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The Salkantay Trek will take you through the Andes to Machu Picchu in four or five days and is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. As an alternative to the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is not only much cheaper, but can also be booked spontaneously. But how exactly does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu work? And what else to consider? In this article, I answer all the questions that arise when planning this trek to Machu Picchu. What awaits you on the walk from Salkantay to Machu Picchu: The Salkantay trek is considered the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail, the best trek according to the National Geographic Magazine and even many hikers describe it as the most picturesque route. The walk leads along the Salkantay Snowy, a mountain of 6,271 meters high that translates from the Quechua language to “wild mountain.” The highest pass of this hike is 4,650 meters above sea level in the Salkantay pass . Who goes to Salkantay Trek will be delighted. You walk through picturesque valleys through which the crystal clear waters of the snowy mountains flow. Although the climbs are strenuous, mainly due to the altitude, but upon reaching the top, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the Andes. The change of vegetation towards the jungle is also exciting. If you wish, you can relax in the hot springs or take a zip line tour. And, of course, the highlight is the visit of Machu Picchu on the last day. Return to Cusco by train from Aguas Calientes and one thing is for sure: after this walk you will sleep like a stone! Now there are different Salkantay packages that are appropriate to your days of stay in Cusco. Click here to see salkantay trek 4 or 5 days . What are the daily stages? Day 1: Ascent to Soraypampa (3,900 meters) Length: 20 kilometers Duration: 7-8 hours Highest point: 4,100 meters You start with your group very early in your accommodation in Cusco. First we go to Mollepata, the starting point of your hike. The trip takes approximately 3 hours. Once in Mollepata, breakfast is served. Here you can also buy water and snacks. During breakfast, the chef and the rider pack the camping and cooking equipment. Then, the first stage begins with a 3-hour walk that will take you uphill to Cruzpata. There is a unique panorama over the snow-capped mountains (including Snowy Salkantay) and you have the opportunity to walk to the turquoise Lagoon Humantay. Continue to Soraypampa. You arrive at the first camp at 3,800 meters, the highest and coldest place to walk. Here you are very close to the snowy Salkantay snowy. Day 2: Cross the Salkantay Pass (4,650 meters) to Chaullay (2,920 meters) Length: 26km Duration: 9-10 hours Highest point: 4,600 meters Overnight: tents in Chaullay Today you start at 6:30; Today it will be the longest and most exhausting during the whole tour. The first 4 hours are uphill to reach the highest point of the track, which is 4,650 meters between the two giant mountains of Salkantay and Tucarhuay. The view from the pass to the two snowy mountains is simply amazing! After a short break, the walk takes you downhill through the spectacular cloud forest to Huayracpunku. A fortifying lunch and continue towards the jungle tree line until you reach the second Chaullay or Colcapampa camp (at 3,000 meters). Day 3: Descent to the tropical mountain jungle to Santa Teresa (visit to the hot springs) Length: 19 kilometers Duration: 7 hours Night: tents on the beach Today's walk starts again very early after breakfast. It crosses the high jungle, over the river Lluskamayo and a variety of small streams. Stroll through the valleys and enjoy beautiful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. After about 6 hours, his group arrives at La Playa, where the horses return to Mollepata. From here it goes to Santa Teresa about 1,500 meters. There is a much more pleasant and warm climate here. After a short break, visit the hot springs of Santa Teresa and enjoy a relaxing bath, a real pleasure after a strenuous walk. Day 4: Walk to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu Length: 26 kilometers Duration: 6 hours Night: Night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes You leave the camp in Santa Teresa after breakfast and you have several options to walk to Aguas Calientes. The cheapest option is the walk along the road to Hidroelectrica. The road is easy to walk, but it is used by many minivans and has a lot of dust. Alternatively, you can walk on Llactapata to Hidroelectrica. For this, it starts a little earlier and is driven to the starting point of the walk in Lucmabamba. After approximately 6 hours you will arrive at Hidroelectrica. The opportunity to combine the hydroelectric walk with a zip line tour is also popular. This is generally not included in the price and will be reserved additionally. In the afternoon, you will walk along the tracks towards Aguas Calientes, which will take approximately 2 hours.Day 1: Ascent to Soraypampa (3,900 meters) Length: 20 kilometers Duration: 7-8 hours Highest point: 4,100 meters You start with your group very early in your accommodation in Cusco. First we go to Mollepata, the starting point of your hike. The trip takes approximately 3 hours. Once in Mollepata, breakfast is served. Here you can also buy water and snacks. During breakfast, the chef and the rider pack the camping and cooking equipment. Then, the first stage begins with a 3-hour walk that will take you uphill to Cruzpata. There is a unique panorama over the snow-capped mountains (including Snowy Salkantay) and you have the opportunity to walk to the turquoise Lagoon Humantay. Continue to Soraypampa. You arrive at the first camp at 3,800 meters, the highest and coldest place to walk. Here you are very close to the snowy Salkantay snowy. Day 2: Cross the Salkantay Pass (4,650 meters) to Chaullay (2,920 meters) Length: 26km Duration: 9-10 hours Highest point: 4,600 meters Overnight: tents in Chaullay Today you start at 6:30; Today it will be the longest and most exhausting during the whole tour. The first 4 hours are uphill to reach the highest point of the track, which is 4,650 meters between the two giant mountains of Salkantay and Tucarhuay. The view from the pass to the two snowy mountains is simply amazing! After a short break, the walk takes you downhill through the spectacular cloud forest to Huayracpunku. A fortifying lunch and continue towards the jungle tree line until you reach the second Chaullay or Colcapampa camp (at 3,000 meters). Day 3: Descent to the tropical mountain jungle to Santa Teresa (visit to the hot springs) Length: 19 kilometers Duration: 7 hours Night: tents on the beach Today's walk starts again very early after breakfast. It crosses the high jungle, over the river Lluskamayo and a variety of small streams. Stroll through the valleys and enjoy beautiful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. After about 6 hours, his group arrives at La Playa, where the horses return to Mollepata. From here it goes to Santa Teresa about 1,500 meters. There is a much more pleasant and warm climate here. After a short break, visit the hot springs of Santa Teresa and enjoy a relaxing bath, a real pleasure after a strenuous walk. Day 4: Walk to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu Length: 26 kilometers Duration: 6 hours Night: Night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes You leave the camp in Santa Teresa after breakfast and you have several options to walk to Aguas Calientes. The cheapest option is the walk along the road to Hidroelectrica. The road is easy to walk, but it is used by many minivans and has a lot of dust. Alternatively, you can walk on Llactapata to Hidroelectrica. For this, it starts a little earlier and is driven to the starting point of the walk in Lucmabamba. After approximately 6 hours you will arrive at Hidroelectrica. The opportunity to combine the hydroelectric walk with a zip line tour is also popular. This is generally not included in the price and will be reserved additionally. In the afternoon, you will walk along the tracks towards Aguas Calientes, which will take approximately 2 hours. Day 5: Visit Machu Picchu Today Machu Picchu is finally on the show! To get to the ruins, you can climb the mountain in 1.5 hours or take the shuttle bus (bus tickets cost more). Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, you will have a two-hour guided tour of the complex, after which you will have time for your own exploration. Choose to climb one of the picturesque mountains (Huayna Picchu or Mountain). In this case, early booking is important, notify your tour operator. In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes and from there by train to Ollantaytambo / Cusco. Do you want to walk the walk from Salkantay to Machu Picchu? Book it online with Tierras Vivas. For the Salkantay trek, I recommend the following tour: "Salkantay: 5 day trek to Machu Picchu" .