Salkantay Trek 5D/5N with Glass Cabañas, Hobbit House-Hot Jacuzzi
Overview
Travel confidently with Alpaca Expeditions, Peru's #1 Tour Operator!.
The Salkantay Trek is rated one of the world’s greatest treks. Experience stunning alpine scenery of glaciated Salkantay Mountain and travel through various ecosystems to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. An ideal trek for those wanting a wide open, uncrowded experience in the Andes. Enjoy Glass Cabanas, Hobbit Houses with outdoor jacuzzis, gourmet meals, a coffee farm, and expert, local indigenous guides that make all the difference. You’ll hike right to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, & spend your final day at Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trek is rated one of the world’s greatest treks. Experience stunning alpine scenery of glaciated Salkantay Mountain and travel through various ecosystems to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. An ideal trek for those wanting a wide open, uncrowded experience in the Andes. Enjoy Glass Cabanas, Hobbit Houses with outdoor jacuzzis, gourmet meals, a coffee farm, and expert, local indigenous guides that make all the difference. You’ll hike right to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, & spend your final day at Machu Picchu.
Inclusions
- Experienced English speaking tour Guide
- All Meals during the tour, except the last lunch. We cater to every dietary restriction.
- Accommodations: 1 night at Glass Cabañas, 2 night at camping, 1 at hobbit house, 1 at Hotel.
- All Entry fees, ( Sacred Valley, Salkantay and Machu Picchu)
- All Private transportation during the tour
- Professional chefs and porters.
- Personal porter up to 7k per person (duffle bag for it we provide you at the briefing time)
- Expeditions Train ticket for the way back
- Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
- Drinkable water along the trek
- First aid kit, oxygen tank and satellite phone for safety
- 5x Breakfast
- 4x Lunch
- 4x Dinner
- Accommodation included: 6 nights
- Entry/Admission - Salkantay Trail
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to the Salkantay GLASS CABAÑAS
Stop At: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
You’ll start this Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu at 3 p.m. local time on Day 1. That’s when you’ll meet your Alpaca Expeditions trekking team and your adventure starts.
** Because you’ll likely be checked out from your hotel before the departure time, the meeting point for this Salkantay trek is at Alpaca Expeditions’ office located close to the main square.
At 3 p.m. we’ll load into our private van for a 3 hour drive to the Glass Cabañas, in Soraypampa, which is located at 3, 800 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). We’ll arrive at the Cabañas just in time for you to take photographs of the sunset over the glacier peaks.
At the Glass Cabañas your guide will settle you in your rooms before you enjoy dinner along with some hot drinks. This area is known for its beautiful views of the night sky so be ready for some unforgettable stargazing.
NO HIKING TODAY
Elevation : 3800 meters above sea level
Weather: Cold, windy, rainy in the wet season
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Glass Cabañas
Day 2: Start the Salkantay Trek (3800m)
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
After a good night’s rest, wake up early to enjoy your breakfast before your trek. The day's hike will begin by visiting Humantay Lake. This will be a hike of approximately 1.5 hours along a steady uphill. Once at the lagoon, enjoy the serene views of the crystalline-blue water of Humantay Lake;
After breathing in the beauty of such a magical place, you will begin making your way back down to the starting point to continue with your hike to the lunch spot in Soyroccocha. This hike will be approximately 3 hours on gradually ascending terrain.
After lunch and well-deserved rest, it will be about 1 hour more until Salkantay Pass at 4, 650m - the highest point of the trek. From Salkantay Pass, it will only be a remaining 3 hours of hiking downhill to our last campsite for the day, Wayracmachay.
Upon arrival at the campsite, the trekking staff will have your tents We will have a happy hour with hot chocolate and coffee, followed by dinner.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Camping
Day 3: Wayracmachay - Collpapampa - Loreta (Hobbit House +Hot Jacuzzi)
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Your trekking team will wake you up early with a hot drink to help you start the day. Hopefully, as you open your tent, you will see the sunrise over glacier peaks and clouds, lifting from the green cloud forest. You will have time to pack up and enjoy a nice breakfast prepared by your trekking chef.
