Salkantay Trek Trail

A five day, 72 kilometre alternative to the Inca Trail that moves from alpine tundra into humid jungle and ends at Machu Picchu.

Time to Hike: 5 days, about 72 km total. Typical itineraries cross the high Salkantay pass on day two or three and descend several thousand metres into the jungle.

Best Time to Go: Main season is the dry months of May to September for stable trails and clearer mountain views; shoulder months April and October are possible but wetter.

Getting there: Fly into Cusco and join a minivan or bus to trailhead towns such as Mollepata or Soraypampa where most treks start; many operators pick up directly from Cusco. The route finishes near Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes.

Costs: No government permit like the Inca Trail is required, but you must buy the Machu Picchu entry ticket and train or bus onward tickets. Guided 4 night packages commonly range widely depending on services; independent hikers should budget for transport, camp fees or lodges and the final entrance and train costs.

Difficulty: High altitude and steep climbs and descents are the main challenges; the highest saddle is around 4,600 m so altitude sickness is a real risk. Trails can be muddy and slippery in rain, and nights are cold above the pass.

Salkantay sits in the Cordillera Vilcabamba of the Andes and the trek passes glaciated slopes, high puna grassland and a long descent into humid cloud forest. The central spectacle is the near-glacial summit and the Salkantay pass, followed by dramatic ecological change as you drop into warmer valley crops and coffee plantations.

There are no continuous public refuges on the Salkantay route; most nights are spent at organized campsites or small mountain lodges in the lower sectors. Trekkers often use full-service guided camps with cooks and porters, or self-sufficient camping, before connecting to trains or buses to Machu Picchu at the end. The route is notable for its solitude and varied scenery as an alternative approach to the famed Inca citadel.

The closest major airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, which has frequent flights from Lima and other Peruvian cities. From Cusco the common transfer is a two to three hour drive by minivan or tourist bus to Mollepata or the Soraypampa area where trailheads and operator pickups are located.

Most groups walk from the high Andean start points down toward the jungle, finishing in Aguas Calientes and then visiting Machu Picchu; this downhill direction is the standard flow because it eases altitude loss and logistics for trains and buses out of the valley.

The walkable season is principally the dry season from May to September when trails are firmer and views clearer; book Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats well in advance for June to August. April and October can work but expect intermittant rain and muddier tracks.

In the wet season from November to March heavy rain makes the high pass slippery, rivers may rise and lower sections become very muddy; nights above 4,000 m are cold year round so prepare for freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow near the pass.