The Salkantay Trek is more than just a hike—it’s an unforgettable journey that connects you with the majesty of the Peruvian Andes. Recognized as one of the best treks in the world, this route combines breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and exclusive experiences.
Hike through snow-capped mountains, tropical forests, and deep-blue lagoons. Enjoy magical nights in our glass cabanas overlooking the Salkantay glacier, unwind in cozy Hobbit Houses with hot showers, a hidden campsite with a privileged view of Machu Picchu before you even arrive at the citadel.
What makes this trek unique:
Diverse ecosystems: highland deserts, cloud forests, and alpine lagoons
Season: Available from March 1st to January 10th.
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Discover the trail through the eyes of our travelers and team.
Every video captures the authentic spirit of the Andes.
The day begins early with a hotel pick-up in Cusco around 4:00 to 4:30 AM. We will head in the direction of the beautiful village of Mollemarca, and will have the opportunity to pass through some quaint towns (Anta, Limatambo) and enjoy the view of the valleys and the Andes.
After about 1 hours of driving, we will arrive in Mollemarca, which is a nice and calm town and we will stop at a local restaurant for breakfast. From there, we will continue on for another 3.5 hour to Challacancha, the beginning of our trek. Once we arrive we will have time to get organized and start our hike.
The first part of the trek is a gradual uphill trek which is perfect to warm you up and adjust to the altitude. After about 1.5 hours of transecting the hill, we arrive at Soraypampa where we will be located, or the Glass Cabañas, in the mountains. You will have a freshly prepared lunch from our chef which will give you an opportunity to recharge before the afternoon event.
Your afternoon event is a trek to the amazing Humantay Lagoon, which is about 1.5 hours into the trek. The trail is easy at the beginning, but then starts to incline more as you get close to the lagoon. Once you arrive at the lagoon, you will have time to enjoy the spectacular turquoise lagoon waters highlighting the glacier peak of Humantay at elevation 5960 m. You will be able to enjoy the moment, take a few pictures and relish in the beauty of nature.
Once you have finished at the lagoon, we will trek back to Soraypampa and arrivearound 4:00 PM. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy what you wish, either sit back and relax, explore, or lounge with the views from the Glacier Cabaña.
In the evening, you will join us for a cooking class and we will prepare a traditional Peruvian dish together. Afterword you will enjoy another delicious dinner, and settle down for your first night in the cozy Glass Cabañas under the stars.
Highlights of the Day:
• Humantay Lagoon’s turquoise waters
• Breathtaking glacier and valley views
• Sleeping beneath the stars at Soraypampa
Night one: Glass Cabanas– These Cabanas are located in Soraypampa and are approximately three thousand eight hundred meters above sea level. This gives travelers a breathtaking view of glacier peaks. A luxurious spot for picture taking, photography as well as a stunning view of sunrise and sunsets.
8 km (5.0 miles)
5–6 hours
+500m (1,640ft)
Glass Cabins
Today is the most difficult yet rewarding day of the trek. Get ready for stunning scenery and unforgettable memories! We will have an early breakfast prepared by our chef at the Glass Cabañas at 5:30 a.m. Once you have enjoyed a warm meal, you will have the chance to take some extra snacks and beverages, and we will make sure to refill our water before starting our trek toward the mighty Salkantay Pass.
We will begin with a moderate uphill climb along a well-defined trail. After about 2 hours, we will arrive at Salkantay Pampa (4,100 m / 13,450 ft), a beautiful place to rest with breathtaking views of the Salkantay Glacier towering above us. At this stop, we will take a short break to hydrate and admire the imposing presence of the surrounding peaks, connecting with the powerful energy of the Salkantay Glacier.
After this rest, we will continue climbing for approximately one more hour along a steeper zigzagging path. We will arrive at Soyrococha, nestled directly beneath Salkantay Peak. This spectacular spot is ideal for a short break, enjoying the glacier scenery, and preparing for the final stretch of the ascent toward the highest point of the trek.
