Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Glamping - 6 Days

Your Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins at 3 p.m. local time on Day 1, when you'll meet your trekking team and embark on your adventure.

Since you’ll likely have checked out of your hotel before departure, the meeting point for this trek is at the trekking operator's office near Cusco’s main square.

At 3 p.m., we’ll board our private van for a 3.5-hour drive to the Glass Cabañas in Soraypampa, situated at 3,800 meters above sea level. We aim to arrive just in time for you to capture the sunset over the glacier peaks.

Upon arrival at the Glass Cabañas, your guide will help you settle into your rooms before you enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by hot drinks. During dinner, we’ll have a brief team introduction to get acquainted with fellow Salkantay trekkers and the Alpaca Expeditions staff. This area is renowned for its breathtaking views of the night sky, so prepare for unforgettable stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere!

After a good night's rest, you'll wake up very early, before dawn (around 4-4:30 a.m.), to enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on the longest day of your trek. In the morning, the trip leader will provide an overview of the day's hike and answer any questions.

Following the briefing, you'll hand over your duffel bag to the muleteers, who will carry it to the next campsite. The day's hike begins with a steady 1.5-hour uphill trek to the renowned Humantay Lake. The serene, crystalline-blue waters of Humantay Lake are absolutely breathtaking. If the skies are clear, you'll witness the first rays of sunlight peeking through the snow-covered peaks.

And if you're brave enough, you'll have the chance to touch the almost-frozen waters, which locals believe have the power to keep you young forever! The early morning visit to Humantay Lake offers the unique advantage of a peaceful, uncrowded experience, with only your group of Salkantay trekkers present—something not everyone gets to enjoy due to the popularity of this location.

After soaking in the views, you'll begin your descent back to the starting point and continue to the lunch spot at Soyroccocha. This part of the Salkantay hike will take approximately 3 hours on gradually ascending terrain. Along the way, you'll pass breathtaking spots such as Salkantay Pampa, offering outstanding views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains. These vistas are what make the journey truly special.

After a delicious lunch prepared by your local chef and a well-deserved rest, you'll continue with the next leg of your Salkantay hike. This section involves about 1 hour of hiking until you reach Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters above sea level, the highest point of the trek. The group will rest here, and you'll be served hot drinks while enjoying the panoramic views.

From Salkantay Pass, you'll embark on the final stretch of the day's hike—a 3-hour downhill trek to the evening's campsite at Wayracmachay. Upon arrival, the Salkantay trekking staff will have your tents set up and your duffel bags ready.

The team will provide warm water for you to freshen up after the day's hike so you can change into warmer clothes for the night. Then, you'll enjoy a happy hour with hot chocolate and coffee, followed by dinner. If the weather cooperates, you'll be treated to unbroken views of the night sky, along with a brief introduction to the visible Inca constellations.

Your trekking team will wake you up early, around 5:30 a.m., with a hot drink to kickstart your day. As you open your tent, you’ll hopefully be greeted by the sunrise over majestic glacier peaks and the mist lifting from the lush cloud forest. You'll have time to pack up and enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared by your local Salkantay trekking chef. This is the second longest day of the trek, with a combination of long downhill and uphill hikes, similar to the first day.

Around 7 a.m., you'll begin a 4-hour downhill hike to the lunch spot at Ccollpapampa, located at 2,700 meters above sea level. During this part of the Salkantay trek, you'll notice significant changes in the microclimate, as well as the flora and fauna. You’ll transition from cold glacier views to the warm, green surroundings of the jungle, encountering a variety of orchids, ferns, begonia flowers, and even hummingbirds along the way.

After lunch and a well-deserved rest, you'll continue your trek toward our unique Hobbit Houses, nestled on the hillside overlooking the Salkantay River at 2,400 meters above sea level. This segment of the hike will take approximately 4 hours on gradually descending terrain.

As you make your way, you'll discover beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and more new flora and fauna. You'll also experience another tropical forest microclimate, where locals farm coffee, passion fruit, papayas, oranges, and avocados. Upon reaching the evening's glamping accommodations, your Salkantay trekking staff will be there to welcome you.

At the Hobbit Houses, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower and relax in an outdoor hot jacuzzi. The Hobbit Houses manager often has cold beer and soda available for purchase, so be sure to bring extra soles with you! You'll also have plenty of time to explore our ecological garden, where you can see local crops like coffee, avocado, chilies, tomatoes, and pineapples. Dinner will be served in our dining area with stunning views of the Salkantay River. As you retire for the night, you may hear the soothing sounds of the river in the distance.

