About this tour
When Saskia from the crew tackled the Salkantay Premium Trek, she got the Andes to herself — no queues, no group chitchat, just her, a dedicated guide, and five days of high-altitude wandering that culminates at Machu Picchu. This is the private-hire version of one of Peru's most punishing mountain crossings, running through turquoise lakes, over a 4,600m pass, and down into cloud forest. You're camping at premium sites with proper kit and meals cooked on-site, and the whole operation pivots around your pace and whims. It's costly, genuinely hard work, and requires serious fitness — but the solitude and control make it worth the slog.
Highlights
- Humantay Lake's surreal turquoise water at dawn, no tour groups jostling
- Salkantay Pass at 4,600m — thin air, raw views, your guide's full attention
- Private campsites with chef-cooked dinners and proper sleeping kit included
- Llactapata's secret angle on Machu Picchu before the official entrance crowds
- Coffee farm visit with locals — real cultural beat, not a quick photo stop
- Cocalmayo hot springs to soak battered legs mid-trek
- Expert-guided Machu Picchu tour after five days of earning it
What to expect
Day one climbs from Mollepata to Humantay Lake — stunning but a grind at altitude. You'll pass local herds and camp at a premium spot with hot meals waiting. Days two and three are the meat of it: the push to Salkantay Pass is brutal (altitude, wind, loose scree), but the descent into jungle and the coffee farm stop break up the monotony. Your guide reads your pace and adjusts; there's no rushing if you're knackered. Days four and five ease off slightly — Llactapata viewpoint, then the train ride down to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu itself, where your guide steers you through the ruins on your own schedule.
The whole trek moves at your rhythm. The camps are genuinely comfortable (sleeping bag provided, duffel bag carried by porters so you're only shouldering daypack weight), and having a chef means you're eating proper food, not powdered mush. Weather in the highlands is unpredictable — rain, hail, and bitter cold nights are standard. The physical demand is constant and cumulative; by day three, your legs know you're in for it.
What travellers say
- Private guide dedicates full attention; pacing is yours, not the group's
- Premium camps and chef-cooked meals beat standard trekker fare considerably
- Solitude at iconic spots like Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass
- Llactapata's exclusive angle on Machu Picchu before main entrance crowds
- Seamless logistics: porters carry kit, hotel transfers included throughout
- Expert guide leads your own Machu Picchu tour post-trek
- Extremely physically demanding; altitude and cumulative pain are serious
- High cost; premium pricing reflects luxury but still steep commitment
- Must book five months ahead to secure Machu Picchu entry spots
- Cold, wet nights camping; weather in highlands is brutal and unpredictable
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This beats standard group treks by a mile if you value quiet and control. You're not herding with 20 randoms, your guide's expertise is entirely yours, and the campsites are genuinely nicer than budget alternatives. If you're fit and properly acclimatised, the solitude and crafted pacing turn a brutal walk into something memorable. The logistics are seamless — hotel pickups, porter support, proper meals, all sorted.
This is steep money and it's genuinely punishing. You need serious fitness; "high level of physical fitness" is not marketing bluff — people with poor cardiovascular health, spinal issues, or pregnancy should skip it. The altitude hits hard; arriving two days early in Cusco for acclimatisation is not optional advice, it's survival. Book five months ahead or risk missing Machu Picchu spots. You're camping three nights, so embrace cold tents and loo rolls. Early starts (typically 4–5am) are baked in. Rain gear and warm layers are essential; the provided sleeping bag helps, but nights are chilly. Optional horseback rides and tips aren't included; budget extra.
Veg/vegan options available — declare at booking. Kids 12+ can go but must stay with an adult. Service animals allowed. Bring your own hiking boots, warm clothes, and toiletries. Most of the trek kit is provided (sleeping bag, poles, pack cover, duffel). Typically small groups (private means you, maybe family), peak seasons are May–Sept.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.