Salkantay trail

The Salkantay Trek (Salcantay) is a hiking trail in Peru. This trek was named among the 25 best treks in the world, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. The part around Mount Salkantay has some outstanding views and the descent later down to 1,000 m above sea level is quite gorgeous and not too steep.

The trail starts in Mollepata, a couple of hours away from Cuzco, and ends in Santa Teresa or Hidroeléctrica, giving access to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. The trek is not as popular as the overbooked Inca Trail, but many hikers find it just as beautiful. It crosses high Andean terrain, the Salkantay Pass, warmer cloud-forest valleys and small farming settlements before reaching the railway corridor to Aguas Calientes.

The Salkantay Trek can be done with a guided tour or independently. Guided tours are widely sold in Cuzco, especially around the Plaza de Armas, and usually include transport to the start, meals, camps or lodgings, a guide, a mule team for part of your gear, and onward arrangements to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Independent hiking is also possible if you have multi-day hiking experience and are comfortable with route finding, altitude, mountain weather and basic logistics.

Tours often skip the first walking day by driving to Soraypampa. Some also replace the Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes railway walk with a train, or return to Cusco by van rather than train. These options are convenient, but they change the character and cost of the trek.

Salkantay was one of the trade routes for coca and potatoes and passes some Incan storage facilities. The trek is often promoted as a less touristy alternative to the Inca Trail, with more freedom and fewer permit restrictions, but the same pressures are increasingly visible: large groups, informal camps, litter, poor sanitation, and mistreatment of guides, cooks, porters or mule handlers. Choose operators carefully, avoid companies that appear to cut corners, and travel in a way that reduces damage to the trail and local communities.

There are three possible routes starting from Mollepata. All three begin with a day of approach, heading north along a dirt road. Then they diverge:

• The longest route heads north to the base of the mountain, then turns right, following the east side of the mountain, then heads northeast to eventually join the Inca Trail at Wayllabamba. This route takes 4 days to reach the Inca Trail, then another 2 days to reach Machu Picchu.
• The most common route used by trekking companies heads north, then west around the west side of the mountain, over Salkantay Pass at 4600 m. It continues as far as the village of La Playa, where buses usually make the connection to Santa Teresa. From here, trekkers walk to the hydroelectric project then either take the train or walk to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. This route takes 4 days in total.
• Another variation on this route turns right before reaching La Playa, over a ridge and arriving directly at Aguas Calientes two days later. This route takes 6 days in total.

The usual Salkantay route does not require technical climbing equipment, but it is a high-altitude multi-day hike with cold nights, changeable weather, steep descents and some remote sections. You should be comfortable walking long days with a pack, and you should spend at least 2–3 days acclimatizing in Cuzco or another high-altitude place before starting.

Bring normal mountain-trekking gear: broken-in hiking shoes, warm layers, waterproof clothing, sun protection, a headlamp, basic first-aid supplies and enough cash in small notes for campsites, toilets, transport and food along the way. Hiking poles are very useful on the long descents. A warm sleeping bag is important, especially for the night at Soraypampa, where temperatures can fall below freezing.

Trail conditions vary. Some sections use roads or well-worn paths, but the trek is not suitable for wheelchairs, baby carriages or luggage carts. Independent hikers should expect to carry their own gear unless they arrange a mule or horse locally. You can rent a mule or horse in Mollepata, Soraypampa and some other villages along the route, but arrangements are informal; agree clearly on the price, destination and what is being carried before setting off.

There is a small fee for the trek, normally paid near the car park in Mollepata. As of 2025, this was S/20. In the off season, especially during the rainy season, there may be no one present to collect it. Some campsites along the way also charge small fees; as of April 2017, these could be around S/5 per person. Wild camping is often possible, but established campsites are better for sanitation, water access and reducing damage to the trail environment.

Entry to Machu Picchu, trains, buses and some campsites are separate costs. If you are using a guided tour, check whether these are included before booking. Fees and collection points may change, so carry cash and do not assume that card payment will be possible.

Independent hikers should carry an offline map or GPS track. Trail markings and local paths can change, and landslides may force detours. Talk to locals, campsite owners or other hikers about current conditions, especially outside the dry season.

Guided tours normally provide meals. Independent hikers should carry enough food for at least the first two to three days, especially if camping or walking outside the main season. Simple shops and small places selling snacks or meals can be found in some settlements and camps, including Soraypampa, Collapampa, Lucmabamba, La Playa, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes, but opening hours and stock are not guaranteed.

A stove is useful for independent campers, especially before the lower valley sections. After Collapampa, food is easier to find, and there are more small cafés, lodgings and shops along or near the route. Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes have the best supply options.

