Salkantay Premium Trek 5 Days: Glamping Adventure to Machu Picchu

Planning perspective

How I’d plan this experience

I’d choose this five-day Salkantay trek if reaching Machu Picchu on foot is part of the appeal, but you’d rather have camp comforts and meals organised than carry the whole experience yourself. The premium framing doesn’t make the walking easy: this is a high-altitude, physically demanding trek, with an early start and a climb to Humantay Lake on day one. My advice is to decide first whether that combination of effort and supported camping suits you; the mountain scenery is the reward, not a substitute for preparation.

A good fit for prepared, active walkers

This suits you if you’re in good health, have a high level of fitness, and can make room in your Cusco plans to acclimatise before starting. The itinerary puts Humantay Lake at 4,200 metres on the first day, after walking to the camp at Soraypampa. I’d take the altitude and the opening day seriously rather than treating the premium camp as a sign that the trek itself is gentle.

There is an emergency horse available on the route from Soraypampa to Abra Salkantay, but that’s a contingency, not a reason to plan on avoiding the walking. The optional horseback ride to Humantay Lake is a separate, locally paid activity.

Choose a mountain add-on only if you want another climb

The standard option is the five-day premium trek with exclusive camps. The other named choices add a ticket for Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain. I’d choose among those based on whether you specifically want an additional mountain visit—not just because an add-on sounds like more value. The option names establish the ticket, but don’t explain the climb, route, or time involved, so I wouldn’t assume those details are interchangeable.

The listed gear includes a sleeping bag and trekking poles, while clothing and personal hiking equipment are excluded. Plan your own kit around that distinction.

Plan for an early, structured start

Day one begins with pickup in Cusco at around 5 a.m., followed by breakfast and the walk to Soraypampa before the Humantay Lake ascent. A briefing is scheduled in Cusco at 5 p.m. the night before, so this isn’t a trip to squeeze into a late arrival. I’d build in the recommended two days in Cusco beforehand for altitude adjustment, then keep the evening before the trek free for the briefing.

Meals are included across the trek, and the itinerary describes an overnight at Sky Camp. That support can make logistics simpler, but you’ll still need to manage the early starts and sustained walking.

Know the commitment before booking

The main trade-off is that this is a demanding, multi-day trek with little flexibility once you commit. Machu Picchu spaces are advised to be booked at least five months ahead, and sales are final with no cancellation refund. I’d only book once your dates and fitness plans feel solid; that matters more here than choosing between the camp options.

Planning analysis informed by the tour itinerary · Updated November 5, 2026