Salkantay Trek 04 days to Machu Picchu. Trek recommended for people who do not have much time and want to enjoy this experience and live the magic of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 04 days, one of the 6 alternate routes, where the diversity mix on the route is impressive. The Salkantay mountain of 6,217.00 meters above sea level is one of the most sacred apus, or sacred peaks. It is still revered today in traditional Andean religion. Enjoy this experience with the best Pacha Expeditions. For that reason, we offer this program. Salkantay Trek 04 Days.
The Incas were great master builders of trails that traveled through South America, from Cusco, and many of these are found on the coast, mountains, and jungle. In Cusco, there are now alternative routes to the classic Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu. Pacha Expeditions offers the best hiking alternatives, the Salkantay Trek in 4 days to Machu Picchu, most of which do not require permits and can be arranged through any certified company. Some of these hikes are available a day in advance.
Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, 4 days, is a good option, so you can enjoy the famous trail and the Inca city of Machu Picchu. This alternative is good because you will have a wonderful experience in the Salkantay Trek in 4 days. Have a nice trip. ¡¡¡¡¡
*Difficulty level depends very much on your fitness and acclimatization.
Overview ( Salkantay Trek 04 Days)
- Day 01: MOLLEPATA – SORAYPAMPA
- Day 02: SALKANTAY MOUNTAIN - CHAULLAY
- Day 03: CHAULLAY - HIDROELÉCTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES
- Day 04: MACHU PICCHU - OLLANTAYTAMBO- CUSCO
Useful Information
- Starting altitude – 2900m /9515 ft.
- Higher altitude – 4650m /15.200 ft
- Total distance – 60.5 km / 37.5 miles
- Longest Day – Day 2, approx 21 km / 13 miles
- Coldest night – 1st around 0 degrees Celsius
- Meals - Breakfast /Lunch / Dinner
- Accommodation: Cabins/ hostel
- Difficulty – difficult / Moderate
Conditions for the Mountain - Machu picchu and Wayna Picchu.
*The train service on all tours includes (Expedition to Ollanta) and a bus to Cusco.
* If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you have to tell us in advance to arrange your hotel and modify the train service return. The camps mentioned in the program are referential, as it depends on the time and date of reservation and the Availability of the Ministry of Culture-Cusco
* Campsites are subject to approval by the decentralized department of the Ministry of Culture and also depend a lot of the time on your reservation; therefore, the above fields are for reference.
Itinerary
DAY 01: MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - (Salkantay Trek 04 Days)
Very early, we pick you up from your hotel (4:00 a.m.) and travel by private bus approximately 03 hours to the town of Mollepata (2,700 msnm), where we will make a stop for breakfast and use the bathrooms, and our cook to be able to make the last purchases in this place. After breakfast, on our transport to Challacancha, where we are. We will begin the hike of salkantay Trek 04 days to Machu Picchu, we will begin our walk approximately, for 3 hours by a beautiful path of a varied flora until arriving at Soraypampa (3,800.msnm) to have lunch with panoramic views of the snowy mountains (Humantay, 5700 Meters Salkantay, 6271.msnm) in the afternoon we will visit the Humantay Lagoon very close to the camp. Overnight.
- Meals: Lunch – Tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Cabins.
- Minimum altitude: 2920 masl
- Maximum altitude: 3850 masl
- Distance: 8km / 10.5 miles
- Time: 3h about
- Difficult: Moderate
Day 02: SALKANTAY MOUNTAIN - CHAULLAY
We will get up very early, since it is the most difficult and long day of the whole trip, we will have breakfast at 5.30 am, and then we will start our hike approximately 3 hours uphill along a path with beautiful views to reach the Salkantay Pass ( 4650 m / 15,200 ft) located between two huge mountains, with perpetual snow, where the landscape and the views of the Andean mountain range is spectacular.
Here we will have a break, and then continue our walk (downhill) through a rocky road to Huayracpampa (4,000 masl), where we will have our lunch. After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will continue walking through a cloud forest with a diversity of plants and animals. Here, we will have time to rest and take pictures. Continuing downhill, we will arrive at our camp, Chaullay (3000 m / 9800 ft). The option of using hot showers. Dinner and overnight
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner
- Accommodation: Cabins.
- Minimum altitude: 2920 masl
- Maximum altitude: 4650 masl
- Distance: 21km / 13.5 miles
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: challenge
Day 3: CHAULLAY – HIDROELÉCTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.
We will wake up later than usual, we will have our breakfast around 6:00 am, we will begin our walk through a tropical area observing a variety of flora and fauna along an extremely calm road, towards the beach, the place of our lunch, through the Valley of Lluscamayo. We will walk for about 5 hours, we can observe orchids, avocado trees, and taste the famous passionfruit or passion fruit. After lunch on the beach, we will take local transport to the hydroelectric station. Here we have two options: if you are exhausted, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes, or you can walk from the hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes for 3 hours along the railway. In the town of Aguas Calientes, we will have our accommodation in the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Accommodation: Hostel
- Minimum altitude: 1500 masl
- Maximum altitude: 2040 masl
- Distance: 22 km/14 miles
- Time: about 7 h
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
We'll have breakfast at the hotel and then head to the bus station to board the first bus to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The journey, which takes approximately 25 minutes along a zigzag road, will take us directly to the city's entrance. Here, you'll need to show your passport and entrance ticket. Our guide will then offer a tour of the main sites of the Inca complex (approximately 2 hours). Afterward, you can climb Huayna Picchu mountain if you purchased your ticket in advance and if you still have the energy (2720 m / 8923 ft).