After savoring a delicious homemade breakfast prepared by Alpaca, our renowned local chef, you'll embark on the shortest yet often the most thrilling day of your Salkantay adventure. Today, you'll witness some of the most breathtaking sights along your trekking route to Machu Picchu.

Your journey will take you through the lush tropical forest, where you'll visit a local organic coffee farm. Here, you'll explore vibrant orange and avocado plantations and enjoy freshly brewed coffee. During your visit, you'll receive a brief introduction to the region's rich coffee history and its significance to the local culture. Following this, you'll indulge in an incredible lunch accompanied by a cooking class right at the coffee farm.

Continuing your trek, you'll hike approximately 2.5 hours along a section of the ancient Inca trail to reach the Llactapata Inca ruins. Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the Santa Teresa Valley—vistas so remarkable they're beyond words.

At Llactapata, you'll catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, including its iconic archaeological sites, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the Llactapata Inca ruins and capture unforgettable photographs.

The day's final stretch is a short 15-minute downhill walk to your secluded campsite, owned by a local family who grants exclusive access to our group, ensuring privacy unlike what other Salkantay trekkers experience.

This campsite offers a prime location for enjoying both sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. Depending on your arrival time, you'll have some free time to relax and soak in the breathtaking views. Cold beverages are also available at the campsite.

Before dinner, prepared by your local chef, you'll unwind with a delightful happy hour featuring tea and coffee. As night falls, prepare for another evening of unforgettable stargazing, where you'll witness the Milky Way and Inca constellations, just as Incan astronomers once did to predict the weather.

Your trekking team will wake you up early again (around 5:30-6 a.m.) with a hot drink to kickstart your day. After getting ready, you'll savor your last breakfast prepared by your local trekking chef.

The day’s hike begins with a 2-hour downhill trek offering unbeatable views of Machu Picchu, leading to the Hydroelectric Station. This station, constructed to harness the natural 300-meter waterfall, generates electricity for the Cusco region. The waterfall itself is one of the most impressive natural features in the area.

From the Hydroelectric Station, you’ll continue to the famous Intiwatana (sundial rock). Historically, this Inca stone, along with the legendary sundial rock in Machu Picchu, was used to mark the winter solstice, signaling the start of a new farming season for the Incas.

After exploring the Intiwatana, you’ll trek along a path that runs parallel to the train tracks for about 3 hours, leading to the town of Aguas Calientes, nestled at the base of the Machu Picchu Valley. This trail is of particular interest as it was the same route taken by American explorer Hiram Bingham when he rediscovered Machu Picchu.

During his expedition, Bingham encountered local farmer Melchor Arteaga, who eventually guided him to Machu Picchu. As you hike past Arteaga's farm, you’ll encounter diverse species of flora and fauna, including incredible birds such as Peru’s national bird, the Cock of the Rock, along with toucans, oropendolas, and parrots. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy your packed lunch.

Afterward, you’ll head to your hotel to enjoy a hot shower and may opt to visit the famous hot springs of Aguas Calientes (10 soles, not included). In the evening, you’ll be treated to your final dinner, prepared by your local trekking chef, giving you a chance to say your farewells.

Today is all about exploring the ancient marvel of Machu Picchu! To make the most of your visit, we recommend having an early breakfast before catching one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, which start running at 5:30 a.m. This early start allows you to beat the crowds and enjoy a more serene experience. For those who are up for a challenge, there’s also the option to hike up the steep, switchback stairs and trail from the town of Aguas Calientes to the entrance gates of Machu Picchu.

The hotel will securely hold your bags while you explore Machu Picchu, so you’ll only need to take your backpack with essential items up to the site. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes.

Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will lead you to the best spot for watching the sunrise (weather permitting) and capturing stunning photographs. Following this, your local guide will take you on a 2.5-hour tour of the citadel’s main sectors, offering rich insights into the history and culture of the Inca Empire.

After the guided tour, you’ll have some free time to relax and explore on your own. If you’ve arranged to hike Huayna Picchu* (which must be booked in advance as it sells out and costs $75 per person), your guide will direct you to the starting point. The round-trip hike will take no more than 2 hours.

For your return from Machu Picchu, we recommend heading back to Aguas Calientes at least 2 hours before your train’s departure. The return train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting for you at the station’s exit to drive you back to Cusco. The car ride will take about 2 hours, and you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco that evening.