Prices

Luxury All Inclusive Service

Prices: Salkantay trek 5 Days Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2022 through January 2023. All prices quoted are $USD

• Group service $620 per person

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need for extra Porter hire!).

Discounts: Salkantay trek 5 Days 

• Student Discount 20$ dollars
• Under 15 years will pay as a student: US$20.00
• Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)

Frequently Asked Questions: Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu

Frequently Asked Questions Salkantay Trek 5 Days

The Salkantay hike is also known as the route of the sacred snow-capped mountains (APUS) that starts from the city of Cusco and then goes by bus to the place called Challacancha, this is a pilgrimage road has a distance of 89 km through unique landscapes with unique flora and fauna, lagoons, cloud forests, and rainforest and ending at the temple of wisdom (Machu Picchu).

The Salkantay Peak -Wild Mountain- is located within the Vilcabamba mountain range, northwest of Cuzco. Salkantay is one of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the Andes (6,271 m/20,574 ft).

National Geographic’s Adventure Travel magazine included the Salkantay among the 25 best treks in the world.

How far do we hike each day?

5-Day trekking, on the first day, is for training and the second day is the most difficult because of the altitude, the third day is a short day, the fourth day is a very long day but you will not have problems with the weather because it is the jungle to Machu Picchu town and the fifth day is basically bus, that means we will walk between 5 to 8 hours per day, reasonable averages to enjoy this incredible trek.

How difficult is the 5-Day Salkantay Trek?

Even for an experienced traveler, the Salkantay hike 5 Days will be complicated but not impossible because of the difficulties that there are in the different days demanding you physically, but in recent years there is the possibility of renting horses and taking the most difficult part of this trek, for this it is very important to acclimatize in Cusco 2 or 3 days to avoid difficulties with the altitude and of course exercise and be in good shape.

The complete trek is 72 km and with options of 4 and 5 days and is considered slightly easier than the classic Inca Trail.

What’s the most challenging section of the Salkantay Trek 5 Days?

The high point of Salkantay is at 14.760123 feet above sea level, which is the most difficult stretch during the Salkantay, there are several reasons for the wind, little oxygen, and may have altitude sickness but take it easy because there is the option of renting horses, especially when ascending and basically the descent is somewhat lighter in general with a steady pace if you can make it.

Can I hike the Salkantay Hike at any time?

The best months to make this excursion are between April and September, with very clear days with incredible views of the landscapes and very cold but bearable nights.

The rainy season is between October and March with cloudy days and cold nights even so the views are not very spectacular, for lovers of the mystical are incredible scenery and the least recommended month is February there is a lot of rain and landslides and the road is not safe instead Machu Picchu is open all year round, in general, the most recommended months are the dry dates,

When is the best time to hike the 5-Day Salkantay Hike?

the best months to make this excursion are between April and September, with blue sky with incredible views so you can take the best pictures and make beautiful memories of this magical country

Salkantay Trek without a guide?

The answer is yes, it is possible to do it on your own or with a group carrying all your trekking gear without cooks, guides, or muleteers, but you run the risk of getting lost as some days the path is not so clear and the best recommendation is to book with SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES, to have a mystical experience

Salkantay Trek 5 Days with Childrens?

This trek in some days are very tiring and regularly other days are calmer, the recommendation for children there is the option of taking horses during the first and second day as they are the most tiring days, of course, they must have acclimatization of 2 to 3 days in Cusco to avoid complications in this trek, and always do some walking exercises in their different countries that come and from 10 years old can make these treks

Can I use my mobile/cell phone on the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay trek becomes more popular every year and also more facilities for the hiker, which means that in every camp there is wifi and you will not have problems to make emergency calls and about the signal coverage there is only in some places sporadically and there is also the option to charge your cell phone, camera, etc.

What is the weather like?

The climate in recent years was changing abruptly due to global warming and the different altitudes that are in this Salkantay trek, basically, the biggest concern is the first day and in Salkantay pass with strong winds and at night the temperature drops below zero, and the following days are calmer because you get to warmer places and will not have difficulties with the weather.

What should I bring to the Salkantay Trek?

• A good daypack.
• Original passport.
• Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
• Three pairs of trekking pants.
• One rain jacket: The first night, the temperature can be as low as – 5 degrees Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit.
• One warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights).
• Four shirts.
• Two long-sleeve shirts.
• One good sleeping bag.
• Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
• Bug spray.
• Water.
• Digital Camera and film
• A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
• Bandages or moleskin.
• Flip flops. Your toes will thank you!
• Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
• Something to read in the evenings
• Extra money.

Why do I need to make a deposit?

We recommend making your reservation in advance and we will guarantee your Spaces for this hike.