We will then continue climbing for approximately one more hour to reach the highlight of the day: Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft), the highest point of the entire trek. At the summit, we will stop to pay homage to Pachamama, Mother Earth, with a moment of gratitude for the opportunity to witness such raw and impressive natural beauty. The views surrounding us are nothing short of astounding: snow-capped peaks, icy ridgelines in every direction, and the vastness of the Andes.
From the pass, the trail begins to descend. For approximately two and a half hours, we will gradually leave the alpine scenery behind and return once again to the green valley. Our destination will be the peaceful camp at Wayracmachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), where our chef will welcome us with a well-deserved, freshly prepared lunch surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
After lunch, we will settle into our famous Glass Domes. From our dome, you will have panoramic views of Humantay and the lower slopes of the Salkantay Glacier. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and cozy up under a sky full of stars. During the dry season, this area offers some of the most incredible night skies you may ever experience.
Highlights of the Day:
• Crossing the mighty Salkantay Pass
• Descending toward the lush cloud forest
• Experiencing a dramatic change in ecosystems
Night Two: Dome Accommodation, Wayracmachay Campsite – Enjoy a unique night surrounded by nature, resting in cozy domes specially prepared for you. Upon arrival at the campsite, your Alpaca Expeditions team will have everything ready, including your belongings and warm water for you to freshen up. After changing into warmer clothes, you can relax during happy hour with a hot drink like chocolate or coffee, followed by a homemade dinner served in the mountain’s warmth. As night falls, don’t miss the clear sky filled with Inca constellations that light up the experience.
11 km (6.8 miles)
6–7 hours
-2,530m (-8,300ft)
Glass Domes
From today begins another dramatic change of scenery, as we depart from the high Andes and enter the lush high jungle, filled with warm breezes, vibrant vegetation and exotic wildlife. We will depart early for tea delivered to your room, followed by breakfast to fuel your body after our first days journey. After packing snacks and filling your water bottles, we will commence our hike for the day.
The trail is mostly downhill with beautiful scenery. After about 2 hours of hiking we will reach Rayanpata, which is when the jungle environment starts to creep in. At this point the weather warms, the air thickens with wildflower smells and we are surrounded by tropical vegetation.
We will take a short break to rest, hydrate, snack, and hear and see nature’s sounds surrounding us in the forest.
Then we will continue for another 2-hour hike to Colpapampa (2,950m / 9,678 ft) where our professional cook will be waiting to greet us with a delicious jungle inspired lunch and cold drinks.
This is a beautiful view point, to relax, re-fuel, and prepare for the last leg of our days hike.
After lunch we will continue to hike approximately 4 more hours hiking deeper into the jungle along narrow paths, dropping down further into the jungle seeing waterfalls, orchids, and coffee fields which surrounds our astonishing destination.
Our destination is Loreta, which is home to our unique little hobbit house hidden among the trees and nature, it has an eco-lodge style, designed as the Shire, with hot washing, soft bedding, and situated in a magical forest environment, this is one of the most memorable places to stay the trek. The sound of the jungle will surround you as you rest, refresh, and unwind, this is the perfect place to end the first full day of hiking.
Highlights of the Day:
• Authentic Peruvian coffee experience
• Hiking an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata
• First breathtaking views of Machu Picchu
Night three: Hobbit House– On your way to the Hobbit Houses travelers will see beautiful flora and fauna, waterfalls, and rivers along the way. Upon arrival the accommodations of the Hobbit Houses can be likened to private rooms with sleeping bags. These unique and special rooms also include running hot showers. Expect novelty hospitality from the workers to the room setups. Dinner is provided with views of the salkantay river and visible constellations for stargazing.
