Salkantay Trek & Sky Camp: 4-Day Machu Picchu Hike

Summary

From glass-roofed igloos to misty ruins at dawn

You’ll trek past glaciers and cloud forest on this Salkantay Trail adventure from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Sleep under Andean stars in Sky Camp igloos, share meals with new friends, grind fresh coffee with locals, and watch morning mist rise over ancient stones. It’s challenging but full of moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed the van from Cusco because I couldn’t find my rain poncho (turns out it was stuffed in my sleeping bag — classic). The drive out to Mollepata was quiet except for our guide, Raul, who kept pointing out villages and telling us which ones had the best chicha. My boots felt stiff until we hit Challacancha and started walking; then it was just me, the crunch of gravel, and this cold mountain air that sort of burns your nose but wakes you up better than coffee. By the time we reached Soraypampa, those glass-roofed igloos looked like something from a sci-fi movie dropped into the Andes.

Humantay Lake is way steeper than Instagram lets on. I was gasping halfway up and Raul just grinned — “slowly-slowly,” he said in Spanish. At the top, everyone went silent for a second. The water really is that blue-green shade you see in photos, but colder somehow? Or maybe it’s just the wind off the glacier. Dinner back at camp tasted like heaven (or maybe exhaustion), and I fell asleep watching stars through foggy glass — never seen so many all at once. Woke up twice just to check if they were still there.

The Salkantay Pass day nearly broke me. Four hours of switchbacks with snow underfoot and sunburn on my nose — weird combo. Raul handed out coca leaves when we got sluggish, and someone in our group tried to make a joke about llamas being better hikers than us (not wrong). There’s this moment right before you crest the pass where everything goes quiet except for wind and your own heartbeat. After that it’s downhill into cloud forest: suddenly green everywhere, birds calling from somewhere you can’t see. Lunch was by a river where steam rose off our soup bowls — I still think about that view sometimes.

The third day felt softer; jungle smells after days of rock and ice. We stopped at a coffee farm near La Playa where Señora Luz showed us how she roasts beans over fire — my hands smelled like smoke for hours after grinding them. The train tracks to Aguas Calientes run right along the Urubamba River; you can walk or ride but honestly walking felt good after so much sitting at dinner. That night was all hot showers and early sleep because Machu Picchu starts before sunrise.

Standing above Machu Picchu with mist curling around the stones is… well, it’s not what I expected. Quieter somehow? Raul walked us through the old paths before crowds arrived; he pointed out places where people left offerings centuries ago (and one spot where his uncle swears he saw a ghost). Afterward we had time for extra hikes or just sitting on a wall staring down at everything below — I didn’t want to leave yet but trains don’t wait in Peru.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco to Humantay Lake Trek

• Travel to Mollepata for breakfast
• Hike 3 hours to Soraypampa camp
• Settle in Sky Camp igloo
• Hike 3 hours to Humantay Lake
• Return to camp for dinner
• Stargaze from glass-roof igloo

Day 2 — Salkantay Pass and Chaullay

• Hike 4 hours to Salkantay Pass
• Enjoy mountain views and photos
• Descend to Cloud Forest edge
• Have lunch midway
• Reach Chaullay campsite
• Dinner and overnight in Andean huts

Day 3 — Jungle Trek to Aguas Calientes

• Hike to La Playa through jungle
• Lunch in La Playa
• Visit farm and coffee harvest
• Drive to Hidroelectrica station
• Hike or train to Aguas Calientes
• Check in hotel and explore town
• Dinner at local restaurant

Day 4 — Machu Picchu Tour and Return

• Early bus to Machu Picchu
• 2-3 hour guided tour
• Optional mountain hikes
• Return to Aguas Calientes
• Lunch at restaurant
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport to Cusco hotel

Top questions

How hard is the Salkantay Trek compared to Inca Trail?

The Salkantay Trek is considered more physically challenging due to higher altitude (up to 4,630m) and longer hiking days than most Inca Trail itineraries.

Do I need to book Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu tickets in advance?

Yes—spots for Machu Picchu circuits sell out quickly; booking early secures your entry as well as accommodations like Sky Camp.

Is accommodation included during the trek?

Yes—nights are spent in Sky Camp igloos, Andean huts, and a hotel in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.

Are meals provided during the trek?

All meals are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner plus snacks and tea time each day on the trail.

Is hotel pickup included from Cusco?

Yes—hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco are included as part of your tour package.

What should I bring for the Salkantay Trek?

Packing essentials include sturdy boots, layers for cold weather, rain gear (poncho), sunscreen, personal items—plus anything you need for high-altitude trekking.

Can I choose between hiking or taking the train to Aguas Calientes?

You can either hike along rail tracks from Hidroelectrica or take a train for an extra fee on day three.

What if Circuit 2 tickets for Machu Picchu are sold out?

If Circuit 2 isn’t available on your date, access will be provided to Circuit 1 or 3 at no extra cost (subject to availability).

What’s included

Your journey covers hotel pickup and drop-off from Cusco plus all private transport between trailheads and towns along the route. You’ll have an experienced mountain guide throughout (with first aid kit and emergency satellite phone), nights in Sky Camp igloos or Andean huts plus one hotel stay in Aguas Calientes. Meals—breakfasts, lunches, dinners—are cooked by local staff; daily snacks and tea time are included too. All entrance fees including Machu Picchu tickets (with backup circuit options if needed), bus transfers between Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu itself, trekking gear like poles or sleeping bags if needed—all sorted so you can focus on hiking (and maybe stargazing).