7-Day Luxury Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
PlanetaEXO
TripsPeruSalkantay

7-Day Luxury Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Cusco
6 Nights·7 Days
PeruHiking & TrekkingEco Lodges

Overview

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

A hiker in a red jacket and yellow beanie stands on a boulder in a high-altitude Andean valley on the luxury Salkantay trek, facing a massive snow-capped mountain massif above a green puna plateau with a small stream and stone shelter nearby
A snow-capped Andean peak glowing pink and amber at sunrise on the luxury Salkantay trek, framed by dark valley ridges with low cloud clinging to its base
Horses grazing in a high Andean valley on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a glaciated snow-capped peak rising at the head of the valley and a clear stream running through the green meadow below
Two hikers with backpacks walk a narrow stone path on the luxury Salkantay trek, with snow-capped Andean peaks and scattered highland scrub ahead under a partly cloudy sky

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

Aerial view of a vivid turquoise glacial lake nestled in a steep green valley on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a snow-capped glacier-draped peak rising directly above it
A group of travelers and a local guide in traditional Andean poncho sit in a circle on the rocky shore of Humantay Lake during a luxury Salkantay trek, with turquoise glacier-fed water and snow-dusted peaks rising behind them
Six riders on chestnut horses pose for a group photo on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a snow-capped Andean peak, a cascading waterfall, and a traditional adobe building visible behind them

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

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

A lone hiker with a red backpack stands on a rocky ridge covered in tussock grass on the luxury Salkantay trek, with snow-streaked Andean peaks filling the horizon behind them
Three guests relaxing in a steaming outdoor hot tub at night on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a snow-capped Andean peak illuminated in the deep blue sky behind silhouetted valley walls
Snow-capped rocky mountain peaks piercing through thick white clouds on the luxury Salkantay trek, with deep blue sky above

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

Snow-capped Andean peak lit by moonlight on the luxury Salkantay trek, framed by dark silhouetted ridgelines and a deep blue star-scattered night sky with drifting clouds
A small yellow-green orchid with deep burgundy radiating striations and a dark centre, growing on a moss-covered branch in the cloud forest along the luxury Salkantay trek route
A group of excited trekkers celebrating at the Abra Salkantay sign at 4,600 m on the luxury Salkantay trek, arms raised and grinning under a deep blue Andean sky with rocky peaks behind them
Close-up of vivid purple orchid blooms with yellow and white centres on a branching stem, emerging from the cloud forest along the luxury Salkantay trek descent
Colpa Lodge, a two-storey adobe and stone building with thatched roofs and wooden balconies, part of the luxury Salkantay trek lodge-to-lodge experience, set against a steep Andean peak and blue sky with scattered clouds

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

A hiker in a blue shirt stands at the base of a tall two-tiered waterfall cascading down moss-covered rock walls on the luxury Salkantay trek, with lush green vegetation framing the canyon and a rustic wooden walkway visible in the foreground
A massive snow-capped mountain peak dominates the frame of the luxury Salkantay trek, framed by steep green valley walls and a bright blue Andean sky with scattered clouds
A golden frothy cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with a dried lime wheel and a fresh red chili pepper, served alongside a dark bowl of grilled baby corn on a marble table, part of the gourmet dining experience on a luxury Salkantay trek

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

A group of trekkers with backpacks and wide-brimmed hats hiking single-file along a narrow trail through a dense, moss-covered cloud forest on the luxury Salkantay trek, with sunlight filtering through the high canopy above a lichen-covered boulder in the foreground
Partially roofless Inca stone structure perched on a ridge along the luxury Salkantay trek, with cloud-wrapped Andean peaks stretching into the distance

Day 7

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu / Train and Transfer to Cusco

  • BusAguas Calientes → Machu Picchu · Early morning
  • Guided tourof the Machu Picchu citadel · ~2h
  • TrainAguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo · ~1h30 + Drive to Cusco · ~1h30

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

Aerial view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu on a cloudy morning, with Huayna Picchu peak rising behind the stone ruins and two visitors sitting on a grassy terrace in the foreground, seen at the end of the luxury Salkantay trek
A lone hiker in a pink jacket crosses an open grassland on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a dramatic cloud-wrapped rocky peak rising steeply behind her
Inca stone terraces and roofless structures of Machu Picchu on the luxury Salkantay trek, with a lone tree growing from a granite outcrop and Huayna Picchu peak wrapped in low cloud

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

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From

$ 3,795/ per person