---
title: Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 619
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.98
reviews: 129
duration_minutes: 4320
languages: [en, es]
rank_in_category: 9 of 33 (Salkantay Treks)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/salkantay-trek-challenge-3-days-2-nights/
---

# Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights

**Guidekin's take:** Trek past Salkantay Mountain into cloud forest, with nights in Andean huts and Aguas Calientes before Machu Picchu. Guiding, hotel transfers and a return train to Ollantaytambo are included; a high level of fitness is required. 4.98 from 129 reviews at €619 per person for 3 days.

In our comparison: #9 of 33 in Salkantay Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

The Salkantay Trek Challenge covers 49 km (31 miles) to Machu Picchu in just 3 days, offering the highlights of the classic route in a shorter timeframe. Hike past the impressive Salkantay Mountain, cross rugged Andean highlands, and descend into lush cloud forest valleys. Enjoy comfortable nights at exclusive Andean huts and in Aguas Calientes before reaching the legendary Lost City of the Incas.

• 3-day trek along the Salkantay Trail, the best alternative to the Inca Trail
• Epic photo opportunities at the Salkantay Glacier Mountain
• Trek from high-altitude Andes to cloud forest landscapes in just two days
• Stay at exclusive campsites in small groups
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu with a professional guide

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Starts 03:00: one departure a day
- Food included: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Non-refundable: no free cancellation

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €619 per person for the Salkantay Trek Challenge 3 days option; other options up to €711
- Duration: 3 days
- Rating: 4.98/5 from 129 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Operator: Salkantay Trekking
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 03:00
- Booking: Confirmation within 48 hours, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.98 from 129 ratings on Guidekin & Tripadvisor.
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 129 of 129.

- 5 stars: 126 (98%)
- 4 stars: 3 (2%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise supportive guides, meals and varied scenery; the trek is physically demanding, especially at altitude

**Praised:**
- Patient guides who encourage hikers and adapt to different walking speeds
- Explanations of local history, culture and the landscapes along the trail
- Meals that travellers find tasty and well prepared
- Varied scenery across mountains, jungle and Machu Picchu
- Well organised logistics that let hikers focus on the trek

**Complaints:**
- Steep climbing and altitude make the trek physically demanding
- Very early starts at the beginning of the trek

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor (2025-01-16 to 2026-10-13); last checked 2026-11-08.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salkantay Trek Challenge 3 days | €619 / person | Spanish, English | Pickup included |
| With Huchuy Picchu Mountain | €692 / person | Spanish, English | Huchuy Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included |
| With Machu Picchu Mountain | €711 / person | Spanish, English | Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included |
| With Huayna Picchu Mountain | €711 / person | Spanish, English | Huayna Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included |

## What's included

- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Experienced Mountain Guide
- Lunch
- Tourist Class Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (The voyager or Expedition)
- Dinner
- Backpack cover
- Breakfast
- Experienced cooks, horsemen and porters
- Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)

## Not included

- Optional train transfer Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (paid directly to the train operator)
- Optional return bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (paid directly to the bus operator, on site)
- Personal Hiking Clothing and gear
- Lunch and Dinner on the last day
- Travel Insurance (Recommended)
- Tips for the staff (Optional)

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 03:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

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

## Good to know

- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
- Machu Picchu permits are limited and can sell out several months in advance. We recommend booking at least 5 months ahead for travel between May and August
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
- Solo travelers are welcome and can join shared groups. No minimum participants required. Most departures are guaranteed.
- Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
- Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required

## Compared with other Salkantay Treks

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #9 of 33** | €619 | 3 days | 4.98 (129) | shared |
| [Salkantay Trek 5D/4N with Glass Cabins, Sky Domes & Hobbit House](/peru/cusco/tours/salkantay-trek-5d-4n-with-glass-cabins-sky-domes-hobbit-house/?format=md) | €633 | 5 days | 4.99 (2916) | shared |
| [Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike](/peru/cusco/tours/classic-5-day-salkantay-trek-to-machu-picchu-small-group-hike/?format=md) | €692 | 5 days | 4.98 (5396) | shared |
| [Salkantay Premium Trek 5 Days: Glamping Adventure to Machu Picchu](/peru/cusco/tours/salkantay-premium-trek-5-days-glamping-adventure-to-machu-picchu/?format=md) | €1157 | 5 days | 4.98 (1491) | shared |

Ranked #9 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.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/salkantay-trek/?format=md

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