SALKANTAY TREK OVERVIEW EACH DAY
Salkantay Trek Preparation: Acclimatization and Briefing
Before starting the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, it is important to acclimatize to the high altitude. We saw several hikers struggling and even needing oxygen tanks. Our friend Daniel arrived only one day before the trek, and his oxygen level was just 64%, while ours was 92%. To avoid this, we recommend spending at least two or three days in Cusco before the trek.
A great way to prepare is by doing a warm-up hike such as the Cusco Hiking Tour: 7 Lagoons of Ausangate, which helps you test your fitness and adapt to the altitude. We also wrote a detailed blog article about this hike!
The day before your Salkantay Trek begins, you will attend a mandatory briefing with your group. This takes place at the Machu Picchu Reservations office near Plaza de Armas at 7 PM. After short introductions, your guide will explain the itinerary, hand out maps, and give you practical information.
During this briefing you will also receive your duffel bag, which you must pack and return the next morning.
Here is what to expect at the briefing:
Meeting at Machu Picchu Reservations office at 7 PM
Explanation of the trek itinerary and important details
Handout of maps and duffel bags for packing
Early pickup the next day at 4:45 AM (if you stay close to the office, pickup may not be included)
Day-by-Day Salkantay Trek Overview: 4 Days, 3 Nights
Salkantay Trek: Altitude Map and Key Highlights
We want to give you a first impression of the tour, that’s why we’ve created this overview. The tour starts and ends in Cusco and covers approximately 65 kilometers of hiking. You will pass through various climates and on the second day, the most challenging one, you’ll conquer the “Gringo Killer,” a steep 6-kilometer ascent. We will provide tips on what to carry each day. The good news is that you’ll receive a duffel bag, which horses will transport to the next camp for you, with a maximum weight of 7 kg.
Day 1: Humantay Lagoon Hike – What to Expect
The tour begins early, around 4:45 am, from Cusco. You’ll take a minivan for about 2.5 hours to Mollepata, where breakfast is provided. After breakfast, the drive continues for 1 hour and 15 minutes to the trek’s starting point.
Tips for this part of the trek:
You will stop at a small shop along the way for last-minute items like toothpaste or mosquito spray.
Dress lightly — the van ride can make you sweat, and the first hike is mostly uphill.
Arriving at Soraypampa, you’ll hand your duffel bags to porters who carry them to the sleeping camp. You won’t have access to them until the evening. Here, you’ll also meet the chefs who prepare your lunch, dinner, and breakfast and accompany you until the camp in Chawllay.
Start your hike with your daypack. The trail to Humantay Lagoon is relatively short, as Day 1 serves mainly for acclimatization. The path starts with a gradual ascent of about an hour, followed by a steeper climb until you reach the lagoon.
Highlights & tips:
Learn about Inca culture and coca leaves along the trail.
Total ascent is approximately 300 meters.
Dress in layers — even if it’s snowy at the lagoon, you may hike in just a t-shirt.
Once at Humantay Lagoon, take time for photos and learn about the Inca significance of the surrounding mountains.
Tips for the descent:
Book the walking sticks, as downhill sections are tough on the knees.
The descent takes about 1 hour, followed by 45 minutes of flat terrain.
Enjoy views and horse sightings along the trail.
The arrival at the camp is not optimally organized. The “restaurant” is located on a small hill, requiring an additional 20-minutes climb on slippery stones. After lunch, you’ll receive your duffel bag at the restaurant, then descend again on the stones if you’ve descided for a tent. Skydomes (there were only two available for our group) have the advantage of being located near the restaurant.
This saves you from descending after lunch, ascending and descending for dinner, and ascending again for breakfast! If you prefer a tent, it’s best to ask your guide before lunch if you can leave your backpack at the bottom. This way, after lunch, you’ll only need to transport your duffel bag and walking sticks.
Before dinner, enjoy tea and popcorn, followed by dinner. Remember to bring a headlamp for the walk to your tent. Each evening includes a briefing for the next day, as Day 2 is the most challenging of the trek.
Day 2: Gringo Killer And Salkantay Pass
After breakfast, the real challenge begins: the climb to the Gringo Killer. Since Vicky was sick, we chose to rent a horse for the 6 km ascent (30 USD per horse). At the top (4650 m), you still face a tough 5-hour downhill hike.
At the summit, you’ll enjoy breathtaking mountain views and a special ritual to honor the Apus, the mountain gods. Our guide played the flute and we shared a whiskey shot for Pachamama, asking for good weather. We stayed around 45 minutes before starting the descent.
Here, the kitchen team awaited us with a corn soup, Lomo Saltado, vegetables, and pumpkin.
Tip for Day 2:
Pack shorts in your daypack – it gets hot quickly after the pass.
Cold showers are free, hot ones cost 2.50 USD. A small store sells snacks and beer. Tea time included popcorn and even Picarones, followed by a Spaghetti Carbonara dinner.
Day 3: Rainforest Trekking And Coffee Tour
Tips for this part of the trek:
Keep your duffel bag organized for easy handover.
Bring a small envelope or cash for tipping.
The trail to Lucmabamba passes waterfalls, green vegetation, and small streams. In our case, a rockfall risk required a 30-minute van ride instead. If you’re afraid of heights, sit on the right side of the van for a safer view.
Tips for this part of the trek:
Wear comfortable shoes for hiking, and bring sandals or slip-ons for the van ride.
Keep your camera ready — there are plenty of scenic spots along the trail.
The coffee tour in Lucmabamba is short but informative. You can try fresh coffee, buy beans or chocolate as souvenirs, and use restroom facilities.
After the tour, you collect your duffel bag and load it onto the van for the drive (1.5 hours) to Hydroelectrica, where lunch is served with options like trout, chicken, or vegetarian dishes.
