The 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most comprehensive and spectacular trekking experiences to reach the Inca citadel, ideal for travelers seeking grand mountain landscapes, genuine adventure, and local culture without sacrificing comfort. Operated under the exclusive standards of Vilcabamba Tours, this route traverses highly diverse scenarios over five days, ranging from the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and the imposing Salkantay Pass at over 4,600 meters (15,092 ft) of altitude, to the warm cloud forest, where coffee farms are visited and a traditional Pachamanca is enjoyed. Designed in a premium format with small groups, the experience organized by Vilcabamba Tours stands out for its special accommodations—such as the exclusive Salka Glamp Camp and tents in Llactapata with direct views of Machu Picchu—, fresh meals prepared by a trekking chef, guaranteed entrance tickets, and an exclusive return on the Vistadome or 360° panoramic trains.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 (Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salka Glamp): Early hotel pickup by Vilcabamba Tours staff, breakfast in Mollepata, 3-hour hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft a.s.l.), lunch in Soraypampa, and 2-hour ascent to the exclusive Salka Glamp Camp in Salkantaypampa.
- Day 2 (Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa): 2-hour ascent to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft a.s.l.), the highest point of the route, 3-hour descent for lunch in Wayracmachay, and an additional 3-hour walk towards the cloud forest to spend the night in Andean cabins in Collpapampa.
- Day 3 (Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata): Hike through the cloud forest to Lucmabamba, cultural experience with a traditional Pachamanca lunch, local coffee workshop, and 3-hour ascent along an ancient Inca trail to the camp in Llactapata.
- Day 4 (Llactapata – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes): Wake up with distant views of Machu Picchu, 2-hour descent to the Hidroeléctrica station for the last lunch on the route, and final 3-hour walk alongside the railway tracks to a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5 (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco): Bus ascent to the Machu Picchu citadel, 2-to-3-hour guided tour with our specialist through the main archaeological areas (Circuit 2 by default), and return trip to Cusco coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours on the Vistadome or 360° panoramic train.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Salka Glamp
The journey begins with pickup at your hotel around 4:30 a.m. by the Vilcabamba Tours team for a road transfer to the town of Mollepata, where a full breakfast will be served. Afterward, the transportation will continue to the trailhead, marking the start of a three-hour ascending hike towards Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 meters (13,780 ft) above sea level, where you will have free time to explore and take pictures of the turquoise landscape. After a one-hour descent to Soraypampa to enjoy a fresh lunch prepared with local ingredients, you will resume the walk with a two-hour climb to Salkantaypampa (4,150 m / 13,615 ft a.s.l.). In this tranquil area, you will spend the night at the exclusive Salka Glamp Camp, under glamping-style tents with clear views of the Salkantay snow peak, concluding the day with tea time and dinner.
Day 2: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa
After waking up early with a hot beverage served in your tent, you will enjoy breakfast before beginning the two-hour ascent to the highest point of the circuit: the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 meters (15,190 ft) of altitude, an alpine environment flanked by glaciers and imposing rock formations. After the break time at the summit, you will begin a three-hour descent towards Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft a.s.l.) for lunch. In the afternoon, the route continues downhill for three additional hours with the accompaniment of our Vilcabamba Tours guide, leaving behind the freezing high-mountain climate to enter the lush vegetation and humidity of the cloud forest; the final stretch concludes next to the town of Collpapampa, where you will rest in comfortable Andean cabins within a local campsite.
Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata
The morning begins with a walk along narrow paths that flank rivers, waterfalls, and local fruit plantations such as banana and passion fruit, advancing through the cloud forest until arriving at the community of Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft a.s.l.). At this point, you will participate in the preparation of a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian lunch cooked underground using hot stones and aromatic herbs, followed by an immersion in a coffee farm to learn the process of harvesting, roasting, and grinding the bean. After lunch, you will undertake a three-hour ascent guided by the Vilcabamba Tours staff along an original Inca trail to the summit of the mountain where the Llactapata archaeological site (2,750 m / 9,022 ft a.s.l.) is located, where you will camp facing a spectacular and unprecedented panoramic view of Machu Picchu in the distance.
Day 4: Llactapata – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
The day begins contemplating the sunrise over the structures of Machu Picchu from the comfort of your camp in Llactapata. After breakfast, you will take a descending hike of approximately two hours towards the Hidroeléctrica station, where you will enjoy the last lunch prepared by the route chef and say goodbye to the support team. The final stretch to the destination consists of a flat three-hour walk that follows the course of the Urubamba River and the train tracks, a trail surrounded by rich flora, orchids, and subtropical fauna. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the Vilcabamba Tours guide will lead you to a 3-star hotel to rest and shower before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
The last day is entirely dedicated to the wonder of the world. After breakfast at the hotel, you will board one of the first ascent buses towards the Machu Picchu citadel to enter in the morning shift. A professional Vilcabamba Tours guide will accompany you on a two-to-three-hour tour through the main sectors, temples, squares, and agricultural terraces using Circuit 2 (or, failing that, the best available alternative such as Circuit 1 or 3, according to official ticket availability). If you have passes reserved in advance, you can take additional hikes to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains. Finally, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own and take the Vistadome or 360° panoramic train towards Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will pick you up to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Includes
- Safety and operational orientation briefing one day before the tour in Cusco by Vilcabamba Tours.
- Direct pickup and return at your hotel in Cusco.
- All transfers and ground transportation detailed in the itinerary.
- Professional bilingual guide service (Spanish and English) during the 5 days.
- Panoramic return train tickets (Vistadome or 360° according to availability).
- Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Official entrance tickets for the Salkantay route and admission ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel.
- Horsemen and pack mules to transport logistic equipment and up to 7 kg / 15 lb of personal belongings per passenger.
- Specialized trekking chef from Vilcabamba Tours for fresh food preparation.
- 1 night of accommodation at the Premium Salka Glamp Camp (Day 1).
- 1 night of accommodation in local Andean cabins in Collpapampa (Day 2).
- 1 night of camping in comfortable tents in Llactapata with a view of Machu Picchu (Day 3).
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 4).
- Full board on the route (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, daily snacks, and tea time), except the last lunch.
- Pachamanca culinary experience and local coffee workshop on Day 3.
- Canvas duffel bag for the luggage transported by the mules.
- Rest and safety implements provided by the agency: Pillow, sleeping pad, rain poncho, hand towels, first-aid kit, satellite phones, and emergency oxygen.
Does not include
- Rental of personal camping gear (sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, and trekking poles available for rent).
- Lunch on the fifth day in Aguas Calientes after the guided visit ends.
- Entrance permits for optional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- International personal travel insurance.