To return to Aguas Calientes, you have two options: walking or taking the bus (optional). There, you'll meet your guide for lunch and receive your train ticket back to Cusco. The included train service is the Expedition to Ollantaytambo, followed by the bus service back to Cusco (hotel).
- Meals: Breakfast
- Minimum altitude: 2000 masl
- Maximum altitude: 2400 masl
- Distance: 4km / 8.5 miles
- Time: 2.30 hrs
- Difficult: Easy
**Train included in Salkantay Trek, is the Expedition service (to Ollanta) Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 14:55.pm and being the 18.20,pm, the last train. Pacha Expeditions will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).
*CONDITIONS FOR THE WAYNAPICCHU AND MACHUPI PICCHU MOUNTAIN
Includes (Salkantay Trek 04 Days)
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
- Collection from hotel
- Return transportation (bus to start of trail and tourist train back to Ollanta)**
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 3 dinners (breakfast on day 1 and dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes town are not included)
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Cook /Chef
- Huts / Domo / Tent / 2-people
- Sleeping mattresses
- Horseman and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 08 kilos of tourists’ belongings)
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Extra oxygen
- First Aid kit
- Vegetarian/special diet options available.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Breakfast the first day
- Sleeping ba
- Lunch last day
- Expenses extras.(tips)
More Information
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE.
- Original passport and Student car
- Insurance card is essential
- Sleeping bag (not included)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat, gloves, T-shirts, Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream factor 70.
- Insect Repellent
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Torch with spare batteries
* To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a university card, with the current and updated date
* If desired, train back to Cusco can be upgraded to Vistadome (+U$.90)
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Walking stick
- bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa or/and in Aguas Calientes town -not included in price-
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Sleeping bag U$:20
- Walking sticks U$:15
- Daypacks U$:15
Price & Add-ons - 2026 (Salkantay Trek 04 Days)
Group: U$: 550
Private: U$: 730
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Under 18 years Discount: U$: 20
- Under 07 years Discount: U$: 30
Rentals
- Walking Sticks – U$:15 (pair)
- Sleeping Bag: U$:25
Upgrades
- Return Hiram Bingham Train– U$: 580 per person
- Return Vistadome Train – U$: 90 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – U$: 345 Per person
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – U$: 90 Per person
Map (Salkantay Trek 04 days)
Salkantay Trek 4 Days – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Salkantay Trek 4 Days?
The Salkantay Trek 4 Days is one of the most popular alternative routes to Machu Picchu. This adventure takes hikers through stunning Andean landscapes, snow-capped mountains, cloud forests, and tropical valleys before reaching the Inca citadel.
How difficult is the Salkantay Trek 4 Days?
The trek is considered moderately challenging to difficult. Hikers should be prepared for long walking days, steep ascents, and high-altitude conditions, especially when crossing the Salkantay Pass at over 4,600 meters (15,091 feet).
Do I need previous trekking experience?
Previous trekking experience is helpful but not mandatory. A good level of fitness and some preparation through regular walking, hiking, or cardio exercise is recommended.
What is the highest point of the trek?
The highest point is the Salkantay Pass, located at approximately 4,630 meters (15,190 feet) above sea level.
How far is the Salkantay Trek 4 Days?
The total trekking distance is approximately 60–70 kilometers (37–43 miles), depending on the itinerary and operator.
Is altitude sickness a concern?
Yes. Since the trek reaches high elevations, some travelers may experience mild altitude symptoms. Spending at least 2–3 days in Cusco before the trek is highly recommended for acclimatization.
What is included in a typical Salkantay Trek package?
Most packages include:
- Professional guide
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals during the trek
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Return transportation
Inclusions may vary by operator.
What should I pack for the Salkantay Trek?
Essential items include:
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm layers
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Personal medications
- Passport
What is the best time to hike the Salkantay Trek?
The best months are from April to October during the dry season. Clear skies and better trail conditions make hiking more enjoyable.
Can I hike the Salkantay Trek during the rainy season?
Yes, but from November to March trails may be muddy and weather conditions less predictable. Proper waterproof gear is essential.
Is the Salkantay Trek open all year?
Yes, unlike the classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is generally available throughout the year, weather permitting.
Are permits required for the Salkantay Trek?
No special trekking permit is required for the Salkantay route itself. However, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be secured in advance.
How do I get to Machu Picchu at the end of the trek?
Most itineraries include transportation to Aguas Calientes, followed by a guided visit to Machu Picchu on the final day.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, but these additional hikes require separate tickets that should be booked well in advance due to limited availability.
What type of accommodation is provided?
Accommodation varies by operator and may include mountain lodges, eco-domes, campsites, or hotels in Aguas Calientes.
Are meals included?
Most tours include breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek, with vegetarian, vegan, and dietary options available upon request.
Is drinking water provided?
Most operators provide filtered or boiled water during the trek. Bringing a reusable water bottle or hydration pack is recommended.
Can children join the Salkantay Trek?
Yes, physically active children can participate, although the trek is generally recommended for ages 10 and above due to the difficulty and altitude.
Is travel insurance recommended?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking, medical emergencies, and trip interruptions is strongly recommended.
Why choose the Salkantay Trek instead of the Inca Trail?
The Salkantay Trek offers:
- Fewer crowds
- Spectacular mountain scenery
- Flexible departure dates
- Diverse ecosystems
- No limited trekking permits
Many travelers consider it one of the most scenic routes to Machu Picchu.
How far in advance should I book?
Booking 2–6 months in advance is recommended, especially during the high season (May–September) and if you want additional tickets such as Huayna Picchu.
Is the Salkantay Trek worth it?
Absolutely. The combination of dramatic Andean landscapes, cultural experiences, and the arrival at Machu Picchu makes the Salkantay Trek one of the most rewarding adventures in Peru.
