Cheap Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 days super backpacker

Personal items

• Small daypack for daily essentials.
• Duffle bag for the trek (provided at the briefing).
• Reusable water bottle or hydration system.
• Small amount of cash in Peruvian soles for personal expenses.
• Original and valid passport (required for entry to Machu Picchu).

Clothing

• Comfortable waterproof trekking boots.
• Light rain jacket or poncho.
• Sleeping bag (can be rented if needed).
• Trekking shirts (short sleeve and long sleeve).
• Warm jacket for cold mountain temperatures.
• Hat, beanie, and gloves for early mornings and high altitude.
• Comfortable trekking pants and optional shorts.
• Light clothing for the warmer jungle sections of the trek.
• Sleepwear for the campsites.
• Swimsuit and small towel for the Cocalmayo hot springs.

Extra items

• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Insect repellent for the jungle area.
• Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries.
• Personal toiletries.
• Personal snacks if desired.

The Cheap Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 days (Super Backpacker) is designed for travelers who want to experience one of Peru’s most famous trekking routes without spending a lot of money. This Salkantay Trek 5 Days follows the classic route through the Andes and cloud forest before arriving at the legendary Inca city of Machu Picchu.

This tour focuses on adventure rather than comfort. You travel with a group of international backpackers and share the experience together. Services are simple, meals are basic, and the guide provides essential information during the trek. If you are looking for the cheapest Salkantay trek and want to hike to Machu Picchu while meeting other travelers, this budget Salkantay trek is an excellent option.

Why choose this cheap Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is one of the most beautiful alternative routes to Machu Picchu. The trail crosses high mountain passes, turquoise lakes, and lush jungle valleys before reaching the Inca citadel. While some Salkantay tours focus on comfort and luxury camps, this version focuses on keeping the price low.

The trek uses simple campsites, basic meals, and larger group sizes. The guide provides the essential information about the route and local culture. This approach allows backpackers to experience the full Salkantay Trek 5 Days at a much lower price compared to premium treks.

Average group size is around 14 travelers, although this can vary depending on the season. Most travelers are backpackers from Europe, Australia, and North America who want to share the adventure with other young travelers.

What makes this the cheapest Salkantay Trek

This cheap Salkantay trek is possible because services are kept simple. Meals are sufficient but basic, the guide provides essential information, and group sizes can be larger than on premium tours. The accommodation during the trek consists of mountain cabins, domes, and jungle domes instead of luxury camps.

The focus of the tour is the adventure itself. You hike through the Andes, cross the famous Salkantay Pass, and experience the transition from high mountains to tropical jungle. The highlight of the trek is arriving at Machu Picchu after five days of hiking.

Important information about this Budget Salkantay Trek

This tour is designed for backpackers looking for the cheapest Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. To keep the price low, services are simple and focused on the trekking experience rather than comfort. Meals during the trek are basic but sufficient for hiking days, campsites are simple mountain camps with limited facilities, and guides provide essential information about the route and Machu Picchu.

Some services along the route, such as hot showers, WiFi, snacks, and bottled water, may be available for an additional cost at the campsites. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are subject to availability, which means the circuit and entry time may vary depending on availability at the moment of booking.

If you choose the bus return via Hydroelectric, please note that this is the most economical option but involves a long bus journey of approximately 6 to 7 hours back to Cusco. If you are looking for luxury camps, gourmet meals, or premium guiding, we recommend choosing our premium Salkantay trek.

Group experience on the Salkantay Trek

This Salkantay trek backpacker tour has a social atmosphere. Many travelers join the trek alone or as friends and quickly make new friends during the trek. During the trek you share meals, campsites, and daily hiking challenges with the group.

The average group size is around 14 people. Some departures may have fewer travelers depending on the season. The international mix of travelers often makes the trek a fun and memorable experience.

Difficulty of the Salkantay Trek 5 days

The Salkantay Trek 5 Days is considered a moderate to challenging trek. The route includes high altitude hiking and long walking days. The highest point is the Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters above sea level.

Travelers should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable walking several hours per day. Proper acclimatization in Cusco before the trek is strongly recommended.

Accommodation during the Trek

Accommodation during the cheap Salkantay trek is simple but comfortable enough for backpackers. The first night is spent in mountain cabins near Soraypampa. The second night is in domes in Chaullay, surrounded by green jungle valleys. The third night is at Coca Camp, where travelers sleep in capsules or jungle domes.

