Ready to book your next adventure? Embark on a 5-day Short Inca Trail Trek via the Salkantay Trek and experience an unforgettable journey through Peru’s mountains, snow-capped peaks, and ruins!
Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days: Great expeditions in Peru, South America, through the Salkantay mountain range towards the incredible short Inca trail to Machu Picchu, conquer the Salkantay and Intipunko passes for a unique adventure through remote hiking trails.
Salkantay Trek with the Short Inca Trail: Discover the ancient trails of Peru and explore the legendary Salkantay Short Inca Trail Trek in this five-day adventure. Experience the beauty of what was once home to the Inca Empire!
Tackle one of Peru’s most famous treks on this 5-day Short Inca Trail Salkantay Trek! On this adventurous excursion, experience the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and the stunning beauty of the snowy Salkantay mountain range.
If you’re looking for an adventure of a lifetime, the Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail 5-Day combo in Peru is a must-do. Get ready for breathtaking views, challenging hikes, and unforgettable memories.
Experience the best Salkantay Trek with the Short Inca Trail package. This 5-day adventure takes you through the stunning Andes Mountains, past glaciers, lakes, and snow-capped peaks, before leading you to the iconic Machu Picchu via the lesser-known but equally beautiful Short Inca Trail.
Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail, 5 Days
Embarking on the Salkantay Trek and the Short Inca Trail is a transformative experience that will stay etched in your heart forever. This extraordinary expedition allows you to witness the unparalleled beauty of the Andes and provides an intimate connection with the ancient Inca civilization.
The spectacular journey through the Peruvian Andes of the Salkantay mountain range begins at 04:30 as we depart Cusco, heading northwest toward Soraypampa. We already have our first glimpses of the snow-capped Salkantay in Soraypampa after only a 30-minute walk from our starting point.
Horseback: To have a magnificent experience through the Peruvian Andes and to conserve energy for the remote walk that awaits us on the second leg of the adventure, we ride a horse from SORAYPAMPA to the Salkantay Pass. We will ride for about 2.5 hours.
HIKING: Take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Salkantay Pass and its stunning mountain range. Following individual and group photos, we begin the hike from the Salkantay mountain pass to the nearby Challhuay community; then, we travel by local transport to Santa Teresa to spend our first night in the cloud forest and near the Cocalmayo hot springs.
1BL, 1D.
5, Challenging
13.7km (8.5 miles)
5 Hrs.
Soraypampa: 3,923m (12,870 ft)
Challway: 2,829m (9,281 ft)
Salkantay Pass: 4,630m (15,190 ft)
After a good night’s sleep, we have breakfast with a good view of the cloud forest, so later, we board a local bus to take us to the beginning of the Inca Trail of Lucmabamba.
We ascend the Inca trail of Lucmabamba gradually through red coffee plantations. We will have the chance to watch the organic coffee production process.
We have about 3 hours of arduous hiking before arriving at the Lucamabamba Pass, one of the best mountain passes for having a dense forest. From the Lucmabamba mountain, take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Machu Picchu.
After taking several photos of Machu Picchu from a distance and exploring the Llactapata ruins, we will hike, descending towards the Aobamba Valley, to head towards the Hidroelectrica train station to board the local train service to arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo.
1B, 1L.
3, Demanding
22 km (6.3 miles)
8 Hrs.
Lucmabamba Town: 2,017m (6,617 ft)
Hidroelectrica 1,811m (5,941 ft)
Lucmabamba Pass: 2,814m (9,232 ft)
HIKING
Today, we enter the Inca road network and the short Inca Trail. At 05:30 in the morning, we start the hike from Machu Picchu Pueblo, following the train line for an hour and a half until we reach the 104 km of railway and go to the control of the short Inca Trail to get to Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary.
On our second hike trail, we hike for 3 hours, climbing the mountain until we reach the ruins of Wiñaywayna. The views and beautiful scenery inspire all the explorers to have a memorable holiday in South America.
The remaining two hours of hiking from the Wiaywayna ruins are on a semi-flat trail. The view of Machu Picchu from the other end of the Inca citadel is breathtaking once travelers reach the Inti Punku Pass. After taking iconic pictures of Machu Picchu from the classic viewpoint, we must board the bus to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
1BL
4, Intense
16km (9.9 miles)
7 Hrs.
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Inti Pinku: 2,720m (8,920 ft)
When you get to the OLLANTAYTAMBO train station, Be met at the train arrivals area. Look for a KONDOR PATH TOURS sign with your name on it.” Group name: Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days
Enjoy the guided tour of Machu Picchu for about 2 hours, with time to take photos and videos and ask questions. Our guided tour is through the Inca citadels through circuit number 5. If clients need to enter a second time, they must buy a new ticket and “book it in advance.”
