Salkantay Trek

Salkantay Trek (Salkantay Trail) is a famous, multi-day hike in the Cusco Region of Peru that runs roughly 60 km on a classic “out-and-back replacement” to the Inca Trail, ending at Machu Picchu.

Most itineraries are built around a high pass crossing: Day 1 goes from Challacancha to Soraypampa, with an optional out-and-back to Humantay Lake; Day 2 pushes up to Salkantay Pass (about 4,650 m) at the day’s high point before descending toward Chaullay.

Day 3 generally follows the descent zone, linking Chaullay/Lucmabamba or Santa Teresa toward the train-town of Aguas Calientes.

Day 4 is the final leg to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes—either on foot using the stair route or by bus to the entrance—so you arrive for a Machu Picchu visit rather than camping at the citadel.

Route character is altitude-driven: the toughest day is the climb up to Salkantay Pass (highest point around 4,630–4,650 m in common itineraries), followed by long downhill legs as you drop back into lower, warmer zones.

Expect a wide day-to-day change in environment over just a few days: starting with colder high-mountain conditions near the pass approach, transitioning into cloud-forest conditions after the high crossing.

Planners should treat the trek as a logistics-heavy trip (multi-day lodging plus the Machu Picchu day) rather than a simple point-to-point hike, since most standard schedules use established camp and town nights before the final monument visit.

More information: Wikipedia, SALKANTAY TREK | Trekking in Peru, Treks to Machu Picchu, A complete guide to hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu ...