Planning and Preparing for the Salkantay Trek

A guide to understanding what the Salkantay Trek is, who it is recommended for, and what to consider before hiking to Machu Picchu.

A clear guide to the location of the Salkantay Trek and the usual route from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Find out how many days the Salkantay Trek takes and compare the 4- and 5-day routes based on your time, fitness level, and preferred service type.

The Salkantay Trek combines mountain hiking, diverse landscapes and a gradual arrival at Machu Picchu.

Salkantay Mountain is a sacred peak in Cusco, linked to Quechua culture, the apus, Machu Picchu and local communities.

The Salkantay Trek features turquoise lagoons, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys, cloud forest, high jungle, and the arrival at Machu Picchu.

Pack for the Salkantay Trek with this practical checklist of clothing, footwear, camping gear, health essentials and documents.

Find the main areas, stops and altitude changes along the Salkantay Trek before starting the route to Machu Picchu.