Beyond the Beaten PatH

An all time bucket list item, hiking through South America is a must do for anyone with a penchant for enjoying time outdoors and in remote locations. At the top of that list, is none other than the world famous Salkantay Trek.

Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the Salkantay Trek is a captivating blend of adventure, history, and breathtaking landscapes. Named after Mount Salkantay, a majestic, snow-capped peak rising 6,271 meters (20,574 feet) above sea level, this trail is an extraordinary alternative to the iconic Inca Trail, offering a unique journey to the world-famous Machu Picchu.

If the thought of crowded paths and limited permits on the Inca Trail dampens your sense of adventure, the Salkantay Trek may be your perfect solution. This route offers unmatched freedom, with fewer restrictions and more solitude. It allows you to immerse yourself fully in the grandeur of the Andes. It’s a chance to embrace the spirit of exploration while experiencing equally mesmerizing views, diverse ecosystems, and a sense of unspoiled wilderness.

However, make no mistake—this trek is not for the faint-hearted. The Salkantay Trek is a demanding journey, taking you across rugged terrain and high-altitude mountain passes, including the breathtaking Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters (15,255 feet). The trail challenges both your endurance and your resolve, with long days of hiking through steep ascents, rocky paths, and ever-changing weather conditions. But with these challenges comes immense reward: pristine glacial lakes, vibrant cloud forests, and a profound connection to the awe-inspiring Andean landscape.

For those seeking a less-trodden path to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek offers an unforgettable combination of solitude, beauty, and adventure. It’s more than a trek; it’s a test of your spirit and a gateway to the soul of Peru. So lace up your boots, embrace the challenge, and prepare for a journey that will leave you with stories to tell and memories to cherish for a lifetime.

In this guide you will find all you need to know about one of the most breathtaking and rewarding hike in Peru.

Comparing to other Hikes

Before we can go any further, it’s prudent for us to give you the shopping list of the main treks to Macchu Picchu in case there is something you may think is a better option. It’s likely you already know these treks but if it’s your first time looking into trekking to Macchu Picchu your best options are the Salkantay Trek, Jungle Trek or Inca Trail.

For a high level comparison see below for these options:

Salkantay Trek

• Distance: ~74 km (46 miles).
• Time: 4–5 days.
• Max Altitude: 4,650 meters (15,255 feet) at Salkantay Pass.
• Key Aspects:
  • Stunning landscapes (snow-capped peaks, highlands, jungle).
  • Moderate to challenging trek with fewer crowds.
  • No permits required (compared to the Inca Trail).
  • Ends at Aguas Calientes, with Machu Picchu visit on the last day.
• Price: $265–$500 (varies by operator).
• Best Season: April to October (dry season).

Jungle Trek

• Distance: ~60 km (37 miles) but varies due to optional activities.
• Time: 3–4 days.
• Max Altitude: ~4,300 meters (14,108 feet).
• Key Aspects:
  • Combines trekking with adventure sports like biking, zip-lining, and rafting.
  • Passes through lush jungle and coffee plantations.
  • A more relaxed and flexible option.
  • Ends at Machu Picchu.
• Price: $250–$400 (depending on activities included).
• Best Season: April to October (dry season).

Inca Trail

• Distance: 42 km (26 miles).
• Time: 4 days (classic route).
• Max Altitude: 4,215 meters (13,828 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass.
• Key Aspects:
  • Most iconic trek, following ancient Inca paths.
  • Rich in archaeological sites and cultural significance.
  • Requires a permit, often booked 4–6 months in advance.
  • Ends with the dramatic entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
• Price: $600–$1,000 (permits, guides, and porters included).
• Best Season: May to September (dry season)

Why choose the Salkantay

• Stunning Scenery: Offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and lush jungles, providing more diverse landscapes than the Inca Trail.
• No Permit Restrictions: Does not require government-issued permits, making it easier to book last-minute compared to the heavily regulated Inca Trail.
• Less Crowded: Fewer hikers mean a quieter, more immersive experience in nature.
• Challenging Terrain: Ideal for adventurous hikers who enjoy tough ascents and rugged trails, including the high-altitude Salkantay Pass (4,650 meters).
• Ecosystem Variety: The trek transitions through multiple ecosystems, such as highlands, cloud forests, and tropical jungles, all in a single journey.
• Budget-Friendly: Generally less expensive than the Inca Trail, with typical costs ranging from $265–$500, making it a great option for travelers on a budget.
• Flexible Itineraries: Tour operators offer customizable options, including additional activities like hot springs visits or zip-lining.
• Adventure Focus: Prioritizes the hiking experience over archaeological sites, appealing to those seeking natural beauty and physical challenge rather than historical exploration.
• Fewer Crowds at Machu Picchu: While both treks end at Machu Picchu, Salkantay trekkers visit via Aguas Calientes, avoiding the Sun Gate crowds.
• Accessibility: Easier to book, with no need for months of advance planning, unlike the Inca Trail where permits sell out quickly.

Authentic Hiking Experience: Known as a “hiker’s trek,” it offers a raw, adventurous feel that focuses on the joy of trekking itself rather than tourist-heavy landmarks.

