This 5-day off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to Peru’s crowded mountain trails. Passing through little-walked valleys along the south and east faces of Mount Salkantay, this trip avoids the typical tourist crowds, ensuring a peaceful immersion into the Andean wilderness. The route also highlights environmental responsibility, as it is completely carbon-neutral with all emissions offset through Peruvian nature restoration projects.
Throughout the journey, hikers encounter natural biodiversity and rich local culture, from a rare relict cloud forest to sweeping high-altitude passes like Cruzjasa. The route showcases impressive historical landmarks, including secluded Inca sites like Paucarcancha, Patallacta, and Machu Q’ente, before ending with a guided tour of the iconic Machu Picchu citadel.
Accommodation seamlessly balances outdoor adventure with practical comfort through a hybrid setup of three nights in camp and one night in a hotel, which guarantees a full nature experience without sacrificing a restful night before exploring Machu Picchu.
Full itinerary: relict cloud forest hike; Tambomachay and Cruzjasa passes; Pampacahuana Valley; Inca sites of Paucarcancha, Patallacta, and Machu Q’ente; Vilcanota River path to Km 82; train to Machu Picchu Village; guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Off the beaten path: the route follows the south and east side of Mount Salkantay, away from the crowds of the classic pass, on a section very few people walk.
See the south and east faces of Salkantay Mountain and the south face of Mount Palcay from Cruzjasa Pass.
Visit Inca sites on foot before the citadel: Paucarcancha, Patallacta, Machu Q'ente, and Wayna Q’ente (if the pace allows).
Walk through a private conservation area created in 2021 and a Meso-Andean relict forest, a habitat found on less than 0.02% of Peru’s territory.
A carbon-neutral trip: its emissions are offset through a Peruvian network that restores nature in the country.
Three nights in camp, the last one at a private campsite with a hot shower, plus one hotel night in Machu Picchu Village.
Activities guided by a professional bilingual local guide who knows these valleys in depth.
All-inclusive experience: transport from Cusco, 3 camp nights and 1 hotel night, meals on the trek, horses for the gear, a cook, entrance tickets, the train both ways, the Machu Picchu bus, and the guided tour.
Please note: Day 1 ends at a camp at 4,190 m (13,747 ft). Arrive in Cusco at least 2 full days before the trek to acclimatize. Hiking times are approximate, and your guide may adjust the pace and the order of visits for weather, trail conditions, and the rules of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco / Tika Tika Pass / Relict Forest Hike / Acopía Camp
TransferCusco → Tika Tika Pass → Anta plateau → Misquiyaco trailhead · 95 km · 3h
HikeMisquiyaco → Acopía · 9.3 km (5.78 mi) · 5–6h
OvernightAcopía camp · 4,190 m (13,747 ft)
Your off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek begins with a 3-hour drive from Cusco toward Limatambo. The road climbs over the Tika Tika Pass, where Mount Salkantay and Mount Humantay first show on the horizon, then crosses the Anta plateau, a farming region backed by snow-capped peaks.
The walk starts just beyond the village of Misquiyaco, at about 3,160 m, inside a private conservation area created in 2021. The path climbs through old-growth forest, a rare kind of inter-Andean cloud forest. Look for the tasta and the chachacomo, two trees protected by Peruvian law.
Above the tree line, the forest gives way to high grasslands, with vegetation changing at every hour of climbing. The camp is at Acopía, about 1,030 m above the trailhead. It is a high first night, so take the day slowly.
Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Tambomachay Pass / Lunch at Uspaccasa / Cruzjasa Pass / Mirador de Pampacahuana
HikeAcopía → Tambomachay Pass → Uspaccasa → Cruzjasa Pass → Mirador de Pampacahuana · 14.8 km (9.20 mi) · 7–8h
BirdlifeAndean birds, condors included, may appear as the day warms up
OvernightMirador de Pampacahuana camp · 3,902 m (12,801 ft)
This is the highest day of the trek, with the trail topping out above 4,500 m (14,760 ft). From Acopía, 5 to 6 hours of gentle uphill walking lead over the first pass at Tambomachay. Lunch is served at Uspaccasa, a sheltered spot just beyond the pass, in view of Mount Salkantay and Mount Humantay.
In the afternoon, follow the high ridge and turn right to Cruzjasa Pass. It looks onto the south face of Mount Palcay, the south face of Salkantay Mountain, and the Pampacahuana Valley below. Very few other hikers come this way.
A steep descent ends at the Mirador de Pampacahuana campsite, set among the mountains under an open night sky.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Pampacahuana Valley / Paucarcancha / Patallacta / Chamana Camp
HikeMirador de Pampacahuana → Paucarcancha → Patallacta → Chamana · 16.4 km (10.19 mi) · 7–8h
VisitsPaucarcancha and Patallacta Inca sites
OvernightPrivate camp at Chamana · 2,590 m (8,497 ft) · Hot shower
Long day and almost entirely downhill: camp is about 1,310 m lower than the previous night’s. The path follows an old Inca canal down the middle of the Pampacahuana Valley, past small farm settlements.