The fourth night is spent in a basic hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town located below Machu Picchu. This allows travelers to take a shower and rest before visiting Machu Picchu the next morning.

Practical conditions on the Salkantay Trek

Drinking water

Drinking water for refilling personal bottles is not included during the trek. However, water is provided during meals.

If you want additional drinking water, you have two options. Small shops along the Salkantay trail sell mineral water. Prices usually range between S/ 5 and S/ 10 for a 2.5 liter bottle. Many backpackers also choose to bring a personal water filter.

Showers

Due to the cold temperatures at high altitude, there are no showers available at the first campsite in Soraypampa. This is also for all campsites, also the Backpacker Salkantay Trek 5 days and Premium Salkantay Trek 5 days. At the second and third campsites, hot showers are available for about S/ 10, while cold showers are free.

On the fourth night in Aguas Calientes, hot showers are included in the hotel.

Internet and mobile signal

Mobile signal usually disappears around mid-morning on the first day of the trek. There is normally no phone signal until arriving at the first campsite.

At the first campsite, WiFi is available for approximately S/ 5. At the second and third campsites, WiFi typically costs around S/ 10. After the third day of the trek, mobile signal and internet access are usually available again.

Tips

Tips for the mountain cook and horsemen are optional and not mandatory. If you enjoyed the service, tips are always appreciated by the team.

Salkantay Trek 5 days route overview

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake

Distance: approximately 6 km

Difficulty: moderate

Starting altitude: Cusco 3,400 m

Campsite altitude: Soraypampa 3,900 m

The first day begins with transportation from Cusco to Soraypampa. From here you hike to Humantay Lake, one of the most famous glacial lakes in the Andes. The turquoise water and surrounding glaciers make this one of the most beautiful places on the Salkantay route.

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay

Distance: approximately 18 km

Difficulty: challenging

Highest point: Salkantay Pass 4,650 m

Campsite altitude: Chaullay 2,900 m

This is the most challenging day of the cheap Salkantay trek. The trail climbs steadily to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek. From the pass you begin a long descent toward the jungle valleys of Chaullay.

Day 3: Chaullay – Coca Camp

Distance: approximately 16 km

Difficulty: moderate

Starting altitude: 2,900 m

Campsite altitude: Coca Camp 2,100 m

The landscape changes dramatically on this day. The trail passes through coffee farms, fruit plantations, and lush tropical vegetation. The warmer climate and green scenery are very different from the high mountains of the previous days.

Day 4: Coca Camp – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

Distance: approximately 16 km

Difficulty: moderate

Highest viewpoint: Llactapata 2,700 m

Overnight altitude: Aguas Calientes 2,040 m

Today you hike to the archaeological site of Llactapata, where you can see Machu Picchu in the distance for the first time. After descending to Hydroelectric, the trail continues along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: Machu Picchu visit

Distance: 2 km walking to Machu Picchu entrance

Difficulty: easy

Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m

Early in the morning you travel from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. After entering the site, your guide provides a guided tour of the Inca citadel. After the tour you have free time to explore the site and take photos.

Return to Cusco after Machu Picchu

After visiting Machu Picchu you return to Cusco either by train or by bus via Hydroelectric. Both options can be selected when booking the tour.

The bus return via Hydroelectric is usually the cheapest option and therefore recommended for backpackers. However, this option is only possible if your Machu Picchu entrance ticket allows early entry. The bus return is generally possible with Circuit 1B, Circuit 3B, or Circuit 2A/2B with entry times no later than 9:00 am.

Returning by train is faster and more comfortable but significantly more expensive. Many backpackers prefer the Hydroelectric return option because it keeps the total cost of the cheap Salkantay trek lower.

Experience one of the most famous treks in Peru

The Cheap Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best options for travelers who want to reach Machu Picchu on a budget. Despite the simple services, the route offers incredible scenery, diverse landscapes, and an unforgettable adventure through the Andes.

For backpackers looking for the cheapest Salkantay trek and a social trekking experience, this 5 day adventure is an excellent way to explore the mountains of Peru and arrive at the legendary Inca city of Machu Picchu.