Self-Launched Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Camp Stays

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) — most international travellers connect via Lima (LIM). Take a taxi or pre-booked airport transfer into the centre (roughly £6-8 in a metered cab). Check into your guesthouse in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood — both are well-served by quality budget accommodation and brilliantly located for acclimatisation walks. Cusco sits at 11,000ft so take it very easy today: hydrate well, sip coca tea (free at most hostels), and avoid alcohol. Grab dinner at a local menú restaurant (set lunch/dinner menus run £3-5) and get an early night. If your schedule allows, arrive a day or two early to help your body adjust before the trek.

🚌Taxi from CUZ airport to city centre (~£6-8). Most international flights route via Lima — book Lima–Cusco legs on LATAM or Sky Airline (~£50-80 each way).

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco (dorm) or Hospedaje El Artesano (private room) — both highly rated, central, £12-22/night

• →Airport taxi to central Cusco (£6-8)
• →Acclimatisation walk around Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood
• →Coca tea and rest at your guesthouse
• →Welcome dinner at a local menú restaurant (£3-5) — try Cicciolina or Marcelo Batata for a mid-range treat

The Sacred Valley is easily explored independently by shared minibus (colectivo) from Cusco's Terminal Terrestre or Av. Grau. Head to Pisac first — the archaeological complex sits above the town and rewards the 45-minute uphill walk with sweeping terraced ruins and mountain views. Grab lunch at the Pisac market (£3-5). Then take a colectivo on to Ollantaytambo, where the imposing fortress temple is one of the finest pieces of Inca architecture in the world. The Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC) combined tourist ticket covers both sites (~£35 for a full pass, or buy a shorter 1-day circuit ticket for ~£20 covering just the Valley sites). Return to Cusco by shared minibus in the evening.

🚌Shared colectivos throughout the day (~£4-5 total). Minibuses depart frequently from Av. Grau in Cusco towards Pisac.

🛏Same guesthouse in Cusco — Loki Hostel or El Artesano (£12-22/night)

• →Shared colectivo Cusco → Pisac (~£1.50)
• →Visit Pisac Inca ruins (included in BTC tourist ticket)
• →Lunch at Pisac market (£3-5)
• →Shared colectivo Pisac → Ollantaytambo (~£1)
• →Visit Ollantaytambo fortress temple (included in BTC)
• →Shared minibus back to Cusco (~£2)

Your Salkantay adventure starts today. Book your multi-day guided Salkantay trek in advance through a reputable local Cusco agency such as Alpaca Expeditions, Peru Treks, or Llama Path — prices for a 5-day guided group trek including camping/lodge accommodation, meals, guide, cook, and porter support typically run £180-280 per person. Agencies pick you up from your Cusco hotel around 6:00 AM and drive ~3.5 hours to Challacancha (with a breakfast stop in Mollepata). Trek gently through a glacier-carved valley to Soraypampa camp (12,795ft), where you settle in before an afternoon hike up to Humantay Lake (13,780ft) — a stunning turquoise glacial lake backed by Humantay peak. Return to camp for dinner and stargazing. Mountain dome camps (like those used by premium operators) can be booked directly through agencies like Salkantay Trekking or Mountain Lodges of Peru at a supplement; budget lodges and tented camps are a fraction of the cost.

🚌Private minibus transfer from Cusco to Challacancha trailhead — included in trek agency package.

🛏Mountain tented camp or budget lodge at Soraypampa — included in agency trek package (£180-280 total for 5-day trek)

• →Hotel pickup and 3.5-hour drive to Challacancha trailhead
• →Optional second breakfast stop in Mollepata (£2-3)
• →Trek to Soraypampa camp (12,795ft) — ~4-5 hrs, 6 miles
• →Afternoon hike to Humantay Lake (13,780ft) — steep but short
• →Dinner and overnight at mountain camp (meals included via agency package)

The most demanding and most spectacular day of the trek. Set off early in the dark with your guide, climbing steadily through stark alpine terrain towards the Salkantay Pass (15,190ft). The ascent is relentless but manageable with a slow, steady pace — your guide will monitor the group for altitude sickness. At the pass, take in enormous views of glaciated Andean peaks before a long, steep descent into the cloud forest. The dramatic shift in climate — from icy tundra to lush green forest — is one of the most memorable moments of the trek. Arrive at the village of Collpapampa in the late afternoon. All meals and accommodation are included in your agency package.

🚌On foot — all trekking. Porters and mule support included in agency package to carry main bags.

