Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu: Glamping, Coffee Farm, Train

Summary

Andean trekking, glamping nights and hands-on flavors on the way to Machu Picchu

You’ll cross glacier passes on foot and sleep under Andean stars before sharing a Pachamanca meal with locals and tasting fresh coffee straight from the farm. Guided all the way from Cusco with pickup included, this Salkantay trek ends with sunrise at Machu Picchu—and maybe a new appreciation for sore muscles.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning of our Salkantay trek didn’t go exactly as planned — my alarm never rang (classic), so I was scrambling around the hotel lobby at 4:40am, shoes half-tied. Our guide, Diego, just grinned and handed me coca tea. “Don’t worry, you’ll wake up soon,” he said. The drive out of Cusco was quiet except for the sound of someone’s playlist leaking through cheap headphones. I remember the air getting thinner as we climbed higher into the Andes — it had that cold mineral smell you get before sunrise.

I’d read about Humantay Lake but seeing it after a couple hours of hiking — that unreal blue against white peaks — felt different. We sat on rocks eating sandwiches Diego’s aunt had packed (I think there was quinoa in everything), and he pointed out where condors sometimes fly. My hands were numb from the wind but I didn’t care. Later that night at camp, stargazing from a glamping dome with a mug of hot chocolate… honestly, I almost forgot how sore my legs were. Someone nearby tried to name constellations in Spanish and we all just laughed because none of us really knew.

The second day was tough — Salkantay Pass is no joke. The stones underfoot felt sharp and slick from last night’s frost. At one point I stopped just to listen: nothing but wind and the faint clatter of mule bells somewhere below. When we finally dropped down into cloud forest, everything changed — suddenly it smelled like wet leaves and coffee blossoms instead of ice. Dinner that night in Collpapampa was simple but so good; I still think about that soup with potatoes and herbs I couldn’t name.

By day three we were deep in green valleys, helping bury hot stones for Pachamanca lunch with some locals who made fun of my “shovel technique.” Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” in Quechua — probably butchered it. The coffee farm stop was more interesting than I expected; grinding beans by hand is harder than it looks (my arms can confirm). That evening we made it to Aguas Calientes, muddy boots and all, and checked into an actual hotel bed which felt like pure luxury after two nights on mountain mats.

Visiting Machu Picchu itself is hard to describe without sounding cliché — early morning mist everywhere, llamas chewing grass by ancient walls. Our guide walked us through stories about the Incas that made me see the place differently; not just ruins but someone’s home once. On the train back to Cusco I kept staring out at rivers flashing between trees, thinking how strange it felt to be heading back already.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco to Humantay Lake and Glamping

• Early hotel pickup in Cusco
• Drive through Andes landscapes
• Breakfast in traditional town
• Meet guide and start hike
• Reach Humantay Lake for photos
• Picnic lunch near lake
• Hike through valleys and glaciers
• Stay in glamping domes
• Enjoy tea time and dinner
• Stargazing in clear sky

Day 2 — Salkantay Pass and Collpapampa Village

• Breakfast and hot coca tea
• Ascend to Salkantay Pass
• Pause at glacial lake
• Descend to lunch spot
• Hike through cloud forest
• Arrive at Collpapampa village
• Dinner in Andean huts

Day 3 — Lucmabamba, Pachamanca, and Aguas Calientes

• Breakfast in cloud forest valley
• Trek to Lucmabamba village
• Prepare traditional Pachamanca meal
• Visit organic coffee farm
• Drive to Hidroelectrica station
• Hike along train tracks
• Arrive in Aguas Calientes
• Dinner at local restaurant

Day 4 — Machu Picchu Tour and Return

• Early wake-up for Machu Picchu
• Board first bus to Machu Picchu
• Sunrise arrival at citadel
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Optional climb Huayna Picchu or Mountain
• Free time for lunch in town
• Return by Vistadome or 360° train
• Transfer to hotel in Ollantaytambo

Top questions

How long is the Salkantay trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

The classic Salkantay trek takes 4 days from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Is hotel pickup included for this Salkantay trek?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included at around 4:30am on day one.

What kind of accommodation is provided during the trek?

You’ll stay one night glamping near Salkantay Mountain, one night in Andean huts at Collpapampa, and one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Do you visit a coffee farm on this tour?

Yes, there’s a guided visit to an organic coffee farm with tastings included on day three.

Is food provided during the Salkantay trek?

All meals are provided during the trek including a traditional Pachamanca barbecue lunch prepared together with locals.

How do you return from Machu Picchu to Cusco?

You return by Vistadome or 360° panoramic train plus bus transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.

Are entrance tickets for Machu Picchu included?

Yes, entry fees for both the Salkantay Trek route and Machu Picchu are included.

Is there support for dietary requirements?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking; other dietary needs can be accommodated if advised ahead of time.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Cusco, all transportation throughout the trek plus your return by panoramic train and bus back to your hotel. You’ll have three nights’ accommodation (glamping dome near Salkantay Mountain, Andean hut at Collpapampa village, 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes), daily meals including a Pachamanca barbecue lunch prepared with locals, entry tickets for both Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu itself—all guided by experienced local experts—and visits such as an organic coffee farm tour along the way.