At Paucarcancha, a remote Inca site where the Pampacahuana and Q’esca valleys meet, visit the stone walls and the remains of houses, then stop for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, as you join the initial section of the Inca Trail in reverse, you will begin encountering hikers embarking on their journey from Km 82. After a short visit to the Patallacta ruins—once a rest stop on the way to Machu Picchu—reach the private campsite at Chamana and the first hot shower in three days.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Machu Q’ente / Vilcanota River / Piscacucho (Km 82) / Train to Machu Picchu Village
TransferPiscacucho → Ollantaytambo · 15.6 km · 30 min
TrainOllantaytambo → Machu Picchu Village · 43 km · 1h45
The last walking day of the off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek follows the edge of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. Visit the secluded Inca site of Machu Q’ente with some of the finest Inca terracing in the region. If the group’s pace and the time allow, you also visit nearby Wayna Q’ente. Leave the Sanctuary through Qoriwayrachina and walk along the Vilcanota River, past several more archaeological sites.
The walking part of the trek ends at Piscacucho (Km 82), the main entrance to the Inca Trail. A vehicle takes you to Ollantaytambo for the afternoon train to Machu Picchu Village and a hotel night. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5
Guided Tour of Machu Picchu / Train and Transfer to Cusco
BusMachu Picchu Village ⇌ Machu Picchu · 12.4 km round trip · 1h
Guided tourof the Machu Picchu citadel · 3h
TrainMachu Picchu Village → Ollantaytambo · 43 km · 1h45 + Drive to Cusco · 79 km · 2h
After an early breakfast, a half-hour bus ride takes you up to the gates of Machu Picchu for a 3-hour guided tour, allowing you to walk through the different sectors of the citadel and enter some of its houses and temples.
Lunch is in Machu Picchu Village. In the afternoon, the train runs to Ollantaytambo in about 1h45, with snacks and drinks available on board. A vehicle meets you at the station and covers the last 79 km to Cusco in about 2 hours. Dinner and overnight not included.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
What is Included
Round-trip transfer (Cusco ⇌ trailhead near Limatambo and Machu Picchu), including the train between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu Village both ways and the bus between the village and the citadel
3 nights in double-occupancy tents with Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads and 1 night in a hotel in Machu Picchu Village
Meals on the trek (Day 1 lunch to Day 5 lunch, except dinner on Day 4) and non-alcoholic drinks
Entrance tickets: the Inca Trail permit for the section walked on Days 3 and 4, issued in your name, and the Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 2A)
Machu Picchu guided tour
Horses and horse drivers to carry the camping gear
Cook and field staff
Waterproof duffel bag
Kitchen and dining tents, solar lamps, and eco toilets
Proper garbage disposal
First-aid kit and oxygen tank
Carbon offset of the trip
Guided tours (relict forest hike, Tambomachay and Cruzjasa passes, Pampacahuana Valley, Paucarcancha, Patallacta, Machu Q’ente, the Vilcanota River path, and Machu Picchu)
Professional bilingual guide for the whole itinerary
Not included
Flight tickets
Hotel nights in Cusco before and after the trek
Dinner in Machu Picchu Village on Day 4, and dinner on Day 5
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Sleeping bag (rental available)
Personal gear
Alcoholic drinks
Laundry service
Tips
Additional services and extras
On the off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek, travelers sleep three nights in camp and one night in a hotel. Tents are double occupancy, with Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads. Each camp also has a kitchen tent, a dining tent, solar lamps, and eco toilets.
Sleeping bags are not provided. You can bring your own or rent one; a rating between 0°C and −15°C (32°F to 5°F) is recommended.
Acopía Camp
Day 1. In the high grasslands above the tree line, at 4,190 m (13,747 ft). It is the highest night of the trek.
Chamana Camp
A private campsite at 2,590 m (8,497 ft) in Chamana, a village of the Llaqtapata community, with a hot shower.
Mirador de Pampacahuana Camp
Day 2. Below Cruzjasa Pass, at 3,902 m (12,801 ft), surrounded by mountains.
Hotel in Machu Picchu Village
A hotel in Machu Picchu Village (Aguas Calientes), at the foot of the citadel, for the last night of the trek, so you can take an early bus up to Machu Picchu on Day 5.
All meals on the trek are included, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5, with the exception of dinner on Day 4 in Machu Picchu Village. A cook travels with the group and serves the meals in a dining tent.
Lunch on Day 2 is at Uspaccasa, just beyond the first pass, and on Day 3 at the Inca site of Paucarcancha. On Day 5, lunch is in Machu Picchu Village. Non-alcoholic drinks are part of the package; alcoholic drinks are not.
Dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, or allergy-related needs, can be accommodated with notice at booking.
FAQ
Reviews
“We did the 5 day Salkantay/Hidden Valley trek ending with our 4th night in Aguascalientes (Macchu Picchu village) and touring Macchu Picchu on the final day. The trek was amazing-
2 high mountain passes over 15,000 feet with over 10 miles of hiking each day. The muleteers and camping support was amazing. We had the best food and service throughout the entire trip. It was truly the most amazing Andean trekking experience we could have imagined. Our guide, Nep, was so knowledgeable and competent. We recommend the trip to anyone in good physical hiking shape who is looking to take the less beaten path to Macchu Picchu.”
— Cristina Sullivan
“One of the most memorable trips I’ve ever done. I joined the Hidden Valleys of Salkantay Trek with a group of old school friends, and from start to finish the experience exceeded every expectation. The landscapes were breathtaking, the trek itself was beautifully designed, and the entire journey felt authentic, personal, and incredibly well organized. The agency was outstanding in every aspect. Their attention to detail gave us complete peace of mind throughout the trip, allowing us to simply enjoy the experience. Our guide, Pepe, was exceptional — knowledgeable, thoughtful, funny, and deeply passionate about the region and its culture. He made the trek even more special. The whole team behind the scenes was equally impressive. The food was amazing every single day, and the warmth and professionalism of the chef and staff created such a great atmosphere for the group. What I appreciated most was how the trip combined adventure, comfort, safety, and genuine human connection. We laughed constantly, learned a lot, and came back with memories that will stay with us for a very long time.”
— Sebastian Majluf
“All the details and amenities for comfort were taken care of every step of the way. I did the 3N/4D Hidden Valleys of Salkantay with a group of friends and had an extraordinary experience. Our guide was extremely knowledgable in Incan culture as well as in trekking experience which made everything very enjoyable and safe. Having done similar treks in the past with other companies, allowed me to see the difference, particularly their authentic involvement with local communities, excellent camp comfort, delicious food and quality of the tour guides. I highly recommend this company for a hassle free and once in a lifetime experience.”
— Nico Guell
“We had an incredible time on the Hidden Valleys of Salkantay trek. The views were incredible and the whole team was extremely welcoming and hard working. The guide, Fisher, was both easy going and very informative. He had a great answer to every question and got on well with every member of our group. The food was also great quality and the perfect end to every day. The whole experience was enhanced by such a great team around us!”
— Chris
“My wife and I were due to go on the Inca Trail however due to landslides with the recent rain it had been closed. We were offered other options such as the Lares trail and the Hidden Salkantay. All of our e-mails and questions were responded to promptly and clearly ended up choosing the Hidden Salkantay 5 day trek, where on the fifth day you spend a good half day up at Machu Picchu. Two nights before the hike Pepe, our guide, met with us and ran over all of the details for the hike, settling any nerves about altitude and letting us know exactly what we were doing each day. Please note that passports are required to enter Machu Picchu and that you will be taken through an agreement about conduct in the park as well as environmental protection. Pepe is an incredibly knowledgable, passionate and environmentally conscious guide which is exactly what we were after. We really enjoyed bird watching with him and learning about the myriad historical, ecological and cultural elements. Hats off to Pepe who also was managing some pretty difficult group dynamics. It is a true credit to his professionalism and guiding experience. Despite different mindsets within the group we enjoyed ourselves immensely, the hike is truly stunning and its a real privilege to be walking in this special place. Also, for those concerned about altitude, diamox really helped us. Pepe put all our worries at ease with his advice and the pace of the walk is made to accomodate all members. They carry emergency oxygen and a sat phone for emergency use. Fresh water is provided throughout as is a range of teas and coffee. The meals provided were of a high standard and catered extremely well to some group members dietary requirements. It was also tailored to each day based on altitude. A very well thought out menu. The whole team during this trek were awesome, camps were set-up very well and all needs were taken care of. Thoroughly recommend this company, what ever trek or adventure you choose.”
— Andrew M
“My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time trekking the Salkantay trail. It was a truly wonderful experience. Pepe our guide was top notch and made our trek enjoyable, educational and comfortable. My girlfriend hadn’t been outback camping before and he made her feel at home. Setting a good pace for the 20k day hikes which we really enjoyed, mostly because the country is so beautiful. His knowledge of history and nature made us really appreciate Peru from a new perspective. Ilario the chef and the porters Francisco and Antolín where also very profesional and nice. Ensuring a great camp experience with excellent food and lots of vegetarian options as well as great tents for eating and sleeping. We felt like we got a very vip experience and made wonderful memories. We saw another hiker probably the last day we walked. If you want to feel like your getting an exclusive view of Peru than this is an amazing trek.”