B
1, Easy
A light walk
2-hour guided tour
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
After the adventure of the Salkantay trek and the Short Inca Trail, enjoy the walk to the RAINBOW MOUNTAINS OF VINICUNCA south of Cusco.
We leave Cusco at 5:30 a.m. and travel three hours south to the Ausangate Andes, where we will embark on a vibrant hiking excursion through the Winikunca Valley. NOTE: If the group of visitors needs to leave at 6 to 8 a.m., we will organize it with great pleasure.
The hike to the summit of Rainbow Mountain takes about 70 minutes one way. Enjoy the scenic views for about 30 minutes while standing atop the vibrant mountain and taking all the pictures. The descent on the way back only requires 35 minutes of easy walking.
Thanks for coming to the Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days
Box Lunch
5, Challenging
7km (4.3 miles)
100-minutes
Llactoq: 4,900m (16,076 ft)
Llactoq: 4,900m (16,076 ft)
Rainbow Pass: 5,100m (16,732 ft)
Explore South America’s magical landscapes on the Salkantay Short Inca Trail Trek! Our experienced guides will lead you through five days of thrilling beauty in Peru’s highlands. Let’s go!
PERU TRAINS By PeruRail / PER PERSON
+$55. Vistadome train (MACHUPICCHU-OLLANTAYTAMBO)
+$498.00 Hiram Bingham train (Inbound Journey: Train MACHUPICCHU-POROY)
+$75 Huayna Picchu
+$75 Montaña
+$75 RE-ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU
This applies to the following services:
Machu Picchu Fee
College students: $25 off
Regulation of Machupicchu
Take all the breathtaking views of Peru that the Salkantay Trek with Short Inca Trail Trek offers in just five days. From Machu Picchu to the snow-capped peaks, along with an unforgettable adventure with Kondor Path Tours!
No, there is no age limit, but if you are older, you should have a medical check-up before traveling and try to acclimate at altitude (see altitude sickness). We have had children as young as seven years old and people up to 68 years old many times. Don’t worry; we are here to help you do it! When there is a will, if possible.
You can change the departure date but not the entry date at the Citadel of Machu Picchu. Tickets are purchased well in advance; if you change the hiking departure, your tour could become one of four or three days, depending on the program book. Remember to schedule your trip to Peru in advance to avoid problems and stay in Cusco 3 or 4 days before the trip. Please note that on this trip, you will meet people of different genders and nationalities than yours; we are an agency that cannot guarantee the gender and ethnicity of our tourists.
We have an excellent kitchen that offers a fantastic variety of dishes.
Breakfast varies depending on the difficulty of the journey ahead—usually a wide selection of products: oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, bread, and jam. You can have hot chocolate, coffee, English tea, and herbal tea (chamomile, lemongrass, tea, or traditional coca).
Lunch and dinner: always have a bowl of soup followed by a main course (chicken, meat, fish, etc., with rice or pasta). This is followed by dessert and an herbal drink for good.
Refreshments (Happy Hour): After the hike, every day, there will be hot drinks, popcorn, cookies, bread and jam, chocolate, milo, etc.
Snacks: Before starting the hike for the day, you will be given a piece of fruit, a chocolate bar, a packet of cookies, and some candy.
Vegetarian and unique diet options are available upon request (see below).
Yes, we offer vegetarian food. Please specify your dietary needs when making your reservation.
Yes, we provide water previously boiled for at least 5 minutes (water purification tablets are unnecessary). Therefore, you only need a bottle of water for the first part, for lunch the first day, and then, from there, refill your bottles at Machu Picchu.
The tents for all our tours are for four people, but the modern man is very tall, and only two people fit in each tent, which allows more space and comfort. If you are traveling alone, you must share the tent with another person unless you request a private tent (single tent, $25).
Tipping is a personal decision, depending on the job performance of each person accompanying you on this trip.
All hostels and hotels in Cusco have a storage room to keep the tourists’ belongings; to make this trip, you must leave it in place.
We have a shallow rate of people returning once the trip has started. Our priority is to help you complete the journey; our guides are well-trained and have a first aid kit and emergency oxygen. Please don’t think that you are in good hands.
In Cusco, we only have two seasons: rainy and dry for six months; the dry season starts in April and October. The days are usually sunny and warm, but remember that the weather is very variable in the high and mountain towns; from November to March, there are rainy days and many unstable months where the rains can be heavy.
