Salkantay Trail 4 days
Discover the mystical paths of the Incas, where every step tells a story of courage, tradition and unparalleled adventure.
Discover the Trail Get your Trail proposal
From lush green valleys to snow-capped peaks and the impressive Salkantay Glacier...
If the 5-day Salkantay Trail feels a little too challenging or you’re short on time, you can also opt for the 4-day version. The great thing is that you’ll still experience the highlights, including the breathtaking Salkantay Glacier and the stunning Humantay Lake.
This trail is known for its incredible variety of landscapes and changing scenery…
You’ll hike from lush green valleys to snow-capped mountain peaks, with the spectacular Salkantay Glacier as one of the highlights along the way. A true must for nature lovers! The Trail is best suited to hikers with a good level of fitness and some previous experience with multi-day hikes and/or long mountain walks.
Why the 4-Day Salkantay Trail?
- Spend 2 nights in unique domes with views of the star-filled night sky
- Stay at private campsites, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in nature
- Opportunity to hike to Humantay Lake (Day 1)
- Visit a coffee plantation (Day 3)
Good to know
- Arrival: There is no arrival at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
- Guided tour: We always combine this trail with an extensive guided tour of Machu Picchu via Circuit 2 or 3B.
What can you expect?
- Duration: 4 days
- Total distance: 60 kilometres
- Average hiking time per day: 9 hours
- Highest point along the route: 4,600 metres
What do we arrange for you?
- Briefing 1–2 days before the tour
- Transportation to the starting point of the Salkantay Trail
- Entrance tickets for Machu Picchu and the Salkantay Trail
- English-speaking guide throughout the 4-day trek
- Cook providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 3 days (special dietary requirements can also be accommodated)
- Clean, boiled drinking water with every meal where there is no opportunity to purchase water
- Camping equipment: two-person tents, sleeping mats, and a dining tent
- Donkeys to carry your camping equipment and up to 6 kg of your personal belongings
- Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes on Day 3, including breakfast
- One-way bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Return transportation from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (train + taxi)
What is not included?
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4
- Sleeping bags (available for rent from us at an additional cost)
- Entrance to the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
- Train from the end point of the Salkantay Trail to Aguas Calientes (optional on Day 3)
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Preparation
Everything you need to know before starting your Salkantay Trail
Proper preparation is the key to an unforgettable journey. That’s why we help you take the right steps from the moment you book, guiding you toward your ultimate Salkantay Trail adventure!
Numbers
The Salkantay Trail in numbers and challenges
Explore the legendary Trail that has challenged adventurers for generations
4600
Meters
Highest mountain pass on the Trail
4
Day hike
Full Trail from start to Machu Picchu
21
Kilometers
Longest hiking day (Day 2)
“Together with my boyfriend, I hiked the Salkantay Trail. The preparation in the Netherlands with Jessie and Jorge was very pleasant, with smooth communication and clear information throughout. The Trek itself was excellently organised by the Peruvian team. We can definitely recommend it — the scenery and nature are absolutely incredible! As relatively inexperienced hikers, we did find some of the hikes quite challenging. All in all, however, this Trek was the highlight of our three-week trip through Peru.”
Maureen Theunissen
Nederland
Why travel with Machu Picchu Travel?
Discover an unforgettable travel experience designed by local experts who know the Andes inside out. Our Trails are not just hikes—they are immersive journeys filled with stories, culture, and adventure.
- Benefit from years of hands-on Inca Trail guiding experience
- Book with confidence through a trusted European travel organization with financial guarantee
- Enjoy competitive pricing through direct partnerships with experienced local operators in Peru
- Travel on fully organized private tours tailored to your needs
- Support fair wages and responsible employment for all staff in Peru
Peruvian
Expert local guides
Our expert guides know every Trail, every stone, and every hidden path in the Andes. They bring the landscape to life with stories you won’t find in any travel guide. All of our guides are based in and around Cusco, with years of specialist experience in the region. And our porters? They are proudly from the surrounding Andean communities, sharing an authentic connection to the mountains they call home.
Adventure
Dedicated personal guidance
More than a route, we create a journey tailored to you. Whether you prefer private travel or an international group, everything is possible. We carefully plan every step with your adventure in mind.
Our guarantee
Trusted & Reliable
Our experienced guides are local experts as well as certified first aid professionals. Your safety is our absolute priority. As a European-based travel company, we offer you the reassurance of booking with a trusted partner.
Book your trip
Ready for the Salkantay Trail?
Ready for an adventure? We turn your dream trip into reality.
How to Book your Salkantay Trail?
- Fill in the form below
- We’ll email you as soon as possible to let you know if tickets are available for your preferred date.
- We’ll send you a booking confirmation with payment details.
- Once your deposit is made, we’ll secure the highly sought-after tickets for you!
You are interested in the following Trail or day trip/tour:
Salkantay Trail – 4 days
FAQ
Unlike the two- and four-day Inca Trail, there is no limit on the number of tickets available per day.
Although there is no limit on the number of tickets available per day, we still recommend booking your Salkantay Trail well in advance (3–6 months). This is because you will need a ticket for Machu Picchu, and those are limited per day.
The Salkantay Trail is generally more challenging than the Inca Trail. This is because you hike at higher altitudes and cover longer distances each day. In addition, the climate changes significantly throughout the trek. All of this makes the Salkantay Trail a more demanding trek than the Inca Trail.
If you book the Salkantay Trail with us, a guided tour of Machu Picchu is always included. You don’t need to buy a Machu Picchu ticket yourself.
If there are no guided tour tickets available for Machu Picchu on your arrival day (day 5), we will arrange an alternative date. With us, you cannot book the Salkantay Trail without a visit to Machu Picchu. In our view, a visit to Machu Picchu is truly the cherry on top! 😉
The biggest difference can be found on Day 3. On the 5-day Salkantay Trail, you’ll visit the archaeological site of Llactapata as well as the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. These are not included in the 4-day version.
The 4-day Salkantay Trail does, however, include a visit to Humantay Lake (Day 1), as well as spectacular views of the Salkantay Glacier.
