Classic Salkantay Trek 5 Days

Day 01: Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

Hike to the Brilliant Alpine Jewel

We start early with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco, driving in our private transport to Mollepata, where you can enjoy an optional breakfast. We then continue to Challacancha, the official trailhead. From here, you will embark on a scenic 3-hour hike to Soraypampa, where you will check into your private igloo dome at our breathtaking Sky Camp.

After an energizing lunch and a well-deserved rest, we ascend to the spectacular Humantay Lake (a 3-hour round trip). Admire the striking turquoise waters sitting at the base of the sacred glacier before descending back to Soraypampa for a savory dinner and a peaceful night's sleep under a star-filled sky.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner. (Breakfast is optional)
• Accommodation: Sky Camp (Premium domes with transparent stargazing roofs).
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging.
• Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
• Duration: 5 - 6 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting & Minimum: 3,800 m (12,467 ft) | Max: 4,200 m (13,780 ft) | Campsite: 3,900 m (12,795 ft).

Day 02: Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Huayracmachay - Chaullay - Collpapampa

Conquer the Mighty Salkantay Pass and Descend into the Tropical Forest

The most physically demanding day of the route rewards you with the most awe-inspiring landscapes. Following breakfast, we ascend for about 3 hours to the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the trek, perfect for taking photos alongside the giant sacred glacier. Afterward, we begin our descent into the cloud forest for lunch at Huayracmachay. In the afternoon, we continue down toward the edge of the high jungle, experiencing a dramatic shift into a warm, exotic climate. We spend the night at the Mountain Sky View modules in Collpapampa.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Mountain Sky View (Premium glamping in the high jungle).
• Difficulty: Challenging.
• Hiking Distance: 23.5 km / 14.60 miles.
• Duration: 10 - 11 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting: 3,900 m (12,795 ft) | Max: 4,630 m (15,190 ft) | Minimum: 2,900 m (9,514 ft) | Campsite: 2,950 m (9,678 ft).

Day 03: Collpapampa - Property Zone - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes

Deep Jungle Adventure and Organic Coffee Experience

Today, the hike flows smoothly through the gorgeous Santa Teresa Valley. You will walk surrounded by banana fields, avocado trees, wild orchids, and crystalline waterfalls. We arrive at our exclusive Super Jungle Domes camp in Lucmabamba right in time for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and visit an authentic organic coffee farm, participating in the traditional roasting and grinding process. Sleep soundly, serenaded by the magical sounds of the tropical rainforest.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Super Jungle Domes (Domes blended into tropical nature).
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Hiking Distance: 10.3 km / 6.4 miles.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting & Max: 2,950 m (9,678 ft) | Minimum & Campsite: 2,000 m (6,562 ft).

Day 04: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Aobamba - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes

Enjoy Your First View of Machu Picchu from Llactapata

This day adds a unique mystical layer as you hike along a preserved section of the original Inca Trail. We ascend for about 2 hours through dense vegetation to the Llactapata archaeological site. From this privileged Inca vantage point, you will catch your first spectacular, distant view of Machu Picchu across the valley.

After descending to Aobamba for lunch, we head to the Hydroelectric station. From here, we take a pleasant 3-hour flat walk alongside the train tracks, bordering the Urubamba River (or you can opt to take the local train, not included) to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner at a local restaurant and rest in a comfortable hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation: Selected Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Difficulty: Challenging (due to the combined daily distance).
• Hiking Distance: 25 km / 15.53 miles.
• Duration: 8 - 9 hours.
• Altitudes: Starting: 2,000 m (6,562 ft) | Max: 2,800 m (9,186 ft) | Minimum: 1,800 m (5,906 ft) | Accommodation: 2,040 m (6,693 ft).

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu Sanctuary - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Explore the Astonishing Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu The crowning moment has arrived! We wake up before dawn to catch the shuttle bus to the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, taking in the archaeological site with the serene early morning light. You will enjoy a 2-hour professional guided tour. If booked in advance, you can embark on optional extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon, you will return by train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will drive you directly back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours of exploring the citadel.
• Altitudes: Machu Picchu Citadel: 2,430 m (7,972 ft) | Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) | Huayna Picchu Mountain: 2,720 m (8,924 ft).