This shorter version is designed for hikers who don’t have much time but still want to enjoy the experience.
Those who undertake the 3-day Salkantay Trek will enjoy a route that crosses the Salkantay Pass, reaching an altitude of 4,630 meters, and offers panoramic views of the valley below, as well as lush cloud forests, streams, rivers, fruit trees, a visit to a coffee plantation, and finally, Machu Picchu.
Book this 3-day Salkantay Trek with Go Treks Peru and you’ll have an unforgettable experience, as we have the best staff: cooks, guides, and muleteers
Highlights of Salkantay Trek 3 Days to Machu Picchu
Customize this itinerary by adding extra days to any location. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for advice.
The Salkantay Trek begins in the early morning. Participants will be picked up from their accommodations in Cusco at 2:00 a.m. and transferred to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), the official starting point of the trek. The Soraypampa Valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is an ideal gateway to the Andes and the Salkantay Trail.
The trek continues with another hour and a half of hiking to the unique Salkantay Pampa campsite, where you will enjoy views of the mountain landscape.
The trek culminates with the challenging ascent to Salkantay Pass (4,650 m), the high point of the journey, which offers one of the most breathtaking views of the Andes. At this altitude, you can contemplate Apu Salkantay (6,000 m), the second-highest mountain in the Cusco region, where the presence of the Apus, sacred spirits of the Andes, is palpable.
After descending the pass in approximately two hours, participants will arrive at Wayracmachay, where they will enjoy a hearty and nutritious lunch. After replenishing their energy, they will descend for three hours through a lush cloud forest, a striking contrast between the Andean highlands and the verdant valleys with their waterfalls.
In the late afternoon, participants will arrive at Chaullay Camp (2900 m). They will be welcomed with hot tea and served a prepared dinner. As night falls, they will share personal experiences and contemplate the breathtaking starry sky outside their huts. Overnight stay: The overnight stay includes unique huts located at Chaullay Camp, surrounded by the natural environment and the sounds characteristic of Andean ecosystems.
Wake up in the Andes with coca tea
At 5:30 a.m., participants will be awakened with a hot cup of traditional coca tea, the perfect start to the next day of exploration on the three-day Salkantay Trek. After breakfast, we will begin our descent through the Santa Teresa Valley, a fertile area where the high Andes gradually give way to tropical cloud forest.
Hiking in the Santa Teresa Valley
During this stage of the trek, groups will admire rivers, waterfalls, wild orchids, coffee plantations, banana trees, avocados, passion fruit, and various other exotic fruits. This section of the trail is considered one of the most scenic on the Salkantay Trek and offers the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of both Andean and rainforest ecosystems.
Coffee Plantation Experience
During the journey, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a guided coffee tour, where local families will teach them about the cultivation, roasting, and preparation of organic coffee. This cultural experience allows participants to connect with the culture of the Santa Teresa Valley and enjoy some of the best coffee in Peru.
Lunch at Playa Sahuayaco and Two Options for Getting to Aguas Calientes
After arriving at Sahuayaco Playa town, we will have lunch and then use local transportation to go to Hidroeléctrica. At this point, participants can choose between two options:
Train to Aguas Calientes: If you feel tired, you can travel by train, at an additional cost of $39.00 USD.
Hike to Aguas Calientes: If you have enough energy, you can take a three-hour hike along the old train tracks, a scenic trail along the river, and Machu Picchu Mountain.
Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes
To relax, participants can visit the famous hot springs (optional) upon arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The second night will be spent at either the Pukara Machu Picchu or the Palace Hotel, both 3-star hotels, both comfortable with private bathrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, luggage service, and a prepared breakfast, ready for the next excursion to Machu Picchu.
You will need to start off right: breakfast (5:00 a.m.) at the hotel. Then, you will board the bus that goes up to Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 25 minutes to arrive (the gate opens at 6:00 a.m.) Once there, we will have to show our passports, and depending on the circuit, they will give us some necklaces (The best circuit is the 2nd, for this, you have to book 4 months in advance).
We will go to the top, there are 4 platforms where you can take classic photos with the view of Huayna Picchu Mountain, once on the last platform the guide will give an introduction about Machu Picchu and then we will visit the most important places in Machu Picchu such as the Stone Quarry, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Inca Compass, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, the Inca Terraces, Food Stores this is the second circuit and the best.
After touring Machu Picchu, you will have to board the bus to Aguas Calientes town and have lunch (not included) in the afternoon, board the train to Ollantaytambo town, and then take the bus to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.
The Sakantay Trek 5-Day Tour is available all year round. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2025 through January 2026. All prices quoted are $USD.
Transparent Price Guaranteed! We offer fair and transparent pricing for the 3-Day Salkantay Trek Tour. We ensure each service is priced accurately without unnecessary markups.
Here is your packing list, and go over what is helpful, and what is a waste of money and backpack space. To help our trekkers on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Now we show you the packaging list you need for Salkantay Trek 3 days.
IMPORTANT: Remember that we will provide you with a duffel bag on the briefing day, which you can use to pack 7 kilos of your personal belongings that you will take to the trek, which are going to be carried by a horse during the entire trek. It means that you will do the trek carrying your small backpack with things you need for the day hike, and you will have access to the duffel bag at each camping place. Images for the 3-day Salkantay trek
How tough is the Salkantay Trek 3 days to Machu Picchu challenge?
The challenge aspect of the 3-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu depends on the physical conditioning of an individual and their previous experience of the trek. As a rule, the path can be described as moderate to hard due to its steep uphills and downhills, extended daily miles, and altitude. Therefore, they recommend the participants have a proper cardiovascular condition, and they need to acclimatize well to prevent complications caused by altitude.
Which season is the ideal time for the Salkantay Trek in the Machu Picchu 3-day challenge?
The best time to undergo the 3-day Salkantay Trek is during the dry season of the region, which is between April and November. This period is usually more climatic, with little rainfall, and the trekking is not as much hindered by the weather. The months of April and November are also quite favourable, presenting a green view having undergone a wet season before, and at the same time an average number of visitors, unlike the high seasons in tourism of June to August.
What are the necessary adjustments to the altitude when undertaking the Salkantay Trek 3 days to Machu Picchu challenge?
Ethical standards suggest a span of pre-trek acclimatization process of no less than two days in Cusco or some other high plane settlement. The liberal hydration regime must be assumed by the participants in the course of this period, alcohol intake must be limited, intense physical exertions must be avoided and light meals must be taken, thus the physiological alteration to hypobaric conditions. Also, acetazolamide (Diamox) can be administered on a medical prescription to prevent signs of acute mountain sickness, and is known as pharmacologic prophylaxis.
What do I need to put in my bag for the Salkantay Trek 3-day to Machu Picchu challenge?
Comfort and safety are anchored on the choice of the right gear. Items necessary include long-lasting hiking boots, a system of breathable clothing, an outer shell of water-resistance, a hat, eye protection, ultraviolet-safe sunscreen, a water blad, a head lamp, insect repellent, a sleeping bag of a down rating, personal health care, and prescribed medication. To save money, it is good to have enough money to pay for gratuities, food, and minor expenses.
Is the Machu Picchu challenge Salkantay Trek 3?
Overnight lodging is definitely offered in Loreta La Playa, where the travelers stay on Sky Lodge domes that are furnished with personal lavatories and showers. Only participants are allowed to use this site, and it is in an isolated and peaceful setting. The domes are located in a strategic way to provide panoramic views of the Andean landscape, consequently boosting the experience of the trek. The accommodation has been designed to combine the comforts of the modern world with immersion of the natural environment, which will permit hikers to rest in an exclusive environment after every sportive day.
100% Locally Owned by a Tour Guide
Go Treks Peru was founded by Elisban Condori, a local tour guide with years of experience leading treks to Machu Picchu. His goal is simple: to offer top-quality, authentic experiences led by passionate professionals who truly know the Andes.
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We believe in ethical tourism. That means no exploitative working hours and fair pay for all our staff. We work with trained, freelance professionals who have the flexibility and respect they deserve.
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At Go Treks Peru, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We tailor each tour to your preferences, always focusing on small groups to ensure a flexible, high-quality experience. For us, personal means unforgettable.
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All of our treks are 100% eco-friendly. We follow a strict “leave no trace” policy and encourage our travelers to protect nature and respect local communities at every step of the journey.
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