5-Day Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu return by Train

Machu Picchu is the finale, but the real prize here is the route getting there. You’ll move from high Andean peaks and turquoise Humantay Lagoon into warmer jungle country, then reach the Inca site by way of Llactapata and Hidroeléctrica. The glass huts and dome camps add a memorable touch to a demanding trek.

I like the practical setup: meals, a cook, camping gear support, horses for your duffle, and the return train are included. I also like that you get time at Cocalmayo’s thermal baths, a welcome reward after several hours on foot. The main caution is the effort. This is a genuine mountain trek, not a gentle sightseeing walk, and several costs on the Machu Picchu day need checking before you book.

Key points to know before you book

• Humantay Lagoon comes on day one: You climb to the famous high-altitude lake after already hiking to Soraypampa.
• Abra Salkantay is the physical high point: Day two reaches the pass with views of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo.
• The scenery changes fast: You go from snow-covered Andes to Peruvian jungle within the same trek.
• Cocalmayo is not included: Bring money for the thermal bath entry, and treat it as an optional rest stop.
• Your horse-carried allowance is limited: Each hiker can send up to 6 kilos, or about 13 pounds, with the horses.
• The return is by train: The package includes the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then tourist transport back to Cusco.

Why this five-day route is worth your effort

The Salkantay Trek gives you a fuller approach to Machu Picchu than a direct train ride. You spend four days earning the arrival, with the scenery changing from cold, thin mountain air to warm jungle vegetation and river valleys.

That variety is the route’s greatest strength. On day one, you are looking up at glaciated peaks. By day three, you are walking through warmer jungle country. On day four, the first views of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain appear from Llactapata. The journey feels like a gradual change of world, not just a long road to an archaeological site.

The price is $699 per person. For five days, that includes transport from Cusco to the trailhead, three nights of camping, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, meals from breakfast on day one through dinner on day four, a guide, cook, snacks, water, horses for luggage, the Machu Picchu entry ticket, buses to Machu Picchu, and the return train to Ollantaytambo.

That is a useful package for an organized trek. You are not arranging separate camps, cooks, trail transport, or the final train. Still, you should budget for several extras: a sleeping bag, Cocalmayo entry, lunch on the last day, and the Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu bus if it is not covered under your booking terms. The supplied details list a round-trip bus as included but also list a $25 bus cost as not included, so ask the operator to confirm exactly what your $699 covers.

Day one: Humantay Lagoon after the morning drive

Your pickup begins early at your Cusco hotel. The drive goes through Mollepata toward Challacancha, where the hike begins. Breakfast comes before the main walk, giving you a chance to eat properly before the first climb.

The initial hike to Soraypampa takes about three hours. You then have lunch at camp before walking another 1.5 hours to Humantay Lagoon. This timing matters: the lagoon is not a quick roadside stop. You have already climbed for much of the day before reaching it.

Humantay Lagoon is the dramatic opening scene of the trek, surrounded by high mountain country and snow-covered peaks. The route then returns to Soraypampa, with arrival expected around 6 PM. Tea and dinner follow, and you sleep in glass huts.

The glass huts are one of the more unusual features of this trip. They let you spend the night in a mountain camp with a broader view of the sky and surrounding peaks than a standard tent may provide. They are still camping, so do not confuse them with a full hotel room. You need warm clothing and a sleeping bag, which is not included.

Day one is a serious test. You get high scenery early, but you also get a long first day with a substantial climb. If you are worried about altitude or fitness, this is the day to take slowly and follow your guide’s pace.

Day two: Reaching the high point at Abra Salkantay

Breakfast is scheduled for 5 AM, followed by a three-hour trek from Soraypampa to Abra Salkantay, the highest point of the route. This early start is not designed for a lazy holiday morning. It gives you time to reach the pass and continue down before the day is over.

At the pass, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo. The scale changes here. The previous day focused on the lagoon and nearby mountains, while day two gives you a wider view of the high Andes.

From Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, the trail descends to Huarachmachhay. Lunch comes along the way, followed by the continued descent to Colpapampa. Tea and dinner are served at camp, where you sleep in domes.

This is likely the hardest day in terms of altitude and sustained mountain walking. The pass itself is the kind of destination that makes the work worthwhile, but the descent can also be tiring after an early start. Use trekking poles if you normally rely on them, and keep snacks close rather than buried in your duffle.

The dome camp gives the second night a different feel from the glass huts at Soraypampa. The accommodation is still basic, but the changing camp style adds variety to the trek. Your personal foam sleeping mat is included, though you still need your own sleeping bag.

Day three: From mountain country to Cocalmayo

Day three takes you into warmer country. The hike through the Peruvian jungle lasts about 5.5 hours, with lunch at Playa Sahuayaco. After the cold high Andes, the change in temperature and plant life should be one of the most noticeable parts of the route.

The day’s walk is shorter than the previous high pass day, but it is not effortless. You are still hiking for most of the day, and the trail conditions can make a difference. Wear proper hiking shoes, use sunscreen, and carry the water provided by the tour.

The reward is a visit to the thermal baths at Cocalmayo. The entrance fee is not included, so bring extra cash. The baths offer a useful pause rather than just another photo stop, especially after two demanding days on foot.

You return to camp around 6 PM for tea and dinner. The supplied information places the camp near Playa Sahuayaco, but it does not specify the exact accommodation style for this night. Expect another camping night and keep your sleeping bag accessible.

Vegetarian meals are available at no extra charge if you request them ahead of time. Food is prepared by the included cook, and the package covers four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. Since lunch on the final day is not included, day three is the last full meal schedule before Machu Picchu day.

Day four: Llactapata and the walk beside the railway

The fourth morning begins at sunrise. You walk along the Inca Trail toward Llactapata, climbing for about 2.5 hours through the Santa Teresa Valley.

Llactapata is important because it gives you archaeological context before Machu Picchu itself. A local guide explains the site, and you get your first views of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. Seeing those peaks from a distance helps you understand the setting before the main visit.

After lunch, you continue to Hidroeléctrica. From there, you have two choices. You can walk about three hours to Aguas Calientes, or you can take a train. The details list a train option from the Hidroeléctrica area at an additional cost of $35 per person, so confirm the current fare and availability before relying on it.

The walk to Aguas Calientes is a major consideration. It is not a quick stroll after a full day that already includes a climb to Llactapata. If you choose the train, you save your legs but pay extra. If you walk, you keep the cost down and complete the route on foot.

In Aguas Calientes, you have dinner at a local restaurant and sleep in a hotel. This is a welcome change after three nights outdoors. It also puts you in position for an early Machu Picchu visit, rather than making you travel from Cusco that same morning.

Day five: Machu Picchu before the return train

The main archaeological visit takes place on day five. A guide leads you through Machu Picchu, followed by free time to explore independently. That combination works well. You get context first, then room to pause, look, and take in the site at your own speed.

The optional mountain climbs require a pre-designated time. The first group climbs between 6 and 8 AM, while the second group climbs between 9 and 11 AM. The available choice is Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, according to the assigned time and ticket arrangement.

These climbs should not be treated as casual add-ons. You have already completed several days of hiking, and the mountain permits are tied to set entry periods. Confirm your mountain choice and time before the trip. If you prefer a slower archaeological visit, use the free time at Machu Picchu instead.

You return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, but lunch is not included in the tour price. The listed train leaves at 2:55 PM for Ollantaytambo. From there, tourist transport takes you back toward Cusco, with drop-off at Plaza Regocijo.

The return schedule is efficient but not especially flexible. Keep an eye on the clock at Machu Picchu and in Aguas Calientes. Missing the train would create a serious problem, so do not plan a leisurely final meal if your train departure is close.

What the $699 price really covers

At $699, this trek offers solid value if you want an all-in package. The biggest savings come from having transport, camping, meals, guide services, cooking, horse support, Machu Picchu entry, and the return train bundled together.

