Before booking, it is worth knowing exactly what the package covers and what changes from one version to another. Not all Salkantay tours are the same: what they include varies depending on the duration and category you choose, especially the type of accommodation and the level of service exclusivity. In this guide, we explain what is generally included and how the four versions differ, so you can choose the one that best matches what you are looking for.
What the tour includes in general
In all full-service versions, the package covers the same essential pillars. The professional bilingual guide accompanies you throughout the route, with official training and knowledge of the area. The cooking team prepares the meals included in the itinerary at camp, with a vegetarian option if you request it in advance. Transportation includes pickup from your hotel in Cusco, the transfer to the start of the trek, and the return journey from Aguas Calientes. Accommodation along the route and on the final night in Aguas Calientes are also included, along with the logistics equipment: kitchen and dining tents, tables, chairs, and transport of heavy equipment by horse. And of course, admission to Machu Picchu with a guided tour on the last day.
Meals
Food is one of the highlights of the service. The cooking team prepares breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner according to each day’s itinerary, with hot dishes designed to restore energy at high altitude. The first breakfast before starting and the final lunch in Aguas Calientes are usually not included and are at your own expense. If you have vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary requirements, let us know when booking so the team can plan accordingly.
The guide and support team
The guide is at the heart of the experience: in addition to leading the route, they explain the area, manage the group’s pace, and are your point of contact in case of any unexpected situation. Behind the scenes, there is a team you rarely see at work but that makes everything possible: the cook, assistants, and muleteers who transport the equipment. Groups usually have a maximum size to ensure personalized attention, while on private versions you trek only with your own group, without joining other travelers.
Accommodation defines the category
This is where the difference between versions is most noticeable. The most complete options include accommodation that elevates the experience beyond a traditional tent. The Eco Majestic Sky Domes are wooden geodesic domes in the heart of a green valley, surrounded by forest and featuring a private terrace, real beds, and a warm, sheltered setting; your stay includes dinner, breakfast, and bedding. The Mamá Andrea Cabins are wooden cabins with thatched roofs high in the mountains, designed for the highest part of the route, with warm beds and protection from the cold; they also include dinner, breakfast, bedding, and warm coverings. On the final night, all versions stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What each version includes
The longer the route, the more complete the experience and the higher the level of service and accommodation comfort. Here is how they differ:
| Tour | Duration | Profile and what makes it different |
|---|---|---|
| Salkantay Trek 5 days | 5 days / 4 nights | The most complete and exclusive version. A more relaxed pace, better acclimatization, and the most comfortable accommodation experience, with nights in domes and cabins. Ideal if you are looking for the highest level of service. |
| Salkantay Trek 4 days | 4 days / 3 nights | The most compact exclusive option. It condenses the route’s essentials while maintaining a high level of service, for those with a little less time who do not want to sacrifice comfort. |
| Salkantay Trek 3 days | 3 days / 2 nights | An intense version for travelers with limited time. More demanding days and streamlined logistics, while still arriving at Machu Picchu. |
| Humantay and Salkantay Pass 2 days | 2 days / 1 night | A taste of high-altitude scenery: Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass among glaciers and mountains. It does not reach Machu Picchu, but it is the shortest introduction to the route. |
What you pay separately
It is a good idea to budget for a few extras that are not usually included in the package: the first breakfast, the final lunch in Aguas Calientes, sleeping bag or trekking pole rental if you do not bring your own, the bus up and down to Machu Picchu, hot water showers at certain camps, and tips for the team. Bring cash in soles, as cards do not work along the route.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Salkantay Trek tour include?
In general, a professional bilingual guide, a cooking team with all meals included in the itinerary, transportation from and back to Cusco, accommodation along the route and in Aguas Calientes, camping equipment transported by horse, and admission to Machu Picchu with a guided tour.
Is the 5-day version the most exclusive?
Yes. It is the most complete option: it offers a more relaxed pace, better acclimatization, and the most comfortable accommodation experience, with nights at the Eco Majestic Sky Domes and the Mamá Andrea Cabins.
Are meals included?
The cooking team prepares breakfast, lunch, tea time, and dinner according to the itinerary. The first breakfast and final lunch in Aguas Calientes are usually not included. A vegetarian option is available if you let us know when booking.
What type of accommodation will I have during the route?
It depends on the version, but the full options include comfortable domes and cabins such as the Eco Majestic Sky Domes in the valley and the Mamá Andrea Cabins in the mountains, plus the final night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What expenses do I need to cover myself?
The first breakfast, the final lunch, the bus to Machu Picchu, sleeping bag or trekking pole rental, hot water showers at some camps, and tips. It is advisable to bring cash in soles.