One of the most common practical questions before booking the Salkantay Trek is how bathrooms work and whether you will be able to shower along the route. The short answer is that it depends greatly on the type of accommodation you choose: in the most basic option, the first few days are covered with the essentials, while the luxury dome option gives you a private bathroom and hot water from the first night. Here we explain what you will find on each section of the route and with each type of accommodation, so you know what to pack.
It depends on the accommodation you book
The Salkantay Trek can be done in different formats, and that completely changes the hygiene experience. In the classic tent version, the bathrooms at the first campsite are basic and shared, and showers are usually cold or simply unavailable. However, if you choose the dome option, comfort goes up a level: several of these accommodations already include a private bathroom with a toilet, sink, and hot-water shower inside the unit itself.
Luxury domes: private bathroom from the first night
This is something many travelers do not know. In the Soraypampa area, at around 3,900 m a.s.l., luxury domes operate as glamping accommodations overlooking the Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains, and each unit has its own private bathroom and hot-water shower. You do not have to share facilities or settle for cold water: you can shower inside your dome with the same comfort as in a hotel.
The same applies to the dome camps located farther along the route, around Collpapampa and Lucmabamba. There you will also find a private bathroom with a hot shower, as well as details such as a large bed, electricity and, in some cases, wifi at an additional cost. If your priority is not giving up a good shower at any point during the trek, this is the option for you.
Cabins: hot water included
In Soraypampa, there are also wooden cabins with transparent roofs that operate as fixed accommodations. Several include a hot-water shower, towels, and herbal teas, and run on solar panels and biodigesters. They are a comfortable alternative if you are looking for something between a basic tent and a luxury dome, especially if you are doing the route on your own or want to visit Humantay Lake at a more relaxed pace.
The tent version: the basics and how to manage
If you are traveling on the more affordable tent option, it is best to adjust your expectations for the first few days. At the highest campsite, bathrooms are shared and basic, and showers are often cold or unavailable, so travelers usually manage their hygiene with wet wipes. From the second campsite onward, around Chaullay and Collpapampa, you will have the option to shower: cold water is free, or hot water is available for a small fee that is usually between 5 and 10 soles (USD 1.35 to USD 3). In the villages, it is also common for locals to charge around 1 sol (USD 0.30) to use their bathrooms, so carrying coins is helpful.
In all cases, a guaranteed hot shower comes on the final night at the hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you will have a private bathroom in your room at no additional cost.
Summary by accommodation type
| Accommodation type | Bathroom | Shower |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury domes (Soraypampa, Collpapampa, Lucmabamba) | Private, inside the dome | Hot water included |
| Cabins (Soraypampa) | Private or shared, depending on the location | Hot water included |
| Tents (first campsite) | Basic and shared | Cold or unavailable |
| Tents (second campsite) | Basic and shared | Cold water free; hot water for 5 to 10 soles (USD 1.35 to USD 3) |
| Hotel in Aguas Calientes | Private in the room | Hot water included |
What to bring to stay comfortable
Whichever option you choose, a small hygiene kit will make your trekking days much easier. The most useful items to pack are biodegradable wet wipes for times without a shower, your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a quick-drying towel. Carrying coins and small-denomination bills in soles is also useful, both for using bathrooms in the villages and for paying for hot water if you are traveling by tent. With that covered, the first few days are easy to manage.
Frequently asked questions
Do luxury domes have a private bathroom with hot water?
Yes. In Soraypampa and at the dome camps in Collpapampa and Lucmabamba, each unit has a private bathroom, hot-water shower, toilet, and sink.
Can I shower with hot water if I travel on the tent version?
At the first campsite, there is usually only cold water or no shower at all. From the second campsite onward, hot water is available for a fee of around 5 to 10 soles (USD 1.35 to USD 3).
Do the cabins in Soraypampa include a hot shower?
Several do, along with towels and herbal teas. They usually run on solar panels, so hot-water availability may depend on the day’s weather.
What are the bathrooms like at the basic campsites?
They are shared and basic. It is advisable to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer. In the villages, some locals charge around 1 sol (USD 0.30) for use.
When am I guaranteed a hot shower?
On the final night, at the hotel in Aguas Calientes, where the bathroom is private and hot water is included in all options.