In November 2025, Luke and I completed the 5-day Salkantay Trek in Peru and we knew it was going to be really tough. However, quite a few things surprised us!
First off, the 15,000′ elevation didn’t feel as gnarly as we thought after four days of acclimatizing in Ollantaytambo and Cusco. Additionally, I thought that Day 2 (the 15,000′ + 14 mile day) would be the roughest, but Day 4 was even tougher! Lastly, the accommodation that our guide service provided felt more like a luxury resort than camping (hot-ish shower + private chef included)!
Read on for all of our highs, lows, itinerary, and booking recommendations for the 5-day Salkantay Trek in Peru.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, designed to allow The Unremarkable Climber (me) to earn a small commission if you choose to book through them, at no extra cost to you. This really helps support the site and lets me know you find this information valuable! That being said, all of the experiences I recommend, commission based or not, are genuine recommendations for some of my favorite activities, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Feel free to drop any questions in the message box below.
Is the 5-Day Salkantay Trek in Peru for you?
I’m not going to pretend that the 5-day Salkantay Trek is easy, because it’s most definitely not. Quite a few individuals in the group tours turned back within the first hour and just couldn’t handle the elevation and exertion.
HOWEVER, I heard one of them say at breakfast that they had “never been on a hike before” which I think is a common sentiment. Doing sports is not the same as being in trekking shape, especially when the hike begins at 12,000 feet and covers 45+ miles. Our guide told us that they get so many clients who go straight from the couch to this bucket list adventure and then, understandably, just can’t hang.
Hiking five miles off the couch is very different than hiking or even walking multiple 14 mile days in a row. If your feet and legs aren’t used to it, it won’t go well for you.
I personally consider myself an unremarkable athlete (hence the website name). I’m not an ultralight thru-hiker or marathon runner, though I hike 2-5 miles for work or climbing trips fairly regularly.
We did do something that others didn’t though. We prepared ahead of time.
How did we prepare for the 5-day Salkantay Trek?
Leading up to this November trip, we did a couple of backpacking trips to prepare.
In June, we completed a 12-mile round trip backpacking trip to Pear Lake with 45lb packs at 9,000′ in Sequoia National Park. In September, we went on a similar 24-mile round trip backpacking trip to Kearsarge Pass which brought us up over a 11,900′ mountain pass. Then in October, two weeks before the trip, we spent a weekend in Mammoth, California where we rock climbed, camped, hiked, and snowshoed between 9,000 and 11,000 feet in elevation to help acclimatize.
Though Luke and I live at sea level, we are no strangers to elevation and made sure to acclimatize properly both in advance and also once in Peru. In the four days leading up to our 5-day Salkantay Trek, we spent a couple days in Ollantaytambo (9,000′) and then a couple days in Cusco (11,000′) and never felt super winded or needed any sort of supplemental oxygen despite hiking every day.
My Recommendations
I highly recommend spending at least four days at elevation prior to the trek if you’re used to being at elevation and even more if you are not. Additionally, make sure you’ve done a couple of 12-mile hikes (or even hilly walks) with at least 20lbs of weight while wearing the shoes you plan to wear on the trek. That way, you know your muscles are ready and shoes are comfortable enough to really push yourself on the steep + rocky terrain at elevation without worrying about shaky legs and blisters.
Which tour company did we use for our 5-day Salkantay Trek in Peru?
Luke and I chose to book a guided tour with Salkantay Trekking. We chose a private tour because we wanted to hike at our own pace rather than wait for other struggling hikers or slow anyone else down. The private option also included our own private chef.
While we really appreciated the private experience, it was 30% more expensive per person and we kind of missed out on the camaraderie that accompanies a guided group tour. We also found that we hiked much slower than one group tour and quicker than two others (who had to wait for hikers who ended up bailing) so we probably would have been just fine in a group.
That being said, our private guide Dario was OUTSTANDING and SO knowledgeable. He was very accommodating but also pushed us hard when we needed it. Our chef and horseman were also incredible and did an excellent job working with almost nothing to deliver a 5-star experience!
Why use Salkantay Trekking for the Salkantay Trek in Peru
Other than being literally named after the Salkantay Trek, here are a few reasons we would recommend booking with Salkantay Trekking.
First, we noticed our company had the best accommodation options. Our domes looked like luxury resorts in comparison to other companies’ options, and much better than those without a guide who had to organize their own accommodation or set up a tent after a 14-mile day.
Second, those that chose to trek without a guide had to carry all of their own gear (tent, food, cookware, etc.). We only carried some warm layers and snacks and let the horse carry the rest.
Third, the guide, cook, and horseman were AWESOME!
Fourth, the company was communicative from first booking to the guided trek itself and took care of every ticket and reservation we needed from 4AM on Day 1 to 6PM on Day 5.