Begin the day's hike by hiking for approximately 4 hours downhill until reaching the lunch spot at Ccollpapampa (2, 700 m). After lunch and well-deserved rest, you will continue with your trek to the next private campsite called La Loreta at 2400m. This hike will be approximately 4 hours on gradually downhill terrain. Along the way, you will explore beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and again, flora and fauna. This will be another micro-climate called a tropical forest, where local people farm coffee, passion fruit, avocados.
Upon arrival at the campsite, you will be welcomed by your trekking staff and will have time to enjoy a free hot shower, hot jacuzzi, perfect after 2 days hiking!
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Hobbit House
Day 4: Sahuayacu - Inca Trail - Llactapata
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Today you will experience the most beautiful sights along your trekking route to Machu Picchu, including a tropical forest and a visit to a local, organic coffee farm. At the farm, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the orange and avocado plantations and taste some of the freshly-brewed coffee.
After that, you will continue with your trek to Llactapata by hiking along a section of the Inca trail for approximately 2.5 hours. On your way you will see amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley. At Llactapata, you will get the first glance of Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Llactapata Inca site along with your guide and take photographs for the books!
You will find the campsite to be a great place to enjoy the sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Once the stars come out, you can enjoy the Milky Way and the Inca constellations – just like the Incan astronomers did to predict the weather.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Camping
Day 5: Llactapata - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Your trekking team will wake you up early with a hot drink to help you start the day. Get ready for today’s activities and enjoy your last breakfast prepared by your trekking chef. The day's hike will begin with a 2 hour, downhill path, with views of Machu Picchu, until Hidroelectrica Station. The most impressive part of this area is the natural 300 meters high waterfall which generates electricity for the region of Cusco.
From Hidroelectrica Station, you will then continue to the famous Intiwatana (sun-dial rock). According to history, this Inca stone used to work with the famous sundial rock in Machu Picchu, during the winter solstice, which was the beginning of a new farming season for the Incas. From the Intiwatana, you will continue to the train tracks, which have a nice path to walk on.
Finally, you arrive in Aguas Calientes, You will then go to your hotel to enjoy a hot shower. In the evening, you will enjoy your final dinner with your trekking chef and say goodbye to him.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3 Star Hotel at Intipunku or similar
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Stop At: Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
After an early breakfast, We will pick you up to go to the bus station and make our way up to the Inca site. This will be a 25-minute bus ride with amazing views of the cloud forest.
Your guide will provide a full guided tour all along the great Machu Picchu Citadel. The guided tour will last for about 2 hours, and if you have purchased Huayna Picchu tickets ($75 each, need to book in advance) you will have this extra hike after the guided tour. Your guide will give finish the tour and will wait for you at Aguas Calientes.
After lunch, you will go to the train station to catch on your train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will pick you up and drive you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: No include
Day 1: Transfer to the Salkantay GLASS CABAÑAS
Stop At: Cusco, Cusco, Cusco Region
You’ll start this Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu at 3 p.m. local time on Day 1. That’s when you’ll meet your Alpaca Expeditions trekking team and your adventure starts.
** Because you’ll likely be checked out from your hotel before the departure time, the meeting point for this Salkantay trek is at Alpaca Expeditions’ office located close to the main square.
At 3 p.m. we’ll load into our private van for a 3 hour drive to the Glass Cabañas, in Soraypampa, which is located at 3, 800 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). We’ll arrive at the Cabañas just in time for you to take photographs of the sunset over the glacier peaks.
At the Glass Cabañas your guide will settle you in your rooms before you enjoy dinner along with some hot drinks. This area is known for its beautiful views of the night sky so be ready for some unforgettable stargazing.