From Hydroelectrica, the flat 3-hour hike follows train tracks. Restaurants and shops appear along the way. You’ll pass your first Inca ruins and even catch glimpses of Machu Picchu. If you’re too tired, the train from Hydroelectrica is an option (37.00 USD).
Tips for this part of the trek:
Wear a hat and sunscreen — it can get very hot.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife and ruins.
Tips for this part of the trek:
Keep your duffel bag secure — from now on, it’s your responsibility.
Check your tickets and ID before dinner to avoid last-minute issues.
Day 4: Final Hike to Machu Picchu
On the fourth day, you’re closer than ever to your goal. Wake-up time depends on your Machu Picchu entry, but starting about 2 hours before ensures a relaxed climb. You’ll receive a breakfast box the evening before. Pack only what’s necessary in your daypack for comfort.
Tips for this part of the trek:
Bring water, sunscreen, and a light jacket.
Keep your daypack light to make the ascent easier.
If you’re tired, the bus is an option for 12.00 USD. Hiking normally takes 1.5–2 hours, with a mix of flat paths and stairs. Vicky, still recovering, made it in 2 hours 15 minutes. Once at the top, you’ll meet your guide. You can choose which circuit you get when you book your tour and depending on availability.
Tips for Hiking vs. Bus Option
Consider your fitness and energy level before choosing.
The bus is a good backup on very hot or rainy days.
You’ve reached one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Circuit 2 offers nearly two hours of exploration, photo opportunities, and history lessons about the Incas. Seeing the ancient city appear before you is magical!
Just as you cannot influence the entry time for Machu Picchu, you also cannot influence the train departure time. We departed at 2:00 PM, which allowed us enough time for lunch. The train station is about a 5-minute walk from the hostel. You must take your duffel bag with you and return it to the Machu Picchu Reservations Office no later than the next day!
The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and passes through beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you will then board a van, and after another 2 hours, you will be dropped off near Plaza de Armas with the others. This is where the tour ends. If you return your duffel bag the next day, there will be a wonderful surprise awaiting you!
The Salkantay Trek – What We Didn't Like
The guide promised a “family” feeling, but our group never fully connected. Our guide walked at the back, while others were in front. Groups quickly split up due to different walking speeds, and we often waited for slower participants.
The first camp was not well organized. Walking with all the luggage to the restaurant and back was inconvenient. Only two Skydomes were available for the group, which was not clearly communicated at booking.
Although our group of 12 was comfortable, two other groups arrived at the same time, bringing the total to around 42 people. Early arrivals chose the best accommodations, and the camps are not designed for that many hikers.
Salkantay Trek Review: Is the Adventure Worth It?
Yes! Despite long walks, cold nights, and physical effort, the trek is worth it. The landscapes are stunning, and the journey itself is as rewarding as the destination, even if you’ve visited Machu Picchu before. Preparation is key — if you’re not in good shape, the trek will be very challenging. We recommend doing the 7 Lagunas Tour beforehand.
What to Pack for the Salkantay Trek
Keep your daypack as light as possible.
Repack every evening to adjust for the next day.
Warm clothing is mostly needed on the first day and second morning.
Your sleeping bag and extra layers are transported separately.
Original passport
Small daypack (fastened around waist and chest)
Hiking or trekking shoes (already worn before the trek)
Headlamp
Walking sticks (rented during booking)
Rain cover for duffel bag
Duffel bag for up to 7 kg of personal gear
Thermal pants and long-sleeve shirt for first day
Long pants/leggings and shorts
3 sets of undergarments
At least one pair of hiking socks
Fleece and warm jacket
Rain poncho
Sun hat and wool hat
Flip flops for evenings
Waterproof gloves, quick-dry towel, small soap bottle
Power bank, large plastic bags
Sleeping bag (≥ -10°C) – Possible to rent
Toiletries, sunscreen, face moisturizer, bug spray, hand sanitizer
Baby wipes, toothbrush/paste, toilet paper
Personal medication, basic first aid kit
Max 25L for Machu Picchu entry (larger bags must be stored outside)
Water for first morning; refill points available
Rain gear and fleece for changing weather
Camera or smartphone
Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, small plastic bag for waste
Extra money (~400 soles)
Earplugs, power bank
FAQ
You will only have electricity starting from the second evening. Therefore, take a power bank and enough batteries with you
You have the following toilet options:
- First day: During breakfast, after arriving at the starting point of the track, from noon at the camp.
- Second day: During breakfast, upon arrival at lunch, upon arrival at the camp.
- Third day: During breakfast, after approximately 30 minutes of hiking at a restaurant, during the coffee tour, at Hydroelectrica, along the trek to Aguas Calientes at various restaurants, and of course at the hostel in Aguas Calientes.
- Fourth day: During breakfast, before entering Machu Picchu. Once you enter Machu Picchu, there are no toilets available inside.
In the first camp, there are no showers available. Starting from the second evening, you have the option to shower. In the second camp, you can either take a cold shower for free or a hot shower for 2.50 USD.
You will not have internet on the first day and until you arrive at the second camp. In the second camp, you have the option to purchase Wi-Fi. However, we do not recommend it because there’s something nice about being disconnected. On the third day, you will have internet connection again in Aguas Calientes from the evening onwards.
Directly on their website.
Thanks For Reading
We truly hope our Salkantay Trek Travel Guide inspires you to experience this unforgettable adventure in Peru for yourself. If you’re planning your trip and wondering what to see, where to stay, or looking for a genuine local experience, we recommend checking out our full Peru Travel Guide.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help. We would also love to hear about your own experience in the comments below. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it to support our travel blog.
Vicky and Malte