18 km (11 miles)
7–8 hours
+600m (1,970ft) / -1,000m (-3,280ft)
Hobbit House
Today is dedicated to culture, history, and nature as we enjoy the original paths built by the Incas and will glimpse Machu Picchu from one of the rare and breathtaking viewpoints. We begin at the Hobbit House in Loreta with breakfast, eating amongst a lush canopy of trees with birds calling. After breakfast, we will take a scenic 30-minute drive to Lucmabamba where our hike begins.
From Lucmabamba, we will commence the uphill hike along a well-preserved section of the original Inca Trail that linked the sacred cities of Machu Picchu, Llactapata, and Vilcabamba. It will take us approximately 4 hours of uphill walking, through a forested path abundant with coffee, bananas, and avocado plants. The uphill scenery will place us within the realm of amazing jungle landscapes embedded with ancient stonework.
As we approach the peak of our hike we will finally reach Llactapata (2,700m / 8861ft) an archaeological site that provides an incredible panoramic view of Machu Picchu directly across the valley. Here, your guide will provide a short informative tour, but this less-famous view of the citadel will surely stay with you, especially as you can view the stunning location from the mountains and deep canyons.
After you soak in this incredible view, we will start to descend for approximately 1.5 hours on some relatively flat terrain to Hidroelectrica, where soon the trekking crew will have our final freshly prepared lunch waiting for us. This will be your last meal with the crew who journeyed with you. Here, if you wish to tip them or share some nice words of appreciation, this would be a suitable time to do so.
From Hidroelectrica we will resume our trek by following the railway tracks which lead through the famous Machu Picchu canyon, a much easier walk which will take about 3 hours and is located in a much more diverse ecosystem. Start looking for some of the native orchids and few butterflies and in possibilities the Andean cock-of-the-rock, the national bird of Peru. If we are lucky we will also get a glimpse of monkeys or in the distance some spectacled bears.
Though this section is not as rich or as diverse as the previous section, it does provide for an exciting and beautiful approach to the base town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). When we finish our trek you will check into your room, and be ready for your hot shower and resting period. Tomorrow we will start exploring one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu.
Night four: Aguas Calientes Hotel– Your hotel in Aguas Calientes will be your final resting place before Machu Picchu. This exceptional hotel will have wifi, hot running showers, and a cozy place to wind down after hiking. Close by are local hot springs that is an entry fee of ten soles. In the evening Alpaca will provide your last dinner meal.
Today is the pinnacle of your Salkantay Trek, as you will be fully immersed in the fabled Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we’ll take one of the first buses to the Machu Picchu Citadel. When we arrive, your guide will assist in the entry to the complex (ticket + passport required), and then the fun begins.
Important Tip: Be mindful to book this tour in advance, we strongly recommend 4-5 months so we can get you the most booked route, Circuit 2, which is by far the best for views, and where you’ll be able to enjoy a fully guided tour of the best parts of Machu Picchu!
Your guide will take you first to the upper part of the citadel where it offers the well-known postcard view of Machu Picchu; this is the best place for photographs and videos while you take in the vista of dreamy Peru before the bulk of tourists arrive.
After soaking all of that in we will continue on to the guided tour of the best highlights of the 7 Wonders, where your expert guide will provide us with lots of interesting details about the architecture, history, spirituality and engineering abilities of the Incas.
If you booked the Huayna Picchu Mountain add-on (must be booked beforehand), your guide will direct you to the optional 2-hour hike portion after your guided tour of Machu Picchu. The climb is steep but provides an amazing reality of Machu Picchu from above, and the views of the surrounding mountains and the valley.
Once your time at Machu Picchu is completed, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you will have some free time to explore Aguas Calientes town and/or shop for souvenirs or enjoy a local lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (we typically will use the 2:55 PM service, but this will be dependent on availability). You will want to be at the station 30 minutes before your rolling departure time.
Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo your private driver will meet you at the train station, and we will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of 7:30-8:00 PM.
Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% peruvian, indigenous owned company. Started by Raul Ccolque, a former porter and tour guide, Alpaca Expeditions separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