NO HIKING TODAY
Elevation : 3800 meters above sea level
Weather: Cold, windy, rainy in the wet season
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Glass Cabañas
Day 2: Start the Salkantay Trek (3800m)
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
After a good night’s rest, wake up early to enjoy your breakfast before your trek. The day's hike will begin by visiting Humantay Lake. This will be a hike of approximately 1.5 hours along a steady uphill. Once at the lagoon, enjoy the serene views of the crystalline-blue water of Humantay Lake;
After breathing in the beauty of such a magical place, you will begin making your way back down to the starting point to continue with your hike to the lunch spot in Soyroccocha. This hike will be approximately 3 hours on gradually ascending terrain.
After lunch and well-deserved rest, it will be about 1 hour more until Salkantay Pass at 4, 650m - the highest point of the trek. From Salkantay Pass, it will only be a remaining 3 hours of hiking downhill to our last campsite for the day, Wayracmachay.
Upon arrival at the campsite, the trekking staff will have your tents We will have a happy hour with hot chocolate and coffee, followed by dinner.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Camping
Day 3: Wayracmachay - Collpapampa - Loreta (Hobbit House +Hot Jacuzzi)
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Your trekking team will wake you up early with a hot drink to help you start the day. Hopefully, as you open your tent, you will see the sunrise over glacier peaks and clouds, lifting from the green cloud forest. You will have time to pack up and enjoy a nice breakfast prepared by your trekking chef.
Begin the day's hike by hiking for approximately 4 hours downhill until reaching the lunch spot at Ccollpapampa (2, 700 m). After lunch and well-deserved rest, you will continue with your trek to the next private campsite called La Loreta at 2400m. This hike will be approximately 4 hours on gradually downhill terrain. Along the way, you will explore beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and again, flora and fauna. This will be another micro-climate called a tropical forest, where local people farm coffee, passion fruit, avocados.
Upon arrival at the campsite, you will be welcomed by your trekking staff and will have time to enjoy a free hot shower, hot jacuzzi, perfect after 2 days hiking!
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Hobbit House
Day 4: Sahuayacu - Inca Trail - Llactapata
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Today you will experience the most beautiful sights along your trekking route to Machu Picchu, including a tropical forest and a visit to a local, organic coffee farm. At the farm, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the orange and avocado plantations and taste some of the freshly-brewed coffee.
After that, you will continue with your trek to Llactapata by hiking along a section of the Inca trail for approximately 2.5 hours. On your way you will see amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley. At Llactapata, you will get the first glance of Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Llactapata Inca site along with your guide and take photographs for the books!
You will find the campsite to be a great place to enjoy the sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Once the stars come out, you can enjoy the Milky Way and the Inca constellations – just like the Incan astronomers did to predict the weather.
Duration: 7 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Camping
Day 5: Llactapata - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Salkantay Trail, Peru
Your trekking team will wake you up early with a hot drink to help you start the day. Get ready for today’s activities and enjoy your last breakfast prepared by your trekking chef. The day's hike will begin with a 2 hour, downhill path, with views of Machu Picchu, until Hidroelectrica Station. The most impressive part of this area is the natural 300 meters high waterfall which generates electricity for the region of Cusco.
From Hidroelectrica Station, you will then continue to the famous Intiwatana (sun-dial rock). According to history, this Inca stone used to work with the famous sundial rock in Machu Picchu, during the winter solstice, which was the beginning of a new farming season for the Incas. From the Intiwatana, you will continue to the train tracks, which have a nice path to walk on.
Finally, you arrive in Aguas Calientes, You will then go to your hotel to enjoy a hot shower. In the evening, you will enjoy your final dinner with your trekking chef and say goodbye to him.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: 3 Star Hotel at Intipunku or similar
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Stop At: Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
After an early breakfast, We will pick you up to go to the bus station and make our way up to the Inca site. This will be a 25-minute bus ride with amazing views of the cloud forest.
Your guide will provide a full guided tour all along the great Machu Picchu Citadel. The guided tour will last for about 2 hours, and if you have purchased Huayna Picchu tickets ($75 each, need to book in advance) you will have this extra hike after the guided tour. Your guide will give finish the tour and will wait for you at Aguas Calientes.
