5-Day Salkantay Trek to MachuPicchu with Optional Hot Spring Bath

Mountain passes, jungle paths, and one great finish. This five-day Salkantay Trek links Cusco with Machu Picchu through some of Peru’s most dramatic scenery, from the icy heights near Salkantay Mountain to warm forests and coffee-growing country. I like the mix of demanding hiking and practical support, including meals, camping equipment, a guide, Machu Picchu admission, and the return train.

I also like the small group limit of 10 people, which should make the long days easier to manage than on a large coach-style outing. The main drawback is the altitude and early starts: the first campsite sits at 3,920 meters, while the high pass reaches 4,650 meters. Add extra costs for the Humantay Lake entrance, buses, sleeping bag, walking sticks, and optional activities.

Key points to know before you book

• The first two days are the toughest: You reach 4,650 meters on Day 2, after sleeping at the coldest camp of the trip.
• Humantay Lake adds a demanding side hike: Allow about three hours round trip from Soraypampa.
• The scenery changes quickly: Snow-capped peaks give way to waterfalls, tropical plants, river crossings, and warmer jungle.
• Llactapata gives you an early view of Machu Picchu: This Inca site sits across the valley from the famous citadel.
• The $650 price covers the main framework: Transport, four lunches, four breakfasts, four dinners, camping, a hostel, guide services, entrance to Machu Picchu, and the return train are included.
• Budget for extras: The Humantay Lake fee is $7, a sleeping bag costs $30 to rent, walking sticks cost $20, and the Machu Picchu shuttle bus costs $24 round trip.

What the $650 Salkantay package really includes

At $650 per person, this is not a bare-bones hike. The fee covers tourist transportation from Cusco to the trailhead, a local certified guide, a cook and cooking equipment, three nights of camping, one night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes, meals from breakfast on Day 1 through dinner on Day 4, Machu Picchu admission, and the 18:20 Perurail train to Ollantaytambo.

The return journey is also organized. After the train, a bus takes you from Ollantaytambo to the San Francisco Plaza area of Cusco. That saves you from arranging separate transport at the end of an exhausting five-day trip.

Still, read the inclusions carefully. Your first breakfast is not included, and you need to buy your own lunch on the final day. The $650 price also does not cover the Humantay Lake entrance, the bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, sleeping bags, walking sticks, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or the optional hot springs and zip line.

The package includes a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, but not the more expensive optional train connection from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu town. That detail may not affect this standard five-day route, but it is worth clarifying before departure so you know which transport plan applies to your booking.

Day 1: Soraypampa and the climb to Humantay Lake

Your day begins before sunrise, with pickup between 4:45 and 5:00 am. The group takes a tourist-class bus to Mollepata at 2,900 meters, where you can stretch your legs and buy snacks. From there, a car continues to Challacancha for final equipment checks and trail preparations.

The first main walk takes about three hours to Soraypampa, at 3,920 meters. Lunch comes with broad views of snow-capped mountains, but do not mistake the early hours for an easy warm-up. At this altitude, even a steady uphill path can feel slow, especially if you have just arrived in the Cusco region.

After lunch, you hike to Laguna de Humantay. The walk takes about 1.5 hours each way, so the side trip adds roughly three hours to the day. The lake and surrounding Andean peaks provide the first major payoff of the trek, but the return to camp can feel tough after the morning walk.

Your first camp at Soraypampa is the highest and coldest of the journey, at 3,920 meters. Dinner is included, and an early night makes sense. Pack warm layers, gloves, and a hat where you can reach them quickly. The provided information does not state that sleeping bags are included, so plan on renting one in Cusco for $30 unless your operator confirms otherwise.

There is also a $7 entrance fee for Humantay Lake. It is listed separately from the tour price, so keep small cash available for this stop.

Day 2: The 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass

Day 2 is the physical centerpiece. Breakfast is served around 5:00 am, followed by a four-hour climb to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters.

The pass sits between Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 6,267 meters, and Humantay Mountain, at 5,900 meters. You may encounter snow, and the views of these two peaks are the kind that justify the hard work. The air will be thin, though, and your pace may need to be slow.

