About this tour
When Delphine from the Global Hobo crew tackled the Salkantay Trek, she found a solid four-day alpine route that sidesteps the Machu Picchu crowds without sacrificing the views. You climb through high-altitude passes (the trail peaks at 4,600m), camp beside turquoise Humantay Lagoon, wake up to Apu Salkantay's snowcap looming overhead, then drop down to catch a stretch of the actual Inca Trail before rolling into Machu Picchu on foot. It's tougher than the standard tourist route and noticeably quieter — you're sharing the trail with serious walkers, not tour buses. Best suited to people who've done a hill or two before and don't mind sleeping in a tent.
Highlights
- Humantay Lagoon camp with glacier-fed turquoise water at your tent door
- Waking to Apu Salkantay's snow-dusted peak dominating the horizon
- High passes at 4,600m with sparse foot traffic compared to main Inca Trail
- Actual Inca Trail section on day three before descending to Machu Picchu
- Breakfast and dinner included each day — crucial at altitude
- Smaller trekking groups navigating off-the-standard-route terrain
- Alpine meadows and rocky ridge walks without the Machu Picchu-queue atmosphere
What to expect
The first two days are the graft: you're climbing steadily from around 2,600m to the high point, then camping at altitude near Humantay Lagoon. The air gets thin fast, so pace yourself and expect to feel it if you're not acclimatised. Delphine reckoned the camp spot was the highlight — genuinely isolated, with the lagoon right there and proper silence at night. Day three flips the script: you descend into cloud forest, pick up a section of the genuine Inca Trail (smoother underfoot, occasionally cobbled), and the landscape shifts from alpine scrub to lush vegetation. It's noticeably busier on the Inca Trail itself, but far less rammed than starting from the main trailhead. Day four is an early push to the Machu Picchu gate.
Pacing varies. Some sections are relentless uphill slogs; others are cruisy ridgeline walks. Weather at altitude is unpredictable — you can get sun, rain, and sleet in the same morning. The trek demands genuine fitness; it's not a stroll, and you'll feel every one of those four days in your legs.
What travellers say
- Humantay Lagoon camp is genuinely remote and photogenic
- Actual Inca Trail section beats the standard tourist queue
- High-altitude passes mean quieter trekking than main routes
- All meals included — crucial at 4,600m elevation
- Smaller groups feel less like a tour, more like an expedition
- Demands real fitness; steep climbs punish the unprepared
- Altitude hits hard; acclimatisation time essential beforehand
- Sleeping bag and air mattress rental adds unexpected cost
- Last lunch excluded; Aguas Calientes meals are separate expense
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You actually walk into Machu Picchu rather than queuing at the gate like thousands of day-trippers, which changes the whole vibe. The Salkantay section keeps crowds minimal because it's tougher and less famous. Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included daily — crucial when you're hiking at altitude and need proper fuel. Camping by Humantay Lagoon is genuinely special.
This is a high-altitude trek in the Andes; you need moderate-to-good fitness and prior hiking experience. People with back injuries, heart issues, or pregnancy should skip it. The last lunch (in Aguas Calientes) isn't included, so budget for that. You'll need to bring or hire trekking poles, sleeping bags, and air mattresses — nothing's provided, which can get pricey. Day one is relentlessly uphill. Weather is cold and changeable; pack serious layers and waterproofs. Acclimatisation matters; arriving a few days early in Cusco helps. Groups are small but not solitary.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.