After lunch, you will go to the train station to catch on your train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will pick you up and drive you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: No include
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- All our staff is already vaccinated and follow carefully all safe protocols, we guaranteed safe journey for our client and staff.
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
uladzimir_kukarau
May 2022
This is a challenging trek, especially on the very first day when you reach the highest altitude. I wouldn’t recommend starting it without proper acclimatization. Be prepared for long uphill hikes, sometimes windy and chilly weather. But views are incredibly rewarding: you’ll see snow-capped mou...
This is a challenging trek, especially on the very first day when you reach the highest altitude. I wouldn’t recommend starting it without proper acclimatization. Be prepared for long uphill hikes, sometimes windy and chilly weather. But views are incredibly rewarding: you’ll see snow-capped mountains, beautiful lagoons, jungles, valleys, creeks and rivers, peaks and ranges. Every day for us was filled with amazing experience of different kinds. But this trek is not focused purely on nature, you’ll see much more than that. You’ll learn a history, you’ll dive into local culture, you’ll better understand native people, see their day-to-day life, visit coffee farm, see Inca ruins, and of course reach Machu Picchu at the end. This is definitely a lifetime experience and it was much more pleasant and enjoyable with Alpaca Expeditions. The crew was simply amazing, our guides Isao and Juan Carlos made it so much fun and tied our group together, so at the end we felt like one big family. I came prepared to the trip and read a lot of reviews about this company but they still managed to exceed my expectations by far. I could never imagine that on a trek like this I can have such a variety of high quality meals that not every high-rated restaurant can provide. Big thanks to our chef Sergio. If you go with Alpaca you’ll be in good hands. What was especially important for me personally - this company really cares about porters and their families, they empower women, hire them as porters, and each of their employees are truly proud to work there. They also care about environment, collect garbage left by others along the path. It was really great to see such a responsible business doing everything to make tourism industry sustainable. They make happy their customers by providing high quality service and equally care about workers, their families and local communities. Very happy about my experience with Alpaca.minifamily3
May 2022
Everything ran like clockwork, our guides Abel and Edward were fantastic and so so kind. Edward babysat my friend Sony who lagged behind on many climbs and helped carried the 6 litres he consumed on the major climbing days. Abel was enthusiastic about sharing his passion for Peruvian culture and ...
Everything ran like clockwork, our guides Abel and Edward were fantastic and so so kind. Edward babysat my friend Sony who lagged behind on many climbs and helped carried the 6 litres he consumed on the major climbing days. Abel was enthusiastic about sharing his passion for Peruvian culture and history, was always cheerful and dispensed “No worries” liberally. Santos our chef was amazing, turned out gourmet meals from a camp stove and never repeated 3+ dishes at every meal for 6 days. The ruins, the scenery, the vegetation and fauna found nowhere else, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu… Advices: stay in Cusco at least 48-72 hrs before embarking on this trip. That second day was the hardest thing physically I have ever done. Take Diamox, regularly do 2000 ft+ elevation gain hikes with a pack to train for this thing, bring poles.Sam M
May 2022
From start to finish this experience was nothing but excellent. The trek was challenging and incredibly beautiful. Our guide, Abel, and the entire crew, chef Balberto and porters were incredible. Abel prepared us for the physical challenges of the hike and provided a wealth of historical context ...
From start to finish this experience was nothing but excellent. The trek was challenging and incredibly beautiful. Our guide, Abel, and the entire crew, chef Balberto and porters were incredible. Abel prepared us for the physical challenges of the hike and provided a wealth of historical context and knowledge about each of the sites and activities over the 5 days. I cannot more highly recommend this trek!StarlaL1
May 2022
Really a once in a life time experience! I spent weeks researching which trekking company to use and I am very pleased with every aspect of Alpaca Expeditions…they truly are deserving of their #1 designation. All the personnel we came in contact with….drivers,porters, cooks, and especially our...