A horse can be rented for approximately $100 to $120 to help reach the high pass. This is a major extra expense, but it may be useful if altitude affects you. The information provided does not explain how long the horse can be used or whether availability is guaranteed, so ask your guide before relying on this option.

After the pass, the route drops for about two hours to Huayracpampa, where lunch is served. The downhill section gives your lungs a break, but it can be hard on knees and ankles. Trekking poles, rented for $20, are worth considering for both the steep climb and the descent.

The final three hours lead toward Challhuay or Colcapampa, near the beginning of the high jungle at about 2,900 meters. This is a long day of roughly 10 hours. The reward is a lower, warmer setting after the cold first night, but you should expect to finish tired.

Day 3: Rivers, waterfalls, and Santa Teresa

The route changes character on Day 3. After breakfast at 6:00 am, you continue through upper jungle terrain, crossing the Santa Teresa River and several smaller streams.

The walking day lasts about six hours. You pass waterfalls, tropical fruits, and jungle plants, with a warmer climate replacing the stark mountain conditions of the first two days. This shift is one of the best reasons to choose the Salkantay route. You are not walking through one repeated type of scenery for five days.

Lunch is served at La Playa, at about 2,200 meters. From there, a car takes you to Santa Teresa, which sits at 1,700 meters. You will notice the temperature change, and the town offers a more comfortable pause after the high pass and long descent.

In Santa Teresa, you can pay extra for a zip line or visit the local hot springs. The hot spring bath is the gentler choice after three hard days. It gives your legs a chance to relax without adding another major climb. The price is not included, so ask your guide for the current cost before choosing.

Dinner is included, as is the night’s camp. The details do not specify the exact camping setup in Santa Teresa, so I would confirm whether bedding, showers, and other comforts are available before you leave Cusco.

Day 4: Llactapata and the first view of Machu Picchu

Day 4 starts around 5:00 am with a drive to Lucmabamba. The hike then follows part of an original Inca trail, with a two-hour uphill climb toward Llactapata.

Llactapata is an Inca archaeological site across the valley from Machu Picchu. It gives you a valuable preview of the final destination before you reach the citadel itself. The route also includes views toward the Santa Teresa Valley and ancient stonework connected with solar observation.

One unusual detail along the path is a rock used as a sundial. It worked together with the sundial stone at Machu Picchu to mark the winter solstice and the start of the farming season for the Incas. Your guide explains these features while you stop for photographs.

After Llactapata, you descend toward the railway tracks leading to Aguas Calientes. The day includes about 10 hours of walking and travel, so it is not simply a short sightseeing stroll. You will reach the small town, eat dinner at a restaurant, and sleep in a hostel downtown.

The hostel night is a practical change from camping. It also puts you near the final day’s transport, though the information does not specify the hostel’s name or room arrangements. If a private room matters to you, ask before booking.

Day 5: Machu Picchu at first light

The final day begins with breakfast and an early start. You can hike up to Machu Picchu or take one of the first buses, beginning at 5:30 am. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes to the checkpoint, and the bus fare is an extra $24 round trip.

The early timing is useful. It gives you a better chance to see the citadel before the day’s full crowds and leaves time for the guided visit. Your guide spends about two hours introducing you to Machu Picchu, including time at a scenic spot for sunrise views and photographs.

Machu Picchu admission is included, which is important because entrance arrangements can be complicated and availability is limited. The package does not include Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Either hike must be booked ahead, and Huayna Picchu is listed at $90 per person with a round trip of no more than three hours.

After the guided visit, you have free time. You should plan your return carefully because the train leaves Aguas Calientes at either 18:20 or 19:00, with the included ticket specified as the 18:20 Perurail departure. You can return to town around noon, buy lunch, and still have several hours before the train.

The train takes about two hours to Ollantaytambo. A bus then continues to Cusco, with drop-off near San Francisco Plaza. It is a long final day, but the organized connection is far easier than trying to piece together transport after the Machu Picchu visit.

