Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu with Star Domes

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Domes
5 stops
1
Cusco
Your Salkantay trek 5 days to Machu Picchu adventure begins early in Cusco, with hotel pickups between 4:30 and 5:00 AM. Once your guide has gathered the group, you’ll depart Cusco around 5:15 AM by car, heading to the town of Mollepata — a journey of about 2 hours.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Mollepata
On the City of Mollepata, you’ll enjoy a hearty included breakfast at a local restaurant and have time for any last-minute supplies, with a total stop of around 1 hour. From Mollepata, you’ll continue by car for another hour to Soraypampa, where you’ll meet the muleteers and horses who will carry the camping equipment and duffle bags throughout the trek. This is where the hiking begins.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
3
The trek from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake starts at 3,900 meters and climbs to 4,200 meters, the lake’s location. The hike takes around 2 hours total: a gradual ascent for the first hour, followed by a steeper climb during the second hour.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Humantay Lake
Once at Humantay Lake, you’ll have 1 to 1.5 hours (weather permitting) of free time to admire the stunning turquoise waters, take photos, and learn more about the area from your guide. Afterward, you’ll begin the descent toward Quiswarniyoc campsite — about 1 hour downhill followed by 45 minutes of mostly flat trail.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
You’ll arrive at Quiswarniyoc around 2:00 PM, where a delicious lunch will be waiting, prepared by your cooking team. After lunch, your guide will show you to your accommodations so you can rest. The rest of the afternoon is free for short walks around the area, taking in incredible views of Salkantay Mountain rising directly in front of the campsite. Dinner is served around 6:00 PM, after which your guide will brief you on Day 2 — the most challenging day of the trek, reaching the highest point of the entire route. Then, it’s time to relax and enjoy a magical night in the Sky Star Crystal Domes, with breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding mountains and night sky.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Quiswarniyoc - Salkantay pass - Chaullay - Mountain Sky Huts
4 stops
6
The day begins early, at 5 AM, with a cup of coca leaf tea (“té despierto”) brought by the kitchen team to help with altitude acclimatization. You’ll have about 30 minutes to get ready and pack before breakfast, served at 5:30 AM. After breakfast, you’ll have a short window for last-minute checks before setting off on the most challenging hike of the trek.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
7
The ascent to Salkantay Pass begins around 6 AM. From Quiswarniyoc, the climb to the highest point of the trek — 4,700 meters above sea level — takes about 3 to 3.5 hours at a steady pace, with regular breaks every hour to rest and recover energy. The climb is manageable for well-acclimatized trekkers, with altitude being the main challenge rather than the terrain itself. Once at the pass, you’ll spend 30 to 45 minutes taking in breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain up close, photographing the surrounding peaks, and learning from your guide about the area’s history and culture. Many groups also take part in a traditional ritual to give thanks to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits of Andean belief.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
8
From here, the descent begins: a 2-hour hike down to Wayracmachay, where the cooking team will have a nutritious lunch waiting for you. After a short rest (weather permitting), you’ll continue with the second and final descent of the day, heading to Chaullay — your camp for the night. This descent takes between 2.5 and 3 hours and, although slightly steep, offers incredible views as the landscape transitions from the high Andes to the lush Amazon cloud forest.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Upon arrival at Chaullay (2,900 meters above sea level), your guide will show you to your accommodations for the night. The day wraps up with a well-deserved, delicious dinner prepared by your cooking team — a perfect way to recharge after a day that balances physical challenge with unforgettable Andean landscapes and cultural moments.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Chaullay - Lucmabamba Coffee Farm - Hot Springs - Over night at Sky Star Cristal Domes
5 stops
10
After the demanding effort of Day 2, today offers a well-deserved change of pace. The morning begins gently with a wake-up tea at 5:30 AM, followed by time to pack before breakfast, served around 6:00 AM.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Lucmabamba Lodge
The hike sets off around 6:30 AM from Chaullay toward Lucmabamba, your third campsite. This 4-hour trek follows mostly flat terrain through the lush Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll have the chance to spot diverse flora and fauna as the landscape transitions into cloud forest.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Lucmabamba Coffee Experience
Upon arriving in Lucmabamba — a region famous for its high-quality coffee — you’ll visit a local family at the Coffee Park for an immersive coffee tour. They’ll walk you through the entire process, from planting and harvesting to roasting, and you’ll even get to brew and taste your own freshly made cup. For those looking for extra adventure, this is also where the optional Salkantay Zipline experience takes place, which can be enjoyed before or after lunch — your guide will help coordinate the timing. Lunch is served at the exclusive Sky Star Crystal Domes in Lucmabamba, where you’ll also spend the night surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Santa Teresa Valley. Since trekking concludes after lunch, the rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