Really a once in a life time experience! I spent weeks researching which trekking company to use and I am very pleased with every aspect of Alpaca Expeditions…they truly are deserving of their #1 designation. All the personnel we came in contact with….drivers,porters, cooks, and especially our guide, Abel, were exceptional. Abel not only made sure we all safely and successfully made it over the Salkantay Pass and to Humantay Lagoon but also made the more challenging hikes fun and filled with his vast knowledge of the area, history and culture. Small thing too, he knew all the good photo locations to document our trip. While visiting Macchu Picchu, he was an expert in guiding us so that we didn’t miss anything with all the people there. Extras like the Coffee Plantation visit, a Cooking Class, a jacuzzi, and unique sleeping spots all made the trek extra special. The days were timed so we really didn’t see any other hikers until Day 4 in Aquas Calientes…it felt like we had the mountains to ourselves to enjoy. The food was unbelievable! I still have no idea how such delicious food was prepared in the rustic conditions. Balberto should have his own restaurant! Cant say enough of good things about our trek!!blairrehnquist
May 2022
This experience was absolutely phenomenal for countless reasons. 1. Peruvian owned & operated: from a porter to a chef to the owner, Raul made this company from the ground up and treats all employees incredibly well. 2. The company makes sure all porters are really taken care off outside of work ...
This experience was absolutely phenomenal for countless reasons. 1. Peruvian owned & operated: from a porter to a chef to the owner, Raul made this company from the ground up and treats all employees incredibly well. 2. The company makes sure all porters are really taken care off outside of work and during treks. The porters are phenomenal. All have HUGE smiles on their faces at all times. 3. Guides: Could not have had a better guide than Abel. He was so incredible knowledgeable about EVERYTHING. It was amazing to learn so much about the land and people from an Incan descendent. He was so passionate, it rubbed off on everyone. His smile lit up the world the entire trip. He was incredibly attentive to each individual, making sure everyone was having a great time, and also staying healthy esp in such high altitude. He was beyond prepared for everything and always let us know the plan for every day prior. 4. The food was INCREDIBLE! How Balberto created a restaurant experience for every meal out of a tent in high altitude is a complete mystery. He’s opening a restaurant soon and I may have to fly back just for his food. Blew my mind. 5. Alpaca expeditions knows every other group’s plan, so they planned all starts, lunches, camping sites specifically so we avoid all crowds. We didn’t see any hikers outside of 1 individual hiking group of 4 until the final day hiking into the city of Agua Calientes before Machu Picchu. It blew my mind. It was just us the entire time in the Andes! 6. Group size was perfect. We had just 7 trekkers and it felt so special and small. I think the max is 10 total which would still be excellent. We saw other groups at Machu Picchu with far larger groups. 7. Alpaca Expeditions makes a special effort to ensure women get the same opportunities as men, so we had a female porter along with males. This isn’t too common. Abel emphasized the importance of equality between men & women many times. 8. IT IS SO INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL, jaw dropping every day. 9. It is so much more than a trek. We learned so much, had a surprise cooking class, beautiful food with special touches like flowers and our names hand written in chocolate on our pancakes, flaming banana desserts in the tent, made coffee with a local family, woken up with coca tea every morning, provided luxury in the middle of nowhere, countless stories from Abel. We were so well taken care of. I’ve never done a guided trip before, but this trek changed my mind completely - it is SO WORTH IT! 10. The journey really is the destination. Machu Picchu was incredible, but I’d take the multiple days hiking to get there over MP any day. THANK YOU!!!!!!Aaronf7357
May 2022
An almost impeccable hiking experience that has set the bar for any future expeditions to be measured against. Our guide Juan Carlos Zuloaga was cheerful, cheeky, funny, passionate and taught us many things about the history of Peru. His expertise and positive mindset ensured there was not a bad ...
An almost impeccable hiking experience that has set the bar for any future expeditions to be measured against. Our guide Juan Carlos Zuloaga was cheerful, cheeky, funny, passionate and taught us many things about the history of Peru. His expertise and positive mindset ensured there was not a bad moment. Unbelievable food cooked by chef Willy and assistants Catalina & Ernesto (especially considering that they brought everything needed to cook the food on the hike).