Each reservation needs 30% of the deposit as the first payment. The final balance(70%) will be paid in Cusco (Briefing Day). About Payment, you must choose where would you like to make the deposit: Payment system online,

• Paypal by Debit or Credit Card
• Western Union, Money Gram
• Peruvian Banking Account

We use the money from your deposit to make several important purchases, including the entrance fee to Salkantay Trek, the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, bus tickets, and train tickets. In addition, making a deposit assures us that you will be coming on the trek, and are unlikely to cancel at the last minute. This helps us with knowing how much food to buy, how many of our guides to using for the trek, etc. The deposit is non-refundable once we receive it because we will immediately use it to purchase the tickets mentioned above.

What happens after I make the security deposit?

First, we will send you an email to confirm your payment. Then we will contact you to offer you different hotel or hostel options in Cuzco, as well as inform you of other tours you might be interested in.

Two weeks before your tour date, we will contact you by email to request the final payment. We will also ask you where you will be staying in Cuzco, to be able to pick you up on the day of your hike.

After we receive the final payment, we will send you an email confirming your tour date and informing you of important contact information for our tour agency, as well as some final tips to prepare for the trek.

Can I change my starting date for the Salkantay Hike 5 Days?

Something very important for the customer is to give a quality service for it, once we buy your tickets with your deposit can only change the start of the trek with additional 200 dollars, the reason that the tickets are not refundable or transferable so it is very complicated and delicate, for that we recommend that you plan very well to have no details with your trip.

Is altitude sickness a problem? What should I do to avoid altitude sickness?

One of the problems of Cusco is the altitude, so before making this trek is to be 1 or 2 days in Cusco to acclimatize and we do not recommend alcohol before the hike and drink plenty of water or rehydrating drinks during the day and not eat much and chew coca leaves will help a lot in the altitude and carry some medicine for altitude sickness.

What should I do if I get altitude sickness?

It is always necessary to be in Cusco before any excursion in order not to have altitude problems, if you suffer during the excursion, let your guide know immediately so that he can help you since they have a first aid kit and will give you pills for altitude sickness and basically it is easy to recognize altitude sickness with stomach problems, headache, dizziness and general malaise.

Do you provide water during the Salkantay Trek?

Yes we will provide you with water to drink throughout the tour and you will have no problems, there are also streams along the route basically the water is clean and you should carry a purification pill this is in case of emergency, in general, there are also stores so you can buy beer, Gatorade, etc.

What is the environmental impact of my trek like?

In the Salkantay trekking every year is cleaned in February to keep clean and also during the high season months in each camp there are garbage cans, in general in this excursion is doing everything possible to keep clean for future hikers.

Are there bathrooms during the Salkantay Trek 5 Days?

During most of the excursion, there are no bathrooms, basically, there are in the camps but remember that they are very basic and in some places you will have to pay 1 sol, this is a kind of economic aid to the villagers, in general, you will have to carry your toilet paper and in Aguas Calientes, you will have your hotel and private bathroom.

What is the food like on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days?

A cook, and kitchen assistant accompanies each group on this excursion and the food is one of the highlights having breakfasts, lunches, and dinners every variable from local food to fusion and we have the option of vegetarian food.

What are the guides on the 5-Day Salkantay Trek?

One of the most important is to have a good guide to have an unforgettable experience, so SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES has the best leaders who know the route very well and with a very good English, of course, depending on the client specializing each year and are knowledgeable in history, archeology, ecology and are from Cusco.

To be able to continue working with the guides we give a higher salary than the others and they are well treated.

What happens if I fall ill, can’t keep up or there is an emergency?

The idea of a hike is to enjoy every second, every minute, every day and basically, it is not a competition for which we will always have staff at the back and you will be totally safe and walk at your own pace.

How is the food in the salkantay trek 5 days?

In the Salkantay Hike 5 Days, the food is very varied and delicious, there will be pancakes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, toast, local soups, rice, fried potatoes, sauces, noodles, and noodles, noodles general each meal will be different and abundant.

the water is totally drinkable, every day we will provide it until the end of this trek, is to organize with the cook so that you do not lack water and if you want drinks like beer, Gatorade there is in each camp

What are the toilet/washing facilities like?

There are no toilets on this trail, there are only in each camp but they are very basic and at the end of the tours every day our staff will give you warm water to wash your hands and face and bring wet wipes and gel.

Do we need to take our own sleeping bags and mats?

You will have no problem renting sleeping bags, SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES has the best four-season sleeping bags as well as hiking poles included.

Travel Guide Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu

To do this Salkantay 5 Days trek you should take it as easy as possible. This is not a mountain race, so it is best to take your time to enjoy the scenery. Hydrate yourself adequately. The higher the altitude, the more water you need, and one of the benefits of trekking are that you burn a lot of calories.

On the first day, you should know that you can rent a horse for the second day. This can help you to relax when climbing the Salkantay Pass. You will enjoy it better

When should I do the Salkantay trail 5 Days?

For the Salkantay 5-day trek it is necessary to know the climatic conditions you are in. In Cusco, there are two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season lasts from April to October and the driest months are June, July, and August.

The latter is also the most crowded season. For this hike, it is not necessary to have permits like the Classic Inca Trail.

How much does the Salkantay Trail 5 Days cost in Peru?

For this hike, we suggest you check our price table and see which option suits you best.

How high is the Salkantay Pass?

The Salkantay pass has an altitude of 4621 masl (15 100 fasl). On the Salkantay trek, you are most likely to cross the pass on the second day. You should take it easy on this hike if you are prone to altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness during the Salkantay Trek 5 Days

Altitude sickness can ruin your trip to Machu Picchu through the Salkantay trek. The maximum altitude you will reach in Cusco is 3399 meters above sea level. And the maximum altitude in the Salkantay trek is 4621 m. However, from 3000 meters onwards the symptoms of altitude sickness may appear. Our experts at Sullpayky Experiences always advise those interested in the Salkantay trek to acclimatize properly.

Listen to your body

When your body needs rest, it tells you so. Listen carefully to your body. You should be attentive and talk about the symptoms of altitude sickness. Let your friends, guide and porters know how you feel and take a break.

Do not let it get worse. Eat as much as you can. Don’t skip meals, even if you don’t like what’s on your plate. Believe us, you will enjoy the food in Peru. The body works hard and needs a lot of carbohydrates to travel longer distances and overcome the altitude.

Forget the diet and buy extra nutrition bars. Doing the Salkantay trek 5 days is not hard work but you can easily burn over 4000 calories a day. In fact, maybe that’s one of the reasons why you love trekking. Eat, your body will thank you.

Alcohol and Coca Leaves on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days

If you drink alcohol, you will certainly drink during the Salkantay Trek. You will have to increase your water consumption. This is much easier when it is hot and you are sweating, but at high altitude, you need to be disciplined. Drink 3 to 5 liters per day and some tea when you can. Alcohol stimulates mountain sickness and it’s not just because it dehydrates you.

The Incas used coca leaves as a remedy for illnesses and physical problems. Today, coca leaves are still used to suppress the effects of altitude sickness.

Choose a longer itinerary. For example, the Salkantay 5 Day trek is slower and you will enjoy it better for 5 days and it will help you acclimatize to the altitude.

What to bring for the Salkantay Trek 5 Days

This packing list is focused on our passengers who have decided to do any of the Salkantay Trekking routes.

The bottom line of the Salkantay trek 5 Days

When packing your bags for Peru and the Salkantay trek, there are a few things you can’t leave behind. The following items are optional.

• Valid passport (no copies accepted)
• Valid student certificate (if you book as a student)
• Migration card (the paper you receive when you arrive by plane)
• Trekking boots (light, comfortable, and molded to your feet)
• A good backpack (comfortable, small, and light)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters (bottle, flask, or hydration backpack)

What to carry in your backpack for the 5-Day Salkantay Hike

The benefit of booking with us is that you don’t have to carry all your belongings on the hikes. You only have to carry the backpack and you can leave some things with the amazing porters that will make the hike lighter.

Don’t compromise on the quality of the backpack. It is important to note that due to local regulations, the backpack should not exceed 25 liters. You cannot enter Machu Picchu with large backpacks, so you must leave them at the gate of Machu Picchu.

• Hat and sunglasses
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm layers (long sleeves/fleece shirts)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Personal medications
• Adhesive strips
• Camera and extra batteries
• Flashlight
• Additional snacks, nutritional bars, chocolate
• Extra money for gifts, drinks, and tips (having cash and change is useful to pay for the first day’s use of the restroom)

Other items for the Salkantay trek 5 Days

Sullpayky Experiences will carry for you everything you don’t need during the day. The maximum weight allowed is usually 7 kg and that includes the sleeping bag and air mattress. We advise you to bring as light as possible and not too much.

Bring at least the following items:

• Sleeping bag (can be rented from the trekking company)
• Air mattress (can be rented from the trekking company)
• Lightweight footwear for camping
• Comfortable jacket, hat, gloves
• 2 or 3 breathable T-shirts
• 1 or 2 trekking pants
• 4 sets of underwear
• 4 pairs of socks
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 down jacket and warm jacket for colder nights
• Quick-drying towel
• Soap
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Face cream
• Portable battery charger
• Plastic bags for separating wet or dirty clothes

How to prepare for the Salkantay hike

The best way to prepare for this hike is to «walk» a little more. If you are lucky enough to be surrounded by hills or mountains in the city where you live, it’s time to visit them more often. When? If you are new to this, we suggest you start six months before your planned hike, just doing an hour (or two) of walking a week.

When you’ve improved your condition after 3 weeks it’s time to increase the intensity. Carry a 10 to 15 kg backpack and add one longer, three-hour hike a week. If this lifestyle is new to you, you will soon reap the benefits of trekking.

After a few months of this routine, hike longer and more often. You can simulate a few days of constant trekking by hiking for a few days.

Increasing your physical condition for the Salkantay hike

You’ll need a little extra strength. One way to get stronger is to do some basic strength work. You don’t need to get a gym membership, as just using bodyweight can give you the results you’re looking for.

Once or twice a week, depending on how you feel, you can do two sets of 10 squats and 10 step-ups. If you want to push yourself a little harder, you can try adding some weights exercises and increase the routine.

Where to book Salkantay Trek 5 Days

It is best to book in advance. The Salkantay trek always includes Machu Picchu at the end of the trip. For Machu Picchu, you need entrance tickets that must be arranged in advance. It is necessary a little time in advance to book entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.

Why Sullpayky Experiences!

In SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES we are not only a Travel Agency, we are a 100% Quechua family with more than 15 years of experience in the world of tourism. Our mission is to offer an unforgettable experience that will mark your life, based on Inca values: honesty, love and respect. For this reason, we offer a different kind of tourism, in which our priority is to give you more than a fun trip, a trip of reunion with yourself, to know your essence through the most sacred thing we have, our land, the Pachamama.

We are specialists in creating a personalized experience, so we have more than 28 tours that can be modified according to your needs (from the classic Inca Trail to innovative and alternative tours such as Moonstone) because there are many ways to know Machu Picchu, however, we are convinced that there is only one right for each client. . We also offer tours for clients with special needs.

We offer personalized assistance 24 hours a day, before and during your trip. When you contact us, you will be attended by our Peru travel experts, who will be happy to assist you and help you as soon as possible, answering your questions and providing you with information, as well as recommendations to prepare you physically and mentally for the experience you will live.

All our staff is 100% Quechua and is in constant training to always offer the best possible service. Our guides are Quechua mystics who will provide you with a unique experience. They also have basic training in photography and are equipped with a semi-professional camera to document your entire trip so you don’t have to worry about anything except enjoying every moment. Our cooks have chef training and will be informed of any dietary restrictions (such as allergies).

SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES is a local travel agency and tour operator authorized by the institutions that govern tourism regulations in Peru. That is why we have the necessary licenses and permits to operate within our country.
We also emphasize that we are against the exploitation of the Pachamama (earth) and our wayki (brothers), so we offer a totally ecological tourism and well paid for all our workers, as we seek to be the difference in everything.

We know you will be happy with our service, as evidenced by the hundreds of testimonials from our traveler clients from all over the world. See the recommendations and memories of travel experiences in various social networks such as TripAdvisor, which will explain why you should choose SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES for your next vacation in our country.

About our growth process
Continuous improvement is one of our commitments. One of our principles is that the work of each area is important to achieve the best final product. Therefore, throughout our history we have developed several projects with different areas, which have given us the following results:

We have completed the policy of our Integrated Management System as a sign of the guarantee of our organization.

Continuous training to tour guides, cooks, porters, drivers, people in charge of different areas such as Sales, Reservations, Operations, Administration, etc., in customer service, quality of service to tourists, knowledge of the route, and other topics concerning the tourism industry in Peru. Due to our progress in these areas, we have received the CALTUR 2021 Certification from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

About SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES Licenses and Authorizations
SULLPAYKY EXPERIENCES – Travel Agency and Tour Operator, complies with all the requirements and licenses necessary to operate and offer various services in the field of tourism throughout the Peruvian territory. The institutions mentioned below are in charge of regulating the tourism industry in Peru and we are subscribed to them:

We are authorized by DIRCETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco), a government agency that promotes competition, sustainability, and diversification of Peruvian exportable products, tourism, and handicrafts.

We are subscribed to PROMPERU (Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism), an institution belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of our country.

We are also subscribed to SERNANP, in order to operate in the Inca Trail Network. The National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State, which is a specialized technical public agency of the Peruvian government, under the Ministry of Environment of Peru, is in charge of directing and establishing the technical and administrative criteria for the conservation of the Natural Protected Areas of Peru.

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