Follow the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, with a road transfer from La Playa to Santa Teresa.
Mules carry camping gear and luggage, and return buses to Machu Picchu are included; bus and train transfers are unguided. 4.92 from 39 reviews at €726 per person for 5 days.
In our comparison: #20 of 33 in Salkantay Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Car Transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa
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.
Dinner
Breakfast
Van Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of trek)
Meals: 4B/4L/4D/3 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
Emergency oxygen bottle
Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
Tourist Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Airport Pick-Up / Drop Off
Sleeping bag
Day 1 Breakfast, Day 5 Lunch, Bottled Water
Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
Optional Hot Springs Santa Teresa (20 soles)
Optional Bus transfer from Santa Teresa to the Hydroelectric Station (10 soles)
Optional Train transfer from Hydroelectric Station to Aguas Calientes (28 USD)
Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
Accommodation in Cusco
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 wish to give a tip, these are our recommendations.) 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
Note: In 2017, the Peruvian government may require a permit for Salkantay. If this is approved, the rates will be around: 133 Soles ($USD 41) Adult and 67 Soles ($USD 21) Student
Note: Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
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
4.9
39 ratings Tripadvisor 37 · Viator 2
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 39 of 39
Star breakdown of all 39 ratings
5 stars
36 · 92%
4 stars
3 · 8%
3 stars
0 · 0%
2 stars
0 · 0%
1 star
0 · 0%
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise the guides, meals and changing landscapes; the trek is physically demanding at altitude.
Praised
Guides share knowledge of Inca history, wildlife and local culture
Patient guides let hikers walk at a pace that suits them
Varied, filling meals prepared during the trek
Changing scenery from mountains to jungle
Clear planning and well organised support throughout the trek
Complaints
The walking is strenuous, with altitude adding to the physical strain
Written by Guidekin from the 34 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor & Viator (13 May 2016 to 12 October 2024). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 8 November 2026.
Latest reviews
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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
Meeting point and route
Meeting point
Departure
05:00 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! Discover a different side of the great Andes mountain range and get the most amazing views of the mountains by taking this alternative route to Machu Picchu.
Walking, children and accessibility
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
Walking and health
Travelers should have at least a moderate 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).
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa Town (this activity is available at an additional price).
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.
Accessibility
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm depending on your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details.
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECK-IN: Please make sure to check-in with your passport before your pre-departure briefing. We encourage our travellers to check-in at our offices a couple of hours before or any day prior to the briefing , that way we can give everybody personal attention and information regarding booking extras, rental equipment or questions in general. Time schedule for meetings will be: - Inca Trail and Lares 6pm - Salkantay, Inca Quarry, Machu Picchu Jungle, Ausangate, Choquequirao 7pm - Inca Trail Express, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu by Train, Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Full Day 5pm Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Hours of Operation: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00 hrs Daily Tel: +51 84 205234 Emergency Tels: Darwin +51 9984 44933 - +51 9842 85801, Anderson +51 9231 25342
Accommodation Options: Single travelers will share a tent/room with another traveler & couples will have a tent/room to themselves. Day 4: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
Departure dates for trek: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday (Daily departures with a group of 4 or more). No Departures in January and February due to unfavorable climatic conditions.
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 Expiry - Must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking. Please be aware that your complete and correct passport information must be provided. Absolutely no modifications can be made once your booking has been confirmed. Any changes or discrepancies in the information provided will result in a complete loss of permits and entrance tickets, for which you will be held responsible and will need to pay for again.
Typical Meals on the Trek On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain. All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Deserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)
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 · #20 of 33
€726
5 days
4.92 (39)
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 #20 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