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Nevada Salkantay:

Mount Salkantay (or Nevada Salkantay / Salcantay) is situated 60 km North-west of Cusco city, which stands at 6,271m, is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range, the 12th highest mountain in Peru and the 38th highest in the Andes

The Quechua name, Salkantay, means ‘Savage’ or ‘Wild’ Mountain.

Salkantay trek: what you need to know

The Salkantay Trek is the most popular alternative trek to Machu Picchu. It offers hikers an incredibly diverse trekking experience and is relatively easy to access from Cusco and unlike the Classic Inca Trail, there are no permit limitations.

The most usual way to do the Salkantay trek is with an organized tour. Inkayni Peru Tours assures you the best experience ever.

In this journey you will trek from 3,900 m/12,800 ft to 2,100 m/6,900 ft, traversing across magnificent mountain passes near enormous majestic snow-capped peaks, immersing in nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems all within 5 days. This journey also offers opportunities for ethnic and cultural exchanges as we pass through communities and meet local people who will be willing to share with open minds their rich cultural heritage they still honor and practice to this day.

This trek takes you to Machu Picchu on day 5.

The itinerary on day 1 includes a visit to Humantay Lagoon which is a beautiful turquoise lake at the base of the glacial mountain of Humantay.

Humantay lagoon

It is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, the base of the Humantay mountain is at an approximate altitude of 4,560 meters above sea level, the lagoon is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.

Longitude: 72°37’2.43 “W
Latitude: 13°24’41.72″ S

Humantay Lagoon looks like a turquoise blue mirror and is located near the flanks of the majestic snowy peak Apu Salkantay Mountain. The crystalline water of the lagoon has actually melted from the Humantay Glacier above.

humantay 4 — Hermosas aguas turquesas de la Laguna Humantay.

Are you ready to book but don’t know where to start?

Inkayni Tour Peru guarantees an amazing experience you will treasure for many years to come!

We offer you our 05-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Group and Private service.

salcantay — Salkantay Trek a Machupicchu

What is included?

Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our horses. The meeting will be at 06:00 PM 01 or 02 days before the trip begins.
Professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+.
Chef.
Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 07 kg of your personal items.
Pick-up and transportation from your hotel to the start point of the trail.
Water (excluding the first 04 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
04 Breakfast, 04 Lunch, 04 Afternoon Snacks and 04 Dinner. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know (food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime every day (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will be woken up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
4-man tent for every 2 trekkers.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Golden Sunrise Machupicchu *** , Hatun Samay Hotel ***) on Day 4.
Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
Oxygen bottle.
First aid kit.
Entrance to Machu Picchu.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
Transportation Ollantaytambo-Cusco.

Not Included:

Sleeping Bag (you can rent from us). US$25.00
Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 05.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$35.00
Tips.
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended taking out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

You can watch this video:

Who Salkantay trek is designed for?

This trek is preferably designed for those who have some hiking experience and love nature a bit more than history and want to be in contact with astonishing flora and fauna. This trek landscapes will leave you in awe.

At the end of the tour, you will visit one of the 7 wonders in the world, Machu Picchu. The perfect ending to a 5-day trek that combines everything from nature such as a turquoise lagoon, mingling with locals to a very intriguing Inca history.

Compared to Inca Trail, it is a bit challenging.

Check the Inca Trail trek:

Inkayni additional info:

Although there have been more than 20 successful climbs of the mountain, it is not often conquered.

Salkantay Mountain was first successfully climbed in 1952 by a French-American expedition.
Two years later in 1954, Fritz Kasparek(Austrian, part of the first team to conquer the North Face of the Eiger) and his partner Anton Wahenauer were killed when a cornice broke off of the NE ridge at about 5,900mts. The other two climbers Waschek and Ambichl survive and the expedition retreats.
On June 17th, 2013 at 10:30 am, Nathan Heald, Thomas Ryan (USA), Luis Crispin Quispe (Peru) successfully climbed the Mountain. They completed the 3rd ascent of NE ridge and Luis Crispin makes first absolute Peruvian ascent. This ascent is the speed record on Salkantay being only 2 days and 7 hours round trip from Base Camp.
On July 31st, 2013 at 11:30 am Nathan Heald, James Lissy (USA), Edwin Espinoza Sotelo (Peru) completed the 4th ascent of NE ridge. Edwin Espinoza becomes 2nd Peruvian to the summit and Nathan Heald becomes the only mountaineer to climb the mountain twice.