I
The most rewarding experience of my life
Everything from the guidance to the food was amazing. The tour guide Nestor was always making sure the group was ok and stayed together the best we could.
Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights
+14 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 days
- Price from
- $680 / person
- Location
- Cusco, Peru
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 128 reviews
- Languages
- EN, EN, EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Salkantay Trekking
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
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 3:00 AM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 15
- Adult (ages 18–70)
- $680
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 14.
Tour Options
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
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
128 reviews
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
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights take?
Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights lasts about 3 days.
How much does Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights cost?
Prices start at $680 per person for this Cusco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 3:00 AM.
Can I cancel Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco. Pickup points include Inka Club Hostel, Mosoq Killa.
What languages is Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN, EN, ES, ES, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 128 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Salkantay Trekking.
Reviews(128)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
1
BEST EXPERIENCE
Hardest but BEST experience of my life. The views were surreal. My guide Nestor was amazing. He was very patient, informative and great vibes. I always wanted to see Machu Picchu but the trek added a whole new experience that made it so magical. 100% recommend to anyone who wants to experience Machu Picchu in a different more immersive way. I’ve traveled many countries and this is by far my favorite experience.
K
Salkantay Challenge grind
The trip was great! Experienced the mountains,the jungle,the epic views,the history and culture all in one trip! Our guide Marco was great,energetic and motivating ! Very knowledgeable as well!
1 people found this helpful
S
Salkantay challenge
This trip was such a highlight, memories I will cherish for a lifetime. It’s certainly a challenge, but the reward is worth it. The guide we had was fantastic - Marco.
1 people found this helpful
X
Great experience
Great experience, great communication before the trek started, our guide Saul was fantastic, very knowledgeable, helpful and funny. The activities were fun and finishing at Machu Picchu was perfect
1 people found this helpful
F
Salkantay 3 days
We had a great time and experienced many special moments. Everything was super organized and we had great accommodations. Julio César and Pedro were both super guides with a lot of experience. With 12 people, the group size was very pleasant, yet you could always walk at your own pace while hiking. The food from the accompanying chefs was also very delicious. All in all, I would definitely recommend the tour, next time I'll even book the 5-day tour :-)
1 people found this helpful
M
IF YOU HAVE THREE DAYS DO IT
Fantastic experience, with impressive landscapes. It is tough but it is worth it. We finished delighted.
8
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
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
great experience
very good! I really liked the experience, the locations of the guides.
1 people found this helpful
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| Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights | 3 days | 5.0 (128) | $680 | |
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from$680
5.0(128)