Salkantay & Rainbow Mountain Trek – Self-Launched 7-Day Version
7 days · Peru
Salkantay Trekking charges £895
No-markup version: ~£560 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Salkantay Trekking's 7-day Salkantay + Rainbow Mountain itinerary. You hike the same trail — Mollepata to Soraypampa, Humantay Lake, Abra Salkantay (4,630m), the cloud forest descent to Collpapampa and Lucmabamba, the original Inca section to Llactapata, then Machu Picchu — plus the Rainbow Mountain day trip. Rather than a fully guided camp-to-camp package, you book the trail independently or with a cheap local Soraypampa-based operator, stay in family guesthouses and basic hostels along the route, take the local collectivo/train combinations, and self-book Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain entry via the official MINCUL portal (or a Cusco agency). Costs are approximate backpacker rates in GBP; the price difference comes from dropping the guide/porter/cook support crew, private transfers and camp logistics. Note: Salkantay is not permit-limited like the classic Inca Trail, but Machu Picchu entry and Huayna Picchu add-ons sell out weeks ahead in high season — book those first.
Day-by-day
Cusco → Mollepata → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake
Cusco / Soraypampa
Take an early local bus or shared collectivo from Cusco's Terminal Santiago towards Mollepata (approx. S/15-25, 2.5-3 hrs, departures from ~05:00). From Mollepata, a shared taxi or local truck up to Soraypampa costs around S/30-40 per person if you can group up — otherwise hire a driver privately (~S/120 total). Walk the final stretch to Soraypampa (3,900m), drop your bag at a family-run basic lodge or guesthouse (S/40-60 dorm, S/80-100 private), then hike up to Humantay Lake (4,200m) as a 3km round trip in the afternoon. Pay the Humantay trail fee (S/10-20) at the checkpoint. Eat simple menu del día meals in Mollepata and at your Soraypampa lodge. Sleep early — altitude tomorrow.
🚌Local bus Cusco–Mollepata (~£4) + shared taxi/truck to Soraypampa (~£8-10 share)
🛏Family guesthouse / basic lodge in Soraypampa (dorm or simple private room)
- →Bus Cusco to Mollepata
- →Shared transfer to Soraypampa
- →Afternoon hike to Humantay Lake (4,200m), ~3km round trip
- →Humantay trail entrance fee
Soraypampa → Abra Salkantay (4,630m) → Huayracmachay → Collpapampa
Collpapampa
Big day: leave by 06:00 for the steady 7km climb to Abra Salkantay pass at 4,630m (3-4 hrs — slower than the guided pace if you're carrying your own pack; hire a horse locally at Soraypampa for ~S/100-150 if you want help). Descend 7km to Huayracmachay for lunch, then continue 9.5km through cloud forest down to Collpapampa (2,850m). Pay the Salkantay trail fee at the Soraypampa checkpoint (S/20-30). Collpapampa has simple family hospedajes with beds and hot showers (S/40-70 per person); negotiate dinner on arrival. Bring cash — no ATMs on the trail.
🚌On foot (approx. 23km total)
🛏Family hospedaje in Collpapampa
- →Ascent to Abra Salkantay 4,630m
- →Salkantay trail entrance fee
- →Cloud forest descent to Collpapampa
Collpapampa → Santa Teresa Valley → Lucmabamba (coffee farm)
Lucmabamba
A gentler 10-11km walk down the Santa Teresa Valley via La Playa to Lucmabamba (~4 hrs). Stop at one of the small organic coffee farms near La Playa — several families offer informal tours and tastings for S/15-25 (or free with a coffee purchase). Overnight in Lucmabamba village guesthouses (S/40-70) or continue 20 mins to the Cocalmayo hot springs for an afternoon soak (entry ~S/20; shared moto-taxi from Lucmabamba ~S/20-30 each way). Local set lunches along the valley run S/12-18.
