Choosing between the two most legendary routes to the Inca citadel is not an easy task. The Inca Trail is an icon for its historical value, being the traditional royal road that connected the vital points of the ancient Empire. This history is reflected in the different sections of original pavement and archaeological remains found along the path. For this reason, combined with the natural environment and the impressive end at Machu Picchu, it is considered the number one trekking route in South America.
For those who do not have 4 free days to complete the Classic Inca Trail, there is a shorter 2 day version that includes highlight places like Wiñaywayna and the Sun Gate. However, for high mountain lovers, the Salkantay Trek emerges as the most powerful alternative. Unlike the Inca Trails, this route focuses on the majesty of wild nature, with the imposing snowy Salkantay Mountain as the main feature.
In this guide we will compare both paths so you can discover which one best fits your traveler style: the one who looks for the traces of history or the one who chases the challenge of the glaciers.
The Salkantay Trek
Unlike the Inca Trail, which focuses on architecture and archaeology, the Salkantay Trek is a purely scenic and high mountain route. Its name comes from the impressive snowy Salkantay mountain, whose peak reaches 6,271 meters and is considered by locals as an "Apu" or protective deity.
During the journey, you will go from freezing mountain passes at 4,600 meters in altitude to thick cloud forests and coffee plantations in the high jungle. It is a journey that tests your physical endurance while you are surrounded by some of the most biodiverse landscapes in the world.
Why is it a good option to reach Machu Picchu?
There are three main reasons why many travelers choose this route over the Classic Inca Trail:
Availability and Flexibility: It does not require strict government permits or limited spots that sell out months in advance. This allows travelers to plan their adventure with more freedom.
Variety of Ecosystems: By not following a fixed stone path, the route offers more biological diversity. In a single trip you experience glaciers, turquoise lagoons (like Humantay), and tropical jungle.
Higher Physical Challenge: For experienced hikers, Salkantay represents a more exciting challenge. The altitude is higher and the contact with nature is much more raw and authentic.
Note: Although it does not require permits like the Inca Trail, it is vital to book with a reliable agency to ensure good camping equipment, as the cold near the snowy mountain is intense.
Advantages of the Salkantay Trek:
- Landscape: Salkantay is famous for its landscape that most guides give faith, which surpasses the Inca Trail. You will have a better chance of seeing large numbers of mammals such as foxes, deer, chinchillas, and with luck, the spectacled bear. There is a lot of variety of plants too. It is a trek through the typical Andes that takes you up to the imposing glaciers, then descends through lush valleys with coffee plantations, and finally climbs to the high jungle.
- Traffic: No one would think of claiming the fame of the Inka Trail as “something out of the ordinary” but in the Salkantay Trek there is about 72% less traffic which gives a daily average of 50 people compared to a daily average of 180 that the Inca Trail has. This means that you would have the most part of the trek for yourself and that the campsites on the route are not so crowded, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural environment and camp in a more authentic sense.
- Availability and Flexibility: Little traffic means that there is no need to set daily limits, which make the quotas of the Inca Trail exhaust quickly. You can find tours to Salkantay almost every day, it is just a matter of finding a departure group on the same day you want the trek (unless you go independently or opt for a private tour). There is also more flexibility in terms of modifications than the Inca Trail because in this, the strict rules of permits do not allow date changes or cancellations.
Disadvantages of Salkantay
- Prestige: Unlike the Inka Trail, you do not enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku or The Sun Gate because you spend the night in the village of Machu Picchu and the next day you can take the bus to the citadel, or if you walk in a route of an hour and a half at dawn. However during your visit to Machu Picchu, it is possible to walk to the door of the sun in a half hour.
- Difficulty: The trek is almost twice as long as the Inca Trail (82 kilometers compared to 42 kilometers) and reaches a much higher level of altitude (4637 meters instead of 4200 meters). This means that it is physically more demanding than the Inca Trail, reaching even colder levels as well.
- Facilities: camping equipment along the Salkantay Route does not have many facilities, so most groups of tourists establish their own camp latrines. There are no showers, although you can bathe in the streams if you are willing to face the cold.
- History: Although the trek to Salkantay follows historical routes as well, the only set of ruins that is seen, is the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The best ruins along the Inca Trail, located in Wiñaywayna, are similar to the ones of Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Incas outside of Cusco. Therefore, to compensate for unseen archeological complexes, it is possible to think about visiting Pisaq.
