Why take the Salkantay Trek?
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on May 9, 2021 by James Bustamante
Since there are many paths to reach Machu Picchu and the most popular usually being the Inca trail many ask what’s so special if you take the Salkantay trek to the Inca city instead? Both of these popular treks were paths the Inca took to reach the Inca city and, for the most part, they ran near to each other. It really all comes down to preference, there are key points that set these two treks apart.
So why take the Salkantay trek? Well, there are several reasons why this route can be superior to the Inca trail.
The Salkantay Trek Group Size
More people today are concerned with how big a trek group size is. Most would prefer to take a trek with a small number of trekkers. Taking the Salkantay Trek is a perfect fit for this type of excursion through the Andes mountains.
Group tour sizes for the 4 day Inca trail can range from 6-12 people and for some people this might be a little too large nowadays. This is, of course, one of the biggest drawbacks to being one of the most popular trails in the world.
The Salkantay trek on the other hand shares similar landscapes to the Inca trail but the groups are normally 4-8 people. The foot traffic you can expect for the Salkantay is up to 70% less than the Inca trail depending on the months.
This can ensure that you have a more personalized experience, even if this is a group tour and not a private one. Private Salkantay trek groups are also available upon request though.
Salkantay Trek Availability
One of the best characteristics of this hike is that you can book this trek at any time. Since it isn’t as well known as the Inca trail, getting a permit to take the Salkantay trek is not a problem. Just make sure you don’t wait until the last day to try to make your reservation. You can literally go on a Salkantay trek group as long as you book it at least a week in advance.
The Salkantay trek is also just a little bit more difficult than other hikes, this also makes it more available for travelers. This hike to Machu Picchu is also available year-round, even during January and February the wettest months during the rainy season in the Peruvian highlands.
The Beautiful Salkantay Wilderness
The Salkantay is a trek that will mostly focus on featuring nature in the highlands and the beautiful landscapes along the route to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. So, if you take the Salkantay trek, you will see less ruins along the way in comparison to other hikes. This particular trek is set on an “off the beaten path”. There are no set routes marked by old Inca constructions.
Since we would be hiking through a more nature-oriented route we have the unique opportunity to see more of the indigenous plants and animals. During the course of taking the Salkantay trek, you will have higher chances of running into species such as Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus andinus), highland white-tailed deer (Odocoileus peruvianus)
chinchillas or the elusive Vizcachas (Lagidium viscacia) along the Salkantay then on other treks with a more structured route.
By comparison, the Inca trail is famous for the Inca ruins and stone paths laid out along the way to Machu Picchu. This is one of the main reasons it is the most traversed trail, it also makes it a very linear one.
The trail is beautiful of course, travelling along the same stone pathways and visiting ruins along the way gives this trek a special feel of course. For some trekkers though, the idea of going on an Andean trek that offers a more nature-oriented perspective is an unbeatable opportunity.
The Salkantay Trek Challenge
When you take the Salkantay trek you’ll find that it is a more difficult path than other trails. This is particularly true due to the elevation, on days two and three you will be at over 15,000 feet above sea level, (4,650 meters above sea level). The rewards that come with taking this high altitude challenge come in the form of spectacular views of the impressive and picturesque Andean landscapes.
There is also the personal feeling of You accomplishment you get from completing one of the more difficult routes to Machu Picchu. You went for the more difficult option out of the hikes, so make sure to congratulate yourself when you finished the Salkantay trek challenge.
There are even t-shirts available with the message “I finished the Salkantay Trek” so you can let everyone know you didn’t take the easy routes to Machu Picchu.
The Overnight Stay in Aguas Calientes
For some travelers, it seems like a bit of a disappointment to have your final night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes before heading to Machu Picchu. This however is more of a pro than a con if you think about it. Machu Picchu is the culmination of your trek across the Andes, right?
Would you prefer to be tired, hungry, and let’s face it, a little bit dirty after hiking for four days before the big moment? Probably not. When you take the Salkantay trek you get to the town of Aguas Calientes on the evening of day four and then proceed to check into a hotel for the night.
This gives you a chance to relax, take a shower (after 4 days of hiking through the Andes), explore this small cloud forest town, get dinner and have a good night’s sleep. The following morning you will be rested and ready to explore the Inca city for a few hours before taking the train back to Cusco.
Salkantay Trek Itinerary Outline
Below is the itinerary for the 5 day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Now you can check out what you would be doing on each individual day.
Day 1: Cusco to Mollepata
We leave Cusco early in the morning to reach Mollepata where we will meet the rest of the guides, horsemen, and members of the hiking group.
Day 2: Soraypampa and The Salkantay Pass
We head past the Salkantay pass to get a view of the snow-capped Salkantay peak situated at over 20,000 feet above sea level (6224 meters above sea level).
Day 3: Visiting the Families of Winaypoco and La Playa
He will hike from Challway to meet the communities located at Winaypoco and La Playa.
Day 4: Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
We make the final push and continue trekking through the cloud forest from Llactapata to Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Machu Picchu Excursion and Return to Cusco
We leave Aguas Calientes early in the morning to head up to Machu Picchu for the guided tour. We leave the complex in the afternoon and take the return train to Cusco where we will arrive in the evening.
Conclusion
If you want to take the Salkantay trek you can expect a challenge worth taking on, amazing landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime chances to see indigenous flora and fauna of the Andes. The Machu Picchu tour at the end of the Salkantay makes it a perfect option for adventure seekers looking for that hike that takes you off the beaten path.
For more information on the Salkantay trek or any of our treks to Machu Picchu or our Peru Tour packages, contact our travel advisers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Salkantay trek cost?
The current price for the Salkantay trek is between $550 – $650/person and it includes all meals, camping equipment, necessary permits, bilingual guides, train tickets and porters.
Is the Salkantay trek dangerous?
No. Although you are at very high elevation, our guides will make sure you are physically apt to take the trek the night before we depart. We also hike with a first aid kit, satellite phone for emergencies and are proximity to emergency exit routes.
Is the Salkantay trek difficult?
No. The Salkantay trek has a medium difficulty so most people will be able to get through it without any issues. It does present more of a challenge than other hikes, in particular day 2 and 3 due to the elevation but it is not of high difficulty.
