What’s your dream vacation? I love seeing the world’s natural wonders. Being connected to the earth and disconnected from society fills my soul like nothing else. The only bad part is exchanging daily comforts for a tent and sleeping bag on hard ground. I never sleep well, my body aches, and I get cold in the mountains. Thankfully, I’ve learned glamping in Cusco, Peru!
Glamping in Cusco: Glamorous + Camping
This is a great way to get the best of both worlds! You can be in the middle of nowhere, connected to the earth and its nature, yet still have the privilege of resting comfortably every night in a warm bed. You’ll have sheets and blankets, walls, a door, a natural floor, decorations, or a bedside table! Many campsites also have bathrooms with toilets, sinks, hot showers, and a spacious dining and entertainment areas. Glamping in Cusco is the opportunity of a lifetime to truly savor the moment and create unforgettable memories of your trip to Peru.
Without worrying about intense temperatures, subpar sleeping arrangements, and physical discomfort, you’ll have more time for the emotional, mental, and spiritual renewal inspired by your surroundings. Personal development is often a central goal while traveling, and it would be a shame to be distracted from that journey by a lack of essential commodities.
Glamping is also a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional hotels. It helps preserve the lifestyle of surrounding communities and reduces the negative impacts of tourism on natural environments while still producing income for local inhabitants. In recent years, its popularity has skyrocketed thanks to social media. The global glamping industry was said to be worth $2.35 billion in 2021 and continue to grow!
Peru has become well-known worldwide as a prime glamping location due to fantastic sites creatively scattered along the Salkantay Trail. Hiking this trail is one of the best things you can do while you’re visiting Cusco, Peru, and you can do it in style!
Why Choose the Salkantay Trek?
There are many treks to do in the world and in Peru, so why choose Salkantay over the rest? The Salkantay Trek is generally a 4-5 day escapade stretching between 62 and 74 kilometers long, depending on the starting point. It starts among the grandeur of the Andes’ sacred snowcaps and reaches the tropical cloud forest. Lastly, you make it to one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu! National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine named it among the 25 best hikes in the world, so it certainly can’t be missed.
This amazing adventure takes you through various landscapes, climates, and altitudes. It’s astonishing to experience those drastic changes and to have walked from one to the next! You’ll see flora and fauna specific to this part of the Andes and with such a beautiful backdrop. The scenery is out of this world! On top of all that, the Salkantay Trail offers an opportunity to enjoy exotic glamping, and that can really change your experience completely!
The Campsites
Along the Salkantay Trail, you’ll be surprised by these luxurious lodges. They are a central part of the once-in-a-lifetime experience this exceptional place offers! There’s simply nothing like it…staring through your glass walls and ceiling into the Peruvian wilderness or up into the endless night sky…it’s beyond words.
Sky Camp
Located in Soraypampa (3,900 m /12,795 ft), Sky Camp sits perfectly between the Apus, or sacred mountains, of Humantay and Salkantay. The lodges are glass domes, perfectly blended into their surroundings for your enjoyment. The campsite has bathrooms available for the group. Another highlight is the amazing dining area of the camp, a large room sharing the glass dome design of the lodges, pointing your gaze straight out over the snowy mountains.
This space has a wood-burning stove to help you warm up, too! You’ll love socializing here, getting to know your trekking companions, and sharing stories worldwide.
Andean Huts
The rustic-looking A-frame huts in Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,510 ft) are far from the rustic inside! After conquering the Salkantay Pass with pride, you’ll head downhill into the valley, appreciating the warmer temperatures after a cold morning hike. The huts are made from local resources – Peruvian feather grass (ichu) and wood. They’re oh-so picturesque and seem to belong in this environment!
You’ll be so relieved to relax here in harmony with nature at the end of the long and tiring day. The campsite has bathrooms for the group and hot showers that can be rented (proceeds go to local communities). There’s an open-plan dining area at the campsite.
Andean Sky Huts
The newest addition to Salkantay Trekking’s family of glamping lodges is the amazing Andean Sky Huts in the Mountain Sky View Campsite of Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,680 ft). They are half ichu huts and half-glass domes, so spacious! These breathtaking lodges will be the perfect place to recharge after hiking the Salkantay Pass during the day. As you rest in your bed, you’ll have the perfect view of extraordinary Andean scenery. Each lodge has its own private bathroom and hot shower. There’s also an enclosed dining area in the campsite.
NOTE: The Andean Sky Huts of Collpapampa replace the Andean Huts of Chaullay only on the Premium Salkantay Trek. They’re a deluxe, 5-star option, and you can’t beat the location!
Jungle Domes
Now in a completely different environment, you’ll love the Jungle Domes in the cloud forest at Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,560 ft). During the day, you’ll appreciate the gradual change in temperature and landscape as you walk through a wonderland from the glaciers to the rainforest! These charming, green structures are built in conjunction with the natural surroundings.
You’ll find yourself in the middle of trees and tropical plants! You can observe the woodlands through your window. The campsite has bathrooms for the group and hot showers that can be rented. There’s an open-plan dining area.
Ready…Set…
Get inspired to take on the Salkantay Trek without dreading uncomfortable camping! You’ll wake up every morning energized for another day of exploration and adventure. Now is your chance if you’ve ever wanted to try glamping Cusco. Peru awaits you!
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