From Cusco: 5-Night Trip with Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

The appeal of this five-day Salkantay trip is the journey itself: you walk from high Andean scenery toward the foothills of Machu Picchu, rather than simply taking a train to the famous ruins. The route pairs Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass with a coffee farm, a campsite facing Machu Picchu, and a final visit to the citadel.

I like that the overnight stays are part of the experience, not just a place to sleep: you get a glass cabin, two camping nights, a Hobbit house, and a hotel. I also like the practical inclusions, especially meals, a personal porter for up to 7 kilograms, and the return train and bus tickets. The trade-off is the effort: this is a multi-day trek with a high mountain pass, and you must bring or arrange several key items yourself.

Key points before you book

• Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass share the first hiking day: Expect a full day of mountain scenery, with a substantial climb over the pass.
• The route changes character as you descend: From alpine terrain, the trek continues through Chaullay and Ccollpapampa to a coffee farm and onward toward Machu Picchu.
• Your sleep changes with the scenery: The five nights are split between a glass cabin, two campsites, a Hobbit house, and a hotel.
• You walk to Machu Picchu Town: The route reaches Aguas Calientes on foot on Day 4, before your citadel visit on Day 5.
• The $650 price covers major trip costs: Meals, accommodation, entry fees, a guide, transport, and the return train and bus are included.
• Bring your own trekking essentials: A sleeping bag, air mattress, trekking poles, day pack, and headlamp are not included.

A five-day route from high Andes to Machu Picchu

Alpaca Expeditions runs this small-group trip for up to 16 people, with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup in Cusco. The first afternoon is a transfer to the Salkantay Glass Cabañas at 3 pm. Hiking begins the following day, and the route ends with a visit to Machu Picchu and a return to Cusco.

The route is appealing if you want the walk to be a central part of your visit, not a side trip. You pass through strikingly different settings, from glacial mountain scenery to warmer lower country, then approach Machu Picchu on foot. That variety is a big reason to choose this trek over a quicker visit.

It also asks more of you than a standard sightseeing tour. You’ll spend several consecutive days walking, sleep in a mix of accommodations, and need suitable clothing and gear for changing conditions. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, heart problems, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Day 1: Glass cabins before the trail

Your first afternoon is set aside for the transfer to the glass cabins, with departure at 3 pm. The cabin stay gives you a different start from the usual first night in a town hotel, and it sets the tone for a trip where accommodation is part of the itinerary.

The hike begins the next day from the Soraypampa campsite. From there, the route goes to Humantay Lagoon, continues over Salkantay Pass, and finishes at Wayracpunko. That combination makes for a demanding opening day: you get one of the trek’s most talked-about natural stops, but it comes alongside a mountain pass rather than as a gentle warm-up.

Humantay Lake is a highlight for good reason. The trip specifically makes time for the lagoon, and its setting beneath the mountains gives you a strong first taste of the high Andes. Bring sunglasses and sun protection, and keep rain gear and warm layers handy. Weather can change, and you’ll be spending the day outdoors.

The Salkantay Pass adds a different kind of reward: wide alpine scenery around a glaciated mountain. The route’s open, uncrowded character may appeal if you prefer a long walk through mountain country to a more developed trail experience. Still, don’t treat the day as a photo stop with a short stroll attached. You are crossing high terrain on foot.

Day 2: Down from Wayracmachay toward Ccollpapampa

Day 2 runs from Wayracmachay through Chaullay to Ccollpapampa Loreta, where you stay in a Hobbit house. The route carries you away from the high pass and into a different part of the trek, so the day is as much about watching the surroundings change as it is about reaching the next bed.

The Hobbit house is one of the trip’s distinctive stays, and it includes outdoor jacuzzis. That can make a welcome contrast after a day of walking, though it is still a trekking trip, not a resort holiday. Your comfort level will depend on what you expect from an overnight stop and how much you value unusual accommodation.

Meals are included, with a professional chef and porters supporting the trip. That matters on a five-day walk: you won’t need to plan every meal yourself or carry all your supplies. You still need to bring personal essentials, and your own porter allowance is limited to 7 kilograms, so pack with care.

Day 3: Coffee at Lucmabamba and a campsite facing Machu Picchu

On Day 3, the route goes from Loreta to La Playa Sahuayaku, then to the Lucmabamba coffee farm and onward to Llactapata. You camp there, facing Machu Picchu. The coffee farm adds a human and agricultural stop to a route otherwise defined by mountains and walking, giving the day a change of pace before the final approach.

For coffee lovers, the farm is a welcome chance to see a working part of local life along the way. The trip information does not promise a particular tasting or demonstration, so think of it as a stop at a coffee farm rather than a set coffee workshop.

