The Salkantay Trek in 5 Days is one of the most exhilarating and scenic routes to Machu Picchu. As a popular alternative to the Inca Trail, this trek offers a diverse range of landscapes, from towering glaciers to lush cloud forests. If you’re planning to embark on this adventure in 2025, this detailed itinerary will guide you through everything you can expect along the way.
Overview of the Salkantay Trek in 5 Days 2025
The Salkantay Trek in 5 Days is a moderate-to-challenging hike, ideal for adventure-seekers who want to experience the Peruvian Andes’ stunning beauty without the need for a special permit like the Inca Trail. Reaching a maximum altitude of 4,650 meters (15,255 feet) at the Salkantay Pass, this trek combines high-altitude adventure with cultural immersion and unforgettable views of Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights
- Distance: Approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Starting Point: Cusco
- Ending Point: Machu Picchu
For more details about planning your trek, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions.
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
Your journey begins with an early morning departure from Cusco. After a few hours of driving, you’ll arrive in Mollepata, the starting point of the Salkantay Trek. Here, you’ll meet your trekking team and enjoy a scenic drive to Challacancha, where the trek officially begins.
Highlights of Day 1:
- Hike to Soraypampa: After a relatively gentle hike, you’ll reach the stunning campsite of Soraypampa (3,900 meters). The first day’s hike allows you to gradually acclimate to the altitude.
- Optional Visit to Humantay Lake: In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to hike to Humantay Lake, a pristine glacial lake with vibrant turquoise waters.
- Distance: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles)
- Elevation: 3,900 meters (12,795 feet)
- Accommodations: Camping at Soraypampa
Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay
Day 2 is the most challenging but also the most rewarding day of the Salkantay Trek in 5 Days 2025. After an early breakfast, you’ll begin the ascent to the Salkantay Pass.
Highlights of Day 2:
- Salkantay Pass: This is the highest point of the trek, at 4,650 meters (15,255 feet). The breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain and its surrounding glaciers make the climb worth the effort.
- Descent into the Cloud Forest: After crossing the pass, you’ll descend into the warmer and greener cloud forest. The landscape transitions from barren mountain terrain to lush vegetation as you make your way to Chaullay.
- Distance: 22 kilometers (13.7 miles)
- Elevation: 4,650 meters (15,255 feet) at the pass, descending to 2,900 meters (9,514 feet)
- Accommodations: Camping at Chaullay
For a more detailed overview of the trek’s challenges, contact Guiding Cusco Expeditions.
Day 3: Chaullay – La Playa – Lucmabamba
Day 3 offers a welcome change in scenery as you descend further into the tropical cloud forest. This day is more relaxed compared to Day 2, and you’ll encounter several small villages and plantations along the way.
Highlights of Day 3:
- Coffee Plantations: You’ll pass through local coffee farms and fruit orchards. Some tours even include a coffee-tasting experience, allowing you to sample fresh, locally-grown Peruvian coffee.
- Lucmabamba Campsite: After arriving at La Playa, you’ll continue on to Lucmabamba, where you’ll camp for the night. This area is rich in flora and fauna, with vibrant flowers, birds, and butterflies.
- Distance: 15 kilometers (9.3 miles)
- Elevation: 2,000 meters (6,562 feet)
- Accommodations: Camping at Lucmabamba
Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Day 4 takes you along an ancient Inca path that leads to the Llactapata ruins, offering your first distant view of Machu Picchu. This is one of the most exciting moments of the trek, as you approach the Incan citadel.
Highlights of Day 4:
- Llactapata Ruins: These ruins provide a unique vantage point for viewing Machu Picchu from afar, making for a fantastic photo opportunity.
- Train Ride to Aguas Calientes: After exploring Llactapata, you’ll descend to the Hidroeléctrica station and catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu.
- Distance: 14 kilometers (8.7 miles)
- Elevation: 2,000 meters (6,562 feet)
- Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
For a full experience of the Salkantay Trek in 5 Days 2025, consider including a guided tour of the Llactapata ruins and more, available at Guiding Cusco Expeditions.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
The final day of your adventure is dedicated to exploring the magnificent Machu Picchu. You’ll take an early morning bus from Aguas Calientes up to the entrance of the citadel, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the site.
Highlights of Day 5:
- Machu Picchu Guided Tour: Your expert guide will walk you through the history, culture, and architecture of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and the Intihuatana Stone, among other notable features.
- Return to Cusco: After the tour, you’ll take the train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a drive to Cusco, completing your Salkantay Trek 2025.
- Distance: Short walk around Machu Picchu
- Accommodations: Return to Cusco
What’s Included in the Salkantay Trek in 5 Days 2025?
When booking the Salkantay Trek in 5 Days 2025, most tour packages include:
- Transportation: Transfers from Cusco to the starting point, train tickets from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco.
- Guides: Professional, bilingual guides with knowledge of local history and culture.
- Meals: All meals during the trek, prepared by a chef using locally sourced ingredients.
- Camping Equipment: High-quality tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping mats.
- Entrance Fees: Admission to Machu Picchu and all necessary permits.
For more information on tour packages and inclusions, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions.
The Salkantay Trek in 5 Days offers an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse landscapes, cultural encounters, and the ultimate reward of reaching Machu Picchu. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or a first-time adventurer, this itinerary provides everything you need to know for a successful and enjoyable Salkantay Trek 2025.
For more information or to book your trek, visit Guiding Cusco Expeditions, or contact us directly via WhatsApp.