Salkantay Trek: One of the best Treks in Peru - National Geographic

Many renowned publications place Salkantay Trek among the 10 best hiking trails in the world; Although it is a challenge to cross the highest mountain passes, an even greater challenge is not to enjoy it.It's 4 or 5 days on the way to Machu Picchu, through one of the highest mountain ranges in the Andes. Although the mountain Salcantay, of 6.250 m.of height, it is one of the most beautiful mountains around Machu Picchu, not all people dare to challenge it. Salkantay mountain is still venerated by the people of the Andes, as it was in the time of the Incas.You will cross the Salkantay Mountain, another beautiful mountain passes, the incomparable cloud forest, beauty lagoons, and part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas towards Machu Picchu.Thats the main reason why National Geographic Traveler magazine included the Salkantay Route to Machu Picchu among the 50 trips of a lifetime, which shows that Peru is considered, once again, as a privileged destination for tourists. Such is the interest that this route arouses, that the publication National Geographic Traveler illustrated its cover with a photo of Machu Picchu. According to the magazine, the election pointed to the best guided expeditions that offer true immersion. In this sense, in the Salkantay Route towards Machu Picchu, travelers can meet residents who perform their daily tasks along the entire journey. The National Geographic Traveler reaches approximately ten million readers in the United States alone, and many more in other countries whose inhabitants show increasing attention to the different destinations offered by Peru. It should be noted that  Salkantay Trek was chosen in 2007 as the first best new destination to meet by the National Geographic Adventure magazine. Discover with us the magic of Apu Salkantay:

General Information:

• Name: Salkantay Trek.
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights.
• Kilometers: approximately 72 kilometers.
• Climate: minimum of less than 0 ° C in the 'Abra Salkantay'.
• Maximum height: 4,572 m.s.n.min the 'Abra Salkantay'.
• Minimum height: 1,800 m.sin the town of Santa Teresa.
• Difficulty: challenging.
• How to do it ?: with a tour or on your own.
• When to do it ?: in dry season (from April to October).
• Places you visit: Mollepata, Soraypampa, 'abra Salkantay', Chaullay, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
• Physical conditions: advisable to be in good physical condition.

What does the Trekking from Salkantay to Machu Picchu offer?

This route as it passes through the slopes of the majestic Apu Salkantay of more than 6200 m does not leave anyone indifferent.You can almost touch the glaciers that fall 1,600 meters below their summit. It has absolutely everything, during the trek you will appreciate:

• High mountain
• Jungle height
• Rain forest
• Towns
• Camps
• Valleys
• Culture
• Nature
• Gastronomy

On the route you can see landscapes even more impressive than the Inca Trail.Places like the snowy Salkantay, whose summit is 6,721 m.s.n.m.and whose slopes the tourist crosses to 4,572 m.a.s.l.You can also visit places such as the beautiful Mollepata Valley, the ruins of Llactapata and tropical territories where flora and fauna abound. 

When is the best time to hike the Salkantay Trek?

The best season is during the dry season from April to the end of September. In October the rain start and Machu Picchu usually gets cloudy. If you travel in June, we recommend that you book the Inti Raymi Festival (The feast of the sun) which takes place on June 24th and also hike the Rainbow Mountain Trail located high up in the Andes. 

Salkantay Trek in 5 days:

There are 5 days of walking with routes between 4 and 7 hours. Part of the route goes through mountain roads at high altitude reaching the 4600 m height of the Abra Salkantay the second day of treking. A mountain guide always will tell us that the fact of reaching a height of 4600m requires basic knowledge about altitude sickness. As a lover of photography and nature, We tell you that it is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Apu Salkantay of 6200m is the attraction of this beautiful route. After 2 days of pure landscape and mountain you reach the jungle. Here the route becomes calm for the third day to first travel a long descent to the town of Santa Teresa. A tour full of flora, waterfalls, rivers and small towns. Santa Teresa also offers the traveler thermal baths very well prepared and cared for. They are huge and believe us when we tell you that they revitalize the tired body of so many hours of walking. From here, a walk of about 5 hours separate us from Aguas Calientes town. This is the typical route of the traditional Inca road, full of people. But it is a very pleasant terrain between the trees of the jungle and the river that comes from the very slopes of Machu Picchu. The last day is the most incredible.  Enjoy it, really ... Enjoy the Salkantay Trek because it's worth it!.

Reasons to consider Salkantay Trek one of the best alternative routes to Machu Picchu (according to National Geographic):

The legendary Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (or Salkantay Trekking) has been chosen as one of the 25 best Treks in the world, by the National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.It is a walk of easy access for all, without limitations or necessary permits (at least for the moment).Next to the city of Mollepata.Cusco with Machu Picchu, Salkantay Trekking are ancient treasures and off the traditional route located in the same area, as the Inca Trail, where great frosts of snow-capped mountains combine with abundant rainforest. Some of the reasons are:

• The snowy Salkantay of 6240 meters high is one of the sacred apus, or sacred peaks, in the Inca religious Olympus.Even today it is venerated in the traditional Andean religion,, so Salkantay Trek preseves the ancient traditions.
• Salkantay Trek traverses the beautiful Mollepata valley and crosses beyond Salkantay at an altitude of 4.5 kilometers
• On the route you can see landscapes even more impressive than the Inca Trail.
• Places like the snowy Salkantay, whose summit is 6,721 m.a.s.l.and whose slopes the tourist crosses to 4,572 m.a.s.l.
• The Salkantay mountain is a sacred and protective mountain of the Andean world.From time immemorial, the Apu, as it is called by the inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes, is considered a tutelary deity that lavishes what is necessary for the subsistence of the children of the Pachamama (Mother Earth).
• Salkantay pass, you will notice an atmosphere of mysticism in the place and we are sure that you will be curious about the piles of snow-covered stones that can be seen everywhere in the Salkantay pass.The apachetas are offerings made by the walkers to the apus, the sacred Inca mountains and the Pachamama, the mother earth.

Best Hikes in Peru & National Geographic Best Tours

There are many trekking routes that lead you to Machu Picchu, but nothing best like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous hike in the world. After flying from the capital of Perú to Cusco city and upon arriving, you can choose the best hiking tours to Machu Picchu, but if you decide to do the Inca Trail, we recommend booking in advance and In case you want to do and alternative hike, please check the list below. Explore the megalithic Inca city of Cusco and appreciate the stone work of the Incas structures.

• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (5 days/4 nights)
• Short Salkantay to Machu Picchu (4 days/3 nights) 
• Classic Inca Trail (4 days/3 nights)
• Salkantay to Inca Trail (7 days/6 nights)
• Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5 days/4 nights)
• Inca Quarry Trail (4 days/3 nights)
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days/3 nights)
• Short Inca Trail (2 days/1 night)
• Inca Trail with Camping (2 days/1 night)
• Inca Trail Challenge (3 days/2 nights)
• Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu (6 days/5 nights)
• Ausangate trek (7 days/6 nights)
• Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu (9 days/8 nights)

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend that you book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.