Fifth, the guides are in the know. Dario heard about an impassable landslide on trail in advance and rerouted us and organized alternate transportation seamlessly. Without a guide, we would have been SO lost and had to backtrack for miles to the nearest river crossing.
When to book the Salkantay Trek in Peru
I think you should book the 5-day Salkantay Trek as soon as possible.
During busy season, the trek books up months in advance. If you do happen to find a spot on the trek last minute, you’ll most likely have to settle for Circuit 1 or Circuit 3 tickets in Machu Picchu, since Circuit 2 (the one where you actually walk through the ruins) will have already sold out. Your guide will do their best to get you the best tickets, but if they sell out, there’s nothing they can do.
We booked in June with no issues, but we were not traveling in busy season. November is much quieter (and wetter) than June – August, so it was possible to book a little later. One of the trekkers in the group tour actually booked a couple days in advance and was able to complete the trek, but couldn’t see Circuit 2 and had to ride separate from the group in another train car that still had space.
How to book your Salkantay Trek
The easiest way to book a group tour is to use the ‘book now’ button below. For a private tour, you’ll have to contact the company and make your own arrangements.
Something to note: the ‘+ $225 to be paid in destination’ is all optional hiking and transportation not included in the standard trek. There are a lot of add-ons in case you want more or less of a challenge, and your guide will cover all of these with you during your orientation and along your trek. For example, we paid a little bit extra to spend an afternoon at the nearby hot springs.
What to pack for the 5-day Salkantay Trek
Our guide service provided us with a comprehensive packing list, but here are some highlights:
- Hiking layers for 30°F to 80°F: Mornings were dry and chilly at elevation, then warm and humid in the jungle, but most of the hiking was between 60°F and 70°F. A thin long sleeve was fine 90% of the time.
- 100% Waterproof jacket, pants, boots: We survived pouring rain, but the worst was trekking through wet foliage in the jungle. I’m not sure if my layers failed or I was just so sweaty it didn’t matter.
- Bug spray: I didn’t expect to get eaten alive at 8,000′ by mosquitos, but they got my ankles through my pants.
- Toilet paper and 1 sol coins: good luck using the random private trail baños otherwise. Most provide toilet paper. All require payment. And they give you SO MUCH FOOD on this trek.
- Sun protection: a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential at altitude.
- Normal toiletries + towel: expect shared bathrooms and maybe even a semi-hot shower along the way
- Hiking poles: you can rent from the company, but HIGHLY recommend (as someone who never uses poles outside of backpacking).
- 15ºF Sleeping bag: They recommend 0ºF, and you can rent one for a fee, but I don’t think the coldest night even dipped below freezing, and they gave us a hot water bottle that night anyway.
Itinerary for our 5-day Salkantay Trek in Peru
5-Day Salkantay Trek Overview
- 5 Days + 4 Nights
- 49 miles
- Max elevation: 15’190′
- Min elevation: 6,562′
- Machu Picchu!
Day #1 (November 1st): Sky Camp + Humantay Lake - 6 Miles
0400 (Cusco): We met our guide in the DARK while people were still out partying from Halloween and drove to the starting point, stopping for breakfast along the way.
0830 (Challacancha): We began trekking at 12,500′ along an old Incan canal before dropping down to our Sky Camp accommodation in Soraypampa roughly four miles later.
1200: After a short break, we chose to hike the short (2 mile rt) but super steep trail to Humantay Lake (13,780′) before lunch. Because we got there relatively early, we enjoyed a quieter lake than most other groups who came up in the afternoon. The view was as breathtaking as they say!
1330: After returning to camp, we ate lunch, then tea time, then dinner. It was then we realized that our chef was top notch and the food was a bit too plentiful (honestly WAY too much!).
We turned in early to prepare for another early morning after a great warm-up day. Hiking straight up to Humantay Lake was exhausting, but overall, the first day was easy compared to what was to come on the rest of the 5-day Salkantay Trek.
Day #2: Salkantay Pass - 15 Miles
0430 (Soraypampa): After another wake-up call in the dark, we ate breakfast and began the trek up and over Salkantay Pass at 0600, immediately passing two group tours within the first mile who had to wait for hikers that ended up bailing on the trek after 20 minutes. We climbed steadily uphill, leapfrogging around other trekkers the whole way, as we all struggled our way up to the top of Salkantay Pass. It would be the highest elevation I’d ever been to.
0900 (Salkantay Pass – 15,190′): Despite ascending 2,500′ to the highest elevation of the entire trek, our journey was far from over for the day. We still had to descend 6,000′ over the next 9 miles to reach our Mountain Sky View Domes in Collpapampa. On the trek down from the alpine through the high rainforest, we got drizzled on and I even saw my first avalanche!
1600 (Collpapampa): Rolling into camp was the BEST feeling after 15 miles of trekking, especially when we were surprised with hot water showers in our private dome. The first thing we did was take our shoes off and just sit with the view before heading to dinner and then bed.
