The Salkantay Trek is one of the most popular hikes to Machu Picchu, and for years, those who took it slept in basic tents set up along the route. Today, you have another option: spend the night at Eco Majestic Sky Domes, accommodation right on the route that completely transforms how the end of each day feels. In this article, we’ll tell you what the experience of sleeping here is really like, from the moment you arrive until you continue on to Machu Picchu.
Arriving after a day of hiking
Salkantay challenges you. You climb to the high part of the mountain, cross the pass at more than 4,600 m s. n. m., and walk for hours carrying your backpack. When your body is ready for rest, arriving at the domes feels very different from arriving at a tent.
The domes are located in the community of Playa Sahuayaco, at 2,100 m s. n. m., on the stretch that descends from Salkantay toward Llactapata and Machu Picchu. It is a green, warm area, so simply coming down from the altitude and feeling the milder climate is already a relief. Instead of setting up your tent on the ground, you enter an enclosed space with a real bed waiting for you.
Inside your dome
Each dome is a wooden geodesic structure. Inside, it is warm and comfortable: a double bed, space to organize your trekking gear, and a setting protected from the cold and nighttime humidity.
The difference you notice most compared with a traditional tent is the bathroom. Each dome has a private bathroom with a shower and hydromassage, so after days of hiking, you can enjoy a hot shower without sharing or waiting in line. For many travelers, that first hot shower right on the route is one of the best moments of the trek.
The terrace and the view
Each dome has its own terrace with a table and chairs. It is your space to sit outdoors, enjoy something hot, and look at the surrounding mountains while your body rests.
When the night is clear, the sky over Sahuayaco fills with stars. Being far from city lights makes the sky appear with a clarity you will not find in Cusco. That combination of silence, surrounding mountains, and a starry sky is part of what makes this stop memorable.
The night and rest
Sleeping well on a trek is not always easy. The cold, hard ground, and tent noise often interrupt your sleep. In the domes, the enclosed space and real bed change that: you truly rest and wake up with energy for the next stretch toward Machu Picchu.
Before or after sleeping, the lodge has spaces to share. There is a dining room with views of the mountains and river, a lounge, a small bar, and a fire pit and grill area where many travelers end up talking about the day’s hike. It is a peaceful ending, with no rush.
Dining at the lodge
Your stay includes dinner and breakfast. After hours of effort, a hot meal in a dining room overlooking the landscape is twice as enjoyable. If you wish, you can request an additional lunch or dinner in advance. There are also options that can be arranged according to what you need before continuing your journey.
More than an overnight stop
Although the domes are part of the route, the experience goes beyond simply sleeping. The area offers nearby activities you can add if you have time: visit a coffee farm and learn about its process, try the zip line and Tibetan bridge, hike to the Chaquiorcco waterfalls, or relax in the Cocalmayo hot springs, 45 minutes from the lodge.
This way, your stop at the domes can be both restorative rest and an opportunity to experience more of the area before continuing to Machu Picchu.
Why choose domes on your trek
If you are deciding between a traditional tent and the domes, the choice depends on what you are looking for. A tent is part of the classic adventure; the domes give you that same closeness to nature, but with a real bed, a private bathroom with hot water, and a terrace to take in the scenery. For many travelers, that comfort at the end of the day is what makes the trek challenging on the trail and comfortable upon arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is it like to sleep in a dome on the Salkantay Trek?
You sleep in a double bed inside a warm, enclosed wooden structure, with a private bathroom and your own terrace. It is more comfortable than a traditional tent and protects you from the nighttime cold.
Do the domes have hot water?
Yes. Each dome has a private bathroom with a shower and hydromassage, so you can take a hot shower right on the route.
Can you see the stars from the domes?
On clear nights, the sky over Sahuayaco is very clear because of its distance from city lights. You can enjoy it from your terrace.
What altitude are the domes at?
The domes are at 2,100 m s. n. m., in a warm area of the route, after descending from the high part of Salkantay.
What does a night in the domes include?
It includes dinner and breakfast, as well as accommodation in a private dome with its own bathroom and access to the lodge’s common areas.