Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
Lunch
Horseman and mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker. (This includes 3 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4 kilos of personal items.
Car Transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric Station
Dinner
Breakfast
Van Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of trek)
Meals: 3B/3L/3D/2 snacks with typical menus
1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
Camping Accommodation during trek (including Basic Sleeping Pad & tent for 2 people)
Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 4
First Aid kit
Emergency oxygen bottle
Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
Foam Sleeping Mat
Tourist Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Day 1 Breakfast, Day 4 Lunch and Dinner, Bottled Water
Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
Optional Services
Accommodation in Cuzco
Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker
Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker
Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group
Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.
Trekking Permit Salkantay Trail
Machu Picchu
Train transfer from hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
Optional Huayna Picchu Trek
Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike
Optional Sleeping bag rental
Child prices by age band are shown at checkout. Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 8 November 2026.
Reviews
4.7
36 ratings Guidekin & Tripadvisor
94% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 34 of 36
Star breakdown of all 36 ratings
5 stars
31 · 86%
4 stars
3 · 8%
3 stars
0 · 0%
2 stars
1 · 3%
1 star
1 · 3%
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise the guides, meals and mountain scenery; steep climbs at altitude make this a demanding trek.
Praised
Guides explain Inca history, local plants and culture
Patient encouragement and walking pace adapted to the group
Generous portions of well prepared Peruvian food
Mountain scenery and views along the Salkantay trail
Complaints
Steep climbs and high altitude make the trek physically demanding
Written by Guidekin from the 31 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor (15 April 2018 to 8 November 2024). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 8 November 2026.
Latest reviews
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Ratings collected from Guidekin & Tripadvisor.
Meeting point and route
Meeting point
Departure
05:30 on Tue, Sat; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Operator
Bamba Travel; booking and payment are completed on Viator
About this tour, from the operator
Forget the Inca Trail and hike to Machu Picchu along the higher and more beautiful Salkantay Trail! Embark on a challenging 4-day trek along the alternative Salkantay route, crossing over a 4,650 meters high pass where you can marvel at the Salkantay and Humantay peaks standing over 6,000 meters high. Hike along this unspoiled trail, passing through the villages of Soraypampa and Santa Teresa, to discover indigenous mountain communities. See the 'Lost City of the Incas' in the early morning light after having spent time in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Highlights: -Hike among 6,000m Andean peaks -Cross snowy high passes with incredible views -Reach the comfort of Aguas Calientes town -See the Machu Picchu site as it opens with a guide
Walking, children and accessibility
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
Walking and health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it is important to be in good physical condition. There are important temperature changes associated with altitude changes (from 4000 meters to 2000 meters).
Children
Minimum age is 7 years
As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Accommodation Options: Single travelers will share a tent/room with another traveler and couples will have a tent/room to themselves.
Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration.
Good to know
Food included Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Age rule Minimum age is 7 years
Non-refundable no free cancellation
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days: No refund
Compared with other Salkantay Treks
Tour
Price
Duration
Rating
Group
This tour · #29 of 33
€738
4 days
4.72 (36)
shared
Salkantay Trek 5D/4N with Glass Cabins, Sky Domes & Hobbit House
€633
5 days
4.99 (2916)
shared
Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike
€692
5 days
4.98 (5396)
shared
Salkantay Premium Trek 5 Days: Glamping Adventure to Machu Picchu
€1157
5 days
4.98 (1491)
shared
Ranked #29 of 33 in Salkantay Treks by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €246 to €1749, median €633; typical length 5 days. 2 of 33 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 33 Salkantay Treks