13
Banos Termales de Cocalmayo
In the afternoon, you can choose to unwind at the campsite or visit the rejuvenating Santa Teresa hot springs — a perfect reward after three days of trekking. This optional activity costs around 40 to 50 soles, which covers round-trip transportation (about 1 hour each way) and the 10-sole entrance fee. If you choose to go, you’ll spend around 2 hours at the hot springs before returning to camp.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
14
Lucmabamba Lodge
Dinner is served around 7:30 PM, prepared by your cooking team. Afterward, your guide will brief you on the final stretch of the journey: the trek toward Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Sky Star Crystal Domes Lucmabamba - Llacta Pata - Machu Picchu View Point - Hidroelectrica - Aguas calientes town
4 stops
15
Lucmabamba Lodge
Today’s adventure starts at a more relaxed pace, with wake-up at 6:00 AM and breakfast at 6:30 AM, giving you time to pack before setting off around 7:00 AM from the Lucmabamba campsite toward the archaeological site of Llactapata.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
16
Mirador de Llactapata
The hike to Llactapata follows an original, well-preserved section of the Inca Trail and takes about 3 hours uphill. From this site, you’ll enjoy one of the most rewarding views of the entire trek: a unique, distant perspective of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and the surrounding mountains, showing the citadel’s location within its dramatic landscape. After exploring the Llactapata ruins and taking in the views, you’ll begin the descent toward Hidroeléctrica. This descent is the steepest of the trek, taking around 2 hours — trekking poles are especially useful here.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
17
Upon arriving at Hidroeléctrica, you’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant, followed by some time to rest before continuing your journey. The final stretch of the day is a scenic 3-hour walk along the railway from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of Machu Picchu from the valley below. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will take you to your hostel, where you can rest, shower, and freshen up before dinner.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
18
Aguas Calientes
Dinner is served around 7:00 PM at a local restaurant in town. Afterward, you’ll get final details for tomorrow’s highlight: your visit to Machu Picchu.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
3 stops
19
Aguas Calientes
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for: your visit to Machu Picchu. Your entry time depends on the schedule shown on your ticket, so it’s essential to arrive at the entrance gate exactly at that time. To get there from Aguas Calientes, you have two options. If you prefer to hike (about 1.5 hours), start with a flat 30-minute walk from your hotel to Puente Ruinas, the first checkpoint, where you’ll show your passport and entrance ticket. From there, it’s roughly a 1-hour climb of around 1,700 steps up to the entrance. If your ticket is for 6:00 AM, plan to begin walking by 4:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel. Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus (about 30 minutes), which costs $12 USD one way. Tickets can be purchased the night before or that morning, and buses run every 5–10 minutes starting at 5:30 AM, on a first-come, first-served basis. Whichever option you choose, the goal is the same: be at the entrance at the time printed on your ticket.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
20
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Once inside, you’ll meet your professional guide for a 2-hour guided tour following the circuit assigned to your ticket. Your guide will walk you through Machu Picchu’s fascinating history, architecture, and spiritual significance, with plenty of time for photos along the way. If you booked an additional ticket for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can begin that hike right after your guided tour. These hikes take around 3 hours round-trip and must be booked in advance due to limited spots.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
21
Aguas Calientes
After your visit, you have two ways to return to Cusco. If returning by train, head back to Aguas Calientes — either on foot (1.5 hours) or by shuttle bus (30 minutes, $12 USD). From there, board the train to Ollantaytambo (about 1.5 hours), followed by a 2-hour drive to Cusco. Trains typically depart between 2:30 and 3:30 PM, with arrival in Cusco between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. If returning by car via Hidroeléctrica, hike from Machu Picchu to Hidroeléctrica (about 3 hours), arriving by 2:30 PM to catch the only car departure at 3:00 PM. The drive to Cusco takes 5 to 6 hours, with arrival between 10:00 and 10:30 PM. Keep in mind this option only works if your Machu Picchu entry time is between 6:00 and 9:00 AM — for later entry times, you’ll need to spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes and return the next day, with any additional lodging or food costs covered by the traveler.
8 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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