120 hours
2 languages
Private tour
Mobile ticket

Highlights

Discover Peru’s most scenic alternative to the Inca Trail on this 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with South Adventure Peru Tours. Hike beneath the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, passing through cloud forests, ancient Inca ruins, and traditional Quechua communities. Enjoy breathtaking views, freshly prepared meals, and rich cultural encounters each day. With moderate to challenging hikes and small group sizes, this off-the-beaten-path journey ends with a guided tour of Machu Picchu—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Perfect for adventurous travelers seeking nature, history, and fewer crowds. - Explore stunning landscapes from cloud forests to high mountains. - Enjoy local cuisine prepared by experienced cooks during the trek. - Small group sizes for a more intimate and personalized experience. - Includes all necessary permits, meals, and accommodation in Aguas Calientes.

Inclusions

What's included

Private transport from Poroy train station to hotel in Cusco
Experienced cook and all cooking equipment
4-person capacity tents (used by 2 travelers per tent for extra space)
Pre-information session the night before your hike
Lunch
All buffet meals during the trek (vegetarian options available)
Dinner
Sleeping mattress (Therm-a-Rest style)
Breakfast
Entrance to Machu Picchu (must be booked months in advance)
Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (3-star, hot shower & private bathroom)
English-speaking guide (2 guides provided for groups over 8 people)
Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead
Boiled water provided after every meal
3 nights of camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Expedition or Inca Rail)
Daily teatime (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuits)

What's not

Meals on Day 5: Lunch and dinner not included, but we’ll gladly recommend great restaurant options
Sleeping bag (rated to -20°C) for the trip. Can be rented from us

Cancellation

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

Reviews

5.0

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Pickup: Pickup is included for everyone.
Ticket type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by: South Adventure Peru Tours

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

How it compares in Cusco

Its from-price is 728% above the median of the 4460 experiences we list in Cusco.
It is longer than most of them.
By number of reviews it ranks 2377 of 4460.

About Cusco

Cusco, the old Inca capital high in the Peruvian Andes, blends massive stone walls with colonial churches and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.

The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, framed by the cathedral and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Inca stonework survives throughout the centre, most famously at the Qorikancha, the sun temple on which the Spanish built a monastery, and in the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. San Blas, the artisans' quarter, climbs steeply with workshops and cafés.

Top-ranked sights in Cusco: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo Ruins.

See all 4460 experiences in Cusco