Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Self-Launched Adventure
8 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £1,299
No-markup version: ~£470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trek one of South America's most spectacular routes independently — from the high Andean passes of Salkantay to the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. This self-launched version follows the same 8-day route as G Adventures' guided experience, swapping group tour markups for direct bookings, shared transport, and hostel stays. You'll still visit the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes, and wake up early for Machu Picchu — just with far more money left in your pocket. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cusco — Acclimatise & Explore
Cusco
Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and take a taxi or pre-booked airport transfer to your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas area (~£3-5 by taxi). Cusco sits at 3,400m so take it easy today — rest, hydrate, and sip coca tea to help with altitude. Wander the cobbled streets, admire the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas for free, and grab a cheap set lunch (menu del día) at a local comedor for around £2-3. Pre-book your Machu Picchu entry ticket online (mandatory, limited slots) and confirm your Salkantay trek permits or guided day arrangements.
🚌Taxi from Cusco Airport to city centre (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Cusco city centre — e.g. Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (dorm ~£8-12/night)
- →Airport transfer by taxi (~£4)
- →Explore Plaza de Armas and Cathedral of Cusco (free)
- →Coca tea and acclimatisation rest
- →Pre-book Machu Picchu entry ticket online (book well in advance — slots sell out)
- →Set lunch (menú del día) at a local comedor (~£2-3)
Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo & Weaving Community
Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo
Join a shared day tour of the Sacred Valley — these run daily from Cusco and cost around £20-30 per person, bookable directly at agencies on Plateros Street or via GetYourGuide. The route covers Pisac market, the Ccaccaccollo weaving community (where local women sell traditional textiles — you can visit independently or as part of a community tourism tour), the Parwa Community Restaurant in Lamay for lunch (farm-to-table, bookable directly), and the impressive Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo. Return to Cusco by shared tourist bus in the evening.
🚌Shared tourist minibus Sacred Valley day tour (included in tour price, or ~£5 colectivo to Pisac independently)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (dorm ~£8-12/night)
- →Shared Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco (~£20-28 via local agency or GetYourGuide)
- →Pisac artisan market — browse and buy direct from weavers
- →Ccaccaccollo weaving community visit (often included in Sacred Valley tours)
- →Lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant, Lamay (bookable directly, ~£6-10)
- →Guided tour of Ollantaytambo Inca ruins (entry ~£18 with Boleto Turístico or ~£7 standalone)
Transfer to Trailhead — Salkantay Trek Begins
Cusco to Salkantaypampa (Soraypampa)
Rise early for the shared transfer from Cusco to Mollepata or directly to Soraypampa (the Salkantay trailhead), taking around 3-4 hours. Book this via a local Cusco agency the night before (~£10-15 per person in a shared van). The Salkantay Trek does not require a permit (unlike the Inca Trail) so you can set off freely. Today's hike takes you through stunning Andean scenery past Humantay Lake — a turquoise glacial lake worth the 1.5hr detour — up to camp at Salkantaypampa (~3,900m). You can hire local arrieros (muleteers) in Mollepata to carry gear (~£20-30/day per mule). Camp tonight under a staggering sky of stars.
🚌Shared van from Cusco to trailhead (~£12)
🛏Camping at Salkantaypampa — basic campsites available (~£3-5/night), or bring your own tent
- →Shared van transfer Cusco to Soraypampa trailhead (~£12)
- →Begin Salkantay Trek — Day 1 hiking (~14km, 5-6hrs)
- →Optional detour to Humantay Lake (stunning turquoise glacial lake, ~1.5hr return)
- →Hire arriero (muleteer) in Mollepata if desired to carry heavy packs (~£20-30/day per mule)
- →Camp at Salkantaypampa under the stars
Salkantay Pass — The Highest Point at 4,600m
Salkantaypampa to Wayracmachay / Chaullay
Today is the most demanding day of the trek — and the most rewarding. You'll climb to the Salkantay Pass at 4,638m, flanked by the snowy peaks of Apu Salkantay and Humantay. The views are genuinely jaw-dropping. After the pass, the trail descends steeply into warmer, greener valleys — a dramatic shift in landscape within just a few hours. Push on to camp near Wayracmachay or Chaullay (~28km total today, 8-10hrs). Fuel up on snacks from Cusco — limited resupply on trail. Hot meals may be available at basic trail-side shelters (£2-4).
🚌Hiking (no motorised transport today)
🛏Camping at trail campsite (~£3-5/night)
- →Summit Salkantay Pass at 4,638m — the trek's highest point
- →Views of Apu Salkantay and Humantay glacial peaks
- →Steep descent into subtropical cloud forest valleys
- →Camp overnight near Wayracmachay or Chaullay
Trek Through Cloud Forest — Collpabamba to Lucmabamba
Chaullay to Lucmabamba
A more gradual day as the trail winds through lush cloud forest, coffee plantations, and banana groves. Pass through the small village of Collpabamba and continue to Lucmabamba, where some trekkers choose to spend the night at a community guesthouse. The change in climate from the high Andes to subtropical jungle is dramatic — temperatures rise, vegetation thickens, and the air fills with birdsong. This is a great day to sample local coffee grown along the trail.
🚌Hiking (no motorised transport today)
🛏Community guesthouse in Lucmabamba or camping (~£5-8/night)
- →Trek from Chaullay through Collpabamba to Lucmabamba (~16km, 5-6hrs)
- →Walk through coffee and banana plantations
- →Sample locally grown Andean coffee
- →Spot cloud forest wildlife including hummingbirds and orchids
Final Trek Day — Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes by Train
Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes
The final stretch of trekking descends to the town of Santa Teresa — known as the 'backdoor to Machu Picchu'. From Santa Teresa, many trekkers opt to walk the 3-4hr railway track route along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes (free and stunning), or take the train from Hidroeléctrica station (~£12-17 one way on PeruRail or Inca Rail). Arrive in Aguas Calientes in the afternoon — a buzzing little town built around the base of Machu Picchu. Check in, shower off 4 days of trail grime, and celebrate with a well-earned meal. Book the first bus up to Machu Picchu for tomorrow morning (buses depart from 5:30am, ~£12 return — pre-book online at mapi.gob.pe).
🚌Walk railway track (free) or PeruRail/Inca Rail from Hidroeléctrica (~£12-17)
🛏Budget hostel in Aguas Calientes — e.g. Hostal Los Caminantes or similar (dorm ~£10-15/night)
- →Final trekking descent to Santa Teresa (~10km, 3-4hrs)
- →Optional: walk the scenic railway track from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (free, ~3-4hrs)
- →Or: PeruRail/Inca Rail train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (~£12-17)
- →Pre-book first morning bus to Machu Picchu (~£12 return, book at mapi.gob.pe)
- →Celebrate with dinner in Aguas Calientes (~£6-10)
Machu Picchu — The Lost City of the Incas
Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
Set your alarm for 4:30am and join the queue for the first buses up to Machu Picchu (buses depart from 5:30am, ~25 min ride). Arriving early gets you in before the crowds and gives you that golden-light moment at the Sun Gate. Entry tickets must be pre-booked online (machu-picchu.gob.pe) — costs around £30-40 depending on the circuit chosen. Hire a local licensed guide at the gate (~£10-15 for a 2hr guided tour) or download the free audio guide app. Explore the citadel, agricultural terraces, Temple of the Sun, and Intihuatana stone. Optional: hike to the Inca Bridge (included in certain ticket circuits). Return to Cusco by afternoon — take the PeruRail or Inca Rail train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£30-45), then a shared colectivo or tourist bus back to Cusco (~£3-5).
🚌Bus Aguas Calientes–Machu Picchu return (~£12); PeruRail/Inca Rail Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£30-45); colectivo to Cusco (~£4)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (dorm ~£8-12/night)
- →Early morning bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (~£12 return, departs 5:30am)
- →Machu Picchu entry (pre-booked ticket required, ~£32-40 depending on circuit)
- →Hire a licensed guide at the gate (~£10-15 for 2hr tour) or use free audio app
- →Explore the citadel, Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana stone, and agricultural terraces
- →Optional: Inca Bridge hike (check circuit availability when booking ticket)
- →PeruRail/Inca Rail train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30-45)
- →Shared colectivo or tourist bus Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~£3-5)
Final Morning in Cusco — Depart
Cusco
Your last morning in Cusco — depart at any time. If you have time before your flight or bus, pick up last-minute souvenirs at the San Pedro Market, grab a final menú del día lunch, or visit the free Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) courtyard. Taxis to the airport cost ~£4-5 and take around 15-20 minutes. Consider extending your trip with a stop in the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, or a jungle stay in Puerto Maldonado.
🚌Taxi to Cusco Airport (~£4-5)
🛏Check out — depart at any time
- →San Pedro Market — local produce, textiles, and souvenirs
- →Visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — free exterior, ~£7 interior entry
- →Final menú del día lunch at a local comedor (~£2-3)
- →Taxi to airport (~£4-5)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£470 | £1,299 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £829 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-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 Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £470 per person for 8 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,299 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 £829 (64%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 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, culture 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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