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The trail begins 100 kilometers west-northwest of Cusco in the Peruvian Andes. Most hikers depart the city between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM, taking a shared colectivo to Mollepata before transferring to a local taxi.
Mollepata, Cusco, Peru
Depart Cusco in a shared colectivo between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM. The 100-kilometer ride to Mollepata costs 20 soles and takes the bulk of the three-and-a-half-hour journey. From the Mollepata drop-off, hire a local taxi for the final leg to the Challacancha trailhead.
This 80-sole taxi fare covers the entire vehicle, allowing groups of four to split the cost down to 20 soles per person. Independent hikers rely heavily on this route, as the trail is well-signposted and requires no official permits. Bring at least 1,200 Peruvian soles in cash before leaving Cusco, as ATMs do not exist at the trailhead or along the mountain passes.
Board the train at Aguas Calientes for a 1.5-hour ride to Ollantaytambo. Tickets cost approximately $70 USD. At the Ollantaytambo station, transfer to a shared van or bus for the remaining two-hour drive to Cusco.
Upgraded services or private transfers push the total price closer to $90 USD. This route bypasses the dangerous cliffside roads entirely, offering a safe rest after hiking up to 74 kilometers over five days. Book tickets months in advance, especially during the dry season from May to October when clear skies draw massive crowds to the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Walk 10 kilometers along the flat railway tracks from Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica. The path follows the rushing Urubamba River between high green cliffs, dropping travelers at the bus depot. At Hidroelectrica, board a budget bus bound for Cusco.
The $5 USD ride takes seven to eight hours. Drivers navigate narrow, poorly maintained cliffside roads known for causing severe motion sickness. Landslides during the November to April rainy season regularly wash out these dirt routes, leaving vehicles stranded. Pay the extra $70 to return safely by train if heavy rain falls during your trek.
The Consettur shuttle covers the steep switchbacks from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Citadel in 20 minutes. Lines for the first buses begin forming in the dark at 4:00 AM. Join the queue by 4:30 AM to beat the crowds arriving on the morning trains from Ollantaytambo.
Entry times for the ruins range from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM for sunrise views. Wheelchair users can access the Main Entrance Plaza and Guardhouse Viewpoint using specialized manual track wheelchairs, but require physical assistance boarding the bus. Pack insect repellent with the highest DEET percentage possible, as biting mosquitos swarm the lower elevations near the queues.
The final stretch of the classic five-day itinerary requires walking 10 kilometers from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes. Following the flat, active railroad tracks, hikers cut through the high Amazon jungle. The trail drops 1,500 meters below the freezing alpine zone, exposing trekkers to hot, humid conditions and diverse flora like coffee and organic cacao plantations.
Trains pass frequently along this route, forcing walkers to step off the tracks onto loose gravel. Keep a bandana handy to block the dust kicked up by the passing locomotives. There is no official fee for this section, making it the standard approach to the base of Machu Picchu.
No dedicated parking exists at the Salkantay trailheads. Trekkers instead use shared colectivos to reach Mollepata, transferring to local taxis that drop off directly at the Challacancha start point for 80 soles. Wheelchair access is impossible on this rugged, steep mountain terrain.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cusco | Colectivo and Taxi | 03:30 | 20 soles (colectivo) + 80 soles (taxi per car) | Catch a 4:00 AM colectivo to Mollepata, then hire a local taxi to the Challacancha trailhead and split the 80-sole fare with three other passengers. |
| Aguas Calientes (Train Return) | Train and Bus | 03:30 | $70 to $90 USD | Ride the train 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo, then transfer to a two-hour shared van back to Cusco to avoid the dangerous cliffside roads. |
| Aguas Calientes (Budget Return) | Walk and Bus | 08:00 | $5 USD | Walk 10 kilometers along the railway tracks to Hidroelectrica before boarding a 7-hour bus ride on narrow, poorly maintained roads known for causing motion sickness. |
Spend two to three days in Cusco before catching your transport to the trailhead. The route starts at 3,850 meters and climbs rapidly to the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass. Without this adjustment period, you risk severe headaches and nausea that can force you to hire an emergency mule.
Catch a shared colectivo from Cusco to Mollepata between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM for 20 soles. From Mollepata, you need a local taxi to reach the Challacancha starting point. This final leg costs about 80 soles per car, so find three other hikers to split the fare.
Avoid the $5 budget bus return from Hidroelectrica to Cusco. The seven to eight-hour drive follows narrow, poorly maintained cliffside roads known for careless drivers and severe motion sickness. Pay $70 to $90 USD for the 1.5-hour train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo instead.
Withdraw at least 1,200 Peruvian soles before leaving Cusco. You will not find a single ATM along the 74-kilometer route until you reach Aguas Calientes at the end of the trek. Physical currency is mandatory for the 20-sole local entrance fee, trail toilets, bottled water, and the Santa Teresa thermal pools.
Line up for the Consettur shuttle bus in Aguas Calientes by 4:30 AM on your final day. Hikers start forming the queue in the dark around 4:00 AM. Getting on the first buses ensures you reach the Machu Picchu gates before the massive train crowds arrive from Ollantaytambo.
Take a shared colectivo from Cusco to Mollepata starting between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM for 20 soles. From Mollepata, hire a local taxi to the Challacancha trailhead for 80 soles. Splitting the taxi fare among four passengers reduces your individual cost.
The drive covers 100 kilometers and takes approximately three and a half hours. You will spend most of this time in the shared colectivo before transferring to a private taxi for the final stretch.
Board a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for $70, followed by a two-hour shared van ride back to Cusco. Budget travelers can walk 10 kilometers to Hidroelectrica and take a $5 bus, but the seven-hour ride navigates poorly maintained cliffside roads that trigger motion sickness.
You do not need a permit for the trail itself, though a 20-sol local entrance fee is collected at the start. You must book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which costs 163 soles for foreign adults, months in advance through the official Ministry of Culture platform.
Ride the Consettur shuttle bus up the mountain from Aguas Calientes. Lines begin forming at 4:00 AM, so arrive by 4:30 AM to beat the large crowds arriving on the early trains.
The $5 budget bus from Hidroelectrica is the least expensive return option. You must first walk 10 kilometers along flat railway tracks from Aguas Calientes to reach the bus pickup point. The eight-hour drive back to Cusco travels along narrow, winding roads with careless drivers.
Leave Cusco between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM. Early departures are standard for securing a spot in the shared colectivos heading to Mollepata. Arriving later risks missing the morning transport and delays your 100-kilometer journey to the trailhead.
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