Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu — Self-Launched Version
5 days · Cusco & Salkantay, Peru
Tierras Vivas charges £610
No-markup version: ~£470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 5-day version of the classic Salkantay Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu. You'll arrange your own transport to the trailhead, walk the same high passes and cloud-forest valleys, stay in basic village guesthouses and campsites instead of fully-serviced tour camps, and ride the same tourist train into Aguas Calientes. Book Machu Picchu entry and Huayna Picchu permits yourself well in advance, and consider hiring a local guide for the ruins day. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and will vary with season and permit availability.
Day-by-day
Cusco to Soraypampa via Mollepata and Challacancha
Cusco / Mollepata / Soraypampa
Start early. Take a shared minivan or collectivo from Cusco's Arcopata terminal toward Mollepata (roughly 2.5-3 hours, ~£4-6). Grab breakfast at a Mollepata village restaurant and buy last-minute snacks and water. Continue by shared taxi or hired pickup to Challacancha trailhead. Walk the 4-hour trail to Soraypampa through farmland and along the Apurímac valley, then climb up to Humantay Lake (roughly 2 hours up, descent included) for a very worthwhile side trip. Overnight in a basic Soraypampa family guesthouse or campsite under the Salkantay massif. Altitude here is high, so take it slow.
🚌Shared minivan from Cusco Arcopata terminal to Mollepata (~£4-6), shared taxi/pickup to Challacancha (~£3-5)
🛏Basic family guesthouse or campsite in Soraypampa (~£8-12)
- →Shared minivan/collectivo Cusco to Mollepata
- →Breakfast and supply stop in Mollepata
- →Hike Challacancha to Soraypampa (~4 hrs)
- →Climb to Humantay Lake (~2 hrs up, descent included)
Soraypampa over the Salkantay high pass to Collpapampa
Soraypampa / Salkantay Pass / Collpapampa
The big day. Hike about an hour from Soraypampa to Soyrococha, then grind uphill for roughly 3 hours to the high pass at around 4,800m between the Salkantay and Humantay peaks. Pause for photos and to acclimatise, then descend about an hour to Wayracmachay for lunch. Continue roughly 3 hours down into warmer, greener terrain to the Collpapampa campsite. This is a genuine high-altitude day, so carry plenty of water and take the climb at your own pace.
🚌On foot all day
🛏Collpapampa campsite or very basic village lodging (~£8-12)
- →Hike Soraypampa to Soyrococha (~1 hr)
- →Climb to Salkantay high pass at ~4,800m (~3 hrs)
- →Descend to Wayracmachay (~1 hr)
- →Trek on to Collpapampa campsite (~3 hrs)
Collpapampa to Santa Teresa or Llactapata
Collpapampa / Santa Teresa / Llactapata
Choose your route. Hike roughly 5 hours on a narrow mountainside trail past orchids, lush plants and waterfalls. Santa Teresa route: continue down to Santa Teresa town, where you can detour to the hot springs (about 45 minutes from town) to soak sore legs, and take a short bus transfer. Llactapata route: branch toward Llactapata ruins via a roughly 2-hour hike to Aobamba, with quieter trails and better ruin views. Either way, overnight in a village guesthouse or camp.
🚌On foot, plus optional short bus from Santa Teresa area (~£2-3)
🛏Basic guesthouse in Santa Teresa (~£10-15) or camp near Llactapata (~£8-12)
- →5-hour mountain trail hike through orchids and waterfalls
- →Optional: Santa Teresa hot springs detour (~45 min from town)
- →Optional: Llactapata ruins route via Aobamba (~2 hrs)
Llactapata or Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes
Llactapata / Santa Teresa / Aguas Calientes
If you took the Llactapata route, explore the ruins in the morning, then descend roughly 4 hours through bamboo groves, orchards and coffee plantations with excellent bird-watching. If you took the Santa Teresa route, hike about 2 hours past the Urubamba River to the Hydro Electric Station, then follow the train tracks roughly 3 hours into Aguas Calientes. Settle into a guesthouse, buy your Machu Picchu bus ticket for the morning and eat a well-earned dinner.
🚌On foot; optional short train/bus links near Hydro Electric Station (~£1-3)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Aguas Calientes (~£15-25)
- →Guided or independent visit to Llactapata ruins
- →4-hour descent through bamboo groves, orchards and coffee plantations (Llactapata route)
- →2-hour hike past the Urubamba River to Hydro Electric Station (Santa Teresa route)
- →3-hour walk along the train tracks into Aguas Calientes (Santa Teresa route)
- →Optional: hot springs in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Ollantaytambo / Cusco
Take the early shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu for sunrise light (or book a timed entry slot). Spend the morning exploring the citadel, ideally with a locally hired guide (bookable direct or via GetYourGuide). If you secured a permit in advance, climb Huayna Picchu or visit the Inca Bridge. Ride the shuttle back down to Aguas Calientes, then take the tourist train (PeruRail or IncaRail) to Ollantaytambo and a tourist bus onward from Ollantaytambo on to Cusco.
🚌Machu Picchu shuttle bus (~£10-12 round trip), PeruRail/IncaRail train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£40-70), tourist bus Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~£5-8)
🛏Not included — most travellers have a hostel or hotel booked in Cusco (~£8-20)
- →Shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu
- →Full guided or independent tour of Machu Picchu (~2 hrs) plus free exploration
- →Optional: Huayna Picchu climb (permit required)
- →Optional: Inca Bridge visit (permit required)
Self-launched vs. Tierras Vivas
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Tierras Vivas | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£470 | £610 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £140 per person (23%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Tierras Vivas-style trips? Check them out here.~£470
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu — Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £470 per person for 5 days in Cusco & Salkantay, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Tierras Vivas?+
Yes — Tierras Vivas charges around £610 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £470 — a saving of roughly £140 (23%) per person.
How long is the Cusco & Salkantay, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Cusco & Salkantay, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Cusco & Salkantay, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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