The Inca Trail
The Classic Inca Trail is much more than a trekking path; it is a work of engineering from the Inca Empire. This route follows the original layout of the Qhapaq Ñan (royal roads) used by messengers and the nobility to travel from Cusco to the sacred citadel.
Unlike the Salkantay Trek, where the natural landscape is the main star, the Inca Trail offers a tour of archaeology. The path is paved almost entirely with stones and crosses several archaeological complexes that are only accessible on foot through this route.
Why is it a good option to reach Machu Picchu?
There are fundamental reasons why this is considered the number one hiking route in South America:
Historical and Cultural Value: It is the only route that lets you literally walk on history. Crossing stone gates, Inca tunnels, and ancient temples before arriving at the final destination “Machu Picchu”.
Triumphal Entrance through the Inti Punku: Only those who walk the Classic Inca Trail have the privilege of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise. This is the most iconic and exciting view of the citadel, reserved exclusively for the hikers on this route.
Exclusive Archaeological Sites: On the way, you will visit impressive ruins like Wiñay Wayna, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca. These places cannot be seen from the train or from any other trekking route.
Note: Preservation is key; therefore, the government only allows 500 people per day (including guides and porters). This is the reason why you must book months in advance.
Advantages of the Inka Trail
- Prestige: It is one of the most famous treks in the world, and the only trek which takes you directly to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The hikers appear from the jungle, in the Sun Gate or Inti Punku, from where you can see all of Machu Picchu. From there, hikers descend into the citadel.
- Landscape: It has beautiful landscapes ranging from the snowy peaks to the cloud forests and high jungle. It includes a variety of small historical ruins in the route. The most important of these is Winaywayna with its abundant agricultural terraces. You can walk on the original Inca steps and even pass through an Inca stone tunnel. Upon reaching the high jungle during the last stretch of the walk, you will see a variety of orchids, as well as birds and butterflies.
- Difficulty: It is considered a moderate hike, and with a time of acclimatization in Cusco for altitude, is ideal for both young and old hikers. There is a steep and quite difficult segment on the second day ascent to the highlight of the walk, the step of the dead woman. Apart from that, the hike is not difficult. However it is recommended to hire walking poles, to reduce pressure on the knees as you climb up or down the many small stone steps in Wiñaywayna.
- Facilities: Camping equipment along the trail includes restrooms that are cleaned every 2 days. For some, this is an advantage of the hike, although genuine campers might prefer the more 'wild' feel like the Salkantay Trek. The trails on the Inca Trail tend to be better organized overall as a result of increased demand and reputation.
Disadvantages of the Inca Trail
- Traffic: The Inca Trail is an extremely popular route. They limit the quotas to keep the multitudes tolerable, but the greater number of people means that their chances of seeing mammals such as foxes, deer and Chinchilla are reduced. During the difficult climb up to the Warmi Warmi pass, in the same passage way, and in the descent of the pass, it is quite likely that you will find yourself passing with other groups, and the campsite areas will also be full of people. However, throughout the rest of the trek, there is more likely to be less crowded.
- Availability and Flexibility: To cross the Inca Trail, it is mandatory to go with an authorized operator, who will buy your entrance to the Inca Trail in advance. Permits are limited to 500 per day, of which 300 are guides, porters and cooks. For the must part of the year, income is available, but must be purchased at least a week or two earlier to make sure the desired date is found. During the high season from May to August, you should book with more time in advance as possible, up to 5 months before. Tickets are sold months in advance during this season.
If you want more information about these and other tours ofCusco and the rest of Peru, do not hesitate to contact Salkantay Trek Machu tour operator, to help or to hire tours.
Salkantay to Inca Trail Tours
If you want to enjoy both trails to Machu Picchu,
we recommend the Salkantay to Inca Trail Trek for 7 days. this hike involves visiting the Humantay Lake, Salkantay Mountain and continuing the hike to the Inca Trail, where you will discover the original Inca path with inca sites, tunnels.
Other experiences near Cusco
Beyond the iconic Machu Picchu, the surroundings of Cusco offer a variety of experiences that allow you to get to know the culture, history, and landscapes of the Andean Peru. From traditional towns to little-explored natural wonders, there is much to discover just a few kilometers from the imperial city. So, if you are looking for new adventures, here are some places you can't miss:
Machu Picchu, Inca trail and more
+51 84 226 547
+51 912 891 560
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
www.salkantaytrekmachu.com
