ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake (4,200m)

Your journey begins early with a 5:00 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Travel by private van through the heart of the Andes, passing the remote villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, where daily life continues much as it has for generations. Along the way, deep valleys open up and Salkantay Mountain slowly dominates the horizon, a powerful introduction to the days ahead.

First Challenge: Humantay Lake

Arriving at the Soraypampa trailhead, enjoy a hearty breakfast with sweeping views of the Humantay and Salkantay glaciers. With energy restored, begin a 2.5-hour round-trip hike to Humantay Lake, one of the most iconic highlights of the trek. The trail steadily climbs toward the lake’s striking turquoise waters, rewarding your effort with panoramic mountain views and exceptional photo opportunities.

Lunch Beneath the Glacier

After returning from the lake, continue with a gradual 1.5-hour ascent toward Salkantay Pampa. Here we serve lunch directly in front of the glacier, a memorable pause where Andean scenery and freshly prepared food come together.

Sky Domes at Soraypampa (Optional Upgrade)

For travelers looking to enhance their first night on the trek, the Sky Domes in Soraypampa are available as an upgrade. Located in an open, high Andean valley, these panoramic domes offer unobstructed views of the Salkantay and Humantay glaciers, creating an unforgettable alpine setting.

Sky Dome Features:

• Private bathrooms
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• All meals served in a dedicated panoramic dining room

Day 1 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft (Humantay Lake)
• Camp Altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft (Soraypampa)
• Distance: ~12 km / 7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate (Gradual ascents)

Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Collpapampa

Wake to the quiet of the high Andes with a warm cup of coca tea or coffee delivered directly to your tent. As morning light touches the surrounding peaks, the day begins calmly, a welcome contrast to the challenge ahead.

Apacheta / Salkantay Pass Crossing

After a hearty breakfast, begin a steady 1-hour ascent toward Apacheta Pass (Salkantay Pass), the highest point of the trek at 4,650 m (15,256 ft). Reaching the summit is a true milestone. From here, take time to rest, celebrate, and enjoy expansive views of Mount Salkantay, Humantay, and Huayanay, with alpine lakes and winding rivers spread below.

Salkantay Lake Detour

From the pass, make a short 30-minute side trip to Salkantay Lake. Its clear turquoise waters sit quietly beneath towering peaks, offering a peaceful pause and excellent photos before beginning the long descent.

Descent to the Cloud Forest

The trail leads downhill toward Rayanniyoc, where a freshly prepared lunch awaits. As you descend, the landscape gradually changes, high alpine terrain giving way to greener valleys and warmer air. After lunch, continue trekking for approximately two more hours until reaching Collpapampa, nestled deep in the cloud forest.

Sky Domes at Collpapampa (Optional Upgrade)

Further along the route, the Sky Domes at Collpapampa offer a relaxing mountain atmosphere surrounded by lush vegetation and the Santa Teresa Valley.

Collpapampa Dome Features:

• Private rooms & Wi-Fi
• All meals in a cozy dining room

Spa facilities including a jacuzzi and sauna

Day 2 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 4,650 m / 15,256 ft (Salkantay Pass)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,850 m / 9,350 ft (Colpapampa)
• Distance: ~22 km / 13.7 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging (steep ascent and long descent)

Day 3: Collpapampa – Cocalmayo Hot Springs – Lucmabamba

Today you pass the midpoint of the trek and enter a completely different ecosystem. The air grows warmer, the trail softens, and the landscape turns lush and vibrant. As you descend the valley toward Lucmabamba, hike through fruit orchards, coffee plantations, and cacao fields surrounded by colorful birdlife and dense greenery.

Organic Coffee Farm Tour

At Lucmabamba, visit a local coffee farm for a hands-on look at Peruvian coffee production. Walk through the fields, learn about native crop varieties, and follow the traditional process from harvesting to roasting and grinding. You will also see small plots of avocados, passionfruit, and regional crops.

Cocalmayo Thermal Baths

In the afternoon, take a short drive to the natural hot springs of Cocalmayo. Soak in warm, mineral-rich pools surrounded by steep green hillsides, the ultimate way to ease tired legs and recharge for the final stretch. After your soak, return to camp for a freshly prepared dinner by our private chef.

Day 3 Snapshot

• Camp Altitude: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft (Lucmabamba)
• Lowest Point: 1,550 m / 5,085 ft (Cocalmayo Hot Springs)
• Distance: ~15 km / 9.3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate (cultural focus, gradual terrain)

Day 4 Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca ruins – Aguas Calientes

Today blends authentic Inca history, high viewpoints, and your first direct view of Machu Picchu.

Ascent via the Original Inca Trail

Begin the morning on a quiet, preserved stretch of original Inca stone steps, ascending steadily for about three hours toward Puncuyoc Pass. Along the way, the scenery opens up into fertile valleys framed by dramatic mountain backdrops.

Llactapata Ruins: Rare Machu Picchu Overlook

Reach Llactapata (“High Town” in Quechua) at 2,700 m (8,858 ft), a recently restored Inca site sitting directly across the valley from Machu Picchu. From this vantage point, enjoy an exclusive panoramic view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and the Aobamba Valley, a angle very few trekkers ever see.

Descent to Hydroelectric & Subtropical Forest Walk

After exploring the ruins, begin a 2-hour descent toward the Hydroelectric Station, where a well-earned lunch awaits. The final leg of the day follows a flat, scenic railway trail through the subtropical forests of Machu Picchu National Park, arriving by late afternoon in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Check into your hotel, rest, and gather for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,810 ft (Puncuyoc Pass)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,690 ft (Aguas Calientes)
• Distance: ~16 km / 10 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging (sustained ascents and descents)

Day 5 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the moment everything leads to.

Early Morning Bus & Sunrise Entry

Following an early breakfast at your hotel, board one of the first buses up to the Machu Picchu citadel. Arrive as morning light touches the ancient stone structures, experiencing the sanctuary in its quietest hours.

Guided Tour of the Citadel

Your professional guide leads a 2-hour tour through the main sectors of the complex:

• Agricultural Sector: Terraces and ancient irrigation channels.
• Residential Sector: Houses, workshops, and living quarters.
• Religious Sector: The Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, and Sacred Plaza.

Return Train to Ollantaytambo & Cusco

After your tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) or shopping. In the afternoon, board the Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo, enjoying scenic views of the Urubamba River canyon along the way. Your private driver will meet you at Ollantaytambo station for the final transfer back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 7:00 PM.

Day 5 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft (Machu Picchu)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,690 ft (Aguas Calientes)
• Distance: Minimal walking (exploration-focused)
• Difficulty: Easy