Some things to Consider

Difficulty

There is no beating around the bush, for the person of average fitness, the Salkantay Trek is a challenging trek that has high elevation gains and falls. Make sure prior to tackling this challenge you have prepared physically and mentally to take on the best the Peruvian Andes has to offer.

If you are planning on doing more hikes than just the Salkantay in Peru, we would recommend getting some miles under your feet in Huaraz or a Colca Canyon overnight trek first. These hikes will help you get acclimatized to both the physical toll of rapid elevation gains, as well as the impacts of hiking at altitude.

Altitude

While the physical aspect is important, your greatest barrier to completing the Salkantay Trek will be the altitude, which tops out at 4,650m above sea level early on Day 2. It’s hard to describe how it hits you but if you haven’t acclimatized well you will well and truly be in trouble by the end of day one, starting with headaches ending with you vomiting on the side of the trail and requiring the horse ride up the pass to even have a chance of finishing.

Our tips (which we gathered from our friends at Akilpo Home in Huaraz so check them out!) are to get acclimatized, is to spend some time luckily Cusco is already at 3,399m above sea level so spend a few days taking it slow, eating good food such as fruit and other nutritious items and walking around as normal. This will get your body used to the lower amount of oxygen at this elevation without exerting yourself too hard.

In the interim you can also get some reps in at an even higher altitude of 5,100m by heading to Rainbow Mountain or its a bit more off the beaten path cousin known as Palcoyo. These are easy short hikes but will help you get used to the feeling of being at high altitudes and allow for the body to adapt before embarking on the Salkantay.

Best time to go

The best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season, from April to October, with May to August offering the most favorable conditions. During these months, you can expect clear skies, stunning views, and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for photography and comfortable trekking. However, nights can be quite cold at high altitudes, and the trails can be crowded, especially from June to August. The shoulder months of March and November offer fewer tourists and moderate conditions, though occasional rain may make trails muddy.

In contrast, we consider the worst time to trek is during the rainy season from December to February, when heavy rainfall, landslides, and poor visibility can make the journey dangerous and unpleasant, with some trail closures possible. For the best experience, trekking between May and September ensures the best weather, while April and October provide a good balance between favorable conditions and fewer crowds.

How to Book

There are a couple of ways to book, the main two are:

• Buy online
• Buying physically from an operator

While you can buy from an operator physically when you arrive at Cusco, be warned that ticket reservations to Macchu Picchu are very limited and so there will be a heightened risk that you may miss out on the purpose of even going there. Even if you don’t prices tend to inflate in Cusco, particularly for the last minute bookings.

Our recommendation, particularly if you are on limited time is to book online. Our preferred booking method is through viator, there you can get a multitude of options in terms of budget, length and style.

Trek Options

5-day

The Classic (and The Beaten Path recommended) Trek is definitely the 5-day trek. This is 3 nights camping and/or glamping depending on your budget and 1 night in a hotel. The main difference is the final hike on Day 4 where you get to see the Llactapata archeological site. We also recommend this as you get to hike with the same group of people for the full 5 days, and by the end of it they will be your new family!

4-day

For an alternative option you can do the 4-day hike. This hike is very similar to the Classic Trek, however you will say goodbye to your trekking crew on Day 3 and take a colectivo from that night’s camp to Aguas Calientes. This means you will miss out on Llactapata, but it does mean it is easier and is best for those short on time.

Hike Summary

To get into it we have provided our experience of the Salkantay Trek with KB Adventures. As you already know there is such a wide variety of operators at all different price points, so there may be differing experiences and activities depending on your operator. Our trek was with KB Adventures who we can safely say for the average trekker, will provide such a fantastic experience for you and give you the opportunity to support a locally owned operator who has the community’s best interests at heart.

Day 1

You will start your day with an early wake up to be picked up by a van at around 4am to make your way for about 2 hours to Mollepata. There you’ll have breakfast at a local shop where you’ll get a hearty meal. If you have the opportunity, try out the hot Quinoa drink!

After breakfast there will be a short drive to the start of the Salkantay Trek where you’ll set off on a approximately 6km walk to your first campsite at Soraypampa (3,900m elevation). You’ll then have the chance to rest, have a hearty lunch pulled together by your trusty chef who will keep you well fed for the trip before setting off to see the stunning Lake Humantay.

While this is a relatively short trek of about 2km, it has a steep incline of 300m in elevation gain, and by this point you will be feeling it. Day 1 is when hikers not acclimatize will get hit hard so please make sure you are ready before venturing off.

As you pass the herds of pack horses used by the local porters and make your way up the steep, if you breath hasn’t been taken away yet, it will when you get to the crest and see the stunning lake, along with the Humantay Mountain acting as an incredible backdrop behind it. Depending on the season, you may be lucky enough to see a (small) avalanche, as drift melts throughout the day.

After taking in the sights, you will then be able to take the decidedly easier trip back down and get yourself prepared for another hearty dinner with your new trekking family, before heading to bed and enjoying the stars from your glass topped cabin.

