Humantay Lake below the glaciers on the Salkantay trek

9 days · Cusco & the Sacred Valley

Salkantay to Machu Picchu

A wild, permit-free trek from a glacier pass down through coffee country to the citadel.

From US$3,900 per person, excluding international flights

Length: 9 days
Regions: Cusco & the Sacred Valley
Hiking: Challenging trekking
Highest night: ~3,850 m · Very high
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Overview

Why it works

Salkantay is the walk for people who want big mountains and fewer crowds. You'll acclimatise for four nights first, then walk past turquoise Humantay Lake, over a pass at about 4,600 metres and down 2,500 metres into the cloud forest. It's a great choice when Inca Trail permits have sold out.

Highlights

Humantay Lake
Salkantay Pass at about 4,600 m
Coffee farm in the cloud forest
Llactapata's view of Machu Picchu

Altitude profile

How this journey climbs

Highest night about 3,850 m; highest point about 4,600 m (verify). Diamonds mark days with a pacing tip. Altitude, explained

9 days: Salkantay to Machu Picchu9 days. Highest night: Camp at Soraypampa, about 3,850 m (day 5). Highest point: about 4,600 m at Salkantay Pass (day 6). Nights above 3,500 m: 1. All altitudes approximate (verify).

Low 0–1,500 m
Moderate 1,500–2,500 m
High 2,500–3,500 m
Very high 3,500 m+
Day's high point

Hover, tap or use the arrow keys on the chart to see each night. Altitudes are approximate (verify). This is general guidance, not medical advice.

Show as a table

9 days: Salkantay to Machu Picchu: altitude by day
Day	Sleep	Sleep altitude	High point	Tip
Day 1	Sacred Valley	~2,870 m · High	~3,700 m	Sleep lower first
Day 2	Sacred Valley	~2,870 m · High	~3,300 m	Take it easy today
Day 3	Cusco	~3,400 m · High	~3,500 m	—
Day 4	Cusco	~3,400 m · High	~3,700 m	Drink plenty of water
Day 5	Camp at Soraypampa	~3,850 m · Very high	~4,200 m (Humantay Lake)	Take it easy today
Day 6	Camp at Chaullay	~2,900 m · High	~4,600 m (Salkantay Pass)	Big day: start slow, go steady
Day 7	Lodge near Lucmabamba	~2,000 m · Moderate	—	Heading lower: easier breathing
Day 8	Aguas Calientes	~2,040 m · Moderate	~2,700 m (Llactapata)	—
Day 9	Departure via Lima	~150 m · Low	~3,400 m (Cusco airport)	—

Day by day

Your itinerary

Fly in via Lima and drive straight down to the Sacred Valley.

Sleep: Sacred Valley, ~2,870 m (high)
High point: ~3,700 m
Flight
Road

Tip: Sleep lower first

Stay: A hacienda in the Sacred Valley

Getting around

How you travel

Flights: Lima → Cusco, Cusco → Lima
Private road transfers
On foot for four days (camps or mountain lodges)
Train: Aguas Calientes → Cusco

Machu Picchu details

The Salkantay trek

A regular timed entry ticket on day 9, secured when you book.

Permit: No Inca Trail permit needed; Machu Picchu entry ticket required. Typically booked 2–4 months ahead.

Rules change, we'll confirm the latest. Rules change often, sometimes at short notice. We'll confirm the latest rules, ticket types and circuits when you book.

Machu Picchu planner

Accommodation