Tours/Cusco/Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights
Viator · group up to 12 pax

Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights

5.0(121)Cusco1 hour
TRIPADVISOR5.0(121)

Description

The Salkantay Trek Challenge covers 49 km (31 miles) to Machu Picchu in just 3 days, offering the highlights of the classic route in a shorter timeframe. Hike past the impressive Salkantay Mountain, cross rugged Andean highlands, and descend into lush cloud forest valleys. Enjoy comfortable nights at exclusive Andean huts and in Aguas Calientes before reaching the legendary Lost City of the Incas. • 3-day trek along the Salkantay Trail, the best alternative to the Inca Trail • Epic photo opportunities at the Salkantay Glacier Mountain • Trek from high-altitude Andes to cloud forest landscapes in just two days • Stay at exclusive campsites in small groups • Guided visit to Machu Picchu with a professional guide

Tour Options

With Huchuy Picchu Mountain
  • Huchuy Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included
With Machu Picchu Mountain
  • Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included
With Huayna Picchu Mountain
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included
Salkantay Trek Challenge 3 days
  • Pickup included

Highlights

Pre-departure briefing
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Experienced Mountain Guide
Tourist Class Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (The voyager or Expedition)
Backpack cover
Experienced cooks, horsemen and porters
Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
Water, Tea Time, and snacks on the trail
Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (dining room, kitchen, tables, and chairs)
Trekking Poles and warm blankets
Duffle bag for up to 5 kg/11 lb of your personal gear (carried by the horses)
One way bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
All Private Transport and transfers during the tour
Safety: First aid kit, oxygen supply, walkie talkies, and emergency satellite pones
All entrance fees to Salkantay Trek
Accommodations (1 night at Mountain Sky View, 1 night at a Hotel)

What's included

Included
Pre-departure briefing
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Experienced Mountain Guide
Tourist Class Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (The voyager or Expedition)
Backpack cover
Experienced cooks, horsemen and porters
Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
Water, Tea Time, and snacks on the trail
Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (dining room, kitchen, tables, and chairs)
Trekking Poles and warm blankets
Duffle bag for up to 5 kg/11 lb of your personal gear (carried by the horses)
One way bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
All Private Transport and transfers during the tour
Safety: First aid kit, oxygen supply, walkie talkies, and emergency satellite pones
All entrance fees to Salkantay Trek
Accommodations (1 night at Mountain Sky View, 1 night at a Hotel)
Not included
Optional train transfer Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes (paid directly to the train operator)
Optional return bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (paid directly to the bus operator, on site)
Personal Hiking Clothing and gear
Lunch and Dinner on the last day
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Tips for the staff (Optional)

Pickup Locations & Times

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
121 reviews
5
118
4
3
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
  • Machu Picchu permits are limited and can sell out several months in advance. We recommend booking at least 5 months ahead for travel between May and August
  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
  • Solo travelers are welcome and can join shared groups. No minimum participants required. Most departures are guaranteed.
  • Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
  • Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required

Reviews(121)

8
852murielk
August 5, 2026
Excellent

We did the Salkantay trek, a wonderful experience, with our guide Cesar Siccos, who was very pleasant and spoke very good English, as well as with Augustina, Ruan, Elio, and Nerio, who accompanied us as cook and horsemen. Their work was of very high quality, and we have rarely eaten as well, even at a restaurant. Super experience!

C
Cosmopolitan532629
August 5, 2026
Wonderful

Wonderful!! It's very worth it. The first day, which is the climb to saltankay was very difficult and so it is good to have good physical conditioning and be ready for the climb. The descent is very tiring too. Almost 12 hours of trekking. But the view and experience are worth too much. Very beautiful. Very organized agency. Nothing went beyond what was planned.

1 people found this helpful
A
alexandrelecof
August 5, 2026
great experience

very good! I really liked the experience, the locations of the guides.

1 people found this helpful
H
haileyf135
August 2, 2026
Best experience of my life!

My husband and I completed the 3 day Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu with this group (12 of us total). Our tour guide, Guido, made this the best experience we ever could have imagined. He was so kind, patient, funny, and knowledgeable. It wouldn’t have been the same with any other tour guide. The food we had at eat meal was not only delicious, but so beautiful and thoughtfully plated. I will be recommending this company to anyone who plans to visit Peru!