Day #3: Jungle + Coffee Farm + Hot Springs (add-on) - 6 Miles
0500: We got to sleep in past 4AM today.
0630 (Collpapampa): We set out on a 6 mile hike through the dense Andean jungle on a single track lined with wild strawberries which followed a river fed by mountain springs which were bubbling out off the edge of the cliff next to us. Our guide then got word of a washed out section of trail up ahead and quickly arranged an alternate route and transportation for us.
1030 (Playa Sahuayaco): After using the last reliable bridge to divert from the trail across the river, we caught a ride on the road which brought us to our next destination: a coffee farm where we roasted our own beans over a fire and Luke bought some of the best coffee beans he’s ever tasted (still to this day!)
1200 (Lucmabamba): We rolled into ‘camp’ to find our Jungle Domes. These domes were arguably the most extravagant yet, which was hard to believe and were located at the lowest elevation on the trek at 6,562′. The warm, tropical rainforest was a huge contrast to the dry, cool alpine environment where we began at 12,000′.
1430: Because of the landslide on trail, we made it to our Jungle Domes much earlier than anticipated which left time for an afternoon at the hot springs down the road which is where we spent the remainder of the day.
Day #4: The never-ending trudge to Aguas Calientes - 16 Miles
0500 (Lucmabamba): We woke up to pouring rain and already knew we were in for a rough day. Luckily it backed off a little bit by the time we hit the trail, but all of the wet leaves we trekked through eventually soaked through our rain pants and jackets. Realistically, it also could have just been our own sweat as we ascended 2,500+ feet up through the dense jungle until we finally found the top of Llactapata Pass (9,186′) and caught our first glimpse at Machu Picchu through the clouds.
1000 (Llactapata): On our 3,000′ descent to Hidroelectrica (5,906′) which was our lowest elevation of the trek, we passed the ruins of Lllactapata and caught more glimpses of Machu Picchu across the way before stopping for lunch in Aobamba then finally arriving at the train station.
1400 (Hidroelectrica): Here is where I decided to be both cheap and tough and forego the $40USD train the last 6 miles to Aguas Calientes because every other trekker did, even though my feet and back felt like simultaneously exploding and collapsing. It was literally the longest 6 miles of my life as we kept putting one foot in front of the other until we finally made it to our hotel.
Against all odds, we still managed to walk to dinner, though I still question if refusing the train was the right choice.
Day #5: Machu Picchu
0600 (Aguas Calientes): Dario arranged for us to take the earliest bus to Machu Picchu, which allowed us to avoid waiting in the ridiculous lines later in the day. He also got us tickets for Circuit 2 which is the best circuit and allows you to walk through all the ruins. We were happy we booked so far in advance!
1000: After a few hours in the citadel, we returned to Aguas Calientes where we had some free time before grabbing some lunch, catching the scenic train to Aguas Calientes (1430), then meeting our driver (1630) and taking the van back to Cusco (1845).
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek
The 4-day Inca Trail and 5-day Salkantay Trek are the two most popular treks leaving from Cusco, Peru. On both treks, you will explore stunning Andean scenery, trek past memorable archaeological sites, and end in Machu Picchu. However there are quite a few differences to consider.
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek Difficulty
In terms of difficulty, the Salkantay Trek is definitely more challenging. On the Inca Trail, you’ll cover roughly 27 miles in four days. If that seems like a lot, on the Salkantay Trek, you’ll cover a staggering 49 miles in five days.
Additionally, this mileage is not flat. On the toughest day of the Salkantay Trek, we gained nearly 3,000 feet for a max elevation of 15,190 feet, then descended 6,000 feet over a total of 15 miles. On the Inca Trail, the most challenging day includes 4,000 feet of elevation gain, a max elevation of 13,829 feet, and 3,000 feet of elevation loss over 10 miles.
While not easy by any means, the Inca Trail is still much easier than the Salkantay Trek.
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek Accommodation
We LOVED our accommodation on the Salkantay Trek. We slept in domes with beautiful views. Some even had showers!
On the Inca Trail, camping in tents is the only option. While the tour companies take good care of you, carry most of the gear, and cook your meals, this is a major difference between the two.
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek Price
Because the Inca Trail requires more porters to carry all the additional gear required for tent camping, the price is more expensive than the Salkantay Trek even though the trek is one day shorter.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Inca Trail
- 4 days
- 27 miles
- Max Elevation: 15,190 feet
- More expensive
- Sleep in tents
- More archeologic sites
- Very crowded
Salkantay Trek
- 5 days
- 49 miles
- Max elevation: 13,829 feet
- Cheaper
- Sleep in domes with beds
- More ecosystem diversity
- Slightly less crowded
After debating the differences, we chose the Salkantay Trek because it seemed like more of an adventure. We were right, and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. However, next time, I’d definitely consider the Inca Trail for its rich history. If you are willing to put in the effort and prepare properly, there is no wrong choice!
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