🚌On foot (~11km); optional moto-taxi to Cocalmayo hot springs
🛏Village guesthouse in Lucmabamba
- →Valley hike through La Playa
- →Coffee farm visit and tasting
- →Optional Cocalmayo hot springs
Lucmabamba → Llactapata → Hidroeléctrica → Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes
Climb the original Inca section from Lucmabamba to Llactapata (2,700m) in about 2 hrs — the first view of Machu Picchu from the ridge is the highlight. Descend to Aobamba (~1.5 hrs) and on to Hidroeléctrica (~30 mins), then choose: walk the flat 3 hrs along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (free, safe in daylight) or take the local Hidroeléctrica–Aguas Calientes train if you're short on time (~US$30-41 booked via PeruRail/Inca Rail, often same-day availability). Check in to a basic Aguas Calientes hostel (S/60-110 dorm, S/150-220 private) and eat at one of the cheap set-menu places away from the main street.
🚌On foot (~15km); optional train Hidroeléctrica–Aguas Calientes (~£28)
🛏Budget hostel in Aguas Calientes
- →Inca Trail section to Llactapata
- →Llactapata Machu Picchu viewpoint
- →Walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes
- →Optional train leg
Machu Picchu day → back to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Pre-book your Machu Picchu entry on the official MINCUL portal (machupicchu.gob.pe) — Circuit 2 if available, otherwise Circuit 3; foreign adult entry ~S/152 (£32). Also pre-book the Consettur bus up (return ~US$24, one-way ~US$12) or walk up the 1,600 steps for free in about 1.5 hrs. Enter at your timed slot, and consider adding Huayna Picchu (~US$60/US$70) or Machu Picchu Mountain if you want the extra climb — book these weeks ahead. An official site guide at the gate costs ~S/100 shared between 3-4 people. Afternoon: train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (PeruRail/Inca Rail ~US$55-70 for the cheaper Expedition/Voyager class; book 2-4 weeks ahead) then a shared collectivo or bus Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~S/15-25, 1.5 hrs). Hostel in Cusco (S/40-80 dorm in San Blas).
🚌Bus up/down to Machu Picchu (~£18) + train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£40) + collectivo to Cusco (~£3)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (San Blas)
- →Machu Picchu entry (Circuit 2 or 3)
- →Consettur shuttle bus
- →Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike
- →Shared site guide
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) day trip
Cusipata / Rainbow Mountain
Book a Rainbow Mountain day tour through a Cusco agency or GetYourGuide (approx. US$30-45, including transport, breakfast and buffet lunch, entry ~S/30 extra) — they collect you from your hostel between 03:30-04:30. You'll hike 3-4km each way at 5,000m+ (go slowly, coca tea helps); entry to Vinicunca is paid at the trailhead (S/30). You're back in Cusco by 18:00-19:00. Alternatively, take the public bus Cusco → Pitumarca/Cusipata and hitch or shared-taxi the last stretch, which is cheaper but adds hours and logistics. Second night in the same Cusco hostel.
🚌Shared tour minibus (included) or public bus to Cusipata + shared taxi
🛏Hostel in Cusco (San Blas)
- →Rainbow Mountain hike (5,100m)
- →Vinicunca entrance fee
- →Buffet lunch in Cusipata
Cusco — buffer day and departure
Cusco
Keep this day as a buffer (weather, altitude, delayed trains all happen on this route). Wander San Blas, San Pedro market for a cheap breakfast (S/8-12), and pick up anything you missed — Qorikancha or Sacsayhuamán if you have time. Depart Cusco by bus or flight. If your Rainbow Mountain trip was cancelled for weather, this is your catch-up day.
🚌Local transport / airport bus (~£5)
🛏None (departure day) — or one more hostel night if needed
- →San Pedro market breakfast
- →San Blas wander
- →Optional Qorikancha or Sacsayhuamán entry
Self-launched vs. Salkantay Trekking
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Salkantay Trekking | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£560 | £895 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £335 per person (37%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Salkantay Trekking-style trips? Check them out here.~£560
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 & Rainbow Mountain Trek – Self-Launched 7-Day Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £560 per person for 7 days in 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 Salkantay Trekking?+
Yes — Salkantay Trekking charges around £895 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £560 — a saving of roughly £335 (37%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through 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, backpacker trip through 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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