Water is one of the main planning issues. Bottled drinks can be bought at some villages, campsites and shops, but prices are higher than in Cusco and availability is uneven. Carry enough water for each day before leaving your overnight stop.

There are streams along the route, but water should be treated before drinking. Livestock, camps and villages are common in the valleys, so do not assume that clear water is safe. Use a filter, purification tablets, boiling or another reliable treatment method. In hot lower sections, carry more than you would in the high mountains.

Accommodation ranges from campsites and simple hospedajes to lodges used by tour groups. Soraypampa, Collapampa and Lucmabamba have basic lodging or camping options, and Aguas Calientes has a wide range of hotels and hostels. In the busier dry season, booking ahead is useful, especially if you do not have camping gear.

Camping is possible in many places, and wild camping may be tolerated, but use established campsites where practical. They are better for sanitation, water access and reducing damage to the trail environment. Carry a warm sleeping bag; the night at Soraypampa is especially cold, while lower camps are warmer and more humid.

If staying in basic hospedajes, do not assume there will be heating, reliable electricity, hot showers or bedding suitable for cold weather. A sleeping bag liner or light sleeping bag can still be useful.

The trek crosses several climate zones, from cold high-Andes terrain to warm cloud forest and subtropical valleys. The dry season, roughly May to September, usually offers the best trekking conditions, but nights can be very cold. The rainy season, roughly November to March, brings greener scenery but also mud, landslides, swollen streams and poor visibility.

The Salkantay Pass can be windy, cold, wet or snowy even when the lower valleys are warm. Carry waterproof layers and warm clothing year-round. Sun exposure is strong at altitude, so use sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

The Salkantay route is under increasing pressure from large groups, informal camps, litter and poorly managed development. In high season, large numbers of hikers use the trail, and some operators have damaged the natural setting by putting up poorly planned camps, domes, lodges and restaurants to cater to hikers. If using an agency, choose one that uses established low-impact camps, treats guides, cooks and mule handlers well, does not overload animals, and packs out waste.

Pack out your rubbish, use toilets where available, and avoid camping on fragile vegetation or near water sources. Follow leave-no-trace principles if camping independently.

Do not wash with soap in streams or lakes, and keep human waste well away from water. Stick to established paths where possible, especially in muddy areas where hikers are tempted to widen the trail.

To get to Mollepata you can take a taxi (S/60-80 for the whole car) or take a shared minibus from Arcopata in Cuzco for S/15-20 per person.

It is possible to get a lift with one of the tour group buses directly from Cuzco to Soraypampa (S/50 pp). Many of these groups skip the relatively non-exciting first section of the hike (Mollepata–Soraypampa along a road), to arrive early and spend the day taking in the beautiful Lake Humantay.

Mollepata to Soraypampa

 20 km 1000 m

The first day of hiking from -13.509101-72.5278711 Mollepata to Soraypampa is gently uphill and mostly along a road, with a couple of places selling drinks and snacks. You can either walk on a road, which has very little traffic, or take a trail. The trail goes up high through the mountains and has much better views, but it can be quite muddy during the rainy season. The walk usually takes 6–8 hours, depending on your speed and fitness. An alternative is to take a taxi from Mollepata to Soraypampa.

As the route climbs, views open toward the high Vilcabamba mountains, including -13.333611-72.5444441 Salkantay . The first stage is not technically difficult, but the altitude gain is significant if you have come straight from lower elevations.

At 3,900 m, Soraypampa will probably be the highest and coldest sleeping place on this trek. There is a camp site, but you can also wild camp in the bush. Make sure you have a warm sleeping bag as the night can get quite cold.

Soraypampa to Humantay Lake (detour)

 4 km 300 m

From Soraypampa, a steep side trail climbs to Humantay Lake. Although it is not a long walk, the altitude and 300–400 m climb make it harder than it looks. The lake is well worth visiting if you arrive at Soraypampa early enough, with close views of the surrounding peaks and turquoise water below the mountain.

This is a popular side trip, so start early or late in the day if you want to avoid the busiest hours. The path can be muddy or slippery in the rainy season.

Soraypampa to Collapampa via Abra Salkantay

 20 km 700 m

On this section, you cross -13.3485-72.56362 Abra Salkantay at about 4,600 m and then descend into the warmer valley settlements around Chaullay and Collapampa. Abra Salkantay will be the highest point reached for many walkers and should not be taken lightly. It is important that you are well acclimatized for this section and take your time doing the climb.

The climb from Soraypampa is the classic high-Andes section of the trek, with cold wind, sparse vegetation and close views of snow and rock. Weather can change quickly at the pass, and the path can feel much harder than the distance suggests. Start early, carry warm layers and avoid lingering if storms are building.

