Classic Salkantay Trek 5 days and 4 nights “Machu Picchu via 5 day trekking Salkantay”. Due to the new restrictions and limits imposed on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in the past years, new alternatives and paths to reach the majestic sanctuary of Machu Picchu have been found.
The classic Salkantay Trek is an alternative to the classic inca trail to Machu Piccchu. The sacred trail is a vanguard experience to the traveler’s adventures that are seeking for more privacy and authenticity. With spectacular landscapes the trek to Machu Picchu offers tranquility and contemplation of the nature of the Machu Picchu archaeological park.
If traveling to Salkantay is on your plans here you have some recommendations you need to know.
The best time to make this route is the dry season that takes place between May and October. May is the most advisable month to travel because everything is green after the rainy season. On the other side, June is the coldest month.
First you need to bring a small backpack besides the one that the horse is going to carry and a sleeping bag of -5 degrees at least. The clothes should be for trekking in mountain rage since the weather is going to be hot during the day and cold during the night. For your clothes bring 3 bags that allows you to keep your clothes clean from the dirt ones. Don’t forget your toiletries for 4 days of trekking just as a towel, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. Bring the medicines that you consider necessary for headache or altitude sickness. Bring Band-Aids for blisters and sores. It’s important to have a flashlight with batteries especially for the last day because we’re going to wake up at 4:00 am. If you want to visit some communities it’ll be nice if you bring pencils, color pencils, pens, notebooks and books you want to donate. Don’t forget to bring a good camera with charged battery just as sunglasses, a cap and sunscreen.
It’s important to be acclimatized before heading to the trek by arriving in Cusco 2 or 3 days before the trek. The soroche pills or the altitude sickness pills can help too. You need to drink a lot of water, especially coca leaf tea, to hydrate your body. You need to eat light, i.e., meals that are easy to digest such as soups, vegetables and carbohydrates that are not fried. Sleep as much as you can and you’ll feel better. Keep your body warm and don’t forget to eat before you feel hungry, drink before you feel thirsty, to keep yourself warm before you feel cold and rest before you feel exhausted.
You’ll travel with the most experienced and trained tour guides that can assist you in any situation during the whole trip. Ask all the questions you need to know to be prepared and have the best trekking experience in Salkantay!
