Luxury Trekking: Salkantay and Alternative Routes with Premium Camps

Trekking in the Peruvian Andes does not need to be suffering. In the last decade, three operators have developed infrastructure combining classic high-altitude routes (Salkantay, Lares, Choquequirao) with premium cabins or heated camps, private chef and porters carrying all equipment. The traveller walks with light backpack (maximum 5 kg), reaches camp where bed is made and hot shower ready. This guide describes the four premium routes with concrete data.

Mountain Lodges of Peru — Salkantay with cabins

Mountain Lodges of Peru operates the Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge Trek, the only Peruvian route where you sleep in cabins (not tent) every night. Four fixed lodges along the route —Salkantay Lodge, Wayra Lodge, Colpa Lodge, and Lucma Lodge— with private rooms, shared bath, restaurant with executive chef, and bar with Peruvian pisco.

The standard programme is seven days: four of walking from Mollepata to Lucma (crossing the Salkantay pass at 4,630 metres), one rest day at each intermediate lodge, and the last day train to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.

Cost: USD 4,800-6,500 per person, all-inclusive (cabins, meals, equipment, transfers, Machu Picchu entry). Five to six-month reservation. The most considered option for couples who value walking by day and sleeping in bed at night.

Andean Lodges — Lares Trek with community haciendas

Andean Lodges operates the Lares Route, an alternative to the classic Inca Trail crossing living Quechua communities (not tourist zones). Four days of walking with three nights at rehabilitated community haciendas —cabins with private room, shared bath, family dining room.

The difference from Salkantay is cultural immersion. The Lares route passes through Patabamba, Huilloc and Lares, communities where the traveller meets weavers, learns traditional native-potato cultivation, and sleeps in lodgings with peasant families. The walk is shorter (15-20 km daily) than Salkantay and more cultural.

Cost: USD 2,800-3,800 per person, all-inclusive. Three to four-month reservation. Recommended for couples interested in Andean culture more than altitude.

Choquequirao Trek with researcher

The trek to Choquequirao, "the sister of Machu Picchu", is the most demanding option. Five to eight days from Cachora with two nights at premium camp (geodesic tents with insulated floor, private chemical toilets, executive chef), and three to four days exploring the archaeological site (75% unexcavated). For the most serious programme, includes Choquequirao project researcher (funded by National Geographic) explaining ongoing findings.

Cost: USD 3,500-5,500 per person. Four to five-month reservation. Only for exceptional travellers with high physical condition and two or more weeks in Peru.

Premium Inca Trail

The classic four-day Inca Trail can be operated in premium version. Differences from standard version:

First: extra porters. Standard version has 1 porter per 2 hikers. Premium has 1 per hiker. Personal backpack is 3-5 kg instead of 8-10.

Second: geodesic tents with insulated floor. Standard version uses standard tents with thin plastic floor. Premium has tents with 5 cm insulated floor reducing heat loss.

Third: private chemical bathrooms. Standard version uses communal camp bathrooms. Premium has private chemical bath per tent.

Fourth: executive chef cooking with valley produce (in standard version the kitchen is functional but not gourmet).

Premium version cost: USD 3,200-4,500 per person (vs USD 1,500-2,200 standard). Six to eight-month reservation due to Ministry quota restriction.

Quick comparison

For those who want to walk by day and bed by night: Salkantay with Mountain Lodges of Peru.

For those who want cultural immersion: Lares with Andean Lodges.

For those who want the complete ceremonial version with bed: classic premium Inca Trail (Sun Gate at dawn of the fourth day).

For the exceptional adventurer: Choquequirao with researcher.

What matters beyond cost

Physical condition: the four routes require prior training. Salkantay and classic Inca Trail have passes above 4,000 metres. For unacclimatised people or those with average physical condition, difficulty can be problematic.

Acclimatisation: we always recommend minimum three nights in Cusco or Sacred Valley before starting the trek. Without prior acclimatisation, the first day of walking likely causes altitude sickness.

Climate: May to October is optimal season (dry season, clear skies). November to March is rainy season —paths turn to mud and many landscapes are cloud-covered. The Inca Trail closes in February.

Luxury trekking is not cheating effort. It is still walking 15-25 km daily above 3,500 metres. What changes is the rest: instead of cold tent with hard floor, a bed and hot shower. The difference between enjoying and suffering.

Kada Travel

How they are booked

Salkantay with Mountain Lodges: five to six months ahead. Lares with Andean Lodges: three to four months. Premium Inca Trail: six to eight months due to quota restriction. Choquequirao: four to five months.

For our travellers, programmes are arranged with complete logistical coordination: flights to Cusco, transfers to trek start, equipment (most is provided, personal items brought), Ministry permits, and integration with the rest of the Peru trip.