The Salkantay Trek is among the hottest methods to hike to Machu Picchu. Much less well-known than the enduring Inca Path, the Salkantay Trek is each simpler to ebook and a less expensive trek, as there aren’t any permits concerned. On prime of that, many say the Salkantay is simply as lovely, if no more so, than the Inca Path!
For these causes, many individuals in search of a multi-day trek to Machu Picchu select the Salkantay Trek.
The 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an epic journey that takes you thru among the most gorgeous landscapes within the Peruvian Andes. The Trek culminates in a go to to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. This difficult trek is ideal for these in search of a extra rugged and fewer crowded different to the Machu Picchu Inca Path tour.
Background Info
The Salkantay Trek is 74 km (46 miles) lengthy and is mostly hiked over 4-5 days (with a go to to Machu Picchu on Day 5). The Salkantay trek holds historic significance, and just like the Inca Path, was a route the Incas as soon as took to get to Machu Picchu. The principle distinction is that the Salkantay Trek is thru the mountains, reaching almost 5,000m above sea degree, whereas the Inca Path is strolling by means of ruins a lot of the best way.
It’s stated that the Salkantay Trek was the route that spiritual leaders took to get to Machu Picchu as a result of the upper elevations introduced them “nearer to god.” The Salkantay Trek is known as after the mountain that the path passes, the Salkantay Mountain. It isn’t simply this mountain you’ll see on the hike, although, because the path affords various landscapes, together with glaciers and tropical Andean forests.
The Salkantay trek begins within the village of Mollepata. That is the place you’ll begin your journey in the direction of Soraypampa, your first campsite. Alongside the best way, you’ll cross by means of picturesque Andean villages and luxuriate in unbelievable views of the snow-capped peaks of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains.
Salkantay Vs. The Inca Path
The Inca Path is a world-famous trek that’s always ranked among the many greatest hikes on the planet. Nonetheless, as many individuals will inform you, you’ll expertise immediately that the Traditional Inca Path to Machu Picchu is crowded and normally booked all year long.
Whereas that is usually the case, you need to keep in mind that the Inca Path is among the most wonderful hikes on the planet, and why so many individuals wish to trek it!
The entire system of Inca Trails, referred to as the Qapaq Ñan, is a community of historic footpaths that related crucial sections of the Inca Empire. The Incas constructed the paths, that are nonetheless used at this time by native folks and guests from all around the world.
The Inca Path Trek to Machu Picchu is among the most well-known and iconic treks on the planet. The trek affords a shocking mixture of pure magnificence, historic ruins, and Andean tradition. The Inca Path types a part of the Inca street community referred to as the Qapaq Ñan. The Salkantay Trek can be a part of these historic Inca pathways.
The Salkantay Trek is the lesser-known trek to Machu Picchu with extra wildlife, breathtaking mountain surroundings, and spectacular views. The Salkantay Trek is an choice for hikers who wish to expertise the attractive mountainous surroundings of the Peruvian Andes and see an extremely various nature and panorama that regularly reveals gorgeous views. It’s a longer and tougher trek than the Inca Path, nevertheless it affords gorgeous surroundings and a extra genuine expertise of the Peruvian Andes, passing by means of conventional Andean communities.
There are definitely fewer ruins alongside the Salkantay trek, however there may be the chance to go to glacial lakes, scorching springs, espresso plantations, and mango plantations in addition to the lesser-visited archaeological website of Llactapata. Day 2 of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is essentially the most difficult day of the Trek. You ascend to the Salkantay Go, which sits at an altitude of 4,600 meters (15,092 ft). The views from the cross are breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of the encircling mountains and valleys.
Whichever route you might have chosen, each treks provide breathtaking vistas, Inca ruins, and the wealthy historical past of the Incas’ lifestyle on this area.
Altitude is an Situation!
I’ve already talked about the excessive elevation of the Salkantay trek and it’s price it to speak a bit extra carefully in regards to the acclimatization and the potential of altitude illness.
Attempt to arrive in Cusco a minimum of two or three days earlier than the trek begins and deal with performing some bodily exercise. Near Cusco are Sacsaywaman and Qenqo ruins, that are superior locations to go to. You’ll be able to take loads of day journeys from Cusco and provides your physique a while to regulate to the elevation. There are numerous issues to do within the Sacred Valley close to Cusco, comparable to an uphill hike to Pisac Ruins or visiting Rainbow Mountain, each of that are at excessive elevations.
Acclimatization is an important side of the Salkantay Path to Machu Picchu. It entails climbing at excessive elevations the place the air is skinny and oxygen ranges are decrease. To assist mitigate the results of altitude, it’s essential to spend a minimum of two to a few days in Cusco or different high-altitude areas earlier than starting the trek. Enough acclimatization is essential as a result of you’ll spend the primary night time 3800 meters above sea degree.
