Salkantay Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu (Shortest)
The fastest way to experience Salkantay Pass by horse, with Machu Picchu the very next day.
The Salkantay Trek 2 Days splits the difference — the fastest route to Salkantay Pass in our catalog, climbed by horse, followed by the Cocalmayo hot springs, a night in Santa Teresa, and Machu Picchu.
Five reasons discerning time-limited adventurers choose this specific 2-day trek:
1. SHORTEST Salkantay tour in Kondor Path catalog — 2 days only. No other Salkantay combo runs in just 2 days. Fastest-paced adventure for time-limited travelers wanting maximum Andes efficiency + Machu Picchu inclusion.
2. HORSE ascent to Salkantay Pass 4,630m Day 1 ⭐ UNIQUE in cluster. Unlike Salkantay 4-Day, 5-Day, and 6-Day combos where travelers HIKE to the pass, this 2-Day includes a horseback ascent from Soraypampa to the pass — perfect for travelers preferring physical accessibility + faster ascent + energy conservation for the beautiful hike descent through cloud forest.
3. BUDGET-FRIENDLY — from $407 USD (group of 10). MOST affordable Salkantay tour del cluster. Vs Salkantay 4-Day ($456), this 2-Day saves $49 — perfect for budget-conscious adventurers wanting a Salkantay glimpse + MP without extended commitment.
4. Cocalmayo hot springs Day 1 + Santa Teresa 2-star hotel — comfort included. Unlike camping Salkantay combos, this trek delivers 1 hour of relaxation at the Cocalmayo natural hot springs post-descent + 1 night at a 2-star Santa Teresa hotel, including private beds + hot showers. Adventure with essential comfort.
5. Machu Picchu Circuit 2 Classic + 2-hour guided tour Day 2. Complete MP experience — Circuit 2 (Classic circuit) exploring Sun Temple + Main Plaza + Intihuatana + Sacred Rock + Terrace of the Guardians with a 2-hour bilingual guided tour. Return train flexibility (Inca Rail Voyager 16:12 OR PeruRail Expedition + private transfer to Cusco).
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| 🎯 Category | SHORTEST + HORSE + BUDGET + LODGE |
| 📅 Day 1 | Cusco → Soraypampa → HORSE to Salkantay Pass 4,630m → Challway → Cocalmayo → Santa Teresa hotel |
| 📅 Day 2 | Santa Teresa → Hidroeléctrica → MP Pueblo → MP Circuit 2 + 2h guided tour → Cusco |
| 🕐 Day 1 pickup | 04:30 AM Cusco hotel |
| 🕐 Day 2 start | 05:30 AM Santa Teresa |
| 📍 Pickup location | Cusco hotels |
| 🐎 Salkantay Pass Day 1 | HORSE ascent from Soraypampa ⭐ UNIQUE |
| ♨️ Cocalmayo hot springs Day 1 | 1h relaxation included |
| 🎫 MP Circuit Day 2 | Circuit 2 Classic + 2h guided tour |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | Salkantay Pass 4,630m Day 1 |
| ⛰️ MP altitude | 2,400m |
| ⛰️ Lowest elevation Day 1 | Challway 2,829m |
| 🥾 Total distance | ~22.7 km (Day 1: 13.7 km + Day 2: 9 km) |
| 🎫 Salkantay entrance | Included |
| 🎫 MP entrance | Included (Circuit 2) |
| 🏨 Hotel included | Santa Teresa 2-star Day 1 |
| 🍽️ Meals included | 3 (1B + 1BL + 1D) |
| 🚂 Return train | Inca Rail Voyager 16:12 OR PeruRail Expedition + private transfer |
| 🎯 Format | PRIVATE TOUR |
| 👥 Group size | 1-10 travelers (+10 contact) |
| 🎓 Minimum age | 14 years with guardian (18+ unaccompanied) |
| 📅 Operating | Daily departures throughout the year |
| 💪 Difficulty | Challenging (Level 3) — horse reduces demand |
| 💲 From | $407 USD per person (group of 10) |
Welcome to the Salkantay Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu — 2 days of genuine Andean discovery. – HORSE to Salkantay Pass 4,630m ⭐ UNIQUE catalog. – SHORTEST Salkantay tour — 2 days only. – BUDGET-FRIENDLY — from $407. – Salkantay Pass 4,630m panoramic views — Andes + Salkantay Mountain 6,271m. That’s what sets the Salkantay Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu apart.
The Salkantay Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu is the cheapest + shortest Salkantay option in the Kondor Path catalog — the ONLY combo delivering HORSE ascent to Salkantay Pass 4,630m + Cocalmayo hot springs + Santa Teresa hotel + Machu Picchu.
This IS the tour for:
Salkantay Mountain (6,271m) is one of Peru’s most spectacular sacred peaks:
Why HORSE to Pass advantage:
Crossing Salkantay Pass by horse on Day 1 and reaching Machu Picchu the very next day, this is the quickest way to experience the legendary Salkantay Trek. Travelers get the trek’s signature moment, gazing up at Nevado Salkantay (6,271 m) from the pass itself, along with a relaxing stop at the Cocalmayo hot springs, all compressed into a two-day window for those without time for the longer classic routes.
Because the pass is crossed by horse rather than on foot, the physical demand of reaching 4,630 m is considerably reduced, but the altitude itself still matters. The route’s logic is straightforward: starting in Cusco (3,400 m) gives the body a baseline before the drive to Soraypampa and the ascent to the pass, and the descent that follows — down through Challway and into the warmer, lower-altitude Santa Teresa — lets trekkers recover before the flatter walk to Machu Picchu on Day 2.
BRIEFING: 6:00 PM at hotel reception the day before departure.
Pre-tour preparation (night before):
Scenic drive to Salkantay trailhead at Soraypampa.
