Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 39 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu worth booking?
Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu is a 120-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $797 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 39 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (39)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $797 per person
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 th
What you get
- Pre-departure briefing
- 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.
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- 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
Not included
- 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.
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 16 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bamba Travel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 7 years
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.)
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 39 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
39 verified traveler reviews for Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Truly beautiful trip
This Salkantay Trek is truly beautiful. This is a much less crowded trail than the Inca trail but the sights one gets to see are very beautiful. 5 days walking and finally get to Machu Picchu was the best reward!
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable trip with Bamba!
The Salkantay Trek choosing as the 5-day Inca Trail with Bamba Travel is incredible! We had a fantastic guide, Francisco who described a lot of historical features and ensured that was an excellent experience. It was amazing, the best part being, it was planned so well. Bamba Travel was phenomenal and overachieving, it was simply amazing.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect Trip
Thank you, Bamba Travel for making our Salkantay Trek Dream Come True. The tour guide was Junior and he made sure we felt protected and comfortable throughout the trip and even over came the problem of allergies. The whole team made countless memories because of Bamba’s fantastic team.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Salkantay trek!
Great experience to do the 5 day trekking! Salkantay trek has amazing views and continuously changing surroundings! The guide Anderson knows so much about the wildlife, history and culture that it was a big addition to our experience. So big shout out to him for the awesome time he gave us! Also Carlos was amazing with his delicious cooking skills, which resulted in a 3 meal course for lunch and dinner with local products! Overall very good trip, which is more that worth your time and everything well arranged!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic Trek with our guide Anderson!
We had a fantastic trip in a small group consisting of 3 participants, our guide Anderson and our chef Jorge. It was a tiring but equally impressive trip. The whole tour was very well planned and everything worked smoothly. Our guide Anderson told us a lot about the flora and fauna along the way, the history of the inca and the life in peru today. He always paid attention to all team members. The food in the trip was always delicious. We saw so many beautiful landscapes on this Trek. And at the last day we were one of the first in the morning (6 p.m.) arriving at Machu Picchu, without many tourists and a beautiful sunrise - an unforgettable experience. Thanks to our tour-operator Bamba and especially to our Guide Anderson and our chef Jorge.
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this amazing review, we are thrilled to hear that enjoyed this awesome experience. We are so glad you like Anderson's work! We’ll pass along the kind words to him and his team. We hope you think of us as your first option for your next adventure, we will be glad to help. Best regards, Pedro Ferraez
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 7+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Bamba Travel, who run 25 experiences we rank across 11 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 49.4.
See everything Bamba Travel runsWhy this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu cost?
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Prices start at $797 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 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu take?
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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 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 39 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 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu?
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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 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 7. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 120-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu?
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Around 14 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?
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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 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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