Trekking Salkantay Mountain.

Salkantay Trek is one of the best multi-day treks in Cusco – Peru that starts from Cusco Hidrohelectrica to Aguas Calientes, a gateway to Machu Picchu. Our Salkantay Path travel guide includes everything you need to know; practical information, itinerary, useful tips, trail length, difficulty, altitude.

 

Salkantay Trek was known as an alternative trek to the famous Inca Trail, taking travelers from all over the world to the mysterious lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Salkantay Trek is definitely not just an alternative for those who cannot afford it or who cannot plan their vacation several months in advance. This trek is feasible to make a reservation a week before arriving in Cusco.

This Hike was even recognized by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine naming it among the 25 best hikes in the world!

Salkantay Trek is an option for hikers who want to experience the beautiful mountain landscape of the Andes and the Peruvian jungle, see incredibly diverse nature and landscape that gradually reveal breathtaking views.

Everyone who visits Peru wants to see this ancient Inca citadel, and we feel that walking the Salkantay Trek will be the best and the only correct path that will take us to this incomparable wonder of the world.

This route offers a lot of Peruvian nature, and invites you to learn more about the flora, fauna and traditional way of life in the Andes.

In the end, the Salkantay Trek will exceed our expectations in every aspect.

Salkantay Trek.

We recommended to visit Peru for more or less two months to see many interesting places there are, such as the other best way to get to Machu Picchu.

The most important thing about the Salkantay hike, it is not necessary to book so far in advance; Sometimes, you can even decide with a week to go. be careful now there are new rules for entering Machupicchu  need to check of availability.

The price is also not that high compared to the Inca Trail and, as we have experience with both, we find that Salkantay Trek is also a little more relaxed in terms of atmosphere among travelers a mix of Andes and jungle.

Before you go, you should definitely read our post on Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek, which of these treks to Machu Picchu is better. Simply put, there are several reasons why you should include this adventure in your Peru itinerary.

In this travel guide, we have put together everything you need to know before taking the Salkantay Trek. From what to expect, the Salkantay Trek itinerary, how to choose the travel company, what to pack, whether it is better to trek alone or with a guide depends on your choice.

 

 

Recommendations for the Hike to Salkantay.

Salkantay Trek it is 62 kilometers long, assuming you start a trek from a small town of Soraypampa to Aguas Calientes. The official length is 74 kilometers in case your itinerary begins in Mollepata.

To reduce costs, some travel agencies start the hike in Mollepata, but if you are part of the guided tour and book with a reputable company, it is common to start in Soraypampa.

On the other way, independent travelers usually opt for the longer version of the Salkantay Trek from Mollepata because its simply the point where the bus from Cusco stops.

Salkantay Trek usually takes three to four days to finish; the most common variant is the longest.

Then, unless you want to visit Machu Picchu immediately after arriving in Aguas Calientes, you will need to add another day; This is important to know if you’re just starting to plan your itinerary.

Prepare to walk for approximately six to nine hours every day, so at least a basic level of fitness is required.

If you know that you are not in shape, you have other options to do the bus tours, of course it is not the same as this hike, but you cannot imagine visiting Peru without hiking to Machu Picchu. We recommend that you start improving your level of physical fitness by less. one month before the trip.

Although traveling usually means pushing your limits, the bottom line is that you should enjoy it, not suffer all the time.

The highest point passed on the Salkantay Trek is more than 4600 meters above sea level, the Salkantay Pass, so it is necessary to be well acclimatized, but we will talk about that later.

In just four days you will be able to see with your own eyes an incredible diversity of Peruvian nature in terms of flora and fauna.

We descended little by little into the cloud forest, tropical jungle and finally into the jungle from the inhospitable and harsh mountainous environment.

In a single sentence: Salkantay Trek will not disappoint you in terms of nature and spectacular views of the Mountain.

 

Aclimatization.

We’ve already mentioned the highest point of the hike and we think it’s worth talking a little more about acclimatization and the threat of altitude sickness.

Try to arrive in Cusco at least two or three days before the hike begins and focus on doing some physical activity in Cusco. To start, the Ruins of Sacsayhuamán are an incredible place to visit.

You can take many day trips from Cusco and give your body some time to adapt to the altitude.

There are many things to do in the Sacred Valley near Cusco; We can recommend an uphill hike to the Ruins of Pisac or visit the Rainbow Mountain,  inkiltambo hike that is near from Cusco.

It is also recommended to drink the coca tea. That you find in your accommodation or any place that is well known.

Proper acclimatization is very important (you’ve probably already noticed that we never skip this part when we hike at higher altitudes) because you will spend the first night at 3800 meters above sea level.

The next day, you will cross the mountain pass and sleep at about 3900 meters above sea level, which is really high for an unprepared hiker.

Although no one can know how the altitude will affect you, it is always best to be prepared and know what to expect (you may experience a headache or shortness of breath).

Don’t recklessly run the risk of altitude sickness.

Travel Insurance.

We never leave home without travel insurance which was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.

Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, accidents, injuries, illnesses, cancellations and much more.

It is important that each Passenger has their own insurance; there are many other companies that offer travel insurance so that travelers cover the essential elements of their trip, including sports and adventure activities.

For Salkantay Trek, make sure your travel insurance covers high altitude treks (more than 4000 meters above sea level).

Travel responsibly, smartly and safely!

 

Guided Tours.

for this Trek walk with a guided group is the most comfortable option to enjoy the Salkantay Trek. Generally, the most difficult thing will be to find the right, professional and honest tour operator, but there is one.

Always remember that you will get the service you paid for; Sometimes it’s not worth saving a couple of dollars and ruining the entire trip and not-so-great experience.

To go on the tour, you don’t need to worry about food, transportation, camping or equipment (the tent is usually in the price, you just need to rent a sleeping bag with bedding, mats or walking poles ). if required).

Always check with the agency you take if the bus from Aguas Calientes to the gate of Machu Picchu and the entrance to Machu Picchu is included in the final price. You will also walk only with your backpack, since travel agencies have porters who carry your extra clothes for you.

What can be a disadvantage of hiking with a company? You never know who your hiking companions will be and what their fitness level will be.

If you don’t get the service you paid for, you won’t be able to do much with it while you’re in the mountains.

Obviously, this alternative is more expensive; On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about anything other than the hike itself.

The good thing is that all the service is with the Guide, he is in charge of the entire group, watching everyone how it is going and if someone is wrong, he solves it, they are in charge of the porters in the area.

For the walk, do not carry many things such as cosmetics, something that is not needed for the mountain, only what is necessary so that it does not weigh you down, as well as not paying extra porter on the route.