Fitness, altitude, and what to pack

You need a strong level of physical fitness for this trip. The toughest sections are not only the high pass and the Humantay Lake climb. Several days combine many hours of walking with early departures, uneven paths, downhill sections, and changes in temperature.

Altitude is the main concern. You sleep at 3,920 meters on the first night and climb to 4,650 meters the next day. The tour does not state how many acclimatization days are recommended before departure, so you should ask your doctor or tour provider for personal advice before booking.

Bring warm clothing for Soraypampa, lighter clothing for Santa Teresa, sturdy walking shoes, rain protection, sun protection, and a small daypack. Walking sticks can be rented for $20, and extra luggage may be left at your hotel or the operator’s office during the trek.

Meals are included for four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. You should also report other dietary requirements at that time, since meals are prepared during the trek by the cook and kitchen team.

Group size, guide support, and practical timing

The group is limited to a maximum of 10 people. That is a useful size for a route with long days and changing conditions. It should also make it easier to hear your guide and keep the group together on narrow or steep sections.

A pre-trek briefing is included. Use it to check the daily plan, equipment, rental options, meal arrangements, and the return transport. You will need to provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiration date, and country at booking.

The meeting time is listed as 4:30 am, while pickup is given as 4:45 to 5:00 am. Treat the earlier time as the safer target. Being ready early matters when the route begins with a long drive.

The experience has a 4.4 rating from 15 ratings. The warmest praise centers on kind treatment, good food, beautiful views, and the satisfaction of overcoming a real physical challenge. A Portuguese-language note describes it as a memorable birthday experience, which fits this trek well: it is more demanding than a standard Machu Picchu day trip, but also more rewarding for someone who wants the journey to matter.

Cancellation and booking details to weigh

This booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid is not returned. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

That strict policy makes travel insurance worth considering, particularly because altitude, illness, and flight delays can affect a Peru itinerary. Confirmation is received at booking, and dietary requests should be made at the same time.

Who should book this Salkantay Trek?

I would choose this trek if you want Machu Picchu to be the end of a physical journey rather than a stand-alone attraction. You get snow-capped peaks, a high pass, a glacial lake, jungle vegetation, waterfalls, an Inca site, camping, and a guided visit to the citadel.

It suits fit hikers who can handle early mornings and altitude. It is less suitable if you want relaxed sightseeing, hotel comfort every night, or a flexible cancellation policy. The optional hot springs are a nice recovery tool, but they do not turn the trip into an easy holiday.

At $650, the value is strongest if you use the included meals, guide, camping support, Machu Picchu ticket, train, and Cusco transfer. Add at least the Humantay fee, a sleeping bag if needed, the Machu Picchu bus if you do not want to walk, and money for lunch on the final day. The optional mountain hikes and Santa Teresa activities can push the total higher.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a demanding route with changing scenery and a small group, and if you value having the major logistics arranged. The best moments are likely to be the Humantay Lake views, the Salkantay Pass, the warm forests near Santa Teresa, and the surprise of seeing Machu Picchu from Llactapata before the final visit.

Skip it if you are not prepared for high altitude, a 4,650-meter pass, cold camping, and several 10-hour days. For the right hiker, the challenge is the point, and the included transport and meals make the $650 cost reasonable despite the extra fees.

FAQ

How long is the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts approximately five days.

What time does the tour begin?

The meeting time is 4:30 am, with pickup scheduled between 4:45 and 5:00 am on the first day.

What is the highest point of the trek?

The highest point is the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters, between Salkantay Mountain and Humantay Mountain.

Is the Humantay Lake entrance included?

No. The Humantay Lake entrance fee is listed separately at $7 per person.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners are included. Breakfast on the first day and lunch and dinner on the final day are not included.

Is transportation to Machu Picchu included?

Machu Picchu admission and the return Perurail train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo are included. The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu costs an additional $24 round trip.

Can I visit Huayna Picchu?

Yes, but the hike is optional, must be booked in advance, and costs $90 per person. The round trip takes no more than three hours.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 people.