Machu Picchu & Salkantay Trek: 5-Day Premium Lodges & Domes

Summary

Andean sky camps, coffee farms, first light at Machu Picchu

You’ll start in Cusco and trek past glaciers, cloud forests, and coffee farms on your way to Machu Picchu — sleeping under stars in glass domes or cozy hotels each night. Expect moments of quiet awe (and maybe sore legs), hearty meals prepared by local cooks, plus stories from guides who know every twist of the Salkantay Trail by heart.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this sound I still hear — boots crunching over frost as we left Soraypampa before sunrise. I remember fumbling with my gloves and looking up to see our guide, Martín, grinning like he’d done this a thousand times. The air smelled sharp, almost metallic, but somehow clean. We’d started from Cusco just the day before, stopping for breakfast somewhere with strong coffee (I spilled half of mine on my sleeve). The drive was quiet except for bursts of laughter when someone tried to pronounce “Humantay” right — I definitely didn’t get it.

The climb to Humantay Lake was harder than I expected. My lungs burned a bit, but Martín kept us moving slow enough that even the altitude felt manageable. At the top, turquoise water just sat there under the glacier like it had nothing to prove. I touched the edge — freezing cold — and tried to take it in before heading back down for dinner at Sky Camp. That night in the dome, I lay awake watching stars flicker through plastic panels while someone snored softly nearby. Not exactly luxury sleep but honestly? Kind of magical.

The next days blurred into green valleys and cloud forests. We crossed the Salkantay Pass with Martín pointing out Pumasillo Peak (he told us “Apu” means mountain spirit) and then descended into thick jungle where everything smelled wet and alive. Lunches were hot soup and rice eaten on wooden benches with our group swapping stories about failed hikes elsewhere. One afternoon we visited a small coffee farm near Lucmabamba; I tried roasting beans over an open fire with Rosa, who laughed at my clumsy stirring (“muy lento!” she said). That cup tasted smoky and sweet — nothing like what I get at home.

I think my favorite moment was stumbling out onto Llactapata ridge after two hours of switchbacks and seeing Machu Picchu way off in the misty distance for the first time. Everyone went quiet for a second except for Martín explaining how Incas used these trails centuries ago. It’s weird how small you feel up there — not lonely though, more like you’re part of something old that doesn’t really care if you’re tired or muddy or awestruck.

The last morning we caught the first bus up from Aguas Calientes (still dark out) so we could watch sunrise spill over Machu Picchu’s stone terraces before crowds arrived. Our guide led us through temples and alleys while birds called from somewhere hidden in the ruins. Afterward there was time for photos and just sitting quietly on a rock until our legs stopped shaking. Even now when I close my eyes I can feel that thin mountain air filling my chest again — it sticks with you longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive, hike, and visit Humantay Lake

• Drive from Cusco to Challacancha
• Stop for breakfast en route
• Hike 3 hours for acclimatization
• Settle into Sky Camp in Soraypampa
• Climb 3 hours to Humantay Lake
• Explore Humantay Glacier base
• Return to campsite for dinner and rest

Day 2 — Salkantay Pass and cloud forest descent

• Ascend 4 hours to Salkantay Pass
• View Salkantay mountain and peaks
• Learn about Apu Salkantay significance
• Descend to Wayracmachay Camp for lunch
• Hike 3 hours to Mountain Sky View Camp
• Enjoy transparent dome and stargazing

Day 3 — Hike valleys and coffee farm visit

• Hike 5 hours through Santa Teresa valleys
• Observe wildlife, rivers, and waterfalls
• Arrive at Jungle Domes for lunch
• Visit local coffee farm and learn production
• Return to Jungle Domes for overnight

Day 4 — Inca Trail and train to Aguas Calientes

• Hike 2 hours to Llactapata Archeological Site
• View Machu Picchu from Llactapata
• Continue to lunch at Aobamba
• Travel to Hidroelectrica station
• Take 25-minute train to Aguas Calientes
• Dine at top restaurant and overnight hotel

Day 5 — Machu Picchu tour and return to Cusco

• Take first bus to Machu Picchu at dawn
• Enjoy 2-hour guided Machu Picchu tour
• Optional hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Transfer to hotel in Cusco

Top questions

How difficult is the premium Salkantay Trek?

This is considered a challenging trek requiring good physical fitness due to long hiking days and high altitudes.

Are accommodations private during the trek?

You’ll stay in private Sky Camps or domes most nights and one upgraded hotel night in Aguas Calientes.

Is hotel pickup included from Cusco?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included at the start of your trek.

What meals are provided during the trek?

All meals are included: breakfasts, lunches, dinners prepared by an expert chef along the trail.

Do I need to carry all my gear?

No—horses carry up to 10kg of your personal gear; you only carry your daypack.

Is entry to Machu Picchu included?

Yes, your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is included (Circuit 2 or alternate if sold out).

Can I join extra hikes at Machu Picchu?

If you have tickets booked in advance for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can join those hikes after your guided tour.

How do we travel back to Cusco after visiting Machu Picchu?

You’ll take a tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo then transfer back by vehicle to Cusco hotel.

What’s included

Your five-day journey includes hotel pickup in Cusco, all private transfers between trailheads and towns, entrance fees for both Salkantay Trek sections and Machu Picchu itself (with backup circuits if needed), nights spent in Sky Camp domes or upgraded hotels, daily meals cooked by local chefs—plus trekking poles, sleeping bag rental, snacks on trail days, expert mountain guides throughout your route, duffel transport by horses so you can hike light each day—and round-trip train tickets between Hidroelectrica/Aguas Calientes/Ollantaytambo before drop-off back at your hotel.