Salkantay Premium Trek (5 days) to Machu Picchu: our experience from start to finish

Allinllachu – hello in Quechua. We walked the five-day Salkantay Premium Trek, a trek that ends at Machu Picchu but in reality becomes unforgettable much earlier. It's not just the destination that makes this trip special, but especially the journey there: the landscapes, the comfortable accommodations in the middle of the mountains and the jungle, the stories told by the guide, the rhythm of walking, eating, sleeping, and moving on again, and the creation of a kind of temporary family in which everyone helps each other throughout the days.

Those considering this trek often wonder how difficult the trip is, what to expect each day, and how it differs from a regular or low-budget version. Below, we describe our experience day by day, so you can get a realistic impression of the course, the atmosphere, and the level of comfort.

What should you bring on the Salkantay premium trek?

• A passport: you cannot enter Machu Picchu without a passport.

• Cash (Soles): for extra snacks, souvenirs, and to show your appreciation to the organization's staff.

• Personal medication: the guide will bring a first aid kit, but it is best to bring your own medication.

• Water bottle or hydration pack: including water for the first day. Drinking water will be provided for all other days.

• Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in the mountains, even on a cloudy day. Bring at least SPF 50.

• Insect repellent: from the end of day 2, you will be walking through the jungle. The mosquitoes here are very aggressive.

• Hiking clothes: dress in layers. The weather here changes very quickly. We recommend bringing thermal clothing, an insulating layer, and a waterproof outer layer.

• Hiking accessories: hat, gloves, hiking socks, and a cap or hat for sun protection.

• Other accessories: sunglasses, pillowcase, headlamp, camera, universal plug adapter, chargers.

Wat is inbegrepen bij de Salkantay premium trek?

• Wandelstokken.

• Duffeltas voor je bagage.

• Regenponcho.

• Iedere dag snacks en water.

• Slaapzak, dekentje en kussen.

• Entree tot de Cocalmayo-hotsprings en Machu Picchu.

What is included in the Salkantay premium trek?

• Walking sticks.

• Duffel bag for your luggage.

• Rain poncho.

• Snacks and water every day.

• Sleeping bag, blanket, and pillow.

• Entrance to the Cocalmayo hot springs and Machu Picchu.

How does the Salkantay premium trek differ from the standard trek?

There is quite a price difference between these two options. The standard trek starts at USD 675 and the premium trek at USD 1,075. But what do you get extra for that higher price?

The premium option offers upgrades in comfort and exclusivity. This includes the following, among other things:

• Pick-up from the airport in Cusco to your hotel and back.

• Breakfast on the first day on the way to the starting point.

• A maximum group size of 12 people.

• An “emergency horse” on days 1 and 2 for emergencies or if walking at higher altitudes becomes too difficult for you.

• An exclusive camp “Mountain Sky View” in Collpapampa (day 2) and “Super Jungle Domes” in Lucmabamba (day 3).

• Access to the Cocalmayo hot springs on day 2.

• A train ride from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (instead of walking 11 kilometers along the railroad tracks) on day 4.

• Lunch after your visit to Machu Picchu in Agua Calientes.

• Luxury train ride from Agua Calientes back to Ollantaytambo. This was a truly amazing experience in terms of views and entertainment on board.

In short: the higher price of the premium trek translates into more comfort, better accommodation, better logistics, and a slightly more “luxurious trekking experience” than the standard option. If comfort is important to you after a day of hiking, then the extra cost may well be justified. However, if you mainly want to do the trek for the route/experience and are willing to make do with something a little simpler, then the standard option may be perfectly adequate.

Day 0 – briefing and preparation in Cusco

Before the trek officially begins, there will be a briefing in Cusco at the Salkantay Trekking office. The organization will explain the route, tell you about the altitude differences, and discuss possible risks during the trek. You will also receive a large bag in which you can put your luggage (maximum five kilos). You will not carry this bag yourself: the organization will transport it to the next camp every day. This means you will only be walking with a daypack, which makes a huge difference in terms of weight.

During the briefing, we also met the group we would be spending the next five days with. In total, there were eight hikers, a guide, two cooks, several horses and mules, plus an escort with an emergency horse for the first two days.

Day 1 – from Challacancha to Soroypampa and Humantay Lake

Distance: 12 kilometers

Ascent: 660 meters

Highest point: 4,317 meters

We were picked up at our hotel at 4 a.m. for a three-and-a-half-hour drive to the starting point at Challacancha. After a simple breakfast on the way, we started the first kilometers of the trek. The path was wide and the pace was slow. We spent most of the morning walking along irrigation canals that carry glacier water to lower-lying agricultural areas.

Around lunchtime, we arrived at Soroypampa Sky Camp, at an altitude of 3,900 meters. This camp consists of glass domes where you sleep with a view of the mountains. Despite the luxury, this remains a harsh environment: as soon as the sun disappears behind the mountain, it cools down rapidly.

In the afternoon, we put our hiking boots back on for the climb to Humantay Lake. The altitude made it a challenging but manageable hike. The lake itself, nestled between ice and rocks, was one of the most beautiful spots of the entire trek.

