When travelers ask me which trek to choose, Salkantay or Inca Jungle, my answer is always the same: it depends on what kind of adventure you want. I have been guiding in Cusco for more than 20 years, and I was one of the first to operate the Inca Jungle route. Here is the honest comparison, from the trail.
Salkantay Trek (5 days): for mountain lovers
Choose Salkantay if you love hiking, high mountains, camping, and feeling free in nature. You walk around 8 hours a day, with breaks, past snowy peaks like Salkantay and the turquoise Humantay Lake.
- Day 1 and 2: the hardest part. On day 2 you reach the highest pass, around 4,600 m.
- Day 3: downhill to Santa Teresa and its amazing natural hot springs.
- Day 4: optional zipline (about 2 hours), then a walk to Aguas Calientes, with a night in a hotel.
- Day 5: Machu Picchu early in the morning, then train back to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
What makes Salkantay special is the people. Our team sets up the camp before you arrive, prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and guides are there for you 24/7. Every night after dinner we meet as a group to explain the next day: how hard it will be and what to bring. By the second day, the group feels like a family. Many travelers become close friends, and I even know couples who met on the Salkantay trek.
Years before the domes appeared on this route, I was already planning fixed campsites to make the trek more comfortable. Today our priority is the same as always: respect for nature and good relations with the local communities.
Inca Jungle Trek (4 days): for adventure with less hiking
Choose Inca Jungle if you want adventure and emotion, but without so much uphill walking or many nights in tents.
The idea was born in Bolivia. I was invited to teach a local agency how to sell the Inca Trail, and there I saw the famous mountain bike descent in Coroico. I thought: why not in Peru? My first Inca Jungle trip was almost an expedition, with six travelers from Chile who could not get Inca Trail permits. Back then the road was dirt and the bikes were simple. Today it is a paved road, with double-suspension bikes, full-face helmets, knee and shin pads, and a support vehicle.
- Day 1: drive about 4 hours from Cusco to around 4,300 m, then ride downhill almost 3,000 m to Santa María. You go from clouds and mist to the jungle. Rafting is optional. Night in Santa María.
- Day 2: hike to Santa Teresa and relax in the hot springs.
- Day 3: walk to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 4: Machu Picchu and train back to Cusco.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Salkantay if you want a real trek, high mountains, and camping.
- Choose Inca Jungle if you prefer biking, rafting, and hotels, with less physical effort.
Both treks end at Machu Picchu, and both give you an experience you will never forget.
Safety first
I know these routes like the back of my hand, and in all these years we have never had an accident. When heavy rain made a trail unsafe, we turned back to Cusco. For us, the safety of our travelers always comes first. When you book, we also ask about your diet and any health needs, so our cooks and guides can take care of you.
Ready for your adventure?
Contact TrueAndes and tell us what kind of traveler you are. With more than 30 years in Peruvian tourism, we will help you choose the right trek to Machu Picchu