
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days worth booking?
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days is a 120-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $635 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 5 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (5)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $635 per person
Trek one of the most spectacular trekking routes in Peru for 5 days to Machu Picchu. This itinerary combines Laguna Humantay, the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m, cloud forest, a local coffee experience in Lucmabamba, and the Llactapata viewpoint, from where you can view Machu Picchu before arriving in Aguas Calientes. You will travel with a bilingual guide, with transport for up to 7 kg of luggage, meals during the route, and accommodations selected from domes, local lodging, and hotels. An alternative to the Inca Trail for those seeking trekking, nature, and Andean culture in a single experience.
What you get
About this experience
Trek one of the most spectacular trekking routes in Peru for 5 days to Machu Picchu. This itinerary combines Laguna Humantay, the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 m, cloud forest, a local coffee experience in Lucmabamba, and the Llactapata viewpoint, from where you can view Machu Picchu before arriving in Aguas Calientes. You will travel with a bilingual guide, with transport for up to 7 kg of luggage, meals during the route, and accommodations selected from domes, local lodging, and hotels. An alternative to the Inca Trail for those seeking trekking, nature, and Andean culture in a single experience.
What's included
Included
- Cook and kitchen staff, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners)
- Tourist train from Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo and transport to Cusco.
- Lunch
- Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to Mollepata (Challacancha).
- Pre-briefing at 7pm in our office 1 or 2 days before your departure date
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Tea time and snack every day (tea, coffee, wonton, popcorn, cracker)
- Transportation from Lucmabamba to the Hydroelectric Power Plant (only for equipment and each person's bag).
- Emergency horse (from Marcoccasa to Chaullay).
- Muleteer and mules for up to 7 kg of the client's personal equipment
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
- Entrance to Salkantay National Park and Machu Picchu
- Hotel with private room and bathroom in the town of Aguas Calientes with breakfast included
- Camping equipment (dining tent equipped with table and chairs)
Not included
- Tourist Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town ($12.00 dollars additional cost)
- Sleeping bag (cost is $20.00 for the entire trip).
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cusco
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 2 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Dreamy Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable
Serious company, committed and dedicated to offering an amazing experience to tourists. I like it! Mainly door to door. We picked up to start the adventure and then left us at the hotel door. I recommend the Dreamy Tours team
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Very rewarding experience
It was a unique experience, the service was great, very friendly and fulfilled everything, I am satisfied.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Best travel of my life.
First I want to thank Juliana that was in contact with me always, all the clarifications before the trip, before leaving Brazil had already bought everything from the list. Arriving there we have a meeting with the agency and the guide oque was very important, to clarify how would be the 5 days of the track, I got all the tickets and a taxi back to the hotel from the bus terminal. Get ready for the Trail as the first 2 days are tough. All the wonderful meals. Thank you for the journey of my life.
Response from the operator: Hola Evelyn como estas? Muchas gracias por su comentario y por confiar en nosotros para una experiencia tan importante. Nos alegra saber que el acompañamiento previo, la organización del viaje y cada detalle de la ruta estuvieron a la altura de sus expectativas. Ha sido un placer ser parte de un recuerdo tan especial
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Incredible experience. All very well organized by the agency.
All very organized and quality. An incredible experience. The only point that was missing was the photos of the accommodation, which only one was the same as the photo, in two were different accommodations than I expected. But still, they were good accommodations. Day 4 hotel and restaurant were amazing, amazing.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
I did the 4-day Salkantay to Machu Picchu tour with Dreamy tours. Towering landscapes! An experience to treasure. The 2nd day was the best, we reached 4629msnm at the Salkantay Open. On the 3rd day we started the descent to Aguas Calientes through a wonderful jungle landscape. The last section along the tracks is 10 km to the village where you can see the figure of the Inca that the mountains Machu Picchu and Waynapicchu draw but nothing more. I appreciate the attention of Zaida from Dreamy tours, always pending, attentive and with much love. I booked the tour from Argentina as a leap of faith and the security that Lia and Zaida provided made a difference to relaxingly enjoy this adventure! He advised to consult for the 5 day tour, the last one comes to the sun gate. I did the Waynapicchu on the 4th day, stairs and stairs leading to the highest point where the reward is the stunning view of the city of the sun! Unmissable!!!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days cost?
+
Prices start at $635 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days take?
+
Plan for about 120 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days?
+
No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 120-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days?
+
Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
+
On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Full-Day Humantay Lake Trek (Meals Included), Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days?
+
Included: Cook and kitchen staff, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners); Tourist train from Machu Picchu town to Ollantaytambo and transport to Cusco; Lunch; Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to Mollepata (Challacancha); and Pre-briefing at 7pm in our office 1 or 2 days before your departure date. Not included: Tourist Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town ($12.00 dollars additional cost); and Sleeping bag (cost is $20.00 for the entire trip). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Cusco. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cusco. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days?
+
Across 5 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, the guide, organization. The views and photo stops come up again and again. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days.
Pick your date




