Trek the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu – Self-Launched

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) — most international flights connect via Lima. Take an authorised airport taxi to your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood (approx. £3–5). Cusco sits at 11,000 ft so take it easy today: hydrate, avoid alcohol, and consider taking altitude sickness tablets (Diamox) if prescribed. Take a gentle stroll around Plaza de Armas and the San Blas artisan quarter. Head out for dinner and try classic Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado or ceviche at a local restaurant.

🚌Authorised airport taxi from CUZ to central Cusco (~£4). Alternatively, shared colectivo ~£1.

🛏Hostel in San Blas or Plaza de Armas area — e.g. Loki Hostel Cusco or similar (dorm ~£10–14/night, private twin ~£22–28/night)

• →Authorised airport taxi to central Cusco (~£4)
• →Leisurely walk around Plaza de Armas and San Blas barrio
• →Dinner at a local Peruvian restaurant near the plaza
• →Pick up coca tea or coca sweets from a local market for altitude relief

Join a shared day-tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco — these are widely available from agencies on Calle Plateros from around £20–30pp including transport and guide. You'll visit the impressive fortress and temple of Ollantaytambo and the vast Inca agricultural terraces and archaeological complex at Pisac. Lunch is typically included or available cheaply at local restaurants. Return to Cusco in the evening. Use tonight to double-check your kit, confirm your trekking agency pick-up time, and get an early night — you'll be up at 5am tomorrow.

🚌Included in shared day-tour minibus from Cusco and back (~4 hours driving total)

🛏Same hostel in Cusco as Day 1

• →Shared Sacred Valley day tour via local Cusco agency (~£20–30pp, bookable on Calle Plateros or via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore Ollantaytambo fortress and temple complex
• →Visit Pisac Inca ruins and agricultural terraces
• →Browse Pisac artisan market (optional)
• →Pre-trek kit check and early night

Your local Salkantay trekking agency will pick you up from your hostel at around 5:00 AM. Book your Salkantay trek directly with a local Cusco agency (e.g. Alpaca Expeditions, Llama Path, or Peru Treks) for a fraction of what international operators charge — 4-day packages including camping, meals, porters and Machu Picchu entry can be found for £200–350pp. After a brief stop in Mollepata, begin trekking from Challacancha through a glacier-carved valley, following an ancient Inca water channel to your first campsite at Soraypampa (12,795 ft). After lunch and a rest, hike the steep but short trail up to the stunning turquoise Humantay Lake (13,780 ft). Soak up the views of the Humantay glacier before returning to camp for a hearty dinner under the stars.

🚌Minibus from Cusco to Challacancha trailhead (~3.5 hours, included in agency package)

🛏Camping at Soraypampa (12,795 ft) — tent, sleeping mat and pillow provided by trekking agency

• →Pre-dawn pickup from Cusco hostel by trekking agency
• →Optional second breakfast stop in Mollepata
• →Trek through glacier-carved valley to Soraypampa campsite (undulating, ~6 miles)
• →Afternoon hike to Humantay Lake (13,780 ft) — turquoise waters backed by Humantay glacier
• →Campfire dinner at Soraypampa

The biggest day of the trek. Up at dawn with coca tea and a hot breakfast before the steep, winding climb to the Salkantay Pass (15,192 ft) — the highest point of the entire route — in the shadow of the mighty Salkantay Mountain (20,574 ft). Your local guide will share the sacred significance of Apu Salkantay in Inca culture and lead a traditional offering ceremony at the top. After taking in the breathtaking panoramic views, begin a steep descent to the campsite at Huayracmachay (12,631 ft), or further to Collpapampa (9,678 ft) depending on group pace and conditions — your guide will advise. Total hiking: 9–10 hours, 13 miles.

🚌On foot (all trekking today); short 30-minute drive possible if guide recommends alternative end point

🛏Camping at Huayracmachay (12,631 ft) or Collpapampa (9,678 ft) — tent provided by agency

• →Coca tea and hot breakfast at camp before dawn
• →Challenging climb to Salkantay Pass (15,192 ft)
• →Traditional Inca offering ceremony at the pass
• →Panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain (20,574 ft)
• →Long descent to Huayracmachay or Collpapampa campsite

Today the landscape transforms dramatically as you descend along the Santa Teresa River from the high Andes into lush Peruvian cloud forest, passing avocado and banana plantations and waterfalls. Stop for lunch in Colpapampa before continuing to Lucmabamba, where your campsite is set in the grounds of a local farmer's house. After arrival, visit his coffee plantation, learn about regional coffee production and taste the freshest local brew. If time and energy allow, consider a short trip to the nearby Santa Teresa hot springs (optional, payable locally, ~£5–8) — perfect for tired muscles.

