Salkantay Trek “Machu Picchu via 5 day trekking Salkantay”. Due to the new restrictions and limitations on the numbers to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, new alternative hikes to reach the mystical sanctuary of Machu Picchu has been opened.
The Salkantay Trek is an alternative trek to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This quite scenic trek is for those adventurers who are seeking nature and the old remains of Peruvian indigenous cultures. The Salkantay trek offers breathtaking scenery en route to Machu Picchu and also quietness being in nature within 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 hike the Salkantay is in the dry season from May to October. May is the most advisable month because everything is green after the rainy season. The months of June and July are winter so it is warm in the sun and cold in the shade and also cold at night time.
You need to bring a daypack to carry the essentials for the day, a big backpack for the horse, sleeping bag of -5 degrees at least. The clothes should be trekking since the weather is hot during the day and cold during the night. For your clothes bring plastic bags that allows you to keep your clothes clean from the dirt ones. Don’t forget your toiletries for 4 days of trekking such as 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 would be nice to give the kids as a present pencils, color pencils, pens, notebooks and books you want. Don’t forget to bring fully charged camera, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, etc.
It’s important to acclimate prior trek departure 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 keep hydrated and also drink coca tea to cop withy altitude sickness. You need to eat light, i.e., meals that are easy to digest such as soups, vegetables and carbohydrates but nothing fried. Rest and Sleep as much as you can to feel much better. Keep your body warm and don’t forget to eat before you get hungry, and drink enough fluids before you are really thirsty, keep warm before you are cold and rest before you get exhausted.
You’ll travel with the most experienced and trained tour guides who can assist you in any situation during the whole trip. Ask all the questions you need to know in order to be prepared for the hike and have the best trekking experience on the Salkantay trek!
Day 01. Arrival to Cusco
Day 02: Acclimation day or visit the around the Cusco City
Day 03 06: Trek to Salkantay mountain
Day 07: Machu Picchu
Day 08: Visit the Rainbow Montain tour or departure day
If you don´t want to hike to the Salkantay, there are others alternative short trek to Machu Picchu:
