The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu passes through stunning landscapes varying from the cloud forest to the high mountains. Along the way you will see the fantastic views of second highest mountain in the Cusco area – Salkantay (“Savage mountain” from Quechua) standing at 20,574′ (6,271 m). This trek to Machu Picchu goes through unfrequented areas and combines culture and tradition with the incredible flora and fauna offered by Perú. You will be in the real Andes and the perfect conditions to get a sense of the life in the area.
The Classic Salkantay trek is 46 miles in length and reaches a maximum elevation of 15,090 feet (4,600 meters) at the Classic Salkantay Pass. Salkantay Trail is a popular trekking route connecting the ancient capital of the Incas at Cusco to the jaw-dropping wonder of Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek Distances
- Day 1: Challakancha – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa sky campsite: 13 Km (8.08 miles)
- Day 2: Soraypampa sky campsite to Collpapampa: 22 Km (13.67 miles)
- Day 3: Collpapampa to La Playa: 16 Km (9.94 miles)
- Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes: 19 Km (11.81 miles)
- Day 5: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: 4 Km (2.49 miles)
Total Distance: 74 Km (45.98 miles)
Salkantay Trek Altitudes:
The standard route on the mountain is the Northeast ridge. Accessing the route typically involves three days of travel from Cusco. The climb involves about 1,800 m (5,900 ft) of vertical gain, on glacier, snow, ice, and some rock. Here you will see the altitude that we will cross during our trek:
| Day | Altitude | Distance |
| 1 | Route Cusco – Soraypampa | |
| Starting Elevation “Mollepata”: 2900 meters / 9,515ft Campsite Elevation “Soraypampa”: 3850 meters / 12,631ft Considered: Moderate The area: Andes | Walking distance: 13 km (approx.) Estimated trekking time: 5 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,850 m (approx.) | |
| 2 | Route Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa | |
| Highest Elevation “Salkantay pass”: 4600 meters / 15090 ft Campsite Elevation “Collpapampa”: 3000m / 9842ft Considered: Challenge The area: Andes, Salkantay Glaciar | Walking distance 22 km (approx.) Estimated trekking time 9 hours (approx.) | |
| 3 | Route Collpapampa – Lucmabamba | |
| Starting Elevation “Collpapampa”: 3000m / 9842ft Campsite Elevation “Lucmabamba”: 2000mt / 6561ft Considered: Moderate The area: Cloud Forest | Walking distance: 16 km (approx.) Estimated trekking time: 6 hours | |
| 4 | Route Lucmabamba – Hidroelectic – Aguas Calientes | |
| Starting Elevation “Lucmabamba”: 2000 meters / 6562 ft Hotel Elevation “Aguas Calientes”: 2050 meters / 6726 ft Considered: Moderate The area: Cloud Forest | Walking Distance: 15km / 9 miles Estimated trekking time: 6 to 7 hours | |
| 5 | Route Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco | |
| Machupicchu Inca City elevation: 7,972′ (2,430 m) Huaynapicchu sacred Mountain elevation: 8,924′ (2,720 m) | ||
Map of Salkantay Trek Distances and Altitudes
