Are you looking for new destinations to feed your adventurous spirit? The Machu Picchu Salkantay Trail is the ideal tour for you, you will find yourself near the majestic Salkantay snow-capped mountain and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters of the Humantay lake; besides knowing other tourist attractions that can only be accessed by this route. So don’t wait any longer and get your bags ready because your next adventure is in Cusco – Peru.
Below, we will share 10 facts about the Machu Picchu Salkantay trail that every informed and responsible traveler should know before choosing the ideal travel date.
What is Salkantay (Machu Picchu Salkantay trail)?
Salkantay is a sacred mountain of great importance for the people of Cusco; according to history, the Incas used to have an incredible connection with nature; that is why many of the ancient stories are based on the synchronicity of this practice; as is the case of the apus or sacred mountains (“Apu” is the name given to the spirits of the mountains) that currently continue to worship the sacred mountains, such as the apu Salkantay. Now the mountain is the most striking attraction en route to Machu Picchu during the famous salkantay trek, salkantay trail, or Machu Picchu Salkantay trail.
What does Salkantay mean?
The importance of the snow-capped Salkantay has its origin in the name. Salkantay derives from two Quechua words, SALKA = Wild and ANTAY = producer of clouds, snow and avalanches. Therefore, it is said that the snowy mountain chooses who can climb to its summit, many climbers in the world have decided to make this ascent, but only a few have managed to reach the top.
When was the Salkantay mountain first climbed?
According to records, the Apu Salkantay was first climbed in 1952 by a French-American expedition, but it would not be strange if it had been conquered much earlier by the men and women of ancient Peru.
Where is the Salkantay mountain?
The sacred mountain of Salkantay or Apu Salkantay is located in the Cordillera Vilcabamba in Santa Teresa, Cusco – Peru, 130 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It has an altitude of 6,271 m./20,574ft.
The biggest advantage is to get to Machu Picchu through this route!
One of the advantages of doing the Salkantay tour is that you can reach Machu Picchu in a different way, accompanied by beautiful and incredible landscapes that will feed your adventurous spirit. Therefore, we recommend you to do the Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 5 days with the best service of Inkayni Peru Tours.
How is the Salkantay trek?
- The Salkantay Trek 5 days is undoubtedly a route with great adventures.
- The level of trekking is challenging, so it is recommended to be in good physical condition.
- It is an excellent route to reach Machu Picchu.
- You will visit places that can only be accessed by this route.
- You will have the opportunity to witness spectacled bears, Andean condors, hummingbirds and other species of fauna.
- You will be surrounded by a diversity of flora, including the presence of orchids.
Salkantay Trek 5 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake
- Departure from Cusco to Mollepata and breakfast.
- Trek of approximately 7 hours to Soraypampa, starting point of the route to the Humantay Lake.
- Overnight in Soraypampa.
- Distance covered: approximately 12 km. Challenging trekking level. Highest point: 4,200 masl.
Day 2: Soraypampa – Challway
- Early breakfast and start of the trek to Challway.
- Hike of approximately 22 km.
- Formidable level of trekking. Highest point: 2,920 masl.
- Overnight in Challway.
Day 3: Challway – La Playa – Lucmabamba
- Breakfast and early start of the hike.
- Moderate level hike with beautiful landscapes of vegetation and possible visit to a coffee plantation.
- Highest point: 2,920 masl.
- Overnight in Lucmabamba.
Day 4: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric power plant – Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast and start of the hike.
- Hike of approximately 17 km.
- Light hiking level with a diversity of flora and possible visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.
- Highest point: 2,702 masl.
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Visit Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world.
- Return to Cusco.
Total route of the Salkantay trek
The Salkantay Machu Picchu 5 days tour has an average distance of 70 kilometers, the maximum altitude will be 4,600 meters above sea level at the Salkantay pass.
Can I travel alone?
Of course you can! Doing a trip alone in the mountains will be the best gift you can give yourself, so do not be afraid to venture the route promises to make you feel alive and eager to eat the world. Another point in your favor is that you will be able to meet people from different parts of the world, and at the end of the tour you will no longer be alone, you will have made new friends (if you wish).
When is the best time to do the Salkantay Machu Picchu 5 days?
To know and enjoy the climate of Machu Picchu, the best time is during the dry season, between the months of April to early November. The weather will be in your favor, because the presence of rain is minimal compared to the rainy season. However, we recommend you to bring a rain poncho, because the weather in Cusco is unpredictable and it is likely to rain (light rains) due to the presence of mountains and snow-capped mountains.
What to take to Machu Picchu Salkantay trail?
- Camera with space in the memory and spare batteries.
- Sleeping bag or sleeping bag
- Waterproof jacket or coat
- Special clothes for high mountain trekking
- Hat or cap
- Trekking shoes
- A good trekking backpack
- Rain poncho
- Water bottle
- Water purification tablets
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Energy snacks such as nuts or cocoa bars
- Coke or lemon candy
- Cleaning and personal hygiene products
- Cash
We are a well-trained team, highly motivated and fully identified with our company.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
+51 933 839 757 / +51 984 153 351 – USA/Canada 1 (800) 256-3295
info@inkayniperutours.com / reservations@inkayniperutours.com
Andrés Avelino Cáceres A-6, Cusco 08002, Cusco, Peru
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