Salkantay Trek Peru 2024

Salkantay trek Peru 2024 is One of the most amazing and incredible ways to do the Salkantay trail connecting to Machu Picchu. This Salkantay Trek 5 Days, Salkantay Trek 4 Days, Salkantay Trek 3 Days crosses the beautiful Humantay lagoon and the imposing Salkantay snow-capped mountain to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Here we explain the most important things you need to know before booking the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.

What does Salkantay mean?

The imposing snow-capped mountain of Salkantay is a Quechua word that means (wild mountain) and it is the second-highest snow-capped mountain in the region of Cusco.

Where is it located?

The snowy Salkantay is located in the Cordillera de Vilcanota in the Andes south of Cusco and is the second largest in Cusco after the snowy Austangate.

How high is the Salkantay snow-capped mountain?

The incredible snow-capped mountain of Salkantay has an altitude of 6271 masl (20574.1 ft). The second most important trail that leads to Machu Picchu and the highest point is at an altitude of 4630 masl from there you can have some incredible pictures.

What is the weather like?

The snow-capped in itself is too cold, reaching levels below

The climate in the Salkantay is very varied basically sunny days and very cold nights and the best months are April to September, starting from the Andes of Cusco and ending in the jungle in Machu Picchu.

What is the flora and fauna like?

During the 5 days and 4 nights of the Salkantay trek there is a great variety of flora and fauna, among the most outstanding flowers are the orchids called (forever young) the ichu (Andean grass) the Incas (trees that grow in the rainforest) and the famous achupallas (cactus eaten by spectacled bears) and the fauna that can be observed are the condors, vizcachas, llamas, parrots, cock of the rock, toucans.

What is the Salkantay trek?

The Salkantay trekking is a trail that takes you to Machu Picchu passing by incredible snow-capped mountains, lagoons, tropical forests, and much more. The total distance is approximately 70 km (5 days of walking).

Day 1 (13 kilometers of hiking):

The tour starts from the city of Cusco, and the bus will take us to the village of Mollepata to have breakfast and then continue to the place called Challacancha, where we will start walking to the field of Soraypampa and have a good lunch and in the afternoon visit the famous lagoon of Humantay and return to have a tea time and dinner, the 1 day is 13 km and the tour starts in the city of Cusco. The agency picks you up by car from your hotel along with the other hikers to the town of Mollepata. Then you will ascend for approximately 7 hours to the Soraypampa camp passing by the Huamantay lagoon. There the tours organize the food and the tent for the tourists to rest.

Day 2 (22 kilometers of hiking):

We will wake up very early to have breakfast and then start walking, the second day is considered the most difficult as we will climb to the highest part of this path that will take us to Machu Picchu, there is also the option of renting a horse if you have difficulty climbing basically during the last few years is becoming something more welcoming for tourists.

Day 3 (16 kilometers of hiking):

today we will enter «ceja de selva» and the trail will be easier than the previous days, the recommendations are to bring insect repellent, and sunblock, the hike starts from the village of chaullay to the village of Sawayaco, we will walk alone until noon have a good lunch and in the afternoon there is the option to do the tour of the coffee and visit the hot springs of Santa Teresa.

Day 4 (24 kilometers of hiking):

Today we will wake up very early and then go to the archaeological center of Llaqtapata where we will have an incredible view of the mountain of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu and part of the archaeological center of Machu Picchu, then descend to Hydroelectric for lunch and continue walking to the town of Machu Picchu, in general, today is a long day but it will be beautiful with incredible views of snowy mountains and landscapes and the Urubamba River.

Day 5 (bus ascent to Machu Picchu)

This day starts very early in the morning with a bus ride to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. Another option is to walk the 9 kilometers up the mountain. The guide will explain the most important temples for 2 hours and you can not re-enter again so at the time of entering Machu Picchu should go to the viewpoint to take the best pictures and then start the guide for more details information about this trial will be given 1 day before starting this trail.

What to bring for the Salkantay trek?

• A backpack with a change of clothes.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho.
• Sturdy footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or sneakers for comfort during the camping trip
• Warm clothing, a down jacket is especially recommended for this trek, as it is at high altitude and temperatures can easily drop below freezing in the afternoon and at night.
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and extra batteries (batteries are consumed more quickly in cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain, and cold
• Sunscreen
• After-sun cream or moisturizing cream for face and body
• Tissues
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits.
• Water container and water for the first morning.
• Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case water is collected from streams or rivers along the route.
• Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problems so far.
• Small towel
• Bathing suit (if you wish to take a dip in the hot springs along the route)
• Cash in soles and/or dollars
• Copy of original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles

When is the best time to do the Salkantay trek?

The best time to visit the trails of Cusco is between April to August and especially to make the Salkantay trail are sunny days and cool nights, with landscapes that will surprise you do not wait and book.

Tips for the Salkantay trek

Acclimatize for one or two days in the city of Cusco before the Salkantay trek.

Avoid alcoholic beverages or fatty foods. The altitude sickness or soroche in Salkantay and Machu Picchu is one of the biggest 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 the year, wear warm clothing during the Salkantay trek. The nights are especially cold on the first two days.

Plan the Salkantay trek down to the smallest detail on your own.