Skip to main content

Salkantay Trek Tips: Ultima Guide Before the hike to Machu Picchu

Salkantay trek “Machu Picchu by  5 day trekking Salkantay”. Due to the new restrictions and limitations on the numbers to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, new alternative hikes to reach the mystical sanctuary of Machu Picchu has been opened.

The Salkantay Trek is an alternative trek to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This quite scenic trek is for those adventurers who are seeking nature and the old remains of Peruvian indigenous cultures. The Salkantay trek offers breathtaking scenery en route to Machu Picchu and also quietness being in nature within the Machu Picchu archaeological park.


If traveling to Salkantay is on your plans here you have some recommendations you need to know.

When is the best time to hike the Salkantay trek?

The best time to hike the Salkantay is in the dry season from May to  October. May is the most advisable month because everything is green after the rainy season. The months of June and July are winter so it is warm in the sun and cold in the shade and also cold at night time.

What to bring for more comfort?

You need to bring a daypack to carry the essentials for the day, a big backpack for the horse, sleeping bag of -5 degrees at least. The clothes should be trekking since the weather is hot during the day and cold during the night. For your clothes bring plastic bags that allows you to keep your clothes clean from the dirt ones. Don’t forget your toiletries for 4 days of trekking such as towel, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. Bring the medicines that you consider necessary for headache or altitude sickness. Bring Band-Aids for blisters and sores. It’s important to have a flashlight with batteries especially for the last day because we’re going to wake up at 4:00 am. If you want to visit some communities it would be nice to give the kids  as a present pencils, color pencils, pens, notebooks and books you want. Don’t forget to bring fully charged camera, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, etc.

How can I avoid the altitude sickness?

It’s important to acclimate  prior trek departure by arriving in Cusco 2 or 3 days before the trek. The soroche pills or the altitude sickness pills can help too. You need to keep hydrated and also drink coca tea to cop withy altitude sickness. You need to eat light, i.e., meals that are easy to digest such as soups, vegetables and carbohydrates but nothing fried. Rest and Sleep as much as you can to feel much better. Keep your body warm and don’t forget to eat before you get hungry, and drink enough fluids before you are really thirsty, keep warm before you are cold and rest before you get exhausted.

You’ll travel with the most experienced and trained tour guides who can assist you in any situation during the whole trip. Ask all the questions you need to know in order to be prepared for the hike and have the best trekking experience on the Salkantay trek!

Things you need to bring to the Salkantay Trek

  • Backpack.
  • Waterproof hiking boots (recommended).
  • Warm Clothes for the cold nights.
  • Raingear.
  • Binoculars.
  • Flashlight.
  • Cap or hat.
  • Long pants (Jeans are not recommended)
  •  t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts
  • Small towel.
  • Swimsuit for the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (not included in the price)
  • Toilet paper, and tissues.
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent.
  • A rain poncho.
  • Medicine and/or personal items (contact lens fluid)
  • Snacks: sweets, energy bars, chocolate, fruit, etc.
  • Water bottle.
  • Water purification tablets.
  • Original passport and student card if applied so as to enter Machupichu
  • Have in hand small notes and coins in small denominations (Dollars, euros or soles) 
  • Hiking poles.
  • Camera and extra battery and charger.
  • - 10° C Sleeping bag.

Best Peru Itinerary to avoid altitude sickness

  • Day 01. Arrival to Cusco
  • Day 02: Acclimation day or visit the around the Cusco City
  • Day 03 06: Trek to Salkantay mountain
  • Day 07: Machu Picchu
  • Day 08: Visit the Rainbow Montain tour or departure day
  • If you don´t want to hike to the Salkantay, there are others alternative short trek to Machu Picchu:

Salkantay Trek Packages

  • Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days
  • Salkantay Trek Expeditions
  • Salkantay Trail
  • Hike the Salkantay Cheap
  • Sacred Valley and Salkantay Trek
  • Salkantay trek to The Inca Trail

Labels

Labels:
Location: Salcantay, 08680, Peru

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rainbow Mountain facts you need to know before your visit

The Rainbow Mountain, known as Vinicunca, stands as a marvel of nature nestled in the heights of Cusco . Its seven vibrant stripes of color never fail to captivate adventurers, regardless of their origins. This distinctive terrain has elevated it to the ranks of Peru's premier tourist destinations, drawing in throngs of visitors annually who seek to bask in its breathtaking splendor. 10 Facts about Rainbow Mountain Here are 10 facts about this incredible destination: The Rainbow Mountain , also known as Vinicunca Mountain , resides majestically in the Andean Mountains, soaring to an impressive altitude of 17,060 feet above sea level. This lofty peak offers one of the most exhilarating hiking experiences in the region, boasting a vibrant tapestry of colors that have earned it the affectionate moniker of the Rainbow Mountain among locals. These striking hues are the handiwork of mineral deposits in the area, oxidizing to paint the landscape with shades of yellow, red, purple, green,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exploring Machu Picchu: An Essential Beginner's Handbook

If you were in the first half of the 16th century, any