Embarking on the five-day voyage to Machu Picchu, your adventure begins with an early collection between 5:00 and 5:15 AM. Boarding a tourist-class bus, you'll journey to Mollepata, a modest village at 2,900 metres. Here you can find your land legs and pick up any last-minute snacks to fuel the trek ahead.

Your journey continues by car to Challacancha, where the anticipation builds with final checks and preparations. Soon, the first step of the trek commences—a 3-hour amble through the changing landscapes to Soraypampa, your first campsite at 3,920 metres. Awaiting you is a well-deserved lunch served against the stunning backdrop of the snow-draped peaks that guard these lands.

The afternoon calls for an ascent to the pristine Laguna de Humantay, roughly a 1.5-hour hike each way. Here, the Andean peaks wrap around you, a silent audience to the azure spectacle of the lagoon. With hearts full and spirits lifted by the day's panoramic vistas, you retreat back to Soraypampa to settle in for the night.

The campsite, perched high and often touched by the frost-kissed breath of the Andes, is both the most elevated and the chilliest on your route. Here, amid the rush of winds and whisper of the wilderness, rest comes easily as you tuck into dinner and surrender to sleep, dreaming of the trails and tales that await.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Shared Tour: SORAYPAMPA

As the sun breaks over the peaks, we'll gather for an early breakfast at 6:00 am, fueling our bodies and spirits for the ascent that lies ahead. Today marks a pivotal point in our Salkantay Trek adventure. With an invigorating 4-hour hike ahead of us, we prepare to conquer the highest pass on this path—a staggering 4,650 meters above sea level, cradled by the imposing Salkantay (6,267m) and Humantay (5,900m) mountains. For those who wish, there's the option to rent a horse to assist in reaching the high pass (for approximately 100 - 120 soles).

At the pass, you'll stand amidst the giants of the Andes, the monumental Salkantay and Humantay looming over us, their snow-capped visages greeting us with silent majesty. Here, the elements themselves might grace us with snow, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the landscape.

Following this crescendo of the morning, we'll embark on a 2-hour descent towards Huayracpampa, where a well-earned lunch replenishes our reserves. However, the day’s journey isn’t over yet. We'll embark on another 3-hour trek, leading us to our campsite in the embracing arms of either Challhuay or Colcapampa. As we bid the high pass goodbye, we draw closer to the lush threshold of the high jungle region, making camp at an altitude of 2,900 meters, a stark contrast to the rarefied air and stark landscapes of our previous camp.

The night here is a symphony of new sounds and sensations, the jungle's breath whispering through the canvas of our tents as we close our eyes, another day's wonders imprinted upon us.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Shared Tour: Colcapampa

Embracing the call of day three, we wake up to breakfast at 6:30 am, ready to explore the lush upper jungle that awaits us. Today's trek unfurls amidst a verdant tapestry, leading us across the babbling Santa Teresa River and its tributary streams. Our path is embroidered with the vibrant hues and scents of valleys, where the air dances with the mist of waterfalls and whispers tales of exotic flora.

As we voyage through this sanctuary of natural opulence, sampling tropical fruits and delighting in the lush spectacle, our journey will bring us to a halt at La Playa. Here, at 2,200 meters, lunch provides a pause for refreshment and relaxation before we continue the day's expedition.

The journey resumes, not by foot but by car, as we make our way to the warm embrace of Santa Teresa town at 1,700 meters. Here, we'll establish our camp for the night, the air noticeably warmer—a welcome relief after the cool high-altitude climes we've traversed. A rest is in order after setting camp, but the day's indulgences aren't over yet.

For those eager for relaxation, the hot springs of Santa Teresa town beckon (available for an extra cost). Immerse in the soothing waters as they work their magic on weary muscles—a therapeutic celebration of the distances tread over the past three days. As night falls, the air fills with the relaxed sighs of trekkers unwinding under star-studded skies, another day sealed in the logs of our adventure.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Shared Tour: Santa Teresa

On day four, the luxury of a lie-in graces us as we breakfast at a leisurely 8:00 am, preparing for the concluding chapter of our trek. From Santa Teresa, a serene trail of approximately three hours awaits, guiding us towards the hum of the hydroelectric station at 1,880 meters. It’s here, against the backdrop of engineering amidst nature, that we'll pause to enjoy a boxed lunch, sustaining us for the journey's remainder.

Our gaze then turns to Aguas Calientes, the final walking stretch that extends another gentle uphill span of three hours. Stepping into this bustle of civilization, perched at 2,010 meters, we are rewarded by the prospect of an evening at leisure. It's an essential respite to gather energies, allowing muscles and minds to recharge before the pinnacle of our trek, the ascent to Machu Picchu.

As dusk falls, we dine in one of the local traditional restaurants, the flavours of Andean cuisine offering a tasteful prelude to the marvel that tomorrow holds.

Please note, there are optional means to ease today’s journey: a bus transfer from Santa Teresa to the Hydroelectric Station is available at an additional cost, as is a train transfer from there to Aguas Calientes. Each option stands ready to tailor the final leg to your spirit of adventure and personal preference.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Shared Tour: Hotel Pucara Machupicchu or Similar

As the penultimate act of our Salkantay journey unfolds, we set out early to catch the bus at 5:30 am for Machu Picchu. The short ride up to the ruins is a prelude to the marvel awaiting us—a marvel that grows more splendid as the morning mist retreats to reveal the Incan citadel in its full splendour.

Guided by the first light, we partake in a walking tour through this enigmatic city. For about two hours, our guide unveils the layers of mystery that cloak the stonework and history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the tour concludes, freedom beckons as you have the opportunity to meander through the ruins, absorbing the silent tales and panoramic vistas at your own pace.

Those with energy reserves can opt to scale Huayna Picchu Peak, challenging themselves once more for expansive views of Machu Picchu and the entwining Urubamba River below (advance booking and additional cost required).

Sated with discovery, we descend to Aguas Calientes before embarking on our train ride back to Ollantaytambo. Here, a bus will shepherd us through the valleys and back to the embrace of Cuzco. As evening encroaches, we find ourselves at Plaza San Francisco, the final stop where stories are shared, goodbyes exchanged, and each of us continues our own voyage, carrying the indelible imprint of the Salkantay Trek in heart and memory.

Expected arrival time in Cuzco is approximately 18:30, as we each return to our chosen accommodations, our spirits rich with the experiences of the past five days.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast