A trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco takes 4 days on the Inca Trail or 5 days on the Salkantay. WizardTrip lists three treks with nights camping: two Inca Trails and one Salkantay. They total 22,325 reviews, with a 5.0 out of 5 rating for each (as of 18 October 2026).
This article compares the itineraries, the train back, the fitness level required and booking. All three listings announce final sales, with no refund.
Machu Picchu trek from Cusco: what to know
All three treks leave Cusco early in the morning, between 4:20 am and 6 am depending on the pickup location. They end at Machu Picchu with a guided tour, then a return by train and private transport to Cusco. Hotel pickup and the return are included. The guide speaks English and Spanish.
Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions: 4 days and a train back
The Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail is the most reviewed of the three listings. It picks travelers up around 4:20 am at the Cusco hotel. After breakfast in Ollantaytambo, a one-hour drive leads to Piscacucho, at kilometer 82, where the trail begins. Day one passes the Llactapata site and includes about 4 hours of walking to the Ayapata campsite.
Day two is the hardest, according to the listing. Four hours of climbing lead to Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m, the highest point on the trail. Next come Runccuracay Pass and the night at Chaquicocha. Day three is designed to be less tiring. It passes Phuyupatamarka, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna, which the listing describes as the largest Inca site on the trail.
On the last day, about 2 hours of walking lead to the Sun Gate, then a 2-hour guided tour covers the citadel. The optional Huayna Picchu hike costs US$75 more and must be booked in advance. The return is by train to Ollantaytambo, then by car to the hotel.
The return train is a Vistadome for tours booked through January 2027, then an Expedition for those booked from March 2027. The Vistadome upgrade then costs US$20 per person. The price includes a personal porter, Eureka tents shared by two and portable chemical toilets. A mandatory briefing takes place the day before at 6 pm.
Inca Trail with TreXperience: Sun Gate at opening and a panoramic train
The TreXperience Inca Trail picks travelers up around 4:30 am in Cusco, or around 6 am in Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The group has 16 people at most. Day one passes the Willkaraqay site, with lunch at Hatunchaca and a night at the Ayapata campsite.
Day two crosses Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m. The listing describes a ceremony there honoring the Apus, the mountain spirits. Next come Runkurakay Pass, the Sayacmarca ruins and the night at Chaquicocha. Day three reaches Wiñay Wayna, whose site is visited with the guide before dinner.
On the last day, the group waits for the gates to open at 5:30 am and reaches the Sun Gate. It then enters Machu Picchu by Circuit 1, an elevated path. A guided tour on Circuit 3 follows. A bus goes down to Aguas Calientes, then a Vistadome or 360° train reaches Ollantaytambo. Arrival in Cusco is announced for around 7:30 pm.
The price includes permits, taxes and free luggage storage. It also includes a 7 kg duffel bag, a sleeping pad, a pillow and a rain poncho. Machu Picchu Montaña and Waynapicchu tickets are not included.
Salkantay in 5 days: Humantay Lake, a 4,630 m pass and a coffee farm
The Salkantay trek lasts 5 days and takes 10 travelers at most. Pickup is between 4:30 am and 5 am in Cusco. On day one, a trail of about 3 hours follows an old Inca canal to Soraypampa, at 3,900 m. After lunch, a 3-hour round-trip walk leads to Humantay Lake, at 4,200 m.
Day two climbs to Abra Salkantay, at 4,630 m, the highest point of the trek, then descends through cloud forest to Collpapampa. Day three follows the Santa Teresa valley and includes a visit to an organic coffee farm. Day four climbs to Llactapata, on a segment of the Inca Trail, before the descent to Hidroeléctrica.
Three nights are spent at Sky Camp, Mountain Sky View Camp and the Super Jungle Domes. The fourth is in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. On day five, a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu comes before the panoramic train and private transport to Cusco. Lunches and dinners on day 5 are not included.
The trek comes in four options: classic, or with a ticket for Huchuy Picchu, Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu mountain.
The three treks compared
| Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions | Inca Trail with TreXperience | 5-day Salkantay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days | 5 days |
| Pickup | Cusco hotel, around 4:20 am | Cusco around 4:30 am, Sacred Valley around 6 am | Cusco hotel, between 4:30 am and 5 am |
| Highest point | Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m | Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215 m | Abra Salkantay, 4,630 m |
| Arrival at Machu Picchu | Through the Sun Gate, 2-hour guided tour | Through the Sun Gate, circuits 1 and 3 | From Aguas Calientes, 2-hour guided tour |
| Return | Train to Ollantaytambo, then road to Cusco | Bus, Vistadome or 360° train, Cusco around 7:30 pm | Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, then private transport |
| Lodging | Camping, Eureka tents for two | Camping, Eureka tents for two | Camping, then 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes |
| Maximum group size | 14 people | 16 people | 10 people |
| Guide language | English, Spanish | English, Spanish | English, Spanish |
| Cancellation | Final sales, no refund | Final sales, no refund | Final sales, no refund |
| Price from | US$835 | US$820 | US$760 |
What fitness level do these treks require?
All three listings advise against the trek for people with spinal problems, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy. They do not set the same level. The Alpaca Expeditions listing asks for at least moderate fitness. The TreXperience and Salkantay listings require an excellent level.
The highest point reaches 4,215 m on the Inca Trail and 4,630 m on the Salkantay. Isabella gave the Alpaca Expeditions version 5 out of 5 in August 2025. She wrote: “It was a really hard hike but made so much fun by the wonderful team.”
The Salkantay listing is the only one to give a minimum age: 12, with a responsible adult. It also welcomes solo travelers.
Should you book early, and what happens if you cancel?
Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu spots are limited. The Salkantay listing advises booking five months ahead to get Circuit 2. Otherwise, circuits 3 or 1 are used. TreXperience asks you to book well in advance, then books the permits by hand and contacts the traveler if they are sold out.
TreXperience announces a confirmation within 24 hours, after manual verification, and only after a written message from the organizer. The Salkantay indicates manual confirmation. Alpaca Expeditions indicates instant confirmation and requires at least 2 participants per booking.
All three listings state that all sales are final: no refund is provided. They also provide that the trek may be canceled in bad weather or if too few people sign up. The listings do not say whether the payment is refunded in that case. The Salkantay one adds that most departures are guaranteed.
Which one to choose?
- You want the Inca Trail with the most reviewed listing: Alpaca Expeditions.
- You want a bus included to Aguas Calientes and an arrival in Cusco announced for around 7:30 pm: the TreXperience Inca Trail.
- You want the smallest group, the lowest price in the table and a hotel night before Machu Picchu: the Salkantay.
- You want to climb Huayna Picchu: the Salkantay option with the ticket, or the US$75 option from Alpaca Expeditions.
- You are traveling with a 12-year-old teenager: the Salkantay, the only listing to give a minimum age.
The city’s activities are gathered on the Things to do in Cusco page. The country’s are on Peru.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does a Machu Picchu trek from Cusco take?
Four days for the two Inca Trails compared, five days for the Salkantay trek. The Inca Trails include three nights camping. The Salkantay includes three nights camping and one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What is the difference between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay?
The Inca Trail takes 4 days and passes Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m. It reaches Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. The Salkantay takes 5 days, climbs to 4,630 m and passes Humantay Lake and a coffee farm.
Are meals included on a Machu Picchu trek?
Yes. All three listings include breakfast, lunch and dinner on the trekking days. On the last day, only breakfast is on the program. The Salkantay listing specifies that lunches and dinners on day 5 are not included.
Do you need to be fit to do the Inca Trail or the Salkantay?
The listings ask for good physical condition. It is at least moderate for the Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail, excellent for the TreXperience one and for the Salkantay. The listings advise against these treks with spinal problems, cardiovascular health problems or pregnancy.
Can you cancel a Machu Picchu trek and get a refund?
Not with these three listings: they state that all sales are final, with no refund. They also specify that the trek may be canceled in bad weather or if too few people sign up, without detailing the refund.
What do you need to provide to book a Machu Picchu trek?
The TreXperience and Salkantay listings ask for each participant’s passport details when you book: name, number, expiration date and country. The Alpaca Expeditions one asks you to bring the original passport on the day of the trek.
Activities mentioned in this guide
Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train5.0(11,565 reviews)From €758From€758View activity
4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train5.0(5,480 reviews)From €745From€745View activity
Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike5.0(5,279 reviews)From €690From€690View activity
All activities in Cusco, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Cusco