🚌On foot throughout; optional short drive to/from hot springs

🛏Camping at Lucmabamba (6,562 ft) at local farmer's grounds — tent provided by agency

• →Trek through cloud forest along the Santa Teresa River (~7 miles, 4–5 hours)
• →Pass avocado and banana plantations and waterfalls
• →Lunch stop in Colpapampa
• →Visit local farmer's coffee plantation at Lucmabamba
• →Optional: Santa Teresa hot springs (~£5–8, payable locally)

Final trekking day! After breakfast, tackle a steady two-hour uphill climb to Llactapata (8,858 ft), a fascinating Inca archaeological site with a dramatic view across to Machu Picchu — your first glimpse! Your guide explains the site's cultural significance. Descend to grab a quick lunch at a local restaurant near Hidroeléctrica (the site of an impressive 820 ft artificial waterfall). From Hidroeléctrica, board the train to Aguas Calientes (~30 minutes, ~£13–18 each way — book through Peru Rail or Inca Rail in advance). Check into your hostel and rest up — you'll need an early start tomorrow.

🚌Trekking on foot to Hidroeléctrica; Peru Rail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes (~£13–18, book in advance)

🛏Budget hostel in Aguas Calientes — e.g. Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes or similar (~£14–20/night)

• →Uphill trek to Llactapata Inca ruins (8,858 ft) — first views of Machu Picchu
• →Descent through cloud forest to Hidroeléctrica
• →Lunch at a local restaurant near Hidroeléctrica (~£5–8)
• →Train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (~30 mins, ~£13–18 — book via Peru Rail or Inca Rail)

Early start — catch the first bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu (buses run from ~5:30 AM, ~£12 return, buy tickets in advance at the bus terminal or online). Alternatively, hike the steep Inca steps up (free, ~1.5 hours, very steep). Explore Machu Picchu with a pre-booked local guide (~£15–20pp for a 2-hour guided tour, bookable via GetYourGuide or directly at the gate) or follow the self-launched Circuit 2 or Circuit 3 route with a map. NB: Machu Picchu entry tickets MUST be booked in advance at ticket.machupicchu.gob.pe — entry ~£37–42pp. After your visit, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (~2 hours, ~£35–50 — book in advance via Peru Rail). From Ollantaytambo, take a shared colectivo or bus to Cusco (~1.5 hours, ~£3–5). Farewell dinner with your travel companions in Cusco.

🚌Bus to Machu Picchu gate (~£12 return); train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£35–50); shared colectivo to Cusco (~£3–5)

🛏Hostel in Cusco (same as Days 1–2 or book ahead)

• →Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu gate (~£12 return — buy in advance)
• →OR hike Inca steps up to Machu Picchu (free, ~1.5 hours, very steep)
• →Machu Picchu entry — Circuit 2 or 3 (~£37–42pp — MUST be pre-booked at ticket.machupicchu.gob.pe)
• →Optional 2-hour guided tour at the site (~£15–20pp via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£6–10)
• →Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~2 hours, ~£35–50 — book via Peru Rail or Inca Rail)
• →Shared colectivo or bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~1.5 hours, ~£3–5)
• →Farewell dinner in Cusco

After breakfast at your hostel, make your way to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) for your onward flight. Take an authorised airport taxi (~£4) or shared colectivo (~£1). If your flight is later in the day, use the morning to pick up any last souvenirs in San Blas, visit the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun, ~£8) or the Cusco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas (~£12). Safe travels!

🚌Authorised airport taxi (~£4) or shared colectivo (~£1) to CUZ

🛏N/A – departure day

• →Breakfast at hostel
• →Optional: Qorikancha Temple of the Sun (~£8) or Cusco Cathedral (~£12)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in San Blas
• →Airport taxi or colectivo to CUZ (~£1–4)