🛏Mountain lodge or tented camp at Collpapampa — included in agency trek package

• →Pre-dawn ascent to Salkantay Pass (15,190ft) — ~13 miles total, 9-10 hrs
• →Summit celebration and panoramic Andean views at the pass
• →Long descent into cloud forest to Collpapampa
• →Dinner and overnight at mountain lodge or camp

A more relaxed trekking day through the lush Peruvian cloud forest. Follow the Santa Teresa River through banana and avocado plantations, past waterfalls, and into the village of Lucmabamba. After lunch at camp, visit a nearby coffee farm where a local grower walks you through the full process from picking to brewing — you'll taste some of the region's finest coffee straight from source. In the late afternoon, head to the Santa Teresa hot springs (Cocalmayo) for a soak in naturally heated pools (entry ~£3-5 if not included in your agency package). Return to camp for dinner.

🚌On foot throughout the day.

🛏Mountain lodge or tented camp at Lucmabamba — included in agency trek package

• →Trek along Santa Teresa River through cloud forest — ~8 miles, 4-5 hrs
• →Coffee farm visit and tasting with local grower
• →Santa Teresa hot springs / Cocalmayo thermal baths (£3-5 entry)
• →Dinner and overnight at Lucmabamba camp

A varied day combining a section of the legendary Inca Trail with your first view of Machu Picchu. Climb steadily for around 2 hours to Llactapata (8,858ft), a lesser-visited Inca site with a direct sightline to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu across the valley — a genuinely spine-tingling moment. Descend to a lunch stop near Hidroeléctrica, then board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes (~30 mins). Book the Expedition or Vistadome train through PeruRail (perurail.com) in advance — Expedition class runs ~£15-20 one way, Vistadome (panoramic windows) ~£30-40. Check into your hostel in Aguas Calientes, explore the lively little town, and get an early night — tomorrow is Machu Picchu day.

🚌On foot to Hidroeléctrica, then PeruRail train to Aguas Calientes (£15-30). Book in advance at perurail.com.

🛏Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes or Hostal Pirwa — well-rated, central, £15-25/night private room

• →Morning hike to Llactapata Inca site (8,858ft) — ~6-7 hrs, 8 miles total
• →First view of Machu Picchu from Llactapata
• →Lunch at local restaurant near Hidroeléctrica (£4-6)
• →PeruRail train Hidroeléctrica → Aguas Calientes (~30 mins, £15-30 depending on class)
• →Evening wander around Aguas Calientes

Set your alarm early. Buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu run from around 5:30 AM (return bus ticket ~£12, book at the bus station the evening before or online at consettur.com). Alternatively, hike up the steep Inca path on foot (~1 hr, free). Entry to Machu Picchu must be booked in advance via the official portal (mac.cultura.pe) — tickets sell out weeks or months ahead, especially for early-morning slots (~£35-45 depending on circuit and date). Arrive early for soft light and smaller crowds. Explore the citadel for 2-3 hours — temples, terraces, dwellings, and sacred plazas — ideally with a local guide booked on-site or in advance via GetYourGuide (~£15-20). Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then board the Vistadome Panoramic Train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco (~2 hrs, £35-50 via perurail.com). Celebrate with a final group dinner back in Cusco.

🚌Bus Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu (£12 return). Vistadome train Aguas Calientes → Poroy/Cusco (~£35-50 via perurail.com). Book both well in advance.

🛏Guesthouse in Cusco — Loki Hostel or El Artesano (£12-22/night)

• →Early bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu gate (£12 return, departs from 5:30 AM)
• →Machu Picchu entry — pre-book at mac.cultura.pe (£35-45)
• →2-3 hr self-guided or guided tour of the citadel (guide via GetYourGuide ~£15-20)
• →Lunch in Aguas Calientes (£5-8)
• →Vistadome Panoramic Train back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo (~2 hrs, £35-50)
• →Final celebratory dinner in Cusco (£8-15)

Enjoy a final breakfast in Cusco — the San Pedro Market is a fantastic spot for cheap, authentic Andean breakfast (£2-3). Your flight home will most likely route via Lima; book a taxi to CUZ airport (~£6-8) or arrange a shared transfer through your hostel (~£4). If you have time before your flight, pick up last-minute souvenirs from San Blas or the Mercado Artesanal. Safe travels — you've earned it.

🚌Taxi or hostel-arranged shared transfer to CUZ airport (£4-8). Onward flights via Lima.

🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed

• →Breakfast at San Pedro Market or local café (£2-3)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in San Blas neighbourhood
• →Taxi or shared transfer to Cusco Airport CUZ (£4-8)