Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu Info

Salkantay Mountain: Full Information

The name of Salkantay

Salkantay is a snowy mountain whose name in Quechua means ‘Wild Mountain’. This mountain is also called ‘Apu’ (‘God’) because of its majesty.

Location:

Salkantay is located in the Vilcanota Mountain Range in the Andes of southern Peru. This snowy mountain is the second highest in Cusco, after Ausangate where the Mountain of 7 Colors is located.

Elevation:

The Salkantay snowy mountain has an altitude of 6,271 m.a.s.l. The hiking route that leads to Machu Picchu has its highest point in the Abra Salcantay or Salkantay Pass, at 4,650 m.a.s.l. From there you can see the entire snowy mountain.

Climate:

The snowy mountain itself has an extremely cold climate (several degrees Celsius below 0º). The first night of the hike.
The climate during the Salkantay hike, on the other hand, is varied. The intense sun and the cold at night in the first days are different from the tropical atmosphere of the last days.

Flora and fauna:

During the hike to Machu Picchu you will travel through landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants, the orchid and the ichu (Andean grass) and Andean shrubs stand out. Among the species of flora, various birds are worth mentioning, including the llama, alpaca, vizcacha, condor, spectacled bear and the cock-of-the-rock (national bird of Peru).

Everything you need to know about the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.

The Salkantay trek is an ancient route that takes visitors to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The total distance of the hike is approximately 70 kilometers (5 or 4 days of hiking).
The Salkantay trek is considered among the 25 best excursions in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

The tour to Machu Picchu with the Salkantay trek

The most common way to do the Salkantay trek is with a tour organized by a travel agency. On the Internet or in the Historic Center of Cusco, there are many travel agencies that offer this fabulous adventure.

This is the 4 or 5 day Salkantay Trek route.

Day 1, 16 kilometers of hiking:

Starts in the city of Cusco, the members of the travel agency will pick you up by car from your hotel along with the other members of the group to the town of Mollepata where you will have breakfast. Then you will ascend for approximately 7 hours to the Soraypampa camp, in the afternoon you will go up to the Huamantay lagoon. There the agency will organize the food and tents so that the tourists can rest.

Day 2, 22 kilometers of hiking:

The walk begins after breakfast. You will go through the highest point of the trip, the Salkantay Pass. Then you will continue downhill to the Chaullay camp, where you will feel that the cold weather begins to change to tropical. This day is the most difficult.

Day 3, 16 kilometers of hiking:

It begins with a descent to the so-called ‘Playa Sahuayaco’. After lunch, you will restart the walk to the town of Santa Teresa. In this town you can enjoy the Cocalmayo Hot Springs. You spend the night there, this day is the easiest.

Day 4, 16 kilometers of hiking:

It starts with a walk of a few kilometers to the Hydroelectric station. After lunch, you continue the journey along the Vilcanota River and the train tracks until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes, which is located at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain. It is one of the most fun days of the trek.

Day 5, ascent by bus to Machu Picchu

We start very early with a bus trip to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. Another option is to walk the 9 kilometers up the mountain. The rest of the day is dedicated to enjoying the Wonder of the World. The return to the city of Cusco is with a train and bus trip.

Some tips before doing the Salkantay trek

• Acclimatize one or two days in the city of Cusco before doing the Salkantay trek.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages or fatty foods. Altitude sickness or soroche in Salkantay and Machu Picchu is one of the greatest difficulties.
• Do some exercise before the Salkantay trek. You do not need to be in excellent physical shape but a little exercise will help.
• No matter what time of year, bring warm clothing during the Salkantay trek. The nights are especially cold on the first two days.

Best time to do the Salkantay trek

The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to visit Machu Picchu. During these months, there is less chance of rain and the roads are in better condition.
In the dry season, the days are sunnier and the nights are colder. Experts indicate that June, July and August are the best time to do the Salkantay trek.

Prices, difficulty and more

• The 5- or 4-day Salkantay trek costs approximately $400 per person. There are more complete services (better camps, food and train service) that can cost $500 per person.
• Most travel agencies offer a discount of between $20 and $30 for minors (between 3 and 17 years old) and university students.
• This hike is of medium-moderate difficulty. According to the opinion of some tourists who did the Salkantay Trek, this route is more demanding than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
• There is no age limit for this hike. Some travel agencies do not allow this adventure with children. Older adults should consult with their doctor before hiking.

Salkantay trek includes

In general, Salkantay trek tours include the following:

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Sleeping tents.
• Tour guides.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Transportation from Cusco to Mollepata.
• Train transportation from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Horses to transport luggage (6 K).

Always bring for the Salkantay trek

• Sleeping bags.
• Cap or hat.
• Trekking shoes.
• Trekking backpack.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Trekking pants.
• Rain poncho.
• Water bottle.
• Water purification tablets.
• Sunscreen.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Snacks.
• Cash.