The 7-day luxury Salkantay trek offers an exclusive hiking experience from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The carefully planned itinerary features iconic routes like the Camino Real and the Llactapata Inca steps, ultimately culminating in an immersive guided tour of the famous citadel.
Hikers deeply connect with Andean nature by crossing the 4,636-meter Salkantay Pass and exploring vibrant cloud forests. The journey is also rich in Peruvian culture, featuring a Pachamama ceremony at Humantay Lake, a traditional Pachamanca lunch cooked on hot stones, and visits to local organic coffee farms.
Despite the high-altitude adventure, the experience remains entirely premium. Guests bypass camping for exclusive mountain lodges along the route, which provide high-end comforts like hot showers, goose-down bedding, outdoor hot tubs, and gourmet meals after a strenuous day on the trail.
Full itinerary: the Camino Real hike, the Humantay Lake hike with a Pachamama offering, the Salkantay Pass crossing, a cloud-forest descent, an organic coffee plantation visit, the Llactapata ruins, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,636 m (15,213 ft), the highest point of the trek, on a series of switchbacks below the snow-capped Salkantay peak.
Reach the turquoise water of Lake Humantay after a ~1h30 climb, with the Humantay glacier directly above it.
See the southeast side of Machu Picchu from the Llactapata Pass (2,736 m) the day before you walk into the citadel.
5 nights in 4 mountain lodges between 2,135 m and 3,906 m, each with hot showers, goose-down bedding, and an outdoor hot tub.
Activities guided by bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking local guides, certified in Wilderness First Aid, and with an average of 15 years guiding in the mountains.
All-inclusive experience: round-trip transfer from your Cusco hotel, 6 nights of lodging, all meals and house drinks, Machu Picchu entrance, bus and guided tour, trains, pack animals or porters for your bags, and staff gratuities.
Please note: Hiking times are approximate, and your guide may adjust the pace or order of activities for weather, trail conditions, and the group’s acclimatization.
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco / Quillarumiyoc Ruins / Farm Lunch in Mollepata / Camino Real Hike
TransferCusco → Quillarumiyoc → Mollepata → Challacancha · Hotel pick-up after breakfast
Farm-to-table lunchat El Pedregal farmhouse · Mollepata
HikeChallacancha → Soraypampa on the Camino Real · 5.9 km · +328 m / −152 m · ~3h · Easy to moderate
Overnightat Salkantay Lodge · 3,869 m
Your luxury Salkantay trek starts with an early breakfast. Shortly after, your guide collects you from your hotel in Cusco and drives to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site. The next stop is the mountain village of Mollepata, where lunch is served at El Pedregal, a farmhouse where you learn how local families raise crops and livestock.
A winding mountain road then climbs to Challacancha, the start of your first stretch of the Salkantay trail. The Camino Real (Royal Path) takes about 3 hours to Soraypampa and doubles as altitude training. If you prefer to skip it, a vehicle can take you straight to Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m), your home for the next two nights.
Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Humantay Lake Hike / Pachamama Offering / Afternoon at Leisure
HikeSalkantay Lodge → Lake Humantay → Salkantay Lodge · 4.9 km round trip · +435 m / −435 m · ~4h · moderate
Traditional offeringto Pachamama (Mother Earth) at the lakeshore
Optional2-hour horseback ride around Soraypampa · Extra cost
Overnightat Salkantay Lodge · 3,869 m
After breakfast, climb the slopes behind the lodge. About 1h30 later, reach Humantay Lake, a turquoise lake with the Humantay glacier hanging above it. There is time for a snack, a few quiet minutes, and a traditional ceremony to honor Pachamama before you walk back down.
Back at the lodge, the rest of the afternoon is yours. Soak in the outdoor hot tub facing Salkantay Peak at sunset, book a one-hour massage, or ride a horse across the plateau. The hike is optional, but it is strongly recommended as preparation for Day 3.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Salkantay Pass Crossing / Descent to Wayraccmachay
Salkantay Pass· 4,636 m (15,213 ft) · Highest point of the trek
HikeSoraypampa → Wayraccmachay · 11.6 km · +801 m / −754 m · ~6h · Challenging
OptionalHorseback ride halfway up to the pass · ~3h · Book the night before
Overnightat Wayra Lodge · 3,906 m
This is the big day of the luxury Salkantay trek. After an early start, skirt Humantay Peak and cross high plateaus scattered with boulders, left behind by the glacial waters that carved the Río Blanco valley. The last and steepest section is a series of switchbacks that ends at the Salkantay Pass.
From the summit, the trail descends through fog-wrapped boulders to Wayra Lodge in Wayraccmachay (3,906 m), where lunch is served. Afterward, spend the afternoon unwinding in the outdoor hot tub and admiring the surrounding snow-capped peaks before settling in for a wonderful night’s rest.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Descent into the Cloud Forest / Pachamanca Lunch at Colpa Lodge
HikeWayraccmachay → Collpapampa along the Salkantay River · 8.4 km · −1,063 m · ~3–4h · Easy to moderate
Pachamanca lunchCooked underground on hot stones
Overnightat Colpa Lodge · 2,870 m
After a relaxed breakfast, the trail follows the Salkantay River down into the high cloud forest. The air warms up, orchids and butterflies appear along the path, and you pass the homes of Andean families who farm these slopes. Around midday, reach Colpa Lodge, set on a promontory where three rivers meet.
The lodge staff welcomes you with a pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked below ground with hot stones. The afternoon is free for lounging in the sun or a soak in the outdoor hot tub, with green mountains on every side.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Santa Teresa River Valley / Organic Coffee Plantation
HikeCollpapampa → Lucmabamba through the Santa Teresa River Valley · 13.7 km · +105 m / −152 m · ~4h · Moderate to challenging
Short driveto the foot of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps
Organic coffee plantationVisit in Lucmabamba
Overnightat Lucma Lodge · 2,135 m
Today’s trail rolls through fruit orchards and crosses streams fed by glacier waterfalls. After a trail-mix break by the river and one more hour on foot, a vehicle drives you to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps, which lead up to Lucma Lodge (2,135 m).
After lunch, visit an organic coffee farm. The day ends in the lodge’s hot tub with a signature house cocktail.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Llactapata Pass / First View of Machu Picchu / Train to Aguas Calientes
Climbto the Llactapata Pass · 2,736 m (8,974 ft) · ~2–3h on original Inca steps
HikeLucmabamba → Hidroeléctrica · 10 km · +719 m / −1,053 m · ~4–6h in total · Moderate to challenging
TrainHidroeléctrica → Aguas Calientes · ~1h
Overnightat Aguas Calientes hotel · 2,040 m
On this final trail day of your hike to Machu Picchu, a 2–3 hour climb up Inca steps through cloud forest reaches Llactapata Pass. Here, the Llactapata ruins (an Inca tambo) offer a rare look at Machu Picchu’s southeast side.
The descent crosses bamboo forest, orchards, and coffee farms to the Aobamba River and the Hidroeléctrica station. After lunch, a one-hour train ride takes you to the town of Aguas Calientes for a night at a partner hotel (2,040 m).
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7
Guided Tour of Machu Picchu / Train and Transfer to Cusco
On the final morning of your luxury Salkantay trek, an early bus takes you through cloud forest to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of its history and key sites. Afterwards, optional hikes up Huayna Picchu (2,720 m) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 m) are available with separate permits. The Huayna Picchu hike is 4.1 km round trip with 255 m of ascent and takes about 3 hours.
Once you have lunch in Aguas Calientes, the train takes you to Ollantaytambo in about 1h30. A vehicle drives you back to your hotel in Cusco in another 1h30. Estimated arrival at 7 PM.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
What is Included
Round-trip transfer (Cusco hotel), including the Hidroeléctrica → Aguas Calientes train, the Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo train, and the drive back to Cusco
5 nights in 4 mountain lodges (Salkantay, Wayra, Colpa, and Lucma) and 1 night in a partner hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals (full board), plus soft drinks and a house selection of beer, wine, and spirits, at the mountain lodges
Pre-trip briefing in Cusco the evening before Day 1
Machu Picchu entrance ticket, bus up and down, and a guided visit of the citadel
Entrance fees to all archaeological sites and points of interest on the itinerary
Pack horses, mules, and/or porters to carry your luggage on the trek
All gratuities for the lodge staff and field team [c]
Wi-Fi at all lodges and hotels, plus a 26 oz reusable water bottle
Guided tours (Camino Real hike, Humantay Lake hike and Pachamama offering, Salkantay Pass crossing, cloud-forest descent, organic coffee plantation visit, Llactapata archaeological site, and Machu Picchu tour)
Bilingual English/Spanish guide for the whole itinerary (one lead guide, or a lead and an assistant guide, depending on group size)
Not included
Flight tickets (international flights and the Lima ⇌ Cusco connection)
Hotel nights in Cusco before and after the trek
Cusco airport transfers (available at extra cost)
Travel insurance (mandatory; see Terms and Conditions)
Gratuities for the guides and for staff at partner hotels
Massages and laundry service
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits
Optional horseback rides, including the Chakana Inca Cross Horseback Riding Excursion
Drinks at the partner hotel in Aguas Calientes, and the premium wine and spirits list at the lodges
Local 18% IGV tax on meals and lodging, which applies only to Peruvians, foreign residents, and visitors staying in Peru 60 days or more
Positioned directly along the trail, the Salkantay trek lodges are locally owned and managed, ensuring your day on foot seamlessly transitions into an evening of rest. Blending modern design with traditional Andean craftsmanship, each lodge features between 6 and 12 rooms.
Every accommodation offers consistent, high-end comforts: plush goose-down bedding, hot showers, Wi-Fi, outdoor hot tubs, and massage services available upon request.
On the final night, you stay at a partner hotel in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, which puts you on the first buses up to the citadel the next morning.
Lucma Lodge (Lucmabamba)
Lucma Lodge has 6 rooms set in an avocado orchard at the edge of the Amazon jungle. Its multi-pane windows open onto the foliage, which gives it the feel of a contemporary treehouse.
Salkantay Lodge (Soraypampa)
With 12 rooms, Salkantay Lodge sits on the flat valley floor of the Río Blanco with an unobstructed view of Salkantay Peak. After the Camino Real and the Humantay Lake hike, guests gather by the fireplace or in the outdoor hot tub.
Its two nights at 3,869 m are also the acclimatization base of the Salkantay trail before the climb over the pass on Day 3.
Wayra Lodge (Wayraccmachay)
As the smallest and most secluded property along the trail, Wayra Lodge features just 6 rooms and offers sweeping views of Mount Humantay.
Named after the Quechua word for “wind,” it welcomes hikers for lunch following the Salkantay Pass crossing, leaving the rest of the afternoon open to unwind in the outdoor hot tub.
Colpa Lodge (Collpapampa)
With 6 rooms, Colpa Lodge stands on a promontory in the cloud forest where three rivers meet. Bathed in afternoon sunlight, it features an outdoor hot tub with direct views of the surrounding green mountains.
All meals are included. At the mountain lodges, the kitchen serves gourmet meals with select wines, including Peruvian classics such as lomo saltado (stir-fry with sirloin, onions, tomatoes, and french fries served over rice). Beverages (soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits from the house selection) are part of the package.
Two meals stand out: the farm-to-table lunch at El Pedregal on Day 1 and the Pachamanca at Colpa Lodge on Day 4, a traditional meal cooked below ground on hot stones. Lunch on Day 6 is served en route, and dinner and the Day 7 lunch are at the partner hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Drinks at the partner hotel and the premium wine and spirits list at the lodges cost extra. Dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, or allergy-related needs, can be accommodated upon notice at booking.
FAQ
Reviews
“We were two families (teens 17, 14, 14; child 9) who went on the 7-day Salkantay Trek. Our guides were Javier and Daniel, both of whom were informative, supportive, and professional. We were especially blessed to have the guidance of Javier, most experienced guide. I cannot recommend this experience enough. The pacing was flexible. The trek was gorgeous and varied. The accommodations were clean, intimate, and comfortable. The food was nutritious and abundant. The 'after hiking' offerings included a coffee plantation visit, lesson on how to make Pisco Sour, a traditional blessing from an indigenous elder, a pachamanca feast, picking granadillas off the vine, and outdoor hot tubs. I was particularly delighted to have Mirabelle, a local woman porter, support part of our journey. The company employs several women as part of the operation. Well done!”
— Sarah
“We did the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. The lodges were fantastic. Great accommodation, staff and food. Juri our guide was always thoughtful and tailored what we needed to do to our wishes. The whole experience could not be faulted and is highly recommended”
— Bruce H
“Great lodge’s accommodations, great delicious meals and an excellent guide for our Salkantay Trek. Highly recommended!”
— Sam B
“Everything perfect. The Salkantay route is very good and the guides Jorge and Daniel were spectacular. All the shelters were very good and the service there was first-rate.We also had excellent weather.Great program, highly recommended.”
— Fernando P
“We have just recently finished the 7 day Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu. The whole experience was incredible. Helen looked after every minor detail in regards to our booking and was extremely helpful with pretty much everything - last minute accommodation changes, restaurant recommendations and bookings, airport transfers etc etc. The guides on our trek, Joseph and Louis, were fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and great story tellers, they made sure we were well looked after particularly given the challenges of hiking at altitude.”
— James H
“The entire experience was amazing. Every detail was beautifully taken care of for our entire 7 day Salkantay Trek. Miguel was an amazing guide, providing great information on history, the area, the culture and more. He also was an excellent host, making sure everyone was feeling well, handling the altitude, and ensuring everyone was having a great time. The lodges were wonderful and had all the details covered like welcome drinks, drying our bathing suits after the hot tub, cleaning our shoes and hiking poles and having wonderful food ready for us throughout our stay. The lodges were cozy with fireplaces, drinks available and more. They also thought of every detail in our hiking as well. Miguel always took a break just about the time I thought I was going to need to catch my breath, there was always someone carrying water so we didn't have to carry a day's worth of water, and they prepared us well for what we would be tackling in the hike each day. I was impressed with the safety and backup plans they had for all the things that can happen on a trek like this. I am in my mid 50's and completed this hike with my 25 year old daughter. Certainly glad I trained for this hike as the altitude is no joke. Glad we did this trek over 7 days and had time to enjoy the lodges as well.”
— Julie S
“I hiked Salkantay Trek end of May/early June 26. What a fun transformative experience that left a lasting mark on my heart. Miguel Alata was an exceptional guide whose knowledge of Inca history, Quechua culture, and native plants enriched every moment of our journey. His attentiveness to individual needs, professionalism, and passion for sharing Peru’s heritage made the experience truly memorable. Miguel is a gifted historian and an outstanding representative of Peru. I highly recommend him and am grateful for the meaningful experience he created. Luis was also a wonderful guide. There was no detail missed on this trip and the food was amazing, I never felt better. We were in great hands. 100% I would do it again!”
— Amy Gonzalez
“The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu was unsure of what to expect when I booked this trek. It exceeded all my expectations. From my first phone call with Antonella to my last follow up with her when I return, the whole trip was incredible. Antonella answered all my questions, even the ones I asked a couple of times. The staff at the hotel in Cusco were wonderful. Even noticing it was my birthday while I was there and acknowledging it. Really nice touch! The lodge staff went beyond to make sure we were all welcomed and comfortable after long days of hiking. The food was outstanding. Loved that the lodges are set up for your group only. Makes it feel like you were at home. Loved the hot tubs and hot bottles in the bed! For me the trek was hard. I struggle a bit. But we had the two most incredible guides with our group, Guido and Roger. The kindness and care both these men gave me kept me going. Thank you Roger for always having my back. Thank you Guido for your words of encourage heading into those last stretches to the lodge when I did not think I could go on and for always giving me my options to let me make my own choice. They made sure we all had a great trek. I would not hesitate to travel again.”
— Darlene C
“We did the Salkantay Trek, and it was so much more wonderful than we could have expected! So many positive things to say! First off, our guides Miguel and Diego were amazing. They were always so patient with us, and doing their best to anticipate all our needs. Travelling with Miguel was like having a full time historian with us! He shared so much knowledge about the Incas which was really great! And the scenery was so beautiful at every turn, it was absolutely breathtaking. Secondly, the lodges were fantastic. The staff are so kind and accommodating, and the rooms, meals and amenities were top notch, especially considering you’re in the middle of the mountains!! Special mention to Geddy who was super nice and helpful. Next up is the “Emergency” team (Joseph) who was also top-notch. We had a medical situation just before the trek started, and Joseph went above and beyond to ensure we got the care we needed and we were able to save the trip! Also worth mentioning is Alejandro, who was always responsive and kind, and really helped us get this booked and helped us prepare for the trek. Last point: This hike is **very** challenging. We calculated that we hiked about 52km (32mi) in total, with a total elevation change of around 22k feet, including the Salkantay pass at 15.3k feet which was very difficult both as a climb and to breathe. If you’re going to do this, please consider significant hill climbing and hiking as preparation!”
— Fabio B
“Our 7 day Salkantay Trek was exceptional. The hospitality, attention to detail, and seamless logistics made the entire journey feel effortless. Every transfer was on time, every lodge welcomed us with warm drinks, snacks, and spotless rooms, and every meal was nourishing and delicious. The staff went above and beyond—cleaning boots, turning down beds with hot water bottles, and sharing Andean culture, including a beautiful shaman ceremony. The team handles everything with precision and grace so you can simply enjoy the Andes. It was an unforgettable experience.”