At sunset, we descended back to base camp. The sky was clear, so we had a beautiful view from our bed.

Day 2 – the Salkantay Pass and the long descent to the jungle

Distance: 22 kilometers

Ascent: 847 meters

Descent: 1,770 meters

Highest point: 4,647 meters

The second day is known as the toughest day of the trek. The alarm went off at quarter past four, after which we started the climb to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the entire route, in the dark. The sky was clear blue and the temperature was just right for the long climb.

The view from the top was impressive: rocks, glaciers, and snow. The guide explained that Mount Salkantay is an Apu, a sacred mountain spirit that is seen as a protector in the Andes. You don't need to have a spiritual background to feel that this place is special.

After a short break, we began the long descent of almost 1,800 meters. The first part consisted of loose stones and rocks, but later the landscape changed to green, damp jungle.

At the end of the afternoon, we arrived at our Mountain Sky Dome, again with a glass ceiling and even a private bathroom. An almost surreal form of comfort in the middle of the wilderness.

Day 3 – jungle walk, coffee plantation, and natural hot springs

Distance: 10.1 kilometers

Ascent: 221 meters

Highest point: 2,900 meters

The third day is referred to as a rest day by the organization, but the effort of the previous day was still clearly felt in our legs. Nevertheless, today's route was gentler and, above all, varied. We walked through the jungle, past waterfalls and landslide zones. The guide gave us a kind of symbolic protection for the jungle by rubbing red berry juice on our cheeks. For us, this added something beautiful: the trek is not only about nature, but also about the culture that gives meaning to the environment.

At the end of the morning, we arrived at a coffee plantation. We were given a demonstration of the entire process: harvesting, peeling, fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding. Afterwards, we tasted the coffee we had prepared ourselves. We then drove to the next camp, where we slept in even more luxurious accommodation than the night before: the Super Jungle Dome. It's truly unbelievable how beautiful the accommodations are. Here, too, we had a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.

Later in the afternoon, we visited the Cocalmayo hot springs, warm natural pools in a green valley. The warm water felt wonderful for the muscles. The only challenge was the mosquitoes when you got out of the water, so that meant applying mosquito repellent.

Day 4 – the Inca Trail, Llactapata, and the first view of Machu Picchu

Distance: 14.4 kilometers

Ascent: 969 meters

Descent: 1,038 meters

Highest point: 2,837 meters

The fourth day started early again. Today's route is narrow and popular, and by starting early you can stay ahead of the crowds. We started with a steep climb through jungle and agricultural land. This was followed by a long climb of seven kilometers, part of the Inca Trail.

From the Llactapata Pass, we got our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. At first, everything was shrouded in clouds, but after fifteen minutes, the clouds cleared and we could see the contours of the city and the steep mountain walls behind it. Just below the pass lie the Llactapata ruins, a relatively unknown archaeological site that is believed to have had astronomical and ceremonial functions. Precisely because this place has not been taken over by mass tourism, it felt authentic.

The descent through the jungle was hot, humid, and difficult. Fortunately, we only had to walk a short distance to Hidroelectrica, where the train to Aguas Calientes departed. That part of the trek is a big advantage of the premium version: you don't have to walk the last eleven flat kilometers along the railroad tracks, but travel by train to the village at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Day 5 – Machu Picchu

On the last day, the alarm went off at five o'clock. We took the very first bus up to beat the crowds. When we arrived at the site, thick clouds still hung around the mountain walls. The first view was clear just long enough to see the entire city before the clouds completely took over. It gave the place a mystical feel and made us grateful that we had been given a few minutes of clarity.

The tour of Machu Picchu lasted about two hours. Our guide told us all about Hiram Bingham's rediscovery of the site, theories about the city's function, and the symbolism of the Inca trilogy: the condor for the upper world, the puma for the earthly world, and the snake for wisdom and the underworld. Walking around with these stories in your head makes the city feel less like a ruin and more like a carefully designed universe full of meaning, of which we understand only a fraction.

When the rain intensified and visibility did not improve, we decided to return to Aguas Calientes to change into dry clothes. Later that afternoon, we traveled back to Ollantaytambo on the panoramic train. The train has large windows on the sides and in the ceiling, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding landscapes even more. In Ollantaytambo, we transferred to a shuttle bus to Cusco. At the end of the evening, we said goodbye to the guide and the group. Although we learned that goodbye doesn't really exist in Quechua. Instead, you say Tupananchiskama, which means: until we meet again.

In conclusion: who is this trek suitable for?

The Salkantay Premium Trek is ideal for those who love hiking, nature, and history, but also value comfort. The combination of glaciers, jungle, starry nights, local culture, and Machu Picchu makes this one of the most versatile treks you can do in Peru. The route is challenging, but thanks to the guidance, pace, and comfort, it is suitable for anyone with average to good hiking fitness and sufficient acclimatization.

Those who choose the premium version are not only choosing luxury. It also ensures that your body recovers better, leaving you with more energy to really enjoy the surroundings. The trip is therefore not only about the destination, but about the entire journey to get there.