The next day, you’ll cross the mountain cross and sleep about 3900 meters above sea degree, which is excessive for an unacclimatized hiker. Though nobody can ever understand how you can be affected by the altitude, it’s all the time higher to be ready and know what to anticipate (you may expertise a headache or shortness of breath, for instance). Mules play an important function in supporting treks just like the Salkantay Trek.
They’re usually used to hold provides, tools, and baggage for trekkers. The rugged terrain and excessive altitudes of the Salkantay Path make it difficult to move heavy masses on foot. This makes mules invaluable for transporting gear and provides to the campsites alongside the route.
Why Guide a Guided Trek?
Mountaineering with a guided group is essentially the most comfy choice for having fun with the Salkantay Trek. Typically, essentially the most difficult factor can be to seek out the best, skilled, and trustworthy tour operator. All the time bear in mind you’ll get the service you’ve paid for, and generally it’s not price saving a few {dollars} and ruining your expertise.
While you take a tour, you don’t want to fret about meals, transportation, campsites, or tools. Tenting tools is included within the worth, it’s essential to solely hire a sleeping bag with linen, a mattress, or strolling poles if wanted. All the time test if the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu gate and the Machu Picchu entrance is included within the closing worth.
Additionally, you will stroll solely along with your day pack because the journey businesses have porters who carry your additional garments for you. Mountaineering is a pleasure when all that you must consider is the standard of your images and the gorgeous surroundings throughout you.
Reserving a guided Salkantay Trek journey with a good Peru journey company like Valencia Journey Cusco affords a number of benefits. You’ll be able to improve your total expertise and guarantee a protected and fulfilling journey by means of the Andes. Skilled guides are aware of the terrain, climate situations, and cultural significance of the areas you’ll be trekking by means of.
One other factor to contemplate is that on the primary day, you go to the gorgeous Humantay Lagoon. This turquoise lake is a brief hike from Soraypamapa on day one, and many individuals do a day hike there. Nonetheless, if you are within the area, it’s an incredible concept to go to Humantay Lake on this tour.
You too can unwind in pure scorching springs in your third day in Santa Teresa. Entry to such lovely pure swimming pools makes the Salkantay trek an incredible alternative in your trek to Machu Picchu! Humantay Lake is a shocking turquoise lake situated close to the bottom of the Humantay Glacier. It’s a in style vacation spot for trekkers on the Salkantay Trek, because it affords breathtaking pure magnificence and an opportunity to expertise the excessive Andean panorama up shut.
When is the most effective time to hike Salkantay?
With a little bit of preparation, you possibly can hike the Salkantay Trek all 12 months spherical, besides February, the wettest month of the 12 months. The official dry season begins in Could and ends in October. Throughout these six months, you might have a excessive likelihood of seeing clear skies and having fun with the sunshine all through the day.
Count on numerous hikers, particularly in June, July, and August, when folks within the USA and Europe have holidays. These months are Peruvian winter, which implies the climate is sunny, dry, and extra secure, however temperatures are decrease. The wet season begins in November and ends in April. Mountaineering on this season is extra unpredictable.
One of the best time to hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is in the course of the dry season.
This runs from Could to September. Throughout this time, the climate is usually clear and dry, with sunny days and funky nights, making it supreme for trekking within the Andes. It rains essentially the most in February, when there may be additionally a better likelihood of landslides, mudslides, and a few impassable sections.
That’s why respected firms don’t run the trek in February. In case you plan on climbing independently, to remain protected, we suggest avoiding strolling the path in February, too, simply in case. The wet season is {the summertime}, which implies temperatures are increased, though it nonetheless will get chilly within the night, particularly at excessive altitudes.
The wet season on the Salkantay Trek runs from November to March. January and February sometimes expertise the heaviest rainfall. Trekking in the course of the wet season will be difficult as a consequence of moist and muddy situations, in addition to the potential of landslides and swollen rivers.
The Salkantay Trek is a exceptional journey that provides a lot extra than simply another solution to get to Machu Picchu. It’s a shocking, difficult hike by means of the center of the Peruvian Andes. A trek that sees snowy peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, inexperienced cloud forests, and historic trails winding their means by means of the Andes. The trek tells the story of a robust civilization and the gorgeous land they as soon as dominated.
Whether or not you’re drawn by the epic surroundings, the cultural side, or the fun of the problem, the Salkantay Trek delivers a very genuine and enriching expertise. In case you’re in search of a much less crowded, extra immersive, and breathtaking different to the Inca Path, this trek may simply be the right path for you.