Note: Temperatures are for the Cusco Valley at 3400m. Temperatures change depending on altitude (higher altitude = colder, or vice versa).
The train included in all tours is the Express Service; the schedules are the available spaces in the wagons once the agencies make the full payment. The first train can be taken at 18:20 hours and the last at 22:50 hours. Salkantay Expeditions. Arrange transportation back to Cusco (by cab or bus).
Note: Trains are sometimes subject to change depending on Peru Rail train operators. If desired, the train can be modified for better service with a corresponding price increase.
You must arrive before the city of Cusco, where it will be necessary to go with a guide to direct the way for your adventure tours of the Salkantay treks.
The Salkantay Trek is located in Cusco, about 60 km northwest of Cusco. The proximity of Salkantay to Machu Picchu makes trekking around it an alternative to the Inca Trail.
You should bring a series of accessories for the trail. As a backpack that will be your companion during the five days of the tour, carry the following:
The Salkantay trek is approximately 72 kilometers, distributed over five days and four nights through beautiful Cusco, to reach Machu Picchu.
The five-day Salkantay trek is available for all adventurers traveling to Cusco in 2025.
The best season for the Salkantay trek is during the dry season in Cusco, in April and October.
No, the route is marked, and the professional team you will travel with will ensure no incidents occur.
The Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days, where we will be going up and down trails for more than 70 kilometers in the known altitude of Cusco; for this reason, it is advisable to be prepared for the trek.
Training hard will not be necessary, but it does help to do cardiovascular exercises, such as walking three times a week for at least three months before the tour.
Also, spending a few days acclimatizing to the altitude of Cusco before the tour will significantly help us.
To do the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu, you should know that the level of trekking varies from moderate to complex. Therefore, it is recommended to be in good physical condition. In addition, it is recommended to use good trekking shoes, preferably ones that are already molded to your feet; this will facilitate the walk and will not cause any problems.
The best time to do the Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu with good weather is between April and October, as we have clear skies and smaller-scale rainfall. Mainly, the driest months are between June and August in the Andes. However, it is suggested to foresee the type of clothing to use during these months because during the day you can enjoy the sun, while at night you can feel intense cold.
The number one reason we did the Salkantay trek is the environment you are in. You will hike for five days with very different backgrounds. On other trekking tours, the walk to Machu Picchu often remains the same, becoming monotonous. This is not the case with the Salkantay trek at all.
With each step, the landscape changes, and the mountains reveal something new: the rolling clouds, the breathtaking terrain, the towering mountains, and the smiling locals.
There is something magical about walking in the area on the Salkantay trail. All you have to do is walk and enjoy. You have no stress, and there are not many things you must think about during your hike. Just enjoy the walk. Great.
You can book the Salkantay Trek with the Short Inca Trail by contacting us through the website or emailing info@kondorpathtours.com. You only need to fill out the reservation form and provide us with your personal information, such as your full name, date of birth, passport or identity card number, precisely as indicated in your document, and the exact date of the excursion. Otherwise, please send your inquiry to our email address, info@kondorpathtours.com.
Salkantay trek It is not recommended because the conditions are not the best. The Salkantay Majestic hike is accessible to all hikers, but it is recommended to be accompanied by certified expert guides who know the trail well.
No, We refer to security in terms of being robbed, assaulted, or similar during the route. We heard before doing this route that it could be, but it is false. Altitude is your greatest danger, so I recommend you look at this altitude sickness guide.
Yes and no. Acclimatized and in relatively good shape, I can do the Salkantay trek. It is a route that many people take, which can give you a clue that it is about something other than climbing the Himalayas. Still, it would be best to be realistic with your physical condition and, above all, with your acclimatization level.
Yes, absolutely, yes. We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Cusco. Drink plenty of water (as much as it bothers us all; beer is not water), get plenty of rest, and take some walks to measure yourself. If you feel that your body reacts in a more or less usual way (considering that you are at more than 3500 meters above sea level), you are ready for the adventure.
Salkantay Trek with Short Inca Trail second map
Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days COST
HIKING SERVICE
Season 2025
For a private service on the Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail for five days, at least two trekkers are required.
Number of persons | Price per person | |
2 | $ 1 037.00 USD |
At least three hikers must start a shared group service for the Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail 5 Days.
Number of persons | Price per person | |
$ 827.00 USD |
Salkantay Trek with Short Inca Trail: Ready to explore Peru uniquely? Go off the beaten path with a 5-day trek along the breathtaking Salkantay Trail as part of a Short Inca Trail Trek!
Salkantay Trek Short Inca Trail 5 Days
Salkantay Trek with Short Inca Trail
Salkantay Trek with Short Inca Trail