Trek beneath Salkantay mountain towards Machu Picchu, sleeping two to a tent designed for four.
Meals, a guide and dining and toilet tents are included; sleeping bags, poles and the Machu Picchu bus are extra. 5 from 53 reviews at €629 per person for 5 days.
In our comparison: #13 of 33 in Salkantay Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to either Ollantaytambo or to Poroy
Mattress and pillow
Hot water for washing.
Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soraypampa on day 1
Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
Emergency horse in case we need it
Coffee plantation tour in the afternoon of day 3
Kitchen tent
Horse to carry 8 kg of your personal belongings
Expert chef and assistant chef
Duffle bag to pack your personal belongings
Lodging in Aguas Calientes on night 4 of the trek (double occupancy)
Sleeping bag
Day 5 lunch in Aguas Calientes
Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
Hiking poles
Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
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
5.0
53 ratings Guidekin & Tripadvisor
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 53 of 53
Star breakdown of all 53 ratings
5 stars
53 · 100%
4 stars
0 · 0%
3 stars
0 · 0%
2 stars
0 · 0%
1 star
0 · 0%
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise the guides, camp meals and organisation, but altitude makes the opening climbs demanding.
Praised
Guides explain Inca history, local plants and wildlife
Plentiful camp meals with allergies and dietary needs accommodated
Well organised logistics and responsive communication before departure
Comfortable tents and good quality sleeping equipment
Varied scenery from high mountains to rainforest valleys
Complaints
High altitude makes the opening climbs strenuous
Poor weather can make the hiking more difficult
Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor (30 November 2018 to 4 September 2026). 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
04:30 daily; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Operator
Action Peru Treks; booking and payment are completed on Viator
About this tour, from the operator
This trek runs beneath the magnificent Salkantay mountain (20,569ft), one of the highest and most stunning in the Andes. The Salkantay Trek was recently named on the National Geographic Ultimate Adventure bucket list – defined as “The 20 most extreme, hair-raising, legendary adventures on the planet.” It is a trek open to everybody, and the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail trek.
This offers 4 days of trekking through various landscapes including highlands, cloud forest, rain forest and dry mountain. Throughout the trek you have amazing views of Apu Salkantay, Pumasillo Mountain and Humantay Mountain, three of the most stunning peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain range.
Our trek includes the services of lodging in a very nice hotel on the fourth night of the trek, a very unique coffee plantation tour in the afternoon of day 3, and dinner at great local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
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 at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
Accessibility
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
What to bring:
Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
Head lamp
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Book to read (you will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book)
Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
Insect repellent
Good to know
Min. 4 to book not for solo travellers
Food included Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days: Full refund
0-1 days: No refund
Compared with other Salkantay Treks
Tour
Price
Duration
Rating
Group
This tour · #13 of 33
€629
5 days
5.0 (53)
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 #13 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