We do not doubt that visiting Machu Picchu is the dream of most people who come to Peru, and it could not be different, as this historic sanctuary is on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and over time it becomes more enchanting and shrouded in mysteries.
This ancient citadel was a work planned and carried out by the powerful Inca civilization, also well known around the world, who used the site for different purposes according to researchers. Although it is very uncertain to say exactly what its function would have been, some theories point out that this was a place of peace, in which few people lived and grew their food.
Trek to Machu Picchu is certainly a magical moment, as this entire ancient citadel provides a mix of feelings that overflow our vision, our emotions, and even our spiritual aspects. But not only the arrival but also this fascinating place can make your experience even more interesting!
In case you didn’t know, there are a few different ways to get to Machu Picchu, among them the most famous is the train ride that leaves Cusco and passes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the trails that take the bravest on a long and beautiful journey. through the Andes, presenting some of the most beautiful and challenging scenarios.
Among the trails, we can point out that the best known are the Inca Trail and the Salkantay, which we will discuss throughout this article. If you are planning your trip to Peru and want to enhance your experiences with an unparalleled adventure travel, you can be sure that here we will tell you everything about this route, which will awaken an immense desire to venture out!
Are you ready to enter this wonderful universe? So, read on and learn more about the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, its complete route, the best time to visit, and much more with this content made especially for you!
Discovering the famous Salkantay
This trail is a gem in the middle of the Peruvian Andes, without a doubt the experience of crossing its long route makes the whole trip a true adventure, but all the effort is worth it. This attraction, as you can imagine, is named after one of the highest peaks in Peru, the Nevado Salkantay, with more than 6,000 meters of altitude and which accompanies the hikers all the way.
Despite having the most incredible scenery that makes it seem like all this is just a dream, we are right to say that this trail is an activity intended for the more experienced adventurers who have a better physical preparation to face the challenge because the path presents a great of difficulty that varies between moderate and challenging.
What happens is that, in addition to some obstacles imposed by nature itself along the way, such as uneven terrain, very steep, cold, and a variety of ecosystems, the entire route takes place at an elevation that reaches up to 4,600 meters above the sea level, which makes everything much more physically demanding.
For this reason, we like to emphasize the importance of being well acclimatized and always keeping in mind what are the tips for dealing with altitude sickness, a subject we like to talk about to take care of our readers and passengers! In addition, we also recommend a gradual intensification of physical preparation in the moments before the trip.
Of course, amid so many challenges, Salkantay pass rewards all the brave with the most incredible landscapes, so know that along the way you will get to know not only the mountainous aspect of the Andes but also its variety of flora, passing through the forest. cloudy, through tropical and dense forests before reaching Machu Picchu.
Altogether, the trail usually lasts between 4 and 5, with the second and third days being the most difficult, as they reach the highest peak of the entire route. Although it is hard work, remember that you will not be alone, there will be a team of guides and porters who will assist and assist you at all times.
Curious to know more? So, continue with us to find out more about the complete journey of this trail to Machu Picchu.
Route Itinerary
Day 1 – Cusco, Mollepata and Soraypampa
The first day of this adventure is about arriving at the starting base for the Salkantay Trail. The departure takes place in Cusco and the first destination is the village of Mollepata, where the trekkers are greeted and breakfast is provided to warm up and give energy for the hike to the starting point of the trail.
Leaving Mollepata, the hikers head towards Soraypampa, where the camp where the overnight stay will be located. This point on the trail is 3,850 meters above sea level and is a warm-up for the next few days, as the altitude is moderate and the hike is light.
Day 2 – Soraypampa to Chaullay
The second day of the trek is considered more difficult because the highest point of the route is reached. It is on this day that the Nevado Salkantay becomes more visible and is present on the walk, which will reach 4,650 meters above sea level. Camp and overnight will take place in Chaullay.
Day 3 – Chaullay to Playa Sahuayaco
On this day, the trail enters the forest and enchants all adventurers with its beautiful landscapes and the presence of numerous species of orchids that are visible along the way. In addition, the flow of the Santa Teresa River is followed and in this valley, it is possible to identify the formation of the famous thermal waters of the Peruvian Andes.
Day 4 – Playa Sahuayaco, Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes.
This is the penultimate day of the route, which leads to the small town of Aguas Calientes. This part of the route will also be done through the vegetation of the forest and with the beautiful scenery provided by Salkantay Mountain. The end of the trail leads to the so-called Hidroeléctrica, which is surrounded by a deactivated railway line that leads to Aguas Calientes, where you will stay overnight in a hotel and discover a little of this town.
Day 5 – Aguas Caliente, Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Finally, the big day has arrived! After a great rest, you will be taken to Machu Picchu, leaving from Aguas Calientes, accompanied by a guide who will carry out a visit full of precious information about this Wonder of the World. The view of Machu Picchu is just unique.
Attractions along the way
We know that, with such an adventure, it can seem that the Salkantay Trail is the attraction itself, which would not be wrong to think, but like all destinations in Peru, this route can go beyond your expectations, surprising you even more with visits to some of the most fascinating nature places and Inca sites. Want to know what they are? Well, here we’ll tell you everything you need to know!
Salkantay Mountain
As we said before, this is one of the highest mountains in the entire country, reaching about 6,264 meters above sea level, a number that can certainly already illustrate the size of the grandeur of this work of mother nature, who built it with great care. patience over thousands of years.
The Nevado Salkantay is located in the middle of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, in the middle of the Andes, having an immense representation within the Andean culture that comes from an Inca belief, which considered this mountain as something sacred, being considered an Apus, that is, an spirit that brought protection to mountain people and nature.
Reaching the top of this mountain is, in fact, a feat achieved by very few people, since the adversities encountered make this achievement something close to impossible. Not for nothing, the name “Salkantay” means “wild mountain” in the Quechua language, which is able to demonstrate that not only the mountain but all its surroundings are truly indomitable.
A curiosity about this giant is that among the few documented people who reached the top of Salkantay are two Swiss, namely Bronimann and Marx, in addition, around the end of the 1970s, Consuelo Bonadiel, a woman of Italian origin, was the first to conquer the challenge of reaching the summit of this mountain.
Humantay Lake
This is the first attraction faced by brave hikers along the Salkantay Trail. The Laguna Humantay, without a doubt, is a gem found amid the challenges imposed by nature to reach it. And we’re not exaggerating in treating her that way!
This lagoon is located at the foot of the Nevado Salkantay and is a fascinating body of water in the heights of the Peruvian Andes. The waters of Laguna Humantay have a very authentic color, an intense turquoise blue, which is caused by the concentration of microalgae and minerals in their composition.
To get there, it is necessary to face about 2 hours of walking from the starting point of the trail, in the city of Soraypampa. The attraction is located at 4,200 meters above sea level on a steep path, but all the effort put in to get there is rewarded since this work of nature makes the whole scenario something out of this world.
Cocalmayo Hot Springs
For those who want to relax a little after all the hard work undertaken to complete the entire route to Machu Picchu, it is possible to visit the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, located a few kilometers from the old historic sanctuary, in a district called Santa Teresa.
Thermal baths are important for the process of faster muscle recovery, both because of the heat of their waters, which have temperatures that can reach between 30ºC and 44ºC, and because of the concentration of minerals in their composition, which helps in the healing process. Believe it or not, even among the cold of the Andean highlands are the best hot springs you’ve ever seen!
Differences between Salkantay Trail and Inca Trail
Well, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably very interested in embarking on an adventure through the Andes to reach Machu Picchu and we’re very happy about that! But as we said, there are a few ways to reach the ancient Inca citadel through trails and, in general, the big question is choosing between the Salkantay Trail and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Do you know the differences? Comprehensively, there are some details in the execution of both routes that are based, mainly, on duration time, altitude, and some other limitations, such as several visitors per day and closing periods.
Salkantay is a route that requires much more preparation from adventurers, as it lasts 5 days and reaches an altitude of 4,600 meters, in addition to the mileage being greater than the Inca Trail, since it has 74 km and the second has only 42 km. The Inca has a duration that can vary from 2 to 4 days, depending on the chosen package, and reaches a maximum elevation of 4,200 meters.
Both are recommended for July to September, due to the good weather. In addition, the Inca Trail is closed in February due to the rainy season and maintenance, which is why it is better to do it during the dry season. This is not the case on Salkantay. The Inca Trail also has a limitation of 500 people per day on the trail and sometimes needs to reserve it months in advance, while the other has no restrictions.
Another interesting aspect is that, for history lovers, the Inca Trail may be the right choice, as it passes through numerous Archaeological sites along the way, while a hike Salkantay Trail is ideal for true nature lovers, people can enjoy cloud forests. The differences between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trail may be small, but they can make a big impact depending on the experience you want to have, so be sure to study more!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our team to plan and execute together a travel itinerary tailored to you and your interests. Also, discover our packages to Machu Picchu and discover other incredible destinations during your trip through Peru.