Salkantay Trek Tours

Posted On: 24 September 2021 #TierrasVivas 268

The Salkantay Trek is the most popular alternative hike Inca Trail in the Sacred Valley. Just like the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek leads past massive, snow-capped mountain peaks to the tropical mountain cloud forest. The hike is in no way inferior to the Inca Trail, it is much known and hardly deserves to be only in second place of the top trekking routes in Peru. On the way you go around the impressive mountain Salkantay (6271m), which is called “Apu Salkantay” in Quechua. Especially on the first and second day, the strenuous stages are high. After passing the Humantay Lake on the first day, the Salkantay Pass is crossed on the following day, followed by a long descent. If you want, you can choose an alternative route on the third day from Chaullay and are therefore on the road for a total of five instead of four days. On the active tour Peru you can even combine the Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail. Walk through the Andes and a multi-day jungle adventure!

When this idea come to your mind: “I want to do the hiking the Inca Trail”, you’ll immediately think of booking the 4 day Inca Trail. However, when you check the spots available, it is sold out! You can’t do the Inca Trail and you are pleasantly surprised! You realize you can’t change your travel plan and you need to choose one of the alternative hikes that the Inca Trail has, which was more geared than what you were looking for... about it all, it wasn’t just the destination, it is your journey to Machu Picchu and it will make the whole experience an unforgettable one.

You search in google and Trip Advisor, “the best alternative hike” and you will find the many options to hike Salkantay. Then you think ¨What of the options should I do? Well it is easy, you decide when and how many days you want to make your hike and you can book without fear of running out of space.

When is the best time to hike the Salkantay Trek?

The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2024 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.

Why choosing the Salkantay trek?

If you’re looking for adventure and a challenge but also want privacy and authenticity, this is the trek for you! You need to know that making this trek is extremely difficult, but in reality anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do it. The overall trail distance is around 40 miles from the start to the finish point, which allows you to have the opportunity to see more of this fantastic region than you would see on the Inca Trail.

Challenge yourself as you hike through nine different bio-zones, changing altitudes and varied terrains. The route winds through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, a spectacular Andean mountain range, before plunging into forested canyons. Be inspired by the majesty of your surroundings and marvel at the exquisite beauty of the Salkantay Peak and Humantay Glacier Lake.

Forget the Inca Trail and hike to Machu Picchu along the higher, more beautiful and less touristy Salkantay Trail! Discover a different side of the great Andes mountain range and get the most amazing views of the mountains by taking this alternative route to Machu Picchu. Ascend to the highest pass at 4,650 meters above sea level for up-close-and-personal views of the massive Salkantay and Humantay mountain peaks in the Vilcanota mountain range, which are among the highest in Peru. This pristine high altitude trail is the perfect opportunity to get away from the crowds and get into the nature to see abandoned Inca sites not very visited by tourists. This is the most challenging hike but you’ll get to walk very close to the glaciers and get revel with the wondrous mountain peaks towering overhead as you breathe fresh mountain air.

At the end of your tour, you'll indulge in the comfort of enchanting mountain lodges and innovative gourmet cuisine for recovery of mind and body. You'll spend two nights at the Salkantay campsite. The last night of the journey is spent in an award-winning hotel in the town of Machu Picchu in anticipation of the grand finale: a visit to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.

How to get to the Salkantay Trek?

How to get to Salkantay, if you really want an authentic experience. Although the Inca Trail takes you on the original Inca trail used by the Incas to get to Machu Picchu, we highly recommended the Salkantay Trek. We all agree that it was less touristy than the other one, with a less populated trail and diversity of landscape. Plus, it is a lot more affordable and you are not going to complain about that!

You can book in advance, if you want to climb up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains. Choose the best option hike for you in our website and click on BOOK ONLINE, fill all information require, your information is very important for us to get your Machu Picchu and Train tickets. Your information is private. Once sent your booking form, you will need to pay the 50% pre-payment and you can pay the other 50% in Cusco.

Acclimatization

We recommend spending 2-3 nights in Cusco before to get acclimatize to the high altitudes of Apacheta Pass which stands at 4,650 meters!

Salkantay Trail Tours:

TierrasVivas has created different tours to Salkantay trek, choose the best option

Short Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days (U$ 500)

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days (U$ 500)

Salkantay Trek Cheap 5 or 4 days (U$ 360)

Salkantay Condor Sight 5 Days (U$ 550)

Salkantay Trail Inca Trail 5 Days (U$ 600)

Salkantay Inca Trail trek 6 Days (U$ 650)

Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail 7 Days (U$ 800)

Salkantay Inca Trail Condor sightseeing (U$ 850)

Alternative Treks to Salkantay Trail

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

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