The Salkantay Trek is likely one of 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 high of that, many say the Salkantay is simply as lovely, if no more so, than the Inca Path!
For these causes, many individuals searching for 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 a number of the most beautiful 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 searching for a extra rugged and fewer crowded various to the Machu Picchu Inca Path tour.
Background Data
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 practically 5,000m above sea stage, whereas the Inca Path is strolling by ruins a lot of the best way.
It’s mentioned 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 direction of Soraypampa, your first campsite. Alongside the best way, you’ll go by picturesque Andean villages and luxuriate in unimaginable 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 finest hikes on the planet. Nevertheless, as many individuals will inform you, you’ll expertise instantly that the Traditional Inca Path to Machu Picchu is crowded and often booked all year long.
Whereas that is usually the case, you need to do not forget that the Inca Path is likely one of the most wonderful hikes on the planet, and why so many individuals wish to trek it!
The entire system of Inca Trails, known as the Qapaq Ñan, is a community of historic footpaths that related a very powerful sections of the Inca Empire. The Incas constructed the paths, that are nonetheless used at this time by native folks and guests from everywhere in the world.
The Inca Path Trek to Machu Picchu is likely one of the most well-known and iconic treks on the planet. The trek affords a surprising mixture of pure magnificence, historic ruins, and Andean tradition. The Inca Path varieties a part of the Inca highway community known 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 possibility for hikers who wish to expertise the attractive mountainous surroundings of the Peruvian Andes and see an extremely numerous nature and panorama that progressively reveals beautiful views. It’s a longer and more difficult trek than the Inca Path, but it surely affords beautiful surroundings and a extra genuine expertise of the Peruvian Andes, passing by conventional Andean communities.
There are actually 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 toes). The views from the go are breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of the encompassing mountains and valleys.
Whichever route you have got chosen, each treks provide breathtaking vistas, Inca ruins, and the wealthy historical past of the Incas’ lifestyle on this area.
Altitude is an Problem!
I’ve already talked about the excessive elevation of the Salkantay trek and it’s price it to speak a bit extra carefully concerning the acclimatization and the potential for altitude illness.
Attempt to arrive in Cusco not less than two or three days earlier than the trek begins and concentrate on doing a little bodily exercise. Near Cusco are Sacsaywaman and Qenqo ruins, that are superior locations to go to. You possibly can take loads of day journeys from Cusco and provides your physique a while to regulate to the elevation. There are quite a lot of issues to do within the Sacred Valley close to Cusco, reminiscent of an uphill hike to Pisac Ruins or visiting Rainbow Mountain, each of that are at excessive elevations.
Acclimatization is a vital facet of the Salkantay Path to Machu Picchu. It includes mountaineering at excessive elevations the place the air is skinny and oxygen ranges are decrease. To assist mitigate the consequences of altitude, it’s necessary to spend not less than two to a few days in Cusco or different high-altitude areas earlier than starting the trek. Ample acclimatization is essential as a result of you’ll spend the primary evening 3800 meters above sea stage.
The next day, you’ll cross the mountain go and sleep about 3900 meters above sea stage, which is excessive for an unacclimatized hiker. Though nobody can ever know the way you may 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 a vital position 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 possibility for having fun with the Salkantay Trek. Usually, essentially the most difficult factor will likely be to seek out the precise, skilled, and trustworthy tour operator. All the time bear in mind you’ll get the service you’ve paid for, and generally it isn’t price saving a few {dollars} and ruining your expertise.
If you take a tour, you don’t want to fret about meals, transportation, campsites, or tools. Tenting tools is included within the worth, you have to solely hire a sleeping bag with linen, a mattress, or strolling poles if wanted. All the time examine if the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu gate and the Machu Picchu entrance is included within the remaining worth.
Additionally, you will stroll solely together with your day pack because the journey companies have porters who carry your further garments for you. Mountaineering is a pleasure when all you must consider is the standard of your images and the beautiful 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 possibly can improve your general expertise and guarantee a protected and pleasant journey by the Andes. Skilled guides are aware of the terrain, climate situations, and cultural significance of the areas you’ll be trekking by.
One other factor to contemplate is that on the primary day, you go to the beautiful Humantay Lagoon. This turquoise lake is a brief hike from Soraypamapa on day one, and many individuals do a day hike there. Nevertheless, if you are within the area, it’s an ideal thought to go to Humantay Lake on this tour.
It’s also possible to unwind in pure scorching springs in your third day in Santa Teresa. Entry to such lovely pure swimming pools makes the Salkantay trek an ideal alternative in your trek to Machu Picchu! Humantay Lake is a surprising turquoise lake situated close to the bottom of the Humantay Glacier. It’s a standard 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 very best time to hike Salkantay?
With a little bit of preparation, you possibly can hike the Salkantay Trek all yr spherical, besides February, the wettest month of the yr. The official dry season begins in Could and ends in October. Throughout these six months, you have got a excessive probability of seeing clear skies and having fun with the sunshine all through the day.
Count on plenty of 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 steady, 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 best for trekking within the Andes. It rains essentially the most in February, when there may be additionally a better probability of landslides, mudslides, and a few impassable sections.
That’s why respected firms don’t run the trek in February. In the event you plan on mountaineering independently, to remain protected, we advocate avoiding strolling the path in February, too, simply in case. The wet season is {the summertime}, which implies temperatures are larger, 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 usually expertise the heaviest rainfall. Trekking in the course of the wet season could be difficult as a consequence of moist and muddy situations, in addition to the potential for landslides and swollen rivers.
The Salkantay Trek is a outstanding journey that provides a lot extra than simply another technique to get to Machu Picchu. It’s a surprising, difficult hike by the guts of the Peruvian Andes. A trek that sees snowy peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, inexperienced cloud forests, and historic trails winding their manner by the Andes. The trek tells the story of a strong civilization and the beautiful land they as soon as dominated.
Whether or not you’re drawn by the epic surroundings, the cultural facet, or the fun of the problem, the Salkantay Trek delivers a really genuine and enriching expertise. In the event you’re searching for a much less crowded, extra immersive, and breathtaking various to the Inca Path, this trek may simply be the proper path for you.
