Salkantay Trek Luxury Tour to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Tour Overview

The Salkantay Luxury Trek to Machu Picchu (5 days / 4 nights) takes you to the hidden turquoise lake of Humantay, the snow-capped Salkantay Mountains, and the lush tropical valleys of Santa Teresa, finishing at Machu Picchu on the last day.

Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca hot stone barbecue, visit organic coffee farms, and camp in the mountains at Llaqtapata—directly in front of Machu Picchu—on the third day of this expedition.

Our luxurious trek includes high-end camping equipment, massage therapists, shaman ceremonies, professional local guides, expert trekking chefs, and local porters to create an unforgettable experience.

Trip Details

• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Depart: Cusco
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Season: April to December
• Destination: Machu Picchu
• Hiking distance: 64 km / 39 miles
• Type: Adventure – Luxury camping

Highlights of the Salkantay Luxury Trek

• 
  Book with Confidence and Flexibility; change tour dates with no fees.
  
• Hike the epic Salkantay Trek in a luxury trip to Machu Picchu.
• Prepare a Pachamanca underground barbecue and visit coffee farms.
• Air beds, camp chairs, hot showers, and portable private toilets.
• Massage therapist available during the three camping nights.
• 4-star hotel in Aguas Calientes town.
• Vistadome exclusive panoramic train back to Cusco.

Price per person: from 1,690 USD

To book the Salkantay Trek Luxury Tour, you need to make an initial payment of 400 USD per person. The remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card, with no booking fees.

Day-by-Day Summary – Salkantay Luxury Trek

Day 1: Visit Humantay Lake

• Hiking hours: ~7 hours
• Visit: Humantay Lake
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury camping

Day 2: Conquer Salkantay Mountain

• Hiking hours: ~8 hours
• Visit: Salkantay Pass (4630 m / 15,190 ft)
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury camping

Day 3: Hiking in the Cloud Forest

• Hiking hours: ~7 hours
• Visit: Coffee farms, Pachamanca preparation
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping at Llaqtapata in front of Machu Picchu

Day 4: Hike Around Machu Picchu

• Hiking hours: ~6 hours
• Visit: Hidroeléctrica sundial, Mandor Gardens
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)

Day 5: Visit Machu Picchu

• Guided tour: 3–4 hours
• Visit: Machu Picchu, Sun Gate
• Meals: Breakfast in the hotel, lunch at Machu Picchu
• Train: Vistadome back to Cusco

Full Itinerary – Salkantay Luxury Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Basecamp

Pick-up is at 4:30 am from your hotel in Cusco and you drive for about 3 hours to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), where your trekking chef will prepare a delicious breakfast with fresh local products. After breakfast, you hike for around 4 hours to Humantay Lake, where you can explore the surroundings of the beautiful turquoise lake.

Lunch is served at the base of Humantay Mountain, with incredible views of the Andes. In the afternoon, you hike for about 2 hours to the basecamp just below Salkantay Mountain (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). Upon arrival, your comfortable tents will already be set up—you only need to relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the views.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury camping with hot showers and massage
• Drinks available: Wine, beer, sodas
• Hiking hours: ~6 hours
• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles

Day 2: Basecamp – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa

Wake up in your tent with a beautiful mountain view, enjoy a hot cup of coffee or coca tea, and get ready for the most challenging day of the Salkantay Tour. After breakfast, you start a steep ascent to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft). At the pass, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy the snow-capped peaks while an Andean shaman performs a traditional offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Lunch is served in Wayrajmachay village, about 2 hours downhill from the pass. In the afternoon, you continue descending for about 3 hours to the second campsite in Collpapampa (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), located in the cloud forest. Here you camp with luxury equipment, enjoy warmer weather, soothing massages, hot showers, and a well-deserved dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury camping with hot showers and massage
• Drinks available: Wine, champagne, beer, sodas
• Hiking hours: ~9 hours
• Hiking distance: 18 km / 11.1 miles

Day 3: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llaqtapata

After breakfast in the village, you start hiking for about 3 hours through lush cloud forest with green vegetation, bridges, waterfalls, granadilla and banana plantations until you reach Lucmabamba, where lunch is served.

