out.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dylan L 
 
 
 
 Verified Salkantay 5-day
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Trek of Our Lives – Salkantay 5-Day with Nilo! Choosing Go Treks Peru for the 5-Day Salkantay Trek was the absolute best decision we could have made—this was, without a doubt, the best trek of our lives! We basically had a private experience (one other person accompanied us on the hike.) We did have to pay a little more since a few people backed out, so if this happens to you just pay the extra bit- because it is 100% worth it!!! Our guide, Nilo, was incredible. He was so nice, deeply knowledgeable, and his passion for the trail and Andean history made every mile unforgettable. He took amazing care of our entire group, kept us motivated through the tough passes, and truly felt like a friend by the end of the journey. We were also blown away by the campsites. The accommodations were above and beyond what we ever expected for a high-altitude mountain trek. Falling asleep in such comfortable setups after a long day of hiking made the physical challenge so much more enjoyable. From the seamless organization to the hard-working crew, everything was handled flawlessly. If you are planning to do the Salkantay Trek, do yourself a favor and book with Go Treks Peru. We cannot recommend Nilo and the team highly enough!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alejandra Garcia 
 
 
 
 Verified One of the most unforgettable hikes I've ever done
The Ausangate Trek exceeded all my expectations. The scenery is simply incredible, with beautiful glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, and peaceful trails far from the crowds. The trek is challenging but completely worth it. Everything was well organized from start to finish, and the guide was knowledgeable, supportive, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The food, camping, and overall logistics were much better than I expected. If you're looking for an authentic trekking experience in Peru, I highly recommend this adventure. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   William Z 
 
 
 
 Verified Great value
The tour company took care of us well, especially in our group. The food and the guide were amazing. Had heaps of fun
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Ralph Marcus 
 
 
 
 Verified A unique experience
Everything very good, very good organization and coordination, everything was according to the plan, there were no unforeseen events. It is a physically very tough experience (due to the altitude above all) but rewarding and unique.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Weronika P 
 
 
 
 Verified Would highly recommend
We had an amazing experience with Go Treks! We went for a short Inca trail which was perfect as we were short on time. Everything was planned very well and we didn’t have to worry about absolutely anything during the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were lucky to be the only people on the tour so we got a very personalized experience. We also booked the extra circuit 2 for Machu Picchu which was definitely the right choice. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Yamile Sanchez 
 
 
 
 Verified Totally worth doing the 2 Day Inca Trail
I had been wanting to visit Machu Picchu for a long time, but I wanted something more than just arriving by train, so I decided to try the 2 day Inca Trail and honestly, it was such a good experience. It’s demanding at moments, but very manageable and completely worth it. The landscapes along the route are amazing, and getting to Machu Picchu after walking part of the trail makes the experience feel much more special. The guide was friendly, organized, and explained a lot about the history during the trip. If you’re planning Machu Picchu and want something a bit different, I’d definitely recommend it.
  
 
  
  
 
 
      Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more