Is The Salkantay Worth It?
Yes – the Salkantay Trek is absolutely worth it.
If you’re after adventure, epic scenery, and a less touristy way to reach Machu Picchu, this is one of the best hikes in Peru.
I didn’t do the Inca Trail – it sells out months in advance and requires a special permit – but I wanted something just as rewarding without the hassle.
Salkantay was the perfect choice. It’s cheaper, easier to book, and way more varied than I expected. One day you’re crossing a snowy mountain pass, the next you’re hiking through cloud forest and jungle.
Here are my top reasons why it’s worth it:
| Salkantay Trek Feature | Worth It For... | 'Worth It' Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Humantay Lake |
Beautiful Scenery |
🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Salkantay Pass |
Breathtaking mountain pass |
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Thermal Baths |
Nice easy day after two tough days of trekking |
🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Llactapata Mountain |
Seeing Machu Picchu in the distance |
🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Machu Picchu |
Arriving for sunrise on the final morning |
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
My Thoughts On Salkantay Trek
Aside from all the highlights mentioned in the table above, here are some other great reasons why I think you should choose the Salkantay Trek:
- The scenery is incredible, especially at Salkantay Pass (4,630m) and it ends at Machu Picchu, just like the Inca Trail – but with fewer people along the way.
- It’s budget-friendly and great value for money for 5-days of hiking with food and accommodation included
- It’s a tough trek – long days and the high altitude might not be for everyone
12 Great Reasons To Complete The Salkantay Trek
1. The Salkantay Trek Is A Challenge – But A Good One
The Sakantay Trek will be one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences you’ll have.
Reaching heights of 4600m in elevation, walking 70km over 5 days and 5AM wake ups – these aren’t the things that make you jump with joy when signing up for any activity. But no one said this was going to be easy.
This will most likely be one of the toughest treks you do in your entire life — five days with an average of 20km per day and the last two days being close to 30km each.
By the end of it, you will be in pain no doubt. But that feeling of pain and exhaustion never drowned out the sense of accomplishment and contentment at the end of each day once we reached our camp.
Once on that bus back to Cusco, you will have the biggest grin on your face knowing you went way out of your comfort zone, conquered your inner bitch, and completed one of the toughest treks in South America.
Having a comfortable pair of hiking boots is essential for a successful Salkantay Trek. Head to the post below for some of our essential gear recommendations:
2. It's 5 Days Of Diverse and Incredible Scenery
The Salkantay Trek will take you from Laguna Humantay across the Andes to Salkantay Mountain, and then through the jungle to Machu Picchu – all over 5 days.
Each place you visit is unique and memorable.
- Watching from your tent as masses of clouds roll across Salkantay Pass.
- Seeing the peaks of snow-capped mountains over Laguna Humantay.
- Sitting in the thermal baths on your third night watching the sun dip behind the mountains.
- Machu Picchu at sunrise
All these moments add up to a once in a lifetime experience that you just can’t get on a single day trip.
To see a more detailed itinerary on what happens each day on the Salkantay Trek, read the complete guide which it down in more detail:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
3. Laguna Humantay
Day 1 of the Salkantay Trek starts with a trek to one of the main highlights – Laguna Humantay, a stunning turquoise glacial lake nestled amidst the Andes Mountains at an altitude of around 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level.
One of the main challenges of the trek is the high altitude and the steep incline. The trail to Laguna Humantay involves a steep ascent, especially during the initial part of the hike. The path is rocky and uneven, requiring a good level of fitness and endurance.
Despite the challenges, the trek to Laguna Humantay is undeniably worth it for the views of the lake against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
If you do decide the 5-day trek isn’t for you, you can always visit Humantay Lake from Cusco for the day:
Laguna Humantay also be completed as a single day trek from Cusco. For a full list of some of the best single day treks in South America, head to the post below:
4. You'll Make Loads Of New Friends
Your group will be a total of up to 15 people, including your guide. I highly recommend going with Machu Picchu Reservations.
Our guide ‘Su’ was an absolute legend, who clearly loved trekking, nature and educating others about the history of Peru.
He kept our spirits high and made sure everyone was happy and safe.
The other 14 people I did the trek with were all great people who only had positive vibes to give which made the entire experience that much better.
Hopefully, by the end of the 5 days, you should have made some friends for life – I certainly did!
The Salkantay Trek works well for travellers looking to spend an extended period of time travelling through Peru. I have two itineraries which include the hike so check them how to see how it fits in:
5. Salkantay Pass And Mountain
One of the major highlights of day 2 trek is the view of the titular Salkantay Mountain itself.
This snow-capped behemoth stands at an impressive 6,271 meters (20,574 feet) above sea level and dominates the skyline with its sheer size and grandeur.