— Gustavo Galindo
“Emily Fernandez made the whole process smooth and even assisted with changing our dates last minute when we had a schedule conflict come up just a month before our trip was originally set. The camp crew, chefs, and porters we're all top notch, friendly and amazing. Food was great, and it was clear they all truly cared for our well being and comfort. Our guide Neptali (Nep) exceeded all of our expectations. He was invaluable in making the whole trip an amazing experience. We left Peru astounded at how fortunate we we're to have a guide who was so knowledgeable, competent, and friendly. I will be recommending the Salkantay Trek to everyone I know with any interest in visiting Peru and Machu Picchu.”
— Andrew M
“Our guide, Darwin (zunigaguide@gmail.com), was extremely knowledgeable about Peru, Machu Picchu, plants, birds and highland culture. He took great care of us during our trip and was very friendly and personable. The food was incredible (all prepared by our chef, Clever, at camp). The scenery was spectacular along this trek, and the private tour of Machu Picchu was incredible. Highly recommended.”
— Daniel
“For me, I wanted to be confident that the company I went with paid the porters and staff fair wages and cared for their animals. Plus I wanted to make sure the equipment supplied would be of good quality. I started the (tedious and slightly unprofessional) process of booking the Salkantay trek. If it hadn't been for the magazine review I probably would have lost faith due to booking process (miss information, don't accept CCs and had to transfer money via some money transfer service, non English speakers manning phones). However, I am 100% glad I did. The agency does cost more than double that of competitors which you can book with once arriving in Cusco, but after having done the trek it seemed worth it. I did a new Salkantay route that they were just developing. The new route was phenomenal, not a soul and the views were stunning. The tents etc were always ready for us and I was actually warm! I literally cannot express how amazing the food was either, 3 course and freshly cooked meals and 'snacks' for breakfast lunch and dinner. Being vegan they made a great effort to accommodate this, although I did feel I missed out on some proteins. Our guide Antonio was first class. He really made the trip for me with his knowledge of Peruvian history as well as of trekking at such high altitude. A few of us were a bit unwell when we arriv3d on the first night, partly due to the cold and the altitude but also from pushing ourselves too much. Antonio made sure we were ok, checked us over etc. He was 100% sensitive and attentive to everyone's needs over the whole trek. The walk itself was one of the best experiences I had in Cusco. I would have enjoyed doing another days walking as the final 2 days don't involve too much trekking. A few negatives which may be specific to my experience were - 1)wasn't told how much the tipping would be; 2)wasn't told I'm advance that I could have booked to climb Machu Picchu mountain separately.point 1 - it ended up being around 100soles which isn't included in the cost. I was more than happy to yup the porters/staff as they were fantastic but I would have liked to know this in advance. 2) I ended up having a very rushed tour of machu Picchu as the people I walked with had booked to climb machu Picchu mountain and Antonio had to go with them. Wish I'd known in advance, before the trek, as I would have done it too and got more from the experience. A few tips - if you want to communicate in English, ask for Amanda. She is brilliant. Really fantastic and knows what is going on. Don't phone as you won't get anyone that can speak English.-the pdfs they share are out-of-date which is unprofessional given the coat and size of the company. Everything is included in your fee, hotel, train etc. Id rate the walk 10/10 (food, scenery, guide, equipment, hotel). I'd rate the before and after process 5/10 (confusing and complicated booking which left me nervous, meeyings/comms with staff when in Cusco were in poor English which again left me very nervous. Just ask for Amanda, you'll be safer).”
— Eleanor H
“The closest I have ever been to the stars was camping at night near the Salkantay glacier. A challenging and wonderful experience for athletic individuals of any age in good health. The closest one might get to glamping without staying in hotels and dinning in restuarants. This is one of the more expensive trekking options and well worth it. There were three in our group and we were giving a private guided trek. Our lead guide Carlos, was fantastic, knowledgable and kind. A chef made us hot meals for breakfast and dinner, and packed us lunch with snacks. Our supplies were carried by pack horses driven by two porters who lived in the region. It was remarkable to hike the Andes near Manchu Picchu without seeing other tourists for the first three days of the hike. I loved experiencing the native culture of Peru, the wild animals and tranquility. The temperature extremes during the hike were the hardest to prepare for. I would recommend bringing a lightweight, down sleeping bag (not the ones provided which took up too much space in the duffle bag and were not warm enough). Higher altitudes meant strong sunlight during the day and very cold nights. Definitely layer and apply sunscreen, including SFP+ chapstick! On the fourth day, we took a fancy tourist train a stop several miles outside Manchu Picchu to hike the Inca trail, and arrive through the sun gates at Manchu Picchu. The agency booked a decent hotel in Aguas Calientes on the fourth night, which was sufficient because all we were craving was a hot shower and a bed! The next day, we were fully rested and could enjoy touring Manchu Picchu. It was the trip of a lifetime and I highly recommend it.”