Route: Cusco → Sacred Valley bypass → Anta plateau → Mollepata → Soraypampa (3,900m).
Breakfast stop en route: local restaurant (NOT included).
Preparation at Soraypampa 3,900m:
Peak experience Day 1 — Salkantay Pass by horse.
Landscape progression:
Cultural context:
Salkantay Pass views:
30-minute rest at pass for:
Progressive descent through diverse ecosystems.
Landscape transitions:
Ecosystem diversity:
Local vehicle transports group to Santa Teresa town.
Natural thermal baths relaxation:
Included: entrance + 1 hour of relaxation.
Santa Teresa 2-star hotel included:
Home-cooked Peruvian meal.
Overnight: Santa Teresa 2-star hotel included.
Total Day 1: 13.7 km / 5h hiking (descent only) + horse ascent + hot springs + hotel.
1 BL, 1D
Challenging
13.7km (8.5 miles)
5 Hrs.
Starting Altitude Salkantay Pass: 4,630m (15,190 ft)
Minimum Altitude Challway: 2,829m (9,281 ft)
Early start for Machu Picchu Day 2.
Local vehicle transports group to Hidroeléctrica train station.
Scenic walk along the railway through cloud forest to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Landscape:
Distance: 9 km / 3h walking.
Preparation:
25-minute bus ride up Machu Picchu Mountain to citadel entrance.
Peak archaeological moment — Machu Picchu entrance 12:00 PM.
Circuit 2 Classic exploration (2 hours guided):
Upper terraces:
Main Plaza area:
Lower sectors:
Cultural context throughout:
Bus descends Machu Picchu Mountain.
Free time in Aguas Calientes for:
Two train options (depending on availability + booking):
Option A: Inca Rail Voyager Class bimodal
Option B: PeruRail Expedition class + Private transfer ⭐
End of SHORTEST 2-Day Salkantay Adventure.
Total Day 2: 9 km / 3h walking + bus + MP + train.
B
Moderate
9km (5.5 miles)
3 Hrs.
Santa Teresa 1,575m (5,167 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Transport
Horse Service
Accommodation
Guides
Entrance Fees — All Included
Meals — 3 Included
Additional Experiences
Safety
Other
Accommodations:
Flights:
Meals NOT included:
Personal:
Train upgrades PeruRail:
Additional horse Day 1:
Discounts:
Sleeping bag rental (Cusco): ~$5-10/day (not needed for hotel stay).
Essentials:
Weather variability: Day 1 at Salkantay Pass (4,630m) can drop to 5°C at night. Day 2 Machu Picchu 2,400m can reach 25°C. Layer accordingly.
Salkantay 2-Day is CHALLENGING — moderate difficulty with horse ascent:
Physical preparation (1-2 months before):
Altitude preparation:
Day 1 warning:
Not suitable for: severe altitude sensitivity, mobility-limited travelers, families with young children under 14, or travelers with medical conditions that affect high altitude.
The best time for good weather is April to October with clear skies and minimal rainfall. Dry months June-August in the Andes offer the best conditions.
However, consider clothing type during these months — daytime sunny, nighttime intense cold. Operating daily throughout the year — book according to your travel dates.
Two UNIQUE features:
🐎 HORSE ascent to Salkantay Pass 4,630m ⭐ UNIQUE (all other Salkantay tours HIKE to pass)
Cluster comparison:
Valley + Rainbow
Choose this 2-Day if: time-limited (2 days) + budget-conscious + prefer horseback + MP-focused + adventure preference over camping. Choose longer combos if: want Short IT permit + camping + Rainbow + extended experience.
Yes — the briefing is essential. You’ll meet your guide and receive crucial details about the hike, including altitudes, distances, weather conditions, and other important facts. 6:00 PM the day before departure at the hotel reception.
Yes, very important. Recommend bringing 300-400 Peruvian soles for:
Two options:
PRIVATE tour (this format):
No shared group tours — all Kondor Path Salkantay 2-Day is PRIVATE format.
Standard: 1 horse per hiker to Salkantay Pass included Day 1. If additional horse needed (physical concerns):
Our guides trained for altitude sickness management:
Salkantay Pass 4,630m is EXTREME altitude — prepare accordingly.
Weather variability:
Clothing strategy:
Yes — 14 years minimum with guardian (18+ unaccompanied) for safety reasons at Salkantay Pass 4,630m extreme altitude.
Adventurous families with pre-teens can experience the adventure with proper supervision.
Note: Salkantay Pass 4,630m altitude risk means children must be physically fit + healthy + altitude-tolerant.
Yes — rental bathrooms belonging to local people, 1-2 soles fee. Alternative “Inca bath” (outdoor) is free.
Challenging Level 3 — moderate difficulty:
Recommendation: Cusco 2-3 days acclimatization before trek to avoid altitude sickness.
No Salkantay permits required (unlike Inca Trail which needs permits reserved in advance). However, MP tickets must be booked in advance (2-4 weeks ahead due to limited availability).
Walking distances:
Total hiking: ~22.7 km over 2 days.
Two options based on availability:
Option A: Inca Rail Voyager Class 16:12 (default)
Option B: PeruRail Expedition + Private transfer ⭐
Or upgrade:
No — different destinations. Choquequirao is a different archaeological site with its own dedicated cluster. Would require separate booking.
Alternative extensions:
(before/after)
Travel insurance STRONGLY recommended through World Nomads.
Yes — PRIVATE tour format:
No — 04:30 AM Day 1 pickup requires Cusco hotel base. Recommended: fly to Cusco 2-3 days before trek for altitude acclimatization + rest.
PRIVATE TOUR pricing — scalable by group size:
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 999.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 664.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 571.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 510.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 478.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 452.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 441.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 427.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 416.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 407.00 USD |