Reaching the Salkantay Pass is a monumental achievement. At an altitude of around 4,600 meters (15,092 feet), this is the highest altitude you will reach on trek – and probably the highest altitude you’ve reached in your time in Peru.
Another epic mountain to climb near Cusco is Rainbow Mountain. This beast stands at 5200m and is another challenging but rewarding trek. For more information, check out the post below:
6. The Food Is Great
You will burn on average 5,000 calories each day.
But your guide will jokingly mention that you won’t lose any weight on this trek, and no one ever does. You don’t believe him, that is until you get fed on the first night after reaching camp.
Three-course meals, continual plates of food, home-cooked Andean recipes and all made with fresh with ingredients from the surrounding area – you don’t get anywhere close to being hungry on this trek.
There is a serious amount of energy required for this trek and make sure you are well fed the entire way.
Along the trek you pass through small villages, and you can always stock up on extra snacks and drinks. A snickers bar midway through the day was always a welcome treat!
The Salkantay Trek is one of our many reasons to visit Peru. For more great reasons, check out the post below:
7. It's a Unique Way To Get To Machu Picchu
There are multiple ways to reach Machu Picchu and there’s enough variety to suit every traveller.
However, I’m going to be completely biased here and say the Salkantay trek is one of the best options – especially for adventure travellers.
On the 4th day of the trek, you will walk into the town of Aguas Calientes and check in to a hostel for the night. Having trekked the entire way feels like a huge accomplishment and is a much more scenic way to go about it than taking the 8-hour bus from Cusco.
The only method that takes you straight in to town is the train but it’s the most expensive option and may not be suitable for budget travellers.
The Inca Trail is another popular option but is so popular that it’s often hard to book.
8. It's Perfect If You Are Looking To Get Off The Grid
The Salkantay Trek is a perfect escape for backpackers seeking to disconnect from technology and immerse themselves in nature.
Limited phone signal, lack of electricity and Wi-Fi at lodges, and the physically demanding hike contribute to a digital detox, allowing backpackers to fully engage with the journey and their fellow trekkers.
Many people describe the experience as spiritually enriching.
The pristine natural surroundings and the silence of the mountains create a peaceful ambiance, making it a perfect place to get away from it all. Additionally, the clear night skies offer an enchanting view of stars, adding to the otherworldly experience.
The Salkantay Trek offers an unforgettable adventure and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
9. It's The Best Way To Catch The Sunrise At Machu Picchu
When purchasing tickets for Machu Picchu, there are several different time slots to choose from starting from 6.00AM with the last one being at 14.00PM.
There can be a lot of competition for these early slots and you may not always get the time you want or the day you want. However, when you book on to the Salkantay Trek you are guaranteed a 6.00AM time slot through the company.
So if you want to see Machu Picchu at sunrise, then this is the best way to do it!
On the final day of the Salkantay Trek you will wake up be up before dawn. You will be out of the hostel by 4.30AM with the rest of your squad and be queuing for the gates by 5:00 AM.
It takes around 1 hour to reach the top of the stairs. Once you’ve climbed the stairs to the top, you’ll be one of the first there for what we hope will be clear blue skies and a beautiful sunrise.
10. The Value For Money
The 5-day trek costs $250-280 depending on which company you go with. This is an absolute bargain!
The price includes all your food, sleeping arrangements, transport, and entrance to Machu Pichu – this is great value for money.
That’s round $50-60 spent a day total – perfect if you are looking to extend your trip in South America without spending lots of money.
As mentioned, I went with Machu Picchu Reservations and would recommend them!
11. There are 3 and 4-Day Options
If 5 days doesn’t fit into your schedule, then there are also options for 3- and 4-day treks.
The 4-day trek still includes the best sights – Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass. You skip over Llactapata Mountain which is the mountain opposite Machu Picchu. This is a great day if it’s clear as you can see Machu Picchu from a different angle, however if its cloudy you won’t see a thing! It’s also an intense day of trekking.
The 3-day trek skips over Humantay Lake and Llactapata Mountain. However, it removes some of the long walks in between places which is ideal on the legs and those of you who aren’t super keen trekkers. It just costs a bit more as you take extra transport!
12. Santa Teresa Thermal Baths
On Day 3, you enjoy a much-needed respite from trekking.
The day’s trek leads through picturesque landscapes of lush valleys and cloud forests on the way to Santa Teresa. This is a short trek with little incline compared to the first two days of intense hiking.
The highlight of the day is the visit to the Santa Teresa thermal baths.
Nestled amidst the mountains, these natural hot springs offer soothing, mineral-rich waters, allowing trekkers to alleviate their tired muscles in the springs.
Overall, day 3 of the Salkantay Trek serves as a perfect break in the midst of the challenging journey.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