Day 2

Today is the big day, the day you’ll make the trek over the Salkantay Pass. As you wake up again at 4am to see the ominous Salkantay Mountain in the distance, you’ll be ready for a hot drink and breakfast.

After breakfast you’ll make your way out just at first light. You’ll be ready to take on the day as you start making your way up the pass. Take your time as the altitude will be hitting you and the pass sits at a massive 4,650m of elevation.

After about 2 hours of trudging up the pass you will finally arrive at your first major milestone, the Salkantay Pass!

Make sure you get some time to take in the views around you. Depending on your guide, they may make a small offering to Pachamama, the Incan goddess of the Earth and Mountains.

After you have spent some time at the top of the pass, its now time to make the long slow descent from the alpine mountains to the lush jungle. As you make your way down for about 2 more hours, you’ll come to your lunch spot, while will be some much needed downtime to eat, rest and recuperate.

The rest of your afternoon will be a long gentle descent into the rainforest, where you’ll be amazed at how quickly the climate changes considering how high you were early in the morning. Expect to arrive at camp just before sunset, where again your cook will provide another hearty meal before bed.

Day 3

Today is your lucky day, its a light day! You will get up just before sunrise again and will be greeted with another lovely breakfast before setting off around 6:00am. Today you will have an undulating hike for the morning to get to your next stop. Be on the lookout for some of the locals using their pulley systems to cross the rivers and ravines!

After making your way through the jungle and banana plantations, you’ll get to stop by a coffee farm where you’ll get to see the process of coffee from picking the beans to grinding the roast. From there you will then make your way to your night 3 camp for lunch.

After lunch you’ll have to say goodbye to parts of your hiking crew that are only on the 4 day trek before taking a car ride to the hot springs Cocalmayo Hot Springs to relax and recuperate in the warm water before the final 2 days.

Coming back you’ll get to rest and have some dinner before another early night.

Day 4

Before you start, most people will tell you that making it over the pass is the hardest part of the Salkantay. However you’ll be in for a rude shock on Day 4 as you start with a 30 minute hike straight up the mountain at La Playa.

The next 2 hours or so will be an undulating climb up the mountain from La Playa, before a quick rest stop near the top. Once reaching the top you will make your way to the Llactapata Inca site. While at the Inca site, you will see the first glimpses of Macchu Picchu. After a water break and a brief look around the ruins, you will then spend the next 1-2 hours descending down to the town of Hidroelectrica for lunch.

At this point I will tell you, the last 4 days of hiking is really going to hit. While you’ll enjoy your lunch, all you are going to want to do is sleep off the fatigue. Unfortunately, these past 4 days will be a long walk along the train tracks from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (also known as Macchu Picchu town). Getting to Macchu Picchu town you’ll have 2 options depending on your ticketing situation:

1. Pre-booked tickets – Most agencies you book with will pre-book so you won’t have to worry about your ticketing. You can make your way to your hotel or explore Aguas Calientes.
2. Ticket booking – Sometimes your agency will not have enough time to book your tickets. If this is the case, you will have to line up and purchase your ticket at the Macchu Picchu ticket office

Once you have got your tickets you will make your way to your hotel for a shower and rest before heading out for a last dinner with your trekking family. Make sure you get an early nights rest for the early start tomorrow.

Day 5

The grand finale of the Salkantay Trek begins before dawn! On Day 5, trekkers wake up around 4:00 AM to make their way to Machu Picchu before sunrise. After a quick breakfast, you can either hike up to the entrance or take the first bus from Aguas Calientes.

By 6:00 AM, the gates open, revealing the breathtaking Lost City of the Incas bathed in morning light. A guided tour unveils the history and mysteries of this UNESCO site, with an option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for even more panoramic views.

This early start ensures fewer crowds, stunning sunrise views, and a truly magical ending to an unforgettable adventure!

When it’s time to leave, you can hike down to Aguas Calientes (about an hour) or take the shuttle bus for a quick, scenic ride. Back in town, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate with a hearty meal, grab some souvenirs, or even unwind in the Aguas Calientes hot springs.

After lunch, you will then make your way back to Cusco. Most likely your agency will give you the option for a van trip from Hidroelectrica or a train to Ollantaytambo . Despite it being pricier, we strongly recommend the train as taking the van requires a further 10km walk back to Hidroelectrica. While in isolation this would be manageable, after 5 days of hiking this will be the last thing you will want to do.

The train to Ollantaytambo offers stunning views of the Sacred Valley, making for a relaxing ride after days of hiking. From there, a shuttle or bus takes you on the final stretch to Cusco. All going well, you’ll arrive by evening—exhausted, exhilarated, and forever changed by this unforgettable adventure!

The Salkantay Trek is more than just a hike—it’s an unforgettable adventure through some of Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes. From towering mountains and glacial lakes to lush cloud forests and ancient ruins, every step brings a new sense of wonder. The challenge of the trail makes the final reward—standing before Machu Picchu at sunrise—even more incredible. Whether you’re drawn by the rugged beauty, the rich history, or the thrill of the journey, this trek promises an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left the Andes behind. If you’re looking for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path adventure, the Salkantay Trek is calling!