5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu + Vistadome Train

5.0 (992 reviews) Cusco, Peru
Duration5 days
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Take on the Ultimate 5-day Salkantay Trek, the second most popular route to Machu Picchu. Hike past Humantay Lake, snowy peaks, cloud forest and coffee farms before reaching the citadel of Machu Picchu. Perfect for active travelers seeking stunning scenery, culture, and a rewarding challenge.

Why book with TreXperience
- Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator from Cusco city
- Smooth Transfers: Free airport pick-up and drop-off included
- Cultural Touches: Enjoy a Pachamanca & coffee experience
- Unique Stays: Sleep in glamping tents, Andean huts & 3-star hotel
- Camp at Llactapata with panoramic views of Machu Picchu
- Scenic Return: Ride back on exclusive panoramic Vistadome train
- Your trip supports local social projects.

What's included

  • Comfortable Stays: 2 nights camping, 1 night glamping and 1 night in a 3-star hotel
  • Hotel pick-up/drop-off, round-trip bus to Machu Picchu and return on Vistadome or 360° train
  • Lunch
  • Gear Support: Duffle bag (up to 7 kg/15 lb) and muleteers to carry your camping equipment
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu entrance tickets, Pachamanca cooking class and coffee experience
  • Safety briefing the day before and expert tour guide
  • Sleeping pad, pillow, rain poncho and hand towels provided
  • Gourmet Trail Meals: Prepared by expert chefs, water and daily snacks
  • Satellite phone, first-aid kit and oxygen tank for peace of mind
  • (Optional) Tickets for Machu Picchu Montaña or Waynapicchu, They must be booked well in advance. If you have them, please let us know.
  • (Optional) Mattress, sleeping bag and trekking poles. We’re happy to offer guidance.

What to expect

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake - Salkantay Glamping
  1. Cusco
    3h
    Begin your adventure with an early departure from Cusco, driving through the Andean highlands with sweeping views of valleys.
  2. 1h
    Stop in Mollepata, a charming mountain town, to enjoy a traditional breakfast. Continue to Challacancha, where the trek officially begins.
  3. 4h · Admission ticket included
    Hike gradually uphill, until reaching the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, set dramatically beneath glacial peaks.
  4. 1h
    After exploring and taking photos, descend to Soraypampa for a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, continue uphill to the exclusive TreXperience Salkantay Mountain Glamping, located at 4,150 m.
  5. 2h
    Spend the evening enjoying a warm dinner, panoramic mountain views and a sky full of stars before resting in your tent.
Day 2: Salkantaypampa - Wayracmachay - Collpapampa
  1. 2h
    Wake up to the crisp mountain air with hot coca tea or coffee served at your tent. After breakfast, begin the steep ascent to Abra Salkantay.
  2. 3h · Admission ticket included
    The Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) is the trek’s highest point, where the landscapes of glaciers, rugged peaks, and turquoise lakes create an unforgettable scene. Spend time taking in the views. Continue with a long downhill trek, stopping in Wayracmachay for lunch.
  3. Colcapampa
    4h
    Along the way, spot Andean wildlife such as vizcachas and falcons. After lunch, descend further as the landscape shifts from andean terrain to lush cloud forest, with waterfalls and warmer air. End the day at Colcapampa, where you’ll stay in rustic Andean huts and enjoy dinner surrounded by nature.
Day 3: Collpapampa - Pachamanca and Coffee experience - Llactapata
  1. Colcapampa
    3h
    Start the day with a hearty breakfast before trekking through the valley, crossing wooden bridges and passing small waterfalls and rivers. The warmer climate welcomes you with tropical plantations of granadilla, bananas and coca leaves.
  2. 3h
    Arrive at Lucmabamba, where a cultural experience awaits: participate in a Pachamanca barbecue, an ancient underground stone cooking tradition and visit an organic coffee farm. Learn how coffee is cultivated, roasted, and ground, before preparing your own fresh cup.
  3. 3h
    After lunch, begin a challenging but rewarding 3-hour climb along preserved Inca Trail paths leading to the Llactapata Archaeological Zone. From this remote site, enjoy one of the trek’s most special views: Machu Picchu in the distance across the valley. Camp here and watch the sunset over the mountains.
Day 4: Llactapata - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes Town
  1. 2h
    Wake up with coffee or tea while admiring a spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. After breakfast, descend for about two hours through lush vegetation, spotting orchids, hummingbirds, and butterflies along the way, until reaching Hidroeléctrica
  2. 3h
    Here, enjoy a final meal with your trekking chef and say goodbye to the support team. Continue on foot along the railway tracks beside the Urubamba River for approximately three hours. Stop at Mandor, a historic site where Hiram Bingham was guided toward Machu Picchu in 1911, and explore its botanical gardens rich in orchids and birdlife, including the cock-of-the-rock
  3. 4h
    By late afternoon, arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into a comfortable 3 star hotel, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Relax in the hot springs or explore the town before resting for the big day ahead.
Day 5: Machu Picchu - Retunr to Cusco
  1. 1h
    Rise early and take one of the first buses up to the Santuario Histórico de Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft).
  2. 2h · Admission ticket included
    Enter the citadel at sunrise for breathtaking views of its temples, terraces, and sacred plazas. Your guide will lead a 2–3 hour tour explaining the history and mysteries of this Inca masterpiece. If you pre-booked, hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views of the citadel and surrounding valleys. After exploring, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to collect your belongings
  3. Ollantaytambo
    3h
    Board the Vistadome Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, enjoying stunning landscapes through wide glass windows.
  4. Cusco
    2h
    From there, a private transfer returns you to Cusco, where your unforgettable Salkantay adventure comes to an end.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Travelers can also meet us at Regocijo Square around 4:30 a.m.; please coordinate this with us the day before the tour.

End point

Travelers can also meet us at Regocijo Square around 4:30 a.m.; please coordinate this with us the day before the tour.

Pickup details

We also offer early morning pickups from Airbnbs and other locations within Cusco’s Historic Center around 4:30 a.m.

Additional information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

5.0 (992)
From
$698.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
More activities in Cusco
From
$698.00 per person
Check availability