Four thirty in the morning in Aguas Calientes. The alarm goes off while it is still dark, and your body has already spent four days hiking. By five, there is already a line at the bus stop and headlamps making their way up the stairway trail. At six, the first visitors pass through the entrance checkpoint. And shortly after, as the mist begins to lift from the canyon, the citadel appears. This is how the final day of the Salkantay Trek unfolds, hour by hour.
The night before
It is the only night of the trek spent in a hotel, with a hot shower and a bed. Make the most of it, because the following day starts early and there is still some effort ahead.
That evening, the guide hands out the entrance and bus tickets if they are included, confirms the meeting time, and explains which circuit you have been assigned. Pack your small daypack and have the rest of your luggage ready to store at the hotel.
Going up by bus or on foot
By bus
The ride takes around half an hour along a winding road. Departures are frequent, but the line forms very early: if your entry time is six, it is best to be at the stop around five.
On foot
The stone stairway takes a little over an hour to climb, sometimes an hour and a half. It is demanding after four days of trekking, and you will hike in the dark if you want to arrive for the first entry slot, so you need a headlamp.
For many hikers, it makes sense: arriving at Machu Picchu on foot, just as they did throughout the whole journey. Others prefer to go up by bus and walk down, which is the most common combination.
The entrance checkpoint
At the gate, they check your ticket and original passport and make sure the details match. If you requested a student fare, they also check your physical student ID. Why those details need to match exactly is explained in why passport details must match the reservation.
There are a few rules worth knowing before you reach the line:
- Only small backpacks are allowed. Large bags must be left at the luggage storage area at the entrance.
- Food is not allowed inside, and there are no places to buy anything once you are in.
- Restrooms are outside the site, before the entrance.
- Trekking poles are only permitted in specific cases and must have rubber tips.
- Drones and tripods are not allowed.
- There are restrictions on single-use plastics: bring your reusable water bottle.
Entry is assigned by time slot and circuit, with a one-way route and no re-entry once you leave.
Your first encounter with the citadel
Depending on your assigned circuit, the route begins by climbing toward a high viewpoint or entering directly into the urban sector. In either case, there is a moment when the entire citadel suddenly comes into view.
Early in the morning, it is common for it to be covered in mist. It is not bad luck: it usually clears in the following minutes, and watching it slowly emerge is one of the images people remember most. Be patient and put the camera away for a while.
There is something only those who arrived on foot can understand. Around you, there will be people who took the train from Cusco that morning. You have spent four days crossing a mountain pass at 4 600 m s. n. m., sleeping in a tent, and descending from snow into the jungle. Arriving this way completely changes what that first moment means.
The guided tour
The guided visit lasts around two hours and follows the assigned circuit, which determines where you go and in what order. You walk the entire route, with steps and steep sections, so trekking footwear is still the right choice.
After the explanation, many tours allow free time inside the circuit before you leave. It is the moment to sit down, take it all in without rushing, and process that the trek is over.
Climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Both require a separate ticket, with limited availability and a specific entry time. It must be reserved along with your entrance ticket and cannot be added at the gate.
Consider it based on how your legs feel. It is the fifth day of hiking, and both climbs are demanding, with carved steps and steep slopes. Those who arrive with energy enjoy them; those who arrive exhausted often regret it halfway up.
What to bring that day
- Original passport and entrance ticket.
- Small backpack, full reusable water bottle, and sunscreen.
- A poncho or lightweight waterproof jacket, even during the dry season.
- Insect repellent for the walk and the wait.
- A headlamp if you walk up before sunrise.
- Cash in soles for luggage storage and lunch.
When you leave, there is a spot where you can stamp your passport with the Machu Picchu commemorative stamp. It is optional and free, and for many people it is a keepsake from the trip.
After the visit
Go down to Aguas Calientes by bus or on foot, collect your luggage from the hotel, and have lunch before heading back. In most tours, this lunch is at your own expense.
From there, the return journey begins, which depending on your tour will be by train or walking to Hidroeléctrica. The options are explained in how to return to Cusco after the Salkantay Trek.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Machu Picchu take?
The guided tour takes around two hours, and the full circuit usually takes two to three hours. The circuits are one-way, so the duration depends on the group’s pace.
Can I leave and re-enter?
No. Once you leave the site, your entry is considered used. That is why it is best to use the restroom and fill your water bottle before passing through the checkpoint.
What happens if it rains on the day of the visit?
The visit takes place anyway. Bring a waterproof poncho and protect your camera. In the rain, the citadel looks less clear, but there are also far fewer people, and the mist often opens up at times.
Is an early or later time slot better?
The first time slot has the characteristic sunrise mist and more people in line. Late-morning slots usually offer better visibility. If you are returning to Cusco that same day by walking to Hidroeléctrica, you need an early time slot.
Can I leave my large luggage somewhere?
Yes. At your hotel in Aguas Calientes while you visit the citadel, and at the luggage storage area at the sanctuary entrance for anything you cannot take inside.