Llactapata’s campsite is another distinctive part of the route. Camping in front of Machu Picchu offers a view of the destination before you visit the citadel itself. It is a memorable way to build anticipation, but it is still a campsite, not a hotel room with a guaranteed view from bed. Pack the sleeping gear you need, since a sleeping bag and air mattress are not included.

Day 4: Llactapata lookout, Mandor waterfalls, and Aguas Calientes

The fourth day starts at the Llactapata lookout, then continues to Mandor waterfalls and Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Town. Reaching the town on foot is one of the route’s strongest features. You arrive at the base of the famous site after several days of walking through the region, rather than appearing there by train at the outset.

Mandor waterfalls offer a natural stop on the way. The day then shifts from trail life to a hotel stay, giving you a chance to rest before the next day’s visit. The package includes one hotel night, though the accommodation details beyond that are not specified.

Aguas Calientes is the practical staging point for Machu Picchu, but it also marks the end of the trek itself. Keep your day pack organized and set aside what you’ll need for the citadel visit. The tour includes a round-trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu, which saves you from arranging that part separately.

Day 5: Machu Picchu, then back to Cusco

The final day is devoted to Machu Picchu, with entry fees included. You’ll visit the ancient citadel after approaching it by trail, which gives the site a different context than a standalone day trip. The itinerary does not specify how long you’ll spend inside, the exact entry time, or the circuit you’ll follow, so check those details when confirming your plans.

If you want to add Huayna Picchu, the mountain pass costs $75 per person and must be booked in advance. It is not included in the tour price. Decide early if that extra climb matters to you, rather than assuming you can add it at the last minute.

After Machu Picchu, the return to Cusco includes a train ticket in Expedition class and a bus ticket for the Machu Picchu route. Having the return transport included is useful after five days of walking, when you may be ready to let someone else handle the connections.

What $650 includes, and what you still need

At $650 per person, this package bundles many of the costly pieces of a multi-day trek: five nights of accommodation, entry fees, guide services, transport, four lunches, five breakfasts, four dinners, and water. It also includes professional chefs and porters, a personal porter allowance of up to 7 kilograms, the return train in Expedition class, and the round-trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu.

That is meaningful value if you want one operator to coordinate the route, meals, stays, and transport. The unusual accommodation mix also adds variety without requiring you to book each night separately. A 4.7 rating based on six ratings is encouraging, though that is a small sample, so I’d put more weight on whether the itinerary and physical demands suit you.

The price does not include everything you need for the trail. You must bring a day pack and headlamp, and arrange a sleeping bag, air mattress, and trekking poles. Travel insurance is advisable. The listed gear requirements also include hiking shoes, thermal and outdoor clothing, rain gear, sun protection, a towel, insect repellent, and a passport. Bring layers rather than relying on one outfit for five days of changing conditions.

Who will get the most from this trek

I’d recommend this trip if you want a full trekking experience and like the idea of earning your arrival at Machu Picchu through several days on foot. The changing scenery, coffee farm, campsite facing the ruins, and mix of places to sleep make it more varied than a simple point-to-point hike.

It’s also a practical fit if you value having meals, a guide, porters, entry fees, and return transport handled together. A small group capped at 16 can keep the experience more personal than a large departure, while still bringing together other hikers.

Think twice if your priority is comfort, a short itinerary, or spending most of your time at Machu Picchu rather than on the trail. You’ll need to carry some personal gear, and the first major hiking day includes both Humantay Lagoon and the Salkantay Pass. The tour is expressly unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back, heart, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this trek if you want the journey to matter as much as the destination. The glass cabin, high pass, coffee farm, campsite, and walk into Aguas Calientes give you a varied five-day route, while the included meals, porter support, and return transport help make the $650 price easier to assess.

Skip it if you want a relaxed Machu Picchu visit with minimal hiking, or if you don’t have the required gear and don’t want to arrange it. Before you reserve, check the starting time, confirm details for the Machu Picchu visit, and decide whether you want the extra Huayna Picchu pass. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later.

FAQ

How long is the trip?

The trip lasts five days and includes five nights of accommodation.

Where does the trip start?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Cusco. The guide comes to your hotel before the hike.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 16 participants.

What accommodation is included?

You stay one night in a glass cabin, two nights camping, one night in a Hobbit house, and one night in a hotel.

Which meals are included?

The package includes five breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners, as well as water.

Is a personal porter included?

Yes. A personal porter can carry up to 7 kilograms per person.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. The Huayna Picchu Mountain Pass costs $75 per person and must be booked in advance.

What equipment should I bring?

Bring a day pack, headlamp, sleeping bag, air mattress, and trekking poles. The recommended clothing and personal items include hiking shoes, rain gear, thermal clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a towel, and your passport.