Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco
Cusco, Peru

Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail

Outty Ranking 60 5.0 · 5 traveler reviews120 hoursFrom $520
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Outty Ranking

60/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail worth booking?

Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail is a 120-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $520 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
60 / 100
Rating
5/5 (5)
Duration
120 hours
From
$520 per person

-Dare to cross the Andes and reach Machu Picchu through one of Peru’s most spectacular routes. -More than a hike, it’s a life-changing experience. -Conquer the Salkantay and experience landscapes you’ll never forget.

What you get

  • Return bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco city
  • Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain (USD 65.00 - Additional Cost)
  • Return Train Ticket Voyager or Expedition Service (USD 85.00 - Additional Cost)
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • 01 Duffle bag for 5 extra kg of your belongings (it will be carried by our horse)

About this experience

-Dare to cross the Andes and reach Machu Picchu through one of Peru’s most spectacular routes. -More than a hike, it’s a life-changing experience. -Conquer the Salkantay and experience landscapes you’ll never forget. -Every step on the Salkantay brings you closer to an unforgettable adventure. -Glaciers, turquoise lakes, and sacred mountains await you on the Salkantay Trek. -Hike less-crowded trails and discover the true essence of the Andes.

What's included

Included

  • Return bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco city
  • Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain (USD 65.00 - Additional Cost)
  • Return Train Ticket Voyager or Expedition Service (USD 85.00 - Additional Cost)
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • 01 Duffle bag for 5 extra kg of your belongings (it will be carried by our horse)
  • Breakfast
  • Entrance fee to Humantay Lagoon
  • Meals: 5 Breakfast, 4 lunch, 4 dinner (Vegetarian and lactose-free meals available)
  • One-way bus ticket to Machu Picchu (USD 12.00 - Additional Cost)
  • A par of Trekking Poles (USD 15.00 - Additional Cost)
  • First aid kit, oxygen bottle and mattress
  • Sleeping Bag (USD 25.00 - Additional Cost)
  • 2 Professional English Guides (1 For Salkantay Group Tour - 1 for Machu Picchu Private Tour)
  • Machu Picchu ticket Circuit 2 -Best selling ticket with full tour and panoramic view of Machu Picchu
  • Pick up from the airport, bus station or hotel in Cusco

Not included

  • Beberages during the trip
  • Day 5: Lunch and dinner
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Cusco

Our guide will pick you up from the Plaza de Armas at the scheduled time, with prior coordination via WhatsApp, and will also be displaying the company logo.

Hotel pickup

Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

Ends at

Our guide will pick you up from the Plaza de Armas at the scheduled time, with prior coordination via WhatsApp, and will also be displaying the company logo.

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 8 travelers per booking
Operated by
Cusco Inkas Feat Adventures

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • People with recent spinal injuries, fractures, or recent surgical procedures

Photos

Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 2Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 3Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 4Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 5Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 6Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail in Cusco, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Food and drink

4 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

The guide

3 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Knowledge and storytelling

1 mention

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Value for money

1 mention

Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

Small groups

1 mention

The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

Traveler reviews

5 verified traveler reviews for Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
5
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
Sort
Z3477FGsarahw · August 2025

Salkantay Trek of 5 Days

Salkantay trek is one of the best treks I have done in my life! It is tough but worth it. The views are amazing! The accomodations and food were good as well. Highly recommend! Thank you Everton for the help! :)

via Tripadvisor

Q8933QDannikas · May 2025

Wonderful experience

We had a wonderful experience with Cusco Inkas Feat Adventures. Booking was easy and fast. We felt very well advised and supported! The Salkantay trek was a unique experience, which we can recommend to everyone.

Response from the operator: Definitely, visiting Machu Picchu by doing the 5-day Salkantay trek is an experience that’s very hard to put into words, it’s something you have to live for yourself. Thank you so much for all your trust, and don’t forget to recommend us! Thanks for everything.

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Tunquipa41 · February 2025

Salkantay a nice experience to Machu Picchu!

The Salkantay trek seemed difficult, but the whole experience was completely wonderful. Our guide Vidal provided us with some explanation about the Inca culture and the history of Peru. The food and shelters and all the team were absolutely great! Salkantay, it's really a lovely experience and definitely a great option to reach Machupicchu!!

via Tripadvisor

Victoria Q · February 2025

Salkantay Trek, 5 days, an adventure!!

We did a 5D/4N Salkantay trek with Cusco Inkas Feat. We were very lucky and had a small group of 6 and our guide very professional. His love for his job shines through! He has a lot of respect for the mountains. The food and accommodation were also amazing!! I highly recommended this option to visit Machu Picchu!!

via Tripadvisor

guadalupel326 · September 2024

Salkantay trek

Excellent experience. Very good guides and food. Good camps. Very pleasant people and beautiful scenery. Volvería❤️🙏🏽

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Good to know

Duration
120 hours
Free cancellation
Non-refundable
Minimum age to book
1+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
Available for selected locations
Booked in 30 days
2
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 60

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
Review evidence (18% weight)29
Booking momentum (14% weight)21
Value for money (12% weight)99
Listing quality (10% weight)85
Local standing (8% weight)54
Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.

How much does Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail cost?

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Prices start at $520 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 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail 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 Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail?

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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 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. 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 Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail?

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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 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Salkantay Trek 5 Days: The Best Alternative to the Inca Trail 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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