How to Get to the Salkantay Trek: A Complete Guide to Start Your Adventure 🚐🏔️
The Salkantay Trek, one of the most breathtaking routes to Machu Picchu, generally begins in the Mollepata area and continues to Soraypampa, the base camp at the foot of Nevado Salkantay. Although it’s one of the most popular treks in Peru, many travelers don’t know exactly how to get to the starting point, what transportation to use, how much it costs, or how long it takes.
In this definitive guide, I’ll explain all the routes, transportation options, prices, times, and practical tips so you can reach Salkantay safely and without complications.
🌄 1. Where does the Salkantay Trek actually begin?
Most trekkers begin the route at these points:
⭐ Classic Official Starting Point: Mollepata
- Altitude: 2,900 m
- Location: Anta Province, Cusco
- Travel time from Cusco: Approximately 2.5 hours
From here, continue by road towards Marcoccasa or Soraypampa, depending on the itinerary.
⭐ Most Popular Starting Point for Tours: Soraypampa
- Altitude: 3,900 m
- Point where Humantay Lagoon is visited
- Start of the ascent to Salkantay Pass
- Travel time from Cusco: 3–3.5 hours
Important: No one hikes from Cusco to Soraypampa. Ground transportation is always used.
🚌 2. How to Get to Salkantay from Cusco
✔️ Option 1: With a travel agency (highly recommended)
This is the easiest, most comfortable, and safest way.
The agency includes:
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco
- Transportation to Mollepata or Soraypampa
- Breakfast en route
- Briefing the night before
- Assistance throughout the trek
⏱ Total time:
2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the starting point.
💸 Average cost of transportation (included in the tour):
Between $40 and $60 USD, included in the total trek price.
✔️ Option 2: On your own using public transportation
Ideal for independent travelers, but NOT the most comfortable.
🔸 Step 1: Cusco → Mollepata
At the Arcopata bus terminal, take a combi or minivan to Mollepata, following the directions “Cusco – Limatambo – Mollepata”.
- ⏱ Duration: 2–2.5 hours
- 💸 Price: 20–25 soles
- 🚐 Departures: between 4:00 and 7:00 am
Minivans leave when they are full.
🔸 Step 2: Mollepata → Soraypampa / Marcoccasa
From Mollepata, you will need to hire a local pickup truck.
- ⏱ Duration: 1 hour
- 💸 Price: 20–30 soles per person
- 🚙 You may need to share the vehicle with other travelers.
🔸 Step 3: Arrival at the start of the trek
Once in Soraypampa, you will be at the foot of Nevado Salkantay to begin the route to Laguna Humantay or Abra Salkantay, depending on the itinerary.
✔️ Option 3: Taxi or private transport from Cusco
The fastest, most comfortable, and most flexible alternative.
Advantages:
- Leave whenever you want
- No fixed schedule
- You can stop for photos and shopping
- Ideal for small groups
Approximate fares:
- Cusco → Mollepata: 150–200 soles
- Cusco → Soraypampa: 220–350 soles
Travel time:
- 2 hours to Mollepata
- 3.2 hours to Soraypampa
🚗 3. How to get to Salkantay from other destinations in Peru
Although most tours depart from Cusco, here are the routes from other locations:
✔️ From Lima ✈️
- Flight Lima → Cusco (1h 20m)
- From Cusco, follow the route indicated above.
There are no direct buses to Mollepata from Lima.
✔️ From Arequipa 🚌
- Bus Arequipa → Cusco (10–11 hours)
- Cusco → Mollepata/Soraypampa
Buses depart from the Arequipa Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre) and companies like Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Civa cover this route.
✔️ From Puno / Lake Titicaca 🚐
- Bus Puno → Cusco (6–7 hours)
- Cusco → Mollepata/Soraypampa
🌲 4. What is the road like from Cusco to the start of the trek?
The journey is beautiful:
- You’ll pass through Andean villages
- You’ll see snow-capped mountains from the road
- Deep valleys and ravines
- Safe curves, but the road is narrow in some sections
- Cold weather in the morning
The last stretch to Soraypampa is a dirt road, but accessible year-round.
🌧️ 5. Is it possible to reach Salkantay during the rainy season?
Yes, but with caution.
Risks:
- Slippery paths
- Occasional landslides
- Fog
- Increased humidity on the route
Many agencies continue operating, but some prefer not to go as far as Soraypampa if there are landslides.
Recommendation:
If you are traveling between January and March, hire a reputable and experienced agency.
🕒 6. What is the best time to leave for Salkantay?
Most operators leave between 4:00 and 5:00 am.
Why so early?
- To avoid traffic on the road
- To arrive in Soraypampa before the strong sun
- To have enough time to visit Humantay Lagoon
- To start the acclimatization process properly
- If you are going on your own, try to leave BEFORE 6:00 am.
🧭 7. Coordinates and exact location of the Salkantay starting point
📍 Soraypampa (base camp)
- Latitude: -13.3558
- Longitude: -72.4997
- Altitude: 3,900 m
📍 Mollepata (main town)
- Latitude: -13.4999
- Longitude: -72.5212
- Altitude: 2,900 m
You can use Google Maps with the search term “Soraypampa Salkantay”.
🐴 8. Is it possible to ride a horse to Soraypampa?
Yes, but normally:
- Only from Mollepata to Soraypampa
- Hired in the village itself
- Approximate cost: 100 to 150 soles
The horses are managed by local families.
🧳 9 Essential Tips for a Smooth Arrival
1. Leave early
- The best views and least traffic are between 5 and 7 am.
2. Bring a jacket
- Although it’s hot in Cusco, the temperature in Soraypampa can be 0°C (32°F).
3. Bring cash
- Small villages don’t accept cards.
4. Bring snacks
- Shops aren’t always open at dawn.
5. Check the weather before you leave
- Rain can make the journey difficult during the rainy season.
6. If you’re going on your own, don’t walk alone
- It’s safe, but it’s always better to walk with someone.
🌟 Conclusion
Getting to the Salkantay Trek is easier than many people imagine. Whether you travel with a tour operator, independently, or by private transport, the trails are well-connected and offer incredible scenery from the very first minute.
With this comprehensive guide, you now know how to get there, how much it costs, how long it takes, which route to follow, and how to plan your trip without any problems.
Now that you know the way…
the adventure to Apu Salkantay awaits! 🏔️🔥