The Salkantay Trek is an old and remote alternative path to the Inca Trail, it has much more spectacular views and with various ecological floors we will walk between lagoons, impressive snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay and Humantay, crossing rivers and subtropical areas with abundant vegetation and fauna.
This path is an excellent option for those who want to escape the most congested routes and in a faster way, or for those who are looking for an alternative when the spaces of the traditional Inca Trail are occupied.
Wayracmachay is a camp on the Salkantay route, passing through the town of wayracmachay you will be able to find a place to camp but the most recommended is to get to the town of Chaullay.
How high is Wayracmachay?
Wayracmachay is located about 3,750masl
How to get to Wayracmachay?
Passing the Salkantay Pass, located at 4,650 masl, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains, then descend to have lunch in Wayracmachay and continue the route to Chaullay where you can spend the night.
What is the Sakantay Tour like?
This impressive excursion passes under the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6,710 m / 22,014 ft), one of the highest and most impressive in the Peruvian Andes. Your first two days will be dominated by the impressive snowcapped mountains of Salkantay and Humantay, as you tour the high Andean landscape. The third day you will descend into the warm cloud forest, to reach Aguas Calientes on the fourth day. The impressive sacred citadel of the Incas Machu Picchu is visited on the last day of the program. This excursion is an interesting alternative for those who have not found space on the route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay excursion was recently named by National Geographic Adventure Travel magazine among the top 25 excursions in the world.
Day 1: It begins with a car trip from the city of Cuzco to Mollepata (2,803 m.a.s.l.) From there the trek begins through climates of jungle eyebrows but with views of the snow-capped mountains of the Salkantay chain. After 7 or 8 hours of trekking, you will arrive at the town of Soraypampa (3,900 m.a.s.l.). The first day, you will travel approximately 16 kilometers.
Day 2: It is the most arduous. It begins with a 2-hour walk to the so-called ‘Abra Salkantay’, the highest point of the trip at 4,572 meters above sea level. The place is located on the slopes of the snowy mountain, which gives it a perfect landscape to take the best pictures. After a break, you descend for several hours, entering the eastern part of the Andes or the edge of the jungle to the town of Chaullay (2,800 masl). In total, 22 kilometers are traveled.
Day 3: Beautiful landscapes of the high jungle are crossed, such as waterfalls, tropical fruit fields, rivers, and abundant vegetation. On the way you cross the so-called Sahuayaco Beach. That day you descend approximately 16 kilometers of greenish landscapes until you reach the town of Santa Teresa (1,800 m.s.n.m.)
Day 4: That day, the route is parallel to the Vilcanota river. You start by arriving at the hydroelectric station in the area. From there, follow the railway lines of the train, which is the route by which most tourists arrive at the Wonder of the World. Finally, after a walk surrounded by nature, you reach Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town, at the foot of the Inca Citadel. An approximate of 16 kilometers is traveled.
Day 5: That day is destined to know Machu Picchu. You ascend very early to the entrance door to the Wonder of the World. It is the most exciting time of the 5 day trip. After appreciating the beauty of the Inca City, we return to the city of Cusco. The return is generally by train.
Recommendations:
The Salkantay trek is the main hiking alternative to the 4 day Inca Trail Tour. More and more tourists are encouraged to arrive at Machu Picchu through this 5-day and 4-night trek through amazing landscapes such as the snowy Salcantay. To fully enjoy this adventure, take into account the following recommendations:
- It is possible to do this trek on your own or with a tour. Due to the difficulty of the adventure, it is recommended to do it with a tourism agency. Otherwise, you must have experience in mountaineering.
- Perhaps the main drawback to this adventure is the ‘soroche’ or altitude sickness. It is advisable to do a previous acclimatization in the city of Cusco.
- Most tourism agencies include the main implements such as tents, food and guide. In case of doing it independently, it is recommended to take everything you need.
- The cold at the foot of the snowy Salkantay is perhaps another of the main difficulties. It is recommended to wear thermal clothing.
- The rainy season (from October to March) is characterized by the greater probability of river precipitation. It is not a good climate for trekking.
- In case of doing it on your own, don't forget to book the Machu Picchu Ticket in advance. It is the only way to know the Wonder of the World.
