Then there’s the part that often costs extra in DIY plans: the return train to Ollantaytambo plus private transport back to Cusco, and the Machu Picchu bus day with a guided walkthrough inside the citadel.

What you should budget separately:

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day are not included.
• Dinner and lunch on trekking days are included, but your meals on your final midday in the Machu Picchu area are the one place you’ll likely pay out of pocket.

If you want the comfort of a guided, mostly “all-in” trek that still feels like a real expedition, the value here is mostly in reduced stress plus real altitude support.

Day 1: From Cusco to Soraypampa, plus Humantay Lagoon

Your day starts with pickup in Cusco and a drive toward Mollepata, arriving for breakfast before you move onward to the trail starting point near Challacancha. Then you’ll switch gears: equipment prep, horses taking the bulk of gear, and the walk begins toward Soraypampa at around 3850 m.

This first hiking day is about getting yourself into the groove. You’re high, but you’re not yet at the hardest altitude wall. You’ll reach Soraypampa for lunch and set up for the night, with time to take in the valley canyon views.

A highlight option that many people enjoy is the shorter hike to Humantay Lagoon (around 1.2 hours) at about 4200 m. It’s not just a pretty stop. It’s also a great reality check for altitude: you’ll feel the air, you’ll see the scenery, and you’ll understand why the next day is the heavy one.

Practical note: the first day includes shops and toilet facilities at Mollepata, which is helpful when you’re trying to keep everything simple before your hike day rhythm takes over.

Day 2: The pass at 4600 m, cloud forest descent, and the dome night

Day 2 is the day your effort actually earns its name. After breakfast in camp, you start walking across Pampa Salcantay and head through sections near the glacier area (with the route described as going along the left side of glacier Humantay beside Salcantay).

Then comes the high point: the Salcantay Humantay pass at about 4600 m around noon. You’ll likely feel it. Even if you’re fit, altitude makes walking slower and breathing louder. This is where the tour’s support system matters, since oxygen and a first aid kit are included, and you’re moving with a guide who can help manage pace.

After a rest and lunch in the Huayracmachay area, you start descending for about four hours down into Selva Alta, also described as cloud forest. The route then takes you toward Chaullay at about 2900 m around late afternoon.

Here’s a thoughtful feature: you can decide whether you want to keep hiking or take transport to your next lodging at the Ecolodge Majestic area called Loreta La Plata. That decision is a smart “manage your energy” tool after the pass day.

Dinner at the lodge comes before the night in a geodesic dome. That one night is a nice reward because the weather and the sense of open-air mountain sky can feel very different from hotel stays in the lowlands. It’s also a real break from the tent-style camping vibe you may expect on treks.

Day 3: Coffee plantation, Intihuatana, and the walk to Aguas Calientes

This is a calmer day compared to Day 2, but it’s still active. After breakfast, you’ll visit a coffee plantation close to the ecolodge to learn about cultivation, harvesting, and processing. Then there’s a coffee tasting session, and you’ll also pass other crop plantations like coca, coffee, tea, and banana as part of the learning route.

After lunch, you drive about 90 minutes to Hydroelectric Power Plant (around 1900 m). From there, you start the walk along the train tracks and the Urubamba River. This is one of the most satisfying types of hiking because it’s less about climbing and more about steady progress with variety in your surroundings.

On the way, you’ll visit Intihuatana, an ancient Inca sundial site. It’s a good cultural moment during the approach to Machu Picchu because you’re not only thinking about the destination—you’re also seeing Inca-era traces in the region you’re moving through.

By the time you get views of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu from the route, the whole trek starts to feel real in a way that previous days can’t fully match. You’re still moving, but your mind is already arriving.

Day 4: Machu Picchu bus, 3-hour guided tour, and your free exploring window

After breakfast, you ride the tourist bus up to Machu Picchu. Once inside, you’ll have a 3-hour guided tour of the Inca city, walking through key areas like the Temple of the Sun, the central plaza, and the stepped terraces.

A practical tip here: a guided circuit is worth it on Machu Picchu because it connects the dots quickly. With the guide leading, you’ll spend less time guessing what you’re looking at and more time enjoying it.

After the guided portion, you’ll get time to explore on your own. This is important. Machu Picchu is one of those places where you want to pause, find your own viewpoints, and take photos that match your pace, not the group’s.

Once you’re done, you bus back down to Aguas Calientes, then have time to eat lunch at town restaurants (lunch isn’t included). After that, the trek continues with the return train to Ollantaytambo, followed by private transportation back to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

If you’re the type who hates rushed endings, plan to stay flexible with your last-day energy. The walking stops, but the day still has movement.

Support that actually helps: horses, pack limits, poles, and first aid

A lot of trekking companies say they provide support. This one provides support in ways you’ll feel on the trail.

You travel with horses and horsemen for gear, and there’s a 7 kg maximum per person carried strategy. That matters because it keeps you from turning the trek into a weight-carrying contest.

You also get trekking poles for the route. On uneven stone and steep descents, poles can be the difference between controlled steps and painful knees.

Then there’s the less glamorous but crucial stuff: oxygen and a first aid kit are included. At altitudes above 4000 m, this kind of preparation is exactly what you want to see in a well-run trek.

Finally, drinking water is supported by boiled water after breakfast so you can refill bottles. That’s small, but it affects comfort all week.

Who this trek fits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is aimed at people with at least moderate physical fitness. The route includes long hiking days and high altitude walking, including the pass around 4600 m. Even with horses and a support team, you still need to be comfortable walking several hours a day.

It also makes sense if you want:

• a guided trek with English and Spanish support
• the convenience of transfers, entrance fees, and return train included
• a Machu Picchu day that blends a guided highlight circuit with your own exploring time

Think twice if you:

• know you struggle at high elevation (or you get sick easily with altitude)
• expect a short, easy walk. This is a trek, not a stroll.
• want completely flexible hiking lengths. There are options like vehicle transfer on Day 2, but the core schedule is still active.

The tour has a minimum of 2 people per booking, and it’s a private activity in the sense that only your group participates.

If you want to get the most from it: practical preparation

You’ll enjoy this trek more if you treat the altitude like it’s the main event, even though the views are the obvious headline.

I’d plan for:

• slow, steady effort on ascent days (especially Day 2)
• bringing comfortable hiking footwear you trust
• packing a day bag that’s easy to access when you’re trying to keep going without digging through gear

Also, since the route includes multiple sleep environments and early starts, keep your essentials simple: water bottle, light layers, and a plan for staying warm as temperatures drop at elevation.

One more small but useful detail: the tour recommends bringing your original passport, which matters for official access.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu?

It’s listed as 4 days (about 4 days total), with 3 nights on the route and then the Machu Picchu day.

Is pickup from Cusco included?

Yes. The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Cusco, plus private transportation to the trek starting area.

What’s included for meals and drinks?

The tour includes breakfasts (3), lunches (3), dinners (3), and hot drinks like tea and coffee. It also includes boiled water after breakfast so you can refill water bottles. Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day are not included.

What kind of lodging do you get?