Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: My Honest First-Hand Guide
Six days trekking through the Peruvian Andes — from Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain — all while raising money for Plymouth charity HD Livin.
In October 2026, I travelled to Peru to take on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. It turned out to be one of the most physically demanding, yet truly rewarding, experiences of my life.
Our route climbed from the mountains above Cusco, across the 4,630-metre Salkantay Pass, through the cloud forest, and eventually to Aguas Calientes before walking into the ancient site of Machu Picchu itself.
Then, because the adventure clearly wasn’t over yet, we added one last challenge: Rainbow Mountain.
Why I Walked the Salkantay Trek for HD Livin
I know Tony Lomas, the founder of HD Livin, through Network Plymouth, the business network I manage. His openness about living with Huntington’s disease and his determination to help others really inspired me to take part.
Tony’s goal is to create a respite centre for people affected by Huntington’s disease, and he doesn’t think small when it comes to fundraising — he’s already trekked to Everest Base Camp and had his eyes on Machu Picchu next.
There were 12 of us in the group, all connected to Tony in different ways. Personally, the trip offered another reason to go: it meant I could tick South America off my bucket list while doing something meaningful for a local Plymouth charity.
By the time we reached the final steps to Machu Picchu, our group had raised £3,000 for HD Livin — a total that gave every step more purpose.
Preparing for the Salkantay Trek
One of my biggest concerns wasn’t the distance — it was the altitude.
With asthma, and little chance of training above sea level around Plymouth, the best I could do was focus on fitness and stamina.
I added regular hill walks and long weekend hikes around Devon, gradually strengthening my legs and breaking in new walking boots (a crucial decision I learned the hard way on earlier adventures).
When I finally stood at 4,630 metres on the Salkantay Pass, I was grateful for all those wet and windy miles back home.
Travelling from Plymouth to Cusco
The journey from Plymouth → Heathrow → Bogotá → Cusco took two days, and we wisely planned three days in Cusco to acclimatise before starting the trek.
Those first 24 hours were tough — headache, nausea, fatigue — but a few cups of coca tea and gentle sightseeing around San Blas, Plaza de Armas, and San Pedro Market helped ease me in.
Our Salkantay Trek Itinerary
| Day | Route | Approx. Distance | Highest Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Soraypampa → Humantay Lake | 10 km | 4,200 m |
| 2 | Soraypampa → Salkantay Pass → Collpapampa | 23.5 km | 4,630 m |
| 3 | Collpapampa → Lucmabamba | 10.3 km | 2,950 m |
| 4 | Lucmabamba → Llactapata → Aguas Calientes | 25 km | 2,800 m |
| 5 | Machu Picchu | 4.5 km | 2,430 m |
| 6 | Rainbow Mountain (day trip) | – | High-altitude trek |
Day Highlights
Day 1: Humantay Lake
Reaching Humantay Lake was one of the physically hardest moments of the week — steep shale climbs, altitude, and loose footing — but it was also where the scale and beauty of the Andes truly hit me.
That night we stayed in Sky Domes under a sky ablaze with southern hemisphere stars. The reward for the long day was unforgettable… even if it was freezing.
Day 2: Salkantay Pass
At 4,630 metres, the climb to Salkantay Pass pushed every muscle, but the sunrise over snow-covered peaks made every step worthwhile.
From there, the trail turned steeply downhill, leading us from the stark mountain landscape into lush cloud forest — my favourite transition of the trek.
Day 3: Coffee Plantations and Jungle Trails
Mist drifted around the treetops as we followed rivers into the lowlands. By lunchtime, we were tasting freshly roasted coffee at a small local plantation — one of those unexpected travel moments that stand out long after the photos fade.
Day 4: Llactapata and the “Gringo Killer”
Our toughest day: over 25 km of climbing, descending, and long railway stretches toward Aguas Calientes.
The last few kilometres along the train tracks tested our legs and endurance, but the thought of Machu Picchu waiting ahead kept everyone moving.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
When the morning mist cleared and the first light touched the stone terraces of Machu Picchu, all the aches, early starts, and cold nights made sense.
Photographing that moment after walking there felt like something deeply personal — a reward earned step by step.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain Finale
The Rainbow Mountain trek pushed our altitude limits again, but it was breathtaking in every sense.
Layers of red, gold and turquoise climbed into view as we reached the viewpoint — a fitting final challenge for an unforgettable week in the Andes.
Lessons I Learned (and Things I’d Do Differently)
- Take more cash. I carried 600 soles but would take 1,000–1,500 next time.
- A power bank is essential, especially at high-altitude camps.
- Head torch over phone torch. Trust me.
- Sun protection matters, even in cold air.
- Don’t bring a book — you’ll be too tired to read.
- Train in broken-in boots — your feet will thank you.
Photographing the Salkantay Trek
As a professional photographer, I had to choose between gear and practicality. My Nikon Z8 stayed in Plymouth; instead, I carried a lighter Lumix G100.
It was the right choice — compact, versatile, and capable of capturing the scale and emotion of the trek without weighing me down.
Some of my favourite images weren’t the obvious ones. They were quiet frames:
- Domes glowing before sunrise
- Valleys wrapped in mist
- The laughter of new friends over shared blister plasters
Those photographs tell the story of the journey far better than the postcard-perfect ending ever could.
Was It Worth It?
Completely.
It was cold, hard, exhausting — and exactly what I needed.
Walking to Machu Picchu surrounded by people raising awareness for a friend and a local cause gave the experience emotion and meaning that no direct flight ever could.
At the time of writing, our group’s adventure had raised £3,000 for HD Livin. That feels like the real success story of the journey.
Supporting HD Livin
Our trek was about far more than reaching Machu Picchu.
It was about supporting Tony, spreading awareness of Huntington’s disease, and raising funds for HD Livin’s future respite centre.
- Support our HD Livin fundraising
- Find out more about HD Livin
- Why I walked to Machu Picchu for HD Livin
About the Author
I’m Mike Lister, a professional photographer based in Plymouth, Devon, specialising in weddings, events and commercial projects across the South West.
In October 2026, I swapped my Nikon for a travel camera and joined a group of friends walking six days through the Peruvian Andes.
Every image on this page was captured during my own journey.
About Mike Lister
A Devon-based photographer specialising in weddings, commercial work, and drone photography. With years of experience capturing life's most important moments, Mike brings warmth, professionalism, and artistic vision to every project.
Learn more about Mike
