Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: 5-Day Hike & Sky Camp Experience

Summary

Trekking Salkantay trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu with mountain huts and cloud forest

You’ll hike Peru’s wildest landscapes on this Salkantay trek from Cusco: climb snowy passes with local guides, rest in sky camps and jungle domes, taste fresh coffee at its source, and reach Machu Picchu at sunrise. Expect moments of challenge, laughter with new friends, and that quiet awe only found high in the Andes.

What’s the experience like?

We were barely out of Cusco when our driver, Julio, started humming along to some old huayno song on the radio — not that I recognized it, but he grinned at me in the mirror like I should. The air was thin and smelled faintly of eucalyptus as we unloaded at Challacancha. Our guide, Rosa, handed me a duffle bag for the horses and told us to go slow at first (“Soroche is sneaky,” she said — altitude sickness). By the time we reached Soraypampa’s Sky Camp, my legs were jelly but lunch tasted like actual magic. We set off again for Humantay Lake; that blue is almost too much for your eyes after so many dusty switchbacks. I tried to say “Humantay” properly and Rosa laughed — apparently I made it sound Japanese.

The second day was rougher than I’d expected. Climbing up toward Salkantay Pass, you could hear nothing but boots crunching and the wind whistling past those snow peaks. The cold bit through my gloves but then someone’s thermos popped open — cinnamon tea everywhere, sweet steam mixing with the sharp mountain air. At the top, everyone just sort of stood there quietly for a minute. No one took selfies right away. Going down into the cloud forest felt like entering a different country: green everywhere, birds calling out in bursts you couldn’t see. My legs wobbled all the way to Chaullay’s Andean huts.

I woke up to rain tapping on plastic domes — not exactly peaceful but somehow comforting? Breakfast was hot quinoa porridge (I still crave it) before we wandered through banana trees and coffee plants in Santa Teresa Valley. There was this older farmer who let us try his coffee straight from a chipped mug — honestly better than anything I’ve had back home. He showed us how he dries beans by hand; his wife waved from behind laundry lines strung with bright shirts flapping in jungle wind.

On day four we finally hit a stretch of real Inca Trail stones near Llactapata. Rosa pointed out mossy terraces where people once grew maize; you could just spot Machu Picchu across the valley if you squinted through morning mist (I got goosebumps). Lunch was simple rice and chicken under a tarp while rain hammered down — nobody cared about wet socks by then. That night in Aguas Calientes felt surreal after so many nights in domes and huts; hot shower almost made me cry.

Machu Picchu itself? We started early enough that fog curled around every stone wall like something alive. Rosa walked us through temples and plazas as sunlight broke over Huayna Picchu behind her shoulder. I kept thinking about all those footsteps before mine on these stones. It’s hard to explain — you just feel small in a good way here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco to Soraypampa and Humantay Lake

• Early pickup from Cusco
• Drive to Mollepata, optional breakfast
• Drive to Challacancha, trek start
• 3-hour walk to Soraypampa Sky Camp
• Lunch at Sky Camp facilities
• Afternoon trek to Humantay Lake
• Return to camp for dinner and rest

Day 2 — Salkantay Pass to Chaullay Huts

• Breakfast at camp
• 3-hour hike up to Salkantay Pass
• Photo stop and rest at pass
• Hike downhill through cloud forest
• Lunch en route
• Continue to Chaullay Andean Huts
• Overnight at Andean Huts

Day 3 — Jungle Trek to Lucmabamba Domes

• Hike through Santa Teresa Valley jungle
• Observe rivers, waterfalls, and plantations
• Arrive at Jungle Domes camp for lunch
• Free afternoon to explore and visit coffee farm
• Overnight at Lucmabamba Jungle Domes

Day 4 — Inca Trail to Aguas Calientes

• 2-hour hike to Llactapata archaeological site
• View Machu Picchu from Llactapata
• Learn site history
• Hike downhill to lunch
• Walk to Hidroelectrica
• Continue on foot or train to Aguas Calientes
• Dinner and overnight in Aguas Calientes hotel

Day 5 — Machu Picchu Tour and Return

• Early visit to Machu Picchu Citadel
• 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Optional additional hikes (Huayna or Machu Picchu)
• Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport to Cusco hotel

Top questions

How difficult is the Salkantay trek compared to other routes?

The Salkantay trek is considered challenging due to altitude and long hiking days; travelers need good fitness.

Is pickup included for this Salkantay trek from Cusco?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco are included as part of the tour logistics.

What kind of accommodation is provided during the trek?

You’ll stay three nights in unique camps (Sky Camp domes, Andean huts, Jungle Domes) plus one night in a 3-star hotel at Aguas Calientes.

Are meals included during the 5-day hike?

Yes—4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners are included; dietary restrictions can be accommodated by advance notice.

Do I need to carry all my gear on the trail?

No—horses carry up to 7kg per person; you only need your daypack during hikes.

Is entrance to Machu Picchu included?

Yes—entry ticket to Machu Picchu is included (usually Circuit 2; alternatives offered if sold out).

Can I visit an organic coffee farm during this tour?

Yes—the itinerary includes visiting an organic coffee farm in Lucmabamba valley.

How do we return from Machu Picchu to Cusco?

You’ll take a tourist-class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo then private transport back to your hotel in Cusco.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, all private transport between stops along the Salkantay trail, entry fees for both Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu (with guided tour), three nights’ camping accommodation (Sky Camp domes, Andean huts, Jungle Domes), one night at a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, all meals on trek days plus daily snacks and water refills, expert mountain guide throughout plus chef/porters/horsemen support team carrying your gear (up to 7kg), trekking poles and sleeping equipment provided as needed—and even an afternoon exploring an organic coffee farm before reaching Machu Picchu itself.