Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (One Of The World’s Best Hikes)

The Salkantay Trek is a trek in Peru and an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail for reaching Machu Picchu. The trek crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m, descends into the cloud forest and passes the Inca ruins Llactapata, with a view of Machu Picchu.

The trail starts in Mollepata, a couple of hours away from Cuzco and ends in Santa Teresa or Hidroelectrica giving access to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. The trek is not as popular as the overbooked Inca Trail but many find it just as beautiful.

This trek (also sometimes called the Salcantay Trek), was named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine. The part around Mount Salkantay has some outstanding views and the descent later down to 1,000 m above sea level is quite gorgeous and not too steep.

Choquequirao Treks

Created with Sketch. Laguna Humantay, Peru

Humantay Lake Full Day Tour

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Salkantay, Machu Picchu, Peru

Salkantay Trek Classic 5D / 4N

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Choquequirao, Salkantay, Machupicchu, Cusco, Peru.

Choquequirao Salkantay to Machu Picchu 6 Days

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Choquequirao, Yanama, Vilcabamba, Machupicchu, Cusco, Peru.

Choquequirao Salkantay & Inca Trail 12 Days

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Salkantay, Machu Picchu, Peru

Salkantay Trek Short 4D / 3N

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Salkantay, Machu Picchu, Peru

Salkantay Challenge Trek 3D / 2N

Ranking

Created with Sketch. Salkantay, Machu Picchu, Peru

Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 7D / 6N

Ranking
machu picchu tours, alternative treks cusco, inca trail

Created with Sketch. Ancascocha, Cusco, Peru

Ancascocha Trail + Salkantay Trek 8 Days

Ranking
incajungle-biking

Biking

This tour is an excellent trip to have a descend expedition on bicycle.

incajungle-rafting

Rafting

Our rafting trip starts in the town of Santa Maria at 2:45 pm, starting point is the bridge at Chaullay.

incajungle-trekking

Trekking.

Impress the majesty of the area and that constant variety that accompanies you from sun to rain and vice versa in an area considered ¨Ceja de Selva¨.

incajungle-zipline

Zipline

A wonderful tour and a different way of living, trained and warm staff. They made me feel safe all the time.

Salkantay Information

Salkantay mountain, the tallest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcabamba at 6,272 m/20,569 feet and the second highest in the Cusco area. The Salkantay trek offers more natural beauty, as opposed to ancient ruins. You pass high mountains and sweltering jungle, all in very desolate areas.

The trek usually starts in the town of Mollepata or Soraypampa in the Apurimac Valley to the northwest of Cusco. You can get there by an early morning bus.Then you will visit the Humantay Mountain and the Lake. The first night on this trek is cold, so it is important that you get prepared for this. The camp is beside the snow-covered peak of Salkantay. On a clear night you will see a sky full of stars. Having a good quality sleeping bag is essential if you want a good night´s sleep.

This place is dominated by the turquoise waters of the springs that contrast with the white of the snow and the intense sky. The snowy territory of the Salkantay gives us an unique landscape crowned by snowy peaks, where we feel really tiny. The walk continues and at every step we are surprised by a beautiful scenery, where nature is the main protagonist.

On day two, the trek continues straight up for about half a day. This day is more challenging than the regular trail, but do not let that stop you, many people in their 60s and older have successfully completed it. The amount of time it takes you to complete the Classic Salkantay Trek or Salkantay Inca Trail combodepends on you.

Those with greater physical strengh and determination may finish hours ahead of the rest of the group. Most of all remember that this is not a race, you are here to enjoy this magnificent once in a life time experience.

There are a number of variations of tours that include the Salkantay Trek, the Salkantay 5 days trek to Machu Picchu. There is a shorter Salkantay 4 day Trek version available too, or even a longer 7 day adventure. Some will end in the town of Santa Teresa or in Llactapata ruins, a short walk from the train station at the hydroelectric plant. It’s a one-hour ride from there to Aguas Calientes. Salkantay Inca Trail combo is the new alternative route involves Inca Trail hike and Salkantay

SALKANTAY. That white colossus, which seems to be closer to heaven than to earth, does not accept challenges or guapeos. Anyone does not scale it, nor has the opportunity to touch their skirts. For its name, Salkantay, that in Quechua means “wild mountain“. Indomitable. This is defined by Ever Gibaja, 41, owner of the only store in Soraypampa, camp three hours away from the Salkantay apu and from where he leaves for him.

“We have to ask permission to climb and have a lot of respect, we have not climbed yet” says the villager as a warning to tourists who arrive enthusiastically there. Eager to touch it, to walk it, most ignore that snow mountain dies, melts.

Get Updates & More

Thoughtful thoughts to your inbox