The luggage support is especially useful. Horses carry your duffle, but the allowance is 6 kilos per person, or about 13 pounds. You carry your daypack, so pack only the essentials in it and use a dry bag for anything that must stay protected.

Included items are:

• Three nights of camping and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes
• Four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners
• Water and daily snacks
• A cook and English or Spanish-speaking certified guide
• A 2.5-inch foam sleeping mat
• Horses to carry luggage up to the stated allowance
• Transport to the trailhead and from La Playa to Santa Teresa
• Machu Picchu entry and round-trip bus service as listed
• Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Tourist transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• First aid equipment

The extras are not huge individually, but they add up. You need a sleeping bag, and you should allow for Cocalmayo’s entry fee, final-day lunch, and possibly the bus to Machu Picchu. The optional train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes costs $35 per person according to the supplied details.

The tour is non-refundable. That makes travel insurance and careful date planning sensible, particularly for a demanding trek with fixed transport and entry times.

Who should choose this Salkantay Trek

I would choose this trip if you want a physically active route to Machu Picchu and prefer a planned service rather than arranging each part yourself. It suits hikers who want high mountain views, jungle scenery, rustic camps, and a hotel night at the end.

It is also a good fit if you like a route with several distinct highlights. Humantay Lagoon, Abra Salkantay, Cocalmayo, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu each provide a different reason to keep walking.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, basic camping, long hiking days, or fixed schedules. The 5 AM breakfast on day two, the three-hour opening climb to the pass, and the possible three-hour walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes require commitment.

The experience also depends heavily on the guide. A guide named Holger received particularly strong praise for creating an excellent group experience. If Holger is assigned to your departure, that is a useful plus, but guide assignments can vary, so confirm who will lead your group.

Packing advice for cold peaks and warm jungle

Bring broken-in hiking shoes, comfortable hiking clothes, warm layers, rain protection, sunscreen, and a sleeping bag. The trip moves through different temperatures, so one heavy jacket alone will not be as useful as several layers.

Keep your passport, phone, money, medication, water, and rain layer in your daypack. The horses carry only the permitted duffle weight, and you should not depend on access to that bag during the day.

A few practical items matter more than fancy equipment:

• A headlamp for early starts and camp
• Dry bags for clothing and electronics
• A water bottle
• Personal toiletries
• Cash for Cocalmayo and other excluded costs
• A small towel and swimwear for the thermal baths

You do not need to bring cooking equipment or a sleeping mat. The tour supplies the mat, cook, water, snacks, and first aid equipment.

Should you book this five-day trek?

Book it if you want the long way to Machu Picchu, with serious mountain walking, changing scenery, organized camp support, and a return train already arranged. The strongest features are the first-day Humantay Lagoon hike, the high pass at Abra Salkantay, the thermal baths at Cocalmayo, and the early views from Llactapata.

Do not book it simply because the price looks attractive. Check the bus and train inclusions, prepare for the altitude and long days, and budget for the listed extras. If you are comfortable with basic camping and want a demanding route that feels like an actual journey, the $699 package offers a well-rounded way to reach Machu Picchu.

FAQ

How long is the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu?

The tour lasts five days. It begins with pickup from your Cusco hotel and ends with transport from Ollantaytambo back to Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

Is the Machu Picchu entry ticket included?

Yes. The Machu Picchu entry ticket is included, along with a guided visit and free time to explore independently.

Are meals included throughout the trek?

The package includes four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners, plus water and daily snacks. Lunch on the final day is not included.

Can I take a train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes?

Yes, the itinerary provides the option to walk for about three hours or take a train. The train option is listed at $35 per person and should be confirmed before departure.

Is the sleeping bag included?

No. You must bring or arrange your own sleeping bag. A personal 2.5-inch foam sleeping mat is included.

How much luggage can the horses carry?

Each hiker can send up to 6 kilos, or about 13 pounds, of luggage with the horses. You should carry your daily essentials in a separate daypack.