Lunch is a special Pachamanca hot stone barbecue, and you will participate in the preparation of this Andean delicacy. After lunch, visit an organic coffee farm to prepare your own cup of coffee and learn about the harvesting and roasting process. Then, hike for about 3 hours along an ancient Inca Trail to the Llaqtapata Inca site, where you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu from a distance. Spend the night in a rustic lodge located right in front of Machu Picchu.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Rustic lodge overlooking Machu Picchu
• Hiking hours: ~6 hours
• Hiking distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 4: Llaqtapata – Aguas Calientes

Llaqtapata is located on a mountain directly facing Machu Picchu; if the weather allows, you can enjoy an amazing sunset and sunrise over the citadel. After your last breakfast with the trekking team, begin the final 5-hour hike to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Along the way, you will visit the sundial at Hidroeléctrica, the Mandor Botanical Gardens, and hike around Machu Picchu Mountain. Mandor is a place full of history; Hiram Bingham III visited here in 1911 before discovering Machu Picchu. Tonight, you stay in a 4-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: El Mapi or similar
• Hiking hours: ~5 hours
• Hiking distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, take one of the early buses up to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise. The guided tour of Machu Picchu takes around 3–4 hours.

Your guide will first take you on an extra short hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge. You will then visit the most important sectors of Machu Picchu—temples, palaces, terraces—and have free time to explore further or hike up to
Huayna Picchu or
Montaña Machu Picchu (if included in your booking).

After finishing the Machu Picchu tour, enjoy lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon, board the exclusive Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Machu Picchu
• Accommodation: Not included (return to Cusco)
• Train: Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco

Included in the Salkantay Luxury Trek

• Pre-departure briefing the night before your tour at 6:00 pm in your hotel.
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Cusco city.
• All transportation included during the 5-day tour.
• Entrance tickets to Salkantay and Machu Picchu.
• Three nights camping with top-quality equipment (air bed, sleeping bags).
• One night in a 4-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (El Mapi or similar).
• Peruvian gourmet meals prepared with fresh local products.
• Massage sessions during the three camping nights.
• Hot showers and private portable toilets available every day.
• Top-qualified tour guides.
• Highly trained chefs to prepare fresh meals.
• Porters to carry group equipment and food.
• Personal porter to carry up to 20 kg per person.
• Oxygen tank, AED, satellite phones, and first-aid kit.
• Bus up and down to/from Machu Picchu.
• Lunch at a Machu Picchu hotel on the final day.
• Vistadome panoramic train back to Cusco.
• One extra hike included (subject to availability): either
  Huayna Picchu or
  Montaña Machu Picchu.

Not Included

• Flights to and from Cusco.
• Personal expenses.
• Last day dinner in Cusco.
• Travel insurance.

Know Before Booking

• Minimum of 2 people per booking.
• Only private tours are available.
• You can upgrade the train to the
  Luxury Hiram Bingham
  or the
  First Class service.

Covid-19 Measures to Keep You Safe

• Temperature checks for all travelers may be required.
• Face masks required for travelers and staff in public areas when mandated.
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times.
• High-traffic places and equipment sanitized regularly between uses.
• Maximum of 8 people per group to reduce crowds; larger groups are divided into two teams.
• Transportation and touristic sites may operate at reduced capacity.
• Printed materials such as maps or vouchers are minimized.
• 100% online payments with no booking fees.
• Flexible bookings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Packing List – Salkantay Luxury Trek

During the Salkantay Trek Luxury Service, you will have a private porter who will carry your belongings for the 5-day trek (up to 20 kg / 44 lbs). We provide a duffel bag to pack all your gear.

In addition to the duffel bag, you must carry a small daypack yourself during the day.

What to Carry in Your Daypack

Your daypack must always be with you and should be light and comfortable. According to Machu Picchu regulations, it should not exceed 25 liters.

Original Passport

Your original passport is required to enter Salkantay and Machu Picchu. The passport number must match the number provided at booking. If you have renewed your passport, you must send us photos of both or travel with both.

Hat and Sunglasses

A breathable, quick-drying sun hat with a chin strap and neck cover is ideal to protect you from strong sun exposure.

Rain Gear

Bring a waterproof and windproof jacket and pants. Weather in Salkantay and Machu Picchu is unpredictable. We also provide a plastic poncho.

Warm Clothes

Night temperatures can drop below freezing. Pack a fleece jacket, windbreaker, beanie, gloves, and a base layer.

Sunscreen & Bug Spray

Bring waterproof sunscreen and insect repellent, especially for the lower, humid sections near Machu Picchu.

Hygiene Items

Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wet wipes, basic toiletries, facial moisturizer, band-aids, moleskin, and personal medication.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

Keep toiletries in a small, lightweight waterproof bag (e.g., Ziploc).

Camera & Batteries

Campsites do not have electricity. Bring a good power bank or extra batteries.

Flashlight or Headlamp

A high-quality headlamp is recommended for walking around camp in the dark.

Water Containers

Bring a 2-liter hydration system (camel bag or bottle). Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed in Machu Picchu.

Snacks

We provide daily snacks, but you may want extra power bars, nuts, or chocolate.

Extra Money in Soles

Bring small bills for emergencies, tips, or extra drinks. The trek is all-inclusive except for the last dinner in Cusco and personal tips.

What to Put in the Duffel Bag

We provide personal porters to carry your duffel bag. You hike only with your daypack and can access the duffel bag at lunch and campsites (maximum 20 kg).

Blankets, Linens, Pillows

We provide air beds, inflatable mattresses, sheets, pillows, and hot water bottles for the coldest nights.

Footwear

Hiking boots are essential: rubber soles, waterproof, and ankle support. Wear them before your trip to avoid blisters. Pack sandals or light shoes for camp.

T-Shirts

Pack 6–7 breathable, lightweight, quick-drying shirts (short and long sleeve).

Hiking Pants

Bring 3–4 hiking pants; shorts or convertible pants are also useful.

Undergarments & Socks

Pack at least 6 sets of sports underwear and 8 sets of hiking socks (thick wool socks for hiking boots and lighter socks for camp).

Quick-Dry Towel

We provide bathrobes and small towels, but you may bring a small quick-drying towel.

Soap & Toiletries

Soap is provided; you can bring your preferred soap and shampoo.

Plastic Bags

Use waterproof bags to protect clothes in your duffel and keep a separate small bag to collect personal trash each day.

Luxury Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – FAQs

What is the difference between the Luxury Salkantay Trek and the regular Salkantay tour?

All Salkantay tours follow essentially the same route and use similar campsites. The difference is in the equipment, food, and service. On the Luxury Salkantay Trek you stay at exclusive, quieter campsites, with upgraded equipment, gourmet meals, drinks, and cocktails.

What equipment is provided on the Luxury Salkantay Trek?

During the luxury tour you will have:

• 4-person tent for single travelers and 6-person tent for 2 travelers.
• Air bed and inflatable mattress.
• Extra blankets, pillows, and sheets.
• Portable showers with hot water each night.
• Portable toilets at each campsite and lunch spot.
• Luxury dining tents with tables and chairs.

All equipment is carried by our team (tents, beds, blankets, showers, toilets, etc.) throughout the 5-day trek.

How challenging is the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay Trek is one of the most famous and challenging hikes in the region. You should be in at least moderate physical condition and train in advance, especially if you are not used to hiking at high altitude.

What is the highest point on the Salkantay Tour?

The highest point is the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft, which you conquer on the second day.

How many miles is the Luxury Salkantay Trek?

The Luxury Salkantay Trek (5 days / 4 nights) starts at Soraypampa and ends at Machu Picchu, covering a total distance of 64 km / 39 miles.

Price & Booking

Price per person from: 1,690 USD (for groups of 8+)

To book the Salkantay Trek Luxury Tour, you need to make an initial payment of 400 USD per person. The remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card, with no booking fees.