The magical Salkantay, a snow-capped Mountain!

Would you like to know more about Salkantay?

Mount Salkantay (or Nevada Salkantay / Salcantay) 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. 

The summit of Salkantay presents two peaks: 

• West, formerly it more slender and attractive
• East was slightly higher when crowned by a serac. 

After the passage of years and the collapse of this serac, the height is practically identical on both summits. Along the route, you can see beautiful places with a diversity of flora like a great variety of orchids.

Location:

It is located 60 km North-west of Cusco city, which stands at an altitude of 6,271 m.a.s.l.

How to get to Salkantay?

Inkayni Peru Tours recommends taking the route to Mollepata, a small town located 100 km from Cusco.

Inkayni tip: You can take the bus to Mollepata on Arcopata street, it is 10 minutes from the center or downtown area. It is easy to get there.

The Salkantay Trail is an old alternative trail to the Inca Trail. It is an excellent trekking route for travelers who love adventure. So in case, you couldn’t get a spot in the Inca Trail this is the best alternative to get to Machu Picchu. 

The Salkantay trek was recently named by the National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine among the best 25 excursions in the world. 

You can see along the route beautiful places with ecological diversity of flora and fauna.

Flora:

• Erodium cicutarium
• Orchid
• Ichu (Andean grass)
• Salicornia ramosissima

Fauna:

• Alpaca
• Spectacled bear
• Condor
• Vizcacha
• the cock of the rocks (national bird of Peru)
• Llama

Inkayni Peru Tours has designed a trek in the Salkantay area: 05 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

In this journey you will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft, 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.

Inkayni Tips:

• • • We recommend coming at least 2 days before you start the Salkantay trek. You can visit Cusco town while acclimatizing.
    • We also recommend training so you have a good physical condition.
    • You should bring warm clothes and a light backpack with all the things needed for the trek.

    “The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page” 

    (Saint Augustine)

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