After the pass, there is a long 800 m descent into Huaracmachay, where there is a small shop, bathroom facilities (S/1 fee), and a camping site. Many tour groups stop to have lunch here. There is an unmanned free camp site just after Huaracmachay when you start going down into the lush green tropical forest. From Huaracmachay it is another 2 hours of walking before you reach the first small neighbouring villages of Chaullay and Collapampa. Most hikers stop somewhere in this area for the second night; the exact stopping point depends on the campsite, lodge or tour operator being used.

There is a hot spring at Collapampa, but it was damaged due to a landslide and is not operational as of April 2017.

Collapampa to La Playa

 12 km 300 m

This is a short section, so you can use the day to recharge yourself and give your legs some rest. Alternatively, you can combine this section with the next one to make it a very long and exhausting final day.

As you descend down on the road from Collapampa, near the hot springs, you can cross the river and hike down on the left side of the valley to join the trek, which is more interesting. However, the trek can be quite dangerous or not accessible at all during the rainy season as it suffers from frequent landslides and gets muddy. You can also remain on the right side of the river and walk on the road, which has very little traffic.

This stage marks the transition from cold mountain scenery to a warmer, greener valley. You may pass fruit trees, small farms, coffee-growing areas and waterfalls. The walking is easier than the previous day, but muddy paths, landslides and washed-out side streams can still slow you down.

At La Playa, actually slightly further down, there is a pedestrian bridge where you can cross to the right side of the valley if you were hiking on the left side. There is a camp site for organized groups at Lucmabamba, near a school, but if you ask they will let you camp for free at the football field next to it and you can use their facilities. There are also shops around, where you can buy pasta.

La Playa to Hidroeléctrica via Llactapata

 12 km 800 m

Here you have two options. You can take the collectivo, local public transport, to -13.129722-72.5986112MISSING WIKILINK Santa Teresa and then take another collectivo to Hidroeléctrica.

However, it is highly recommended to hike from La Playa to Hidroeléctrica, passing the -13.186185-72.5847983 Llactapata ruins. The trail to Hidroeléctrica is well marked and easy to follow. Around the top of the climb there are a couple of campsites, rental tents, and eco-lodges with fantastic views across the Urubamba valley, with -13.163333-72.5455564MISSING WIKILINK Machu Picchu glistening in the distance. It is highly recommended to spend the night if you can manage it.

The climb from La Playa is steep and humid, so begin early and carry enough water. The reward is one of the best viewpoints of the trek: on a clear day you can see across the valley toward Machu Picchu and the surrounding ridges. This is also a good section to slow down, since the paths around the ruins and plantations can be slippery after rain.

Shortly after the top of the climb there are the Llactapata ruins. If you decide to explore the ruins, watch out for rattlesnakes and tarantulas on the overgrown paths around. The same is valid for the whole hike in that area. From the top, it is a 2-hour steep descent to reach Hidroeléctrica.

Hidroeléctrica is named after the hydroelectric station that is located there and is the nearest place to Machu Picchu that can be reached by road. It has food stalls and transport connections, but it is more of a trailhead and transport stop than a town.

Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes

 10 km 200 m

From Hidroeléctrica, it is a 2.5-hour walk along a railway track to -13.154833-72.5253333MISSING WIKILINK Aguas Calientes. You can also take a 30-minute train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes that costs US$31 for foreigners, or S/1 strictly for locals.

The railway walk is mostly flat and easy to follow, but it is not wilderness hiking: stay alert for trains, bridges, mud and people walking in both directions. Aguas Calientes, also called Machupicchu Pueblo, has hotels, restaurants, shops and access to buses or the walking route up to Machu Picchu.

Altitude, sun, cold and landslides are the main hazards. Spend at least 2–3 days acclimatizing in Cuzco before starting, and know the symptoms and treatment of altitude sickness. The climb to Abra Salkantay is high enough that headaches, nausea or unusual fatigue should be taken seriously.

Use strong sun protection even when the air feels cold. At lower elevations, use insect repellent against biting sand flies and other insects.

The rainy season brings mud, landslides, swollen streams and poor visibility. Ask locally before using side paths or river-side alternatives, and do not continue across unstable slopes or fresh landslide areas.

Snakes and tarantulas occur in the warmer lower sections, especially around overgrown paths and ruins, but they generally avoid people. Watch where you put your hands and feet, and do not reach into holes, vegetation or stone piles.

From Aguas Calientes, most hikers continue to Machu Picchu before returning by train and road toward Cuzco. From Hidroeléctrica or Santa Teresa, it is also possible to return toward Cuzco by road.

Salcantay