Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train worth booking?
Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train is a 96-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $410 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 7 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (7)
- Duration
- 96 hours
- From
- $410 per person
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is among Peru’s most iconic hiking adventures. Over four days, this group trek—led by a guide and supported by porters and a cook—takes you across diverse landscapes. Beginning in Cusco
What you get
- Transport of your luggage between accommodations (maximum 5 kg including sleeping bag)
- Entrance Mollepata and Humantay lagoon
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Return to Cuzco by train + minibus
About this experience
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is among Peru’s most iconic hiking adventures. Over four days, this group trek—led by a guide and supported by porters and a cook—takes you across diverse landscapes. Beginning in Cusco, the journey ascends into the majestic Andes with stunning views of Humantay Lake, then descends into lush cloud forests before reaching the legendary Machu Picchu. To complete the experience, you'll return to Cusco aboard the famous panoramic train. The tour is all-inclusive: it covers transportation from Cusco, two nights of camping, one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, all meals, a professional guide, and entry to Machu Picchu (based on the chosen package). You’ll only need to carry a light daypack, as your main luggage is transported for you—allowing you to fully enjoy the adventure. If you choose the option with entrance, you’ll be assigned the best available time slot and ticket type.
What's included
Included
- Transport of your luggage between accommodations (maximum 5 kg including sleeping bag)
- Entrance Mollepata and Humantay lagoon
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Return to Cuzco by train + minibus
- Lodging (3 nights camping + 1 night hotel)
- Professional guide Spanish / English
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket (depending on selected option)
Not included
- Day 4 lunch
- Water and snacks along the way
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Without Machu Picchu ticket
Pickup included
With Machu Picchu ticket
Best ticket available Pickup included
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Howlanders
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 at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Perfect
A very beautiful trek that went exceptionally well from start to finish; I recommend it 100%. Very beautiful landscapes throughout the journey; we were truly amazed!
Response from the operator: Hola! Un grand merci pour vos commentaires ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que votre randonnée s'est déroulée à la perfection du début à la fin et que vous avez été émerveillés par les paysages. Ce fut un plaisir de vous guider, et nous espérons avoir le plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau pour votre prochaine aventure ! Cordialement. L'équipe Howlanders.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Amazing 4 day Salkantay Trek
We did the 4 day Salkantay Trek and it was one of the best experiences ever! The nature, the treks, the accommodations, & the food were all above and beyond what we expected. But what really made the trip 10/10 was our incredible guide Willy. He was so incredibly knowledgable, helpful, confident, fun, & he really made our trekking group turn into a family. Our experience was profoundly impacted by having him as a guide, and I would 10/10 recommend KB Adventures to anyone. They were extremely organized, well-prepared, and professional.
Response from the operator: The Howlanders.com team would like to thank you for your kind review. We hope to see again!
via Tripadvisor
Very nice trekking with poor guidance
The Salkantay trek is very spectacular and varied. In four days you will hike from the glaciers into the tropical jungle. Highly recommended. The agency Howlanders included me in a group organized by KB Adventures. The group had both 4- and 5-day participants. Conclusion: 1. and 2. Day very good guidance, 3. Day poor leadership and 4. Day no guided tour (On your own).
Response from the operator: Dear Thomas, Thank you for sharing your comments. We are sorry to hear that the experience did not live up to your expectations. Please do not hesitate to contact comments@howlanders.com with more details or with any other comments, concerns or suggestions you would like to share. We would love to improve your experience and satisfaction by booking with Howlanders.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Dangerous and overpriced
We booked a 5-days Salkantay trek through Howlanders in ferbruary 2020. The tour was just not really as we expected, and we were very disappointed to be honest. The accommodations and the trek route was really good and this has nothing to do with those things. The biggest problem was the facilitation. We where put in a group consisting of 18 people (that is first of all 2 more than what they describe as the maximum amount of people to enjoy the tour). The amount and quality of the information we got was really bad and sometimes nonexistent. The two guides we had were unable to keep up with the pace of us and several others, which meant that we most of the time had to walk alone through the trek and wait 30 minutes for the first guide to arrive whenever we stopped. We know that the trek is pretty dangerous in February due to the mudslides and heavy stream in the river, and with no guidance close to us, we felt really unsafe. We heard about deadly accidents on that route, what could not have happened to us? We did not think that the price we paid was suitable for the service that was provided for us. Especially not now that we know that we paid almost 200 USD more than some of the other people we were trekking with. We tried to contact their customer care, but they have chosen not to answer.
Response from the operator: Hola Pernille! We are very sorry to hear that your experience wasn’t great. Prices might vary depending on the extras included and its schedule. In this case, the return by train at the best schedule was included, instead of by bus. Anyway, we regret about this inconvenience and have already taken measures to ensure the best quality-price Regards.
via Tripadvisor
Cancellation following Covid-19
Following the Canadian government’s instructions not to travel due to Covid-19, we had to cancel our dream trip a few days before departure. Ana at Howlanders agency, has met our needs, offering us a refund of our trek, even if the cancellation deadline had expired. We will definitely rebook with Howlanders as soon as we can travel again. Guy and Chantal
Response from the operator: Bonjour Guy et Chantal ! Merci beaucoup d'avoir partagé votre expérience avec le reste des voyageurs :) Nous continuerons à voyager quand tout sera passé, et à Howlanders nous mettons tous nos efforts et notre affection pour que cela se renouvelle ensemble. Le Pérou vous attend, et nous sommes sûrs que maintenant plus que jamais, ce sera une expérience inoubliable !
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 96 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $410 to $470
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Howlanders, who run 23 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.7.
See everything Howlanders runsWhy this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train cost?
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Prices start at $410 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 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train take?
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Plan for about 96 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 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable nightlife in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train?
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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 Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 96-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train?
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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?
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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 96-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train 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, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, 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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