1 people found this helpful
K
karishmap280
June 19, 2026
Salkantay 3 Day Challenge

Wow! This was a phenomenal experience and worth the price for how much we got over the course of 3 days. On the first day we were picked up very early but the whole process was very smooth. The breakfast on day 1 was wonderful and filled us up for our first hike - Salkantay. As someone who has never hiked like this before this was definitely tough but completely do able. Our tour guide Alan was so lovely. He kept our spirits up and morale high. At one point I was moving very slowly and he made sure I was always doing ok and was very motivating. I am very grateful to Alan as he made our experience a 10/10 and was very knowledgeable. The views were insane and the nature was exactly what I wanted. We had a smaller group - only 5 of us which made the experience very personal and close. Also our horsemen Juan Carlos did a great job at always making sure our extra bags got to each destination. We traveled with a back pack on ourselves and our duffle bags were sent separately. The food was so great as well. Our chef Julio always cooked up a feast for us with so many different options and flavors and nutrients. On a hike like this one you have to be fueled and prepared, and Julio made sure we were. Overall my experience with Salkantay was very good. The accommodations were comfortable and clean. The transportation was safe and smooth. This company has everything together and all the logistics handled in the most seamless way possible.

1 people found this helpful
D
Departure30836940191
June 11, 2026
Amazing Salkantay Pass Trek!

My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our trek to Salkantay Pass and Machu Picchu experience! Hever was such an attentive and knowledgeable guide. I was so impressed by the food and how accommodating our chef, Mauro, was. There was a large variety of options, including my own vegan plate, at every meal. The trip was very well-paced and rewarding!

J
jeffaes
June 3, 2026
Great views and some altitude struggles

The 12 hours of hiking on the day that we crossed the Salkantay pass was a lot but all the views and Macchu Picchu at end were unforgettable. Hever was a great guide!

1 people found this helpful
R
rydenl2023
May 31, 2026
Awesome 3-day alternative to longer hikes

Fantastic experience. First day was the most challenging: reaching the Salkantay Pass at 15k ft (4600m) and then descending 5k ft (1500m) to camp. Scenery was gorgeous along the way. Second day was more high-jungle hiking to reach Aguas Calientes. Third and final day was a tour around Machu Picchu. Our guide, Julio Cesar Choque, made the experience incredible. He went above and beyond to make sure we got the most out of each part of the hike, and supported us the whole way. The entire process was extremely well organized and I never was confused or had to worry about logistics. I recommend this 3-day version of the hike if you’re crunched for time and can’t make the 4 or 5 day hike work. I also recommend spending a few days in Cusco prior to the hike to acclimate to the altitude.

2 people found this helpful
L
lpaterl
May 31, 2026
An Unforgettable Experience

The Salkantay Trek was an absolutely incredible experience. I have never seen places as beautiful and breathtaking as the ones we visited during these three days. I feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to take part in this journey. Everything was organized perfectly, allowing us to enjoy every moment without any worries or inconveniences. Congratulations to the entire team! I would also like to make a special mention of Julio Cesar Choque, our guide throughout the trek. He is an exceptionally kind, friendly, cheerful, and welcoming person. He was like a teacher during this journey, explaining every detail of the surrounding nature as well as the history and culture of the Inca civilization that once inhabited these lands. He is a truly wonderful person, always available to answer questions or provide help whenever needed. His passion, knowledge, and positive attitude made this experience even more memorable. Without a doubt, he is the best tour guide anyone could hope to meet.

1 people found this helpful
9
98Aurora
May 31, 2026
The best of Peru in the hands of the best guide

This has been one of the best experiences of my life. The beauty of the nature surrounding us, the fantastic people I met, the fascinating Inca culture I discovered, the delicious food I tasted, all the feelings I experienced - from extreme fatigue to pride, joy, and gratitude - are invaluable. All of this has been possible thanks to the one and only Julio Cesar Choque: our amazing tour guide! He has been super precise in the communication and organisation of the trip, able to reassure us anytime and respond to any questions, doubts, or curiosities we could have. His kindness, positivity, huge passion for the Inca culture, and devotion to the mountains (Pachamama) definitely made him the best tour guide we could have had. He made this experience really unique and memorable!

2 people found this helpful

You might also like...

5.0(121)
Book now