Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Review: 4 Days, 3 Nights

If you’re looking to get to Machu Picchu with a bit of, you know, challenge and without the huge crowds on the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is often a brilliant choice. Very recently, I had the opportunity to hike this path, that heads toward the marvelous Machu Picchu over four exciting days and three cozy nights. So, this is my no-holds-barred story on pretty much everything you may want to keep in your thoughts if you are, too, seriously considering this adventure. From seriously cold nights to views that felt totally unreal, it definitely pushed me in ways that I was not prepared for; also, it rewarded me in ways I had barely conceived.

What’s the Salkantay Trek About?

Okay, first things first. The Salkantay Trek, unlike some other popular routes to Machu Picchu, takes you along a seriously different, less crowded route. That’s named for the gorgeous Salkantay Mountain. Some know it to be one of the highest peaks in the Andes. That is really an alternative to the seriously famous Inca Trail. And for those hoping to avoid permits that might be unavailable at the time you wish to trek. It winds through a diverse series of landscapes; it changes from pretty high-altitude passes with snow. Then you can go into lush cloud forests; finally ending near the edge of the Sacred Valley. It’s physically tough, I won’t soft pedal that fact, yet also wonderfully rewarding. The views are completely magnificent and offer that distinct sense of peace only truly getting far away from civilization seems to grant. This is like your chance to truly unplug and properly reconnect with nature.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator: My Experience

Tour operator selections really matter when undertaking a thing such as the Salkantay Trek. So, many operate in Cusco. Therefore, doing a bit of research, like asking other travelers and skimming through feedback forms, often will make or break your time spent. Personally, I really looked at the sustainability ideals of the businesses, and even those which really ensured the safety of each trekker was being carefully seen after. I opted to use a smaller, locally based outfit and was satisfied in the degree of individual care. I really looked for guides known to be quite proficient. Someone versed in local customs, not only on trekking. The moral of the story here, invest time researching operators before you commit; perhaps your safety and appreciation rely on the people guiding you. By the way, I cannot list the agency used given the parameters of the brief. It will certainly feel pretty satisfying once you find a crew you really feel a rapport with.

Day-by-Day Breakdown: What to Anticipate

You know, it may give you comfort knowing ahead what each day may actually present. That’s really what I would’ve desired ahead. I will attempt to walk through it here, and quite frankly, be genuine as you hope. So, hold onto your hats, here goes!

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa (The Beginning)

The adventure often kicks off early from Cusco. In fact, there might be a pre-dawn pickup. From here, expect that you will drive for many hours until you come to a point you may commence hiking, frequently near the village of Mollepata. It’s there you may take a moment, where the support staff, such as cooks and porters, prep everything. The trekking this day usually involves gradually walking further upward through more and more amazing highland terrain on your trip toward Soraypampa. Where usually you will stop the very first night at a campsite. It may be tough. Your system needs time adjusting to altitude change. I personally discovered sipping coca tea was great to help the issue, or lessen it, shall we say. And oh my, do not forget layering!

Day 2: Soraypampa to Huayracmachay (Conquering the Salkantay Pass)

Okay, that is usually the toughest day of all on the path. Expect a very early start just to get ready for climbing to Salkantay Pass, which comes in at about 4,600 meters above sea level, like super high. Views from the top, when not socked with cloud, might be mind blowing! Keep an eye out on the glacier. Following catching your breath, then usually you will walk further downward toward Huayracmachay. During the day, I actually felt both accomplishment, like, woah, I made it, also tired. Just remember that tempo is extremely vital during that higher altitude point to conserve vital energy.

Day 3: Huayracmachay to La Playa (Entering the Cloud Forest)

That one actually signals a shift in environments in real form since you plunge further from higher altitudes straight into much more luxuriant cloud forest regions. While heading down into lower regions, vegetation tends to become much denser, and the ambience has some very, like very, moist conditions. You might anticipate to find exotic plantlife. There tends to be just loads of ferns, not to mention orchids around nearly any spot, plus hummingbirds going fast. Generally, camping follows occurs around the La Playa region. That could actually feel as though your journey has fully changed; expect a lot more sunshine also warmer weather, which you should like for sure. By the way, the path here grows quite muddy occasionally. I can tell you I did notice it on multiple times, very muddy. Bring really wonderful gripping trekking footwear!

Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Awaits)

And this day, typically, the trek shifts toward a mix of walking and transportation in preparing the coming day’s go to Machu Picchu itself. Mostly you’re walking a little more before usually you take a car going to Hydroelectrica station. Some decide walking from La Playa on the tracks as much as Aguas Calientes which take a great many hours, that would be another walking section added to your path. As soon as reaching Aguas Calientes that seems a lively town situated just below Machu Picchu- make time for unwinding prior getting that significant go to coming up by maybe visiting the town, look around or take some fantastic photos with everyone.

Altitude Sickness: Tips to Stay Well

Let’s address the actual alpaca that some ignore when discussing trekking at some great elevation – altitude issues. Given Salkantay Trek achieves an extraordinarily elevated altitude. One has to seriously get ready for handling the consequences of this thinner air properly to essentially safeguard his well being throughout his hike itself. Right before going, check in with the doctor- he or she may give advise concerning prescriptions, maybe acetazolamide will aid you; do think this through cautiously first, obviously. Throughout the excursion, sipping coca tea is truly helpful. You want to ensure that you stay well-hydrated, evade intense eating or drinking, and usually ascend really carefully.

What to Pack: Gear Recommendations

Knowing what to pack may feel stressful. That means doing this will allow for not weighing yourself unduly. Having wonderful gears makes sure that that one trek is really more pleasurable still! I am talking just key must-haves here to cause a shorter, and ideally easier read here.

• Trekking Footwear: Purchasing reliable footwear that fits well, and has just been previously worked into; make sure not too get new stuff without ever before wearing them.
• Clothing layers: Stock pile-on layers; comprising heat retaining underlayers to allow that one acclimate varying environment.
• Rain Suit or Poncho: Rain storms are often completely common. Safeguard from dampness in the rains to typically prevent hypothermia.
• Backpacks: Medium rucksack of say 50 liters seems sufficient. Be certain is quite comfortable and never too heavy regarding extended strolling segments of journey itself.
• Hydrating-water bottles/ Camelbak: Keep yourself suitably nourished simply by transporting loads, ideally in container/hydration system type tools which is frequently easily accessible throughout hikes itself.
• First-aid Supplies: Personal pack comprising treatments regarding common discomfort like cuts/blisters/altitude sickness/aches can surely keep one healthy during that path, especially assuming it had been completely remote.

Food and Accommodation on the Trek

With relation to feeding that that is on a trek like these, actually anticipate actually quite varied types dependent really by tour chosen here: most packages do supply basic meals organized per cook that offers nutritious carbohydrates too; expect such things as quinoa beans various local fruits regarding having adequate sustenance constantly which makes that hike doable here throughout lengthy stretches within mountain terrain away elsewhere! Regarding resting accommodations during paths which we are on, this really should change- typically hikers tend sleep within campsite settings via dome type tent given with packages acquired: nevertheless; many excursions now additionally may allow alternative camping locations, that could vary widely contingent selected agencies during excursion phase of time frames spent traveling this Salkantay trek path- often inspect details completely if deciding about tour deals beforehand just before committing!

Is the Salkantay Trek Right for You?

Evaluate individual wellbeing standards, and the walking know how prior making the choice regardless of that excursion suits yourself effectively, is generally sound behavior- trek which runs via Salkantay passes via somewhat hard locations thus really needs basic exercise readiness amounts along determination! Presuming anyone will not love tough walkings regularly spanning higher locations subsequently this perhaps should not remain appropriate that someone personally! Alternatively one enjoys venture-out walking together with experiencing different landscape whilst not massive crowds- this will usually stand perfectly!

Machu Picchu: The Grand Finale

Upon arriving from Machu Picchu next ending that multi day tour through journey- actually be really worth effort- observing sun slowly increase above- that lost citadels within Incas truly seems ethereal! Most excursion provides led travels that usually take viewers everywhere around most significant sites though provide story together with insight from former cultures: Always purchase arrival entrance way previously considering amount accessibility continues limited here because site protects.