Salkantay All Inclusive Trek Review: 5-Day Machu Picchu Adventure

Okay, so you are dreaming of Machu Picchu, aren’t you? Very likely, you’ve stumbled upon the Salkantay Trek, right? That’s the spot, and really, what if you go for the all-inclusive, five-day version? I mean, you get to skip all that planning fuss, and just soak up those mountains. I can tell you, though, figuring out whether it’s really worth it takes a hard look, you know, at what’s good, and very much what’s maybe, not so hot. Let’s check what this adventure really means.

What’s the Big Deal With Salkantay?

Now, listen, instead of doing the usual Inca Trail, you could choose Salkantay. It gives you sights of humongous snow-capped mountains, then that crazy green cloud forest. We are talking about seriously mind-blowing changes in scenery. That pass gets crazy high, right at about 4,600 meters—think gasping for air! Yet, because it’s tougher and slightly longer than the classic trail, expect way fewer crowds, too it’s almost like having Peru all to yourself in certain spots.

Plus, doing it all-inclusive means, just a bit, that someone else handles the logistics, right? Accommodation is figured out, food’s covered, and usually, porters haul your stuff. You pretty much walk and gawk. Yet, what does that experience really feel like? We are gonna try and give it to you.

Breaking Down the “All-Inclusive” Bit

So, here is the part to check closely, right? ‘Cause “all-inclusive” can mean, arguably, quite a lot of things. The main deal involves your meals being covered—expect good, solid food designed to fuel you uphill. They will likely include accommodation too, and it can change between camping in pretty comfy tents to small family-run lodges, that are rather simple.

Typically, porters are part of it; that means they’re gonna lug your duffel bag, which should contain just about seven kilograms or fifteen pounds worth of gear, right? This assistance is super sweet when you’re puffing your way up hills. You usually find park entrance fees folded into the price too. But seriously, tip money and any drinks that aren’t water normally aren’t covered, so take that into account.

Be careful while you book. What “all-inclusive” offers depends a lot upon whom you book with. So confirm what is included, but just as critically, what is left out. Hidden costs could actually make what looks like a wonderful deal kind of less shiny.

My Day-by-Day: Highs and Lows

Okay, so I will describe my actual experience, which I hope helps you decide. First off, Cusco adjustment is seriously important. Several agencies suggest two days at minimum in Cusco before you get started on that hike to try and acclimatize. Altitude sickness will ruin things completely, trust me, right?

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa – It starts mellow, with a drive from Cusco to a location where the walking kicks off, right? The walk is meant to be soft to ease your legs. Expect rather amazing views of those valleys as you hike. The campsite at Soraypampa offers great stargazing, so maybe if the weather’s clear, remember to check up.

Day 2: Soraypampa to Huayracmachay (The Salkantay Pass!) – Well, this day’s killer. We are speaking about hiking to the highest point of the trek—Salkantay Pass. You are gonna huff and puff—guaranteed—but man, seriously, the vistas are amazing, totally worthwhile. Going downhill could be rough upon your knees, but the camp at Huayracmachay feels excellent at the end of all of it, as a matter of fact.

Day 3: Huayracmachay to La Playa – Now, that’s a day where things actually shift totally, you know? As you fall in elevation, that view turns lusher and that climate becomes warmer. Seriously, you would go through cloud forest that’s bursting with a lot of plant life and most likely birds. La Playa presents like a welcome spot following those prior, harder days, but like, your legs will still seriously know they have been hiking.

Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes – Think of it as an Inca coffee trip day as it very well may include visits to such a place where, well, you taste regional coffee. The bulk usually drive from Hidroeléctrica, taking trains into Aguas Calientes. That city, it just feels like the antechamber of Machu Picchu; prepare for tourists galore and get yourself some nice sleep.

Day 5: Machu Picchu! – Wake way before dawn to jump on a shuttle to Machu Picchu so you might see sunrise there. Let’s be honest, no matter how many photos you have viewed, watching that city rise out of the mist kinda gives you shivers. Book yourself guides ahead if you’d like to find the history from a local point of view, though arguably exploring by yourself also can feel pretty impressive. By day’s close, train it back towards Cusco—legs tired but thoughts completely blown, like your mind.

What You Need To Be in Good Shape

Okay, therefore this bit’s vital. Salkantay seriously is not simply a walk down the park, but more or less a hike demanding fitness. That second day, pushing up Salkantay Pass, can break anyone who’s actually not somewhat ready. Start jogging and perform stair climbing workouts months beforehand. Also, walking with your fully packed daypack helps tons to obtain that used to that load upon hills. Being kinda ready makes what feels like a tough trip feel wonderful.

About altitude illness: check with the physician about altitude illness pills. Arrive early at Cusco for acclimatization. Seriously, I saw many folks bail halfway because of bad acclimatization and really, it isn’t worth it, okay?

Picking Your Company – Do Your Due Diligence

Your tour operator, really, can make or break what this trip brings. Seriously, I mean review what prior hikers say and search hard upon those review websites. Ask around. Focus over all:

• What do former trekkers have to say around them?
• What’s specifically covered in those prices?
• What’s their gear really like? Seriously, cheap tent or warm comfortable ones seriously matter while you’re way up high.
• What qualifications do those guides have? Are those individuals great in first aid, that is kind of pretty key for security.
• How fairly do they treat porters? Just give your funds towards companies which value those crew’s wellbeing; the ones help make your trip kinda possible, you see?

Things I Wish I’d Known (Hindsight’s 20/20)

Now listen, that being here, I would do what follows completely differently. A quality sleeping bag tends to make everything much better; that rental they give often is a little rough. Purchasing my personal gave me, as a matter of fact, better rest up there in frigid hills. Also, you can never ever bring lots of snacks. Having what feels like energy bars you actually fancy may uplift things once you’re feeling seriously done.

Furthermore, regarding Machu Picchu—book your tickets WAY ahead, right? You’re gonna potentially fail to get the period slots you might need, specifically in high travel periods. Then bring bug spray always, or you may well be eaten up alive around that cloud forest part, really!

Was That All-Inclusive Bit Really Worth the Coin?

Here comes what you’ve possibly come waiting to hear, right? From my vantage point? Basically yes, provided you get right kind of company, that is kind of the whole tip. Managing transport, eating, and accommodation individually can be kinda challenging plus tiresome whenever all you need happens to be focusing on sights plus going without any frustrations from that trek.

However, don’t think “all inclusive” implies luxury, as you could easily discover elsewhere, but more like…convenience plus ease, you see? Weigh that cost carefully according that benefit, as for somebody liking much independent traveling there exist various strategies to make which happen upon that trek with no paying high rates.

Essential Things To Pack

Packing the correct gear makes, probably, what feels like big difference in both your ease but security. Take such things, as a matter of fact:

• Hiking boots you’ve tried previously: To just have something breaking throughout might be a recipe concerning misery.
• Layers: Temp variations may very well be intense, seriously you see everything. Get the means in including removing.
• Waterproof coats plus pants: Weather shifts with little if any alert.
• Sunblock, hat, and sunnies: That sunlight can sting rather very higher upward, very it’s important.
• Bug aerosol: Crucial throughout lower forest trails!
• Personal medication plus minor 1st assistance package: Because protection frequently is key.
• Power bank: In order to recharging telephones also cameras; getting plugs normally gets difficult.

A Few Tips to keep in Mind

Remember that that Salkantay Trip transcends, probably, only hiking actually, yet it’s that immersing right in nature. Respect nearby traditions and also eco-friendly standards, you are visiting a place folks depend upon due sustenance!

Talks alongside others on you trip. That bond you create often makes which experience what seems as especially invaluable. Stay present and see that each outlook—pictures merely fail with completing these types of places correct justice.

Frequently Asked Questions