Salkantay Trek Glamping Review: A Look at the 4-Day Trip to Machu Picchu (2025)

So, you are thinking about trekking to Machu Picchu, right? That’s really an amazing idea. Lots of people talk about the Classic Inca Trail, but honestly, the Salkantay Trek is sort of its wilder, more dramatic cousin. Instead of just old ruins, you get these incredibly big mountain views and go through, like, a bunch of different landscapes. I mean, it is just seriously impressive. But, the thought of sleeping in a freezing tent for days? Yeah, that can definitely be a little bit off-putting for some folks. This is where the whole glamping thing comes in. Basically, it’s a way to get all the mind-blowing scenery of the Salkantay Trek, you know, but you still get a comfy bed and some really great food at the end of the day. As a matter of fact, it’s almost like you get the best of both worlds. So, let’s talk about what this four-day glamping trip actually looks like, at the end of the day.

Day 1: The Hike to a Magical Sky Camp

What the First Day Really Feels Like

Okay, so your first day typically begins super early from Cusco, you know, with a van ride that takes you to the starting point of the trail. The ride itself is actually pretty interesting, showing you the shift from the city to the quiet countryside. When you finally get out and start walking, the air feels different—thinner, crisper. The first part of the walk is more or less a gentle warm-up, but honestly, you will feel the altitude almost right away. So, taking it slow is definitely a good plan. The big event for the day, really, is the side trip up to Humantay Lake. It’s a bit of a steep climb, not going to lie, but once you see that water—I mean, it is this color of blue that just doesn’t seem real—you completely forget about your tired legs. After that, you head to the campsite for the night. And this is where the glamping part is seriously cool. You might find yourself at a “Sky Camp,” in these igloo-shaped glass domes. It means you can literally lie in bed and see an unbelievable number of stars, almost like you could touch them. It gets pretty cold, but you’re in a real bed with lots of blankets, not on a mat on the ground. So, it is kind of the perfect mix of being out in nature but still feeling totally comfortable.

Day 2: The Big Challenge – Crossing the Salkantay Pass

Pushing Your Limits, with Big Payoffs

Alright, so day two is, more or less, the main event of the whole trek, the one you’ll be talking about for years. You wake up before the sun comes up, have a really good breakfast, and then you start the big ascent to the Salkantay Pass. At 4,630 meters, or just over 15,000 feet, it is literally the highest point of the walk. The walk up is tough, you know, every step feels a bit harder in the thin air, and you really need to listen to your body and just go at your own pace. Your guides are usually super supportive, offering you coca leaves to chew which sort of helps. When you finally get to the very top, the feeling is just incredible. You’re standing right there, with the massive, ice-covered peak of Salkantay Mountain practically right next to you. It feels pretty sacred, to be honest. After taking a ton of photos and just absorbing the view, you begin the long walk down. The change in scenery is almost immediate. You go from this rocky, alpine world to the start of the cloud forest, where everything gets green and full of life. It’s a long day, but arriving at your next glamping spot—maybe some neat-looking hobbit-style huts or cozy Andean domes—and getting a hot meal is just about the best feeling ever, at the end of the day.

Day 3: Into the Cloud Forest and on to Aguas Calientes

A Change of Scenery and Pace

So, after the really big push of day two, the third day is thankfully a little easier on your legs. The trail mostly goes downhill and flattens out, you know, and it takes you deeper into what they call the ‘eyebrow of the jungle’. Honestly, it’s a complete switch from the day before. The air gets warmer and thicker, and suddenly everything around you is just so alive. You’ll hear birds you’ve never heard before and see all sorts of interesting plants, like wild orchids and giant ferns. For example, you might walk past little farms growing bananas, avocados, and passion fruit. A lot of the treks, you know, will stop at a local coffee plantation. I mean, you literally get to see them pick the beans, roast them right there, and then you drink a cup of coffee that is just about the freshest you’ll ever have. It’s a really great little cultural moment. The day pretty much ends with a walk along some train tracks leading to the town of Aguas Calientes. This town is the base for visiting Machu Picchu, so instead of another glamping hut, you check into an actual hotel. A hot shower and a proper restaurant meal feel incredibly luxurious, for sure.

Day 4: The Reward – Machu Picchu

Finally Laying Eyes on the Lost City

This is it, actually. The day you’ve been working towards. You wake up super early again, pretty much in the dark, to catch one of the first buses up the winding road to Machu Picchu. You could also walk up, but frankly, you might want to save your energy for the ruins. The bus ride builds the anticipation, and then you walk through the entrance, turn a corner, and bam—there it is. The classic postcard view of the Lost City of the Incas, with the morning sun just starting to hit the stones. It’s one of those moments that really lives up to the hype; it is seriously breathtaking. Your guide will typically give you a two-hour tour, explaining all the different parts of the city—the temples, the living quarters, the farming terraces. After the tour, you usually have some free time to just wander around on your own. You can find a quiet spot to sit, maybe watch the llamas wander around, and just think about the three days of walking it took to get here. In some respects, it makes the whole experience feel a lot more earned and special than if you had just taken the train, you know?

Is Glamping on the Salkantay Trek Worth It?

A Frank Look at the Good and Bad

So, the big question is, should you shell out the extra money for the glamping version? Honestly, it really just depends on you. On one hand, the comfort is a huge plus. At the end of a very long, tiring day of hiking, having a real bed, a chef-prepared meal, and sometimes even a private bathroom is just wonderful. It lets people who are not into the idea of roughing it still have this amazing outdoor experience. It is pretty great, I mean. On the other hand, you could say it’s a little less of a raw, authentic adventure. You are a bit more insulated from the wild, so to speak. And of course, it costs more than the standard camping trek. But for a lot of people, the ability to sleep well and recover fully each night makes the whole physical challenge much more manageable and, frankly, more enjoyable. You sort of get the grit of the hike with the comfort of a vacation, which for many, is just the perfect balance.

“Standing at the Salkantay Pass, you honestly feel so small next to the power of the Andes. It’s not just a physical challenge; it’s like a mental reset. That moment right there makes every single step worth it.”

Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

This 4-day glamping trek is a pretty amazing way to see a completely stunning part of Peru and then get to the big prize of Machu Picchu. It blends the raw beauty of the Andes with a level of comfort that makes the whole thing feel like a proper holiday.

Day 1 is all about altitude and that amazing lake. Take it easy as you start.
Day 2 is the toughest but most rewarding. The pass is the real challenge.
Comfort is key with glamping. You will appreciate the warm bed and good food, definitely.
The scenery changes a lot. You go from snowy mountains to lush jungle, which is very cool.
You earn your view of Machu Picchu. Arriving there after hiking for days feels so much more significant.

Read our full review: [2025 Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Full Review and Details]

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