Lesser-Known Salkantay Trek Routes You Should Explore in 2025

The Salkantay Trek is famous for being a spectacular alternative to the classic Inca Trail, offering a journey through stunning Andean landscapes on the way to Machu Picchu. While the traditional route is well-known, there are several lesser-known Salkantay Trek routes that offer equally breathtaking experiences with fewer crowds. If you’re planning a trek in 2025 and looking for a unique adventure, here are the Salkantay lesser-known routes 2025 you should consider exploring.

1. Salkantay Trek via Inca Chiriasca Pass

The Salkantay Trek via Inca Chiriasca Pass is a more challenging variation of the traditional route, offering hikers the chance to reach higher altitudes and enjoy more remote landscapes. This route takes you through the Inca Chiriasca Pass, which rises to an altitude of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet), making it the highest point on any Salkantay Trek.

Highlights of the Inca Chiriasca Pass Route:

• Unbeatable Mountain Views: From the Chiriasca Pass, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of towering glaciers and the surrounding Andean peaks. The vast, rugged terrain provides dramatic photography opportunities.
• Solitude and Adventure: As one of the lesser-known routes, you’re likely to encounter far fewer trekkers, allowing for a peaceful and immersive trekking experience in the heart of the Andes.

This route is ideal for experienced trekkers looking for an extra challenge. To learn more about this route and how to prepare for it, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

2. Salkantay and Inca Trail Combination Trek

For those who want to experience the best of both worlds, the Salkantay and Inca Trail Combination Trek offers an unforgettable journey that merges two iconic routes. This trek begins along the Salkantay Route before joining the classic Inca Trail, allowing you to enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, as Inca travelers did centuries ago.

Highlights of the Salkantay and Inca Trail Combo:

• Diverse Scenery: From the snow-covered Salkantay Mountain to the lush forests and ancient ruins of the Inca Trail, this combination trek offers the most varied landscapes in the region.
• Iconic Machu Picchu Arrival: The combination trek allows you to experience the thrill of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, providing one of the most dramatic and scenic approaches to the citadel.

This trek is ideal for those who want to combine the adventure of the Salkantay Trek with the rich historical significance of the Inca Trail. Check out available packages at Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

3. Salkantay Trek via Llactapata

The Salkantay Trek via Llactapata offers a unique detour that allows you to visit the lesser-known Llactapata Ruins before reaching Machu Picchu. This route gives trekkers the opportunity to see Machu Picchu from a different perspective, offering panoramic views of the ancient citadel from afar.

Highlights of the Llactapata Route:

• Llactapata Ruins: These remote Inca ruins are often overlooked by tourists but provide a fascinating glimpse into Inca history and architecture. From Llactapata, you’ll have a unique view of Machu Picchu that few visitors experience.
• Scenic Vantage Points: This route takes you through lush cloud forests and gives you the opportunity to capture stunning photos of Machu Picchu framed by the surrounding mountains.

For trekkers who want to discover hidden gems along the trail, the Salkantay Trek via Llactapata is a must. Learn more about this route at Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

4. Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge Trek

For those seeking a more comfortable trekking experience, the Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge Trek offers a luxury option that allows you to trek from one eco-friendly lodge to another, enjoying comfortable accommodations, gourmet meals, and stunning views along the way. This lesser-known route provides an immersive experience of the Salkantay Region while avoiding the need to camp.

Highlights of the Lodge-to-Lodge Route:

• Luxury in the Wilderness: The eco-lodges along this route provide hot showers, comfortable beds, and excellent dining, making it perfect for trekkers who want adventure without sacrificing comfort.
• Sustainable Tourism: The lodges focus on sustainable practices, supporting local communities and minimizing environmental impact.

This route is ideal for travelers looking for a combination of adventure and luxury. For more information on the Lodge-to-Lodge Trek, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

5. Salkantay Trek via Santa Teresa and Hot Springs

The Salkantay Trek via Santa Teresa offers an exciting variation of the traditional route by taking you through the Santa Teresa region, known for its natural hot springs. After days of trekking, the hot springs provide a perfect opportunity to relax and rejuvenate your body before continuing on to Machu Picchu.

Highlights of the Santa Teresa Route:

• Thermal Hot Springs: After a challenging trek, the hot springs in Cocalmayo, near Santa Teresa, offer a relaxing soak in naturally heated pools surrounded by lush greenery.
• Coffee Plantations: This route also takes you through local coffee plantations, where you can sample fresh, organic coffee and learn about traditional coffee production from local farmers.

For trekkers seeking a combination of adventure and relaxation, the Salkantay Trek via Santa Teresa is a great option. Explore more at Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

6. Salkantay Trek via Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

The Salkantay Trek via Soraypampa is the starting point for many variations of the trek, but adding a visit to Humantay Lake offers a special highlight that’s well worth the extra time. Humantay Lake is a stunning glacial lake with vibrant turquoise waters, located near the Soraypampa campsite.

Highlights of the Humantay Lake Route:

• Humantay Lake: The breathtaking beauty of Humantay Lake, framed by towering snow-capped mountains, makes it one of the most picturesque spots on the trek. It’s a perfect location for photography and offers a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere.
• Acclimatization: Spending an extra day at Soraypampa and hiking to Humantay Lake allows trekkers to acclimatize to the altitude before continuing on the more challenging parts of the trek.

For trekkers looking for a scenic and tranquil stop along the Salkantay Route, Humantay Lake is a must-see. Book your trek with Humantay Lake included at Guiding Cusco Expeditions.

The Salkantay Trek offers far more than just the traditional route to Machu Picchu. These lesser-known Salkantay Trek routes provide a variety of experiences for trekkers seeking more solitude, adventure, or luxury in 2025. From the rugged heights of Inca Chiriasca Pass to the relaxing hot springs of Santa Teresa, there’s a route for every type of traveler. Exploring these less-traveled paths allows you to see the best of the Salkantay Region in a more intimate and unique way.

For more information or to book your trek, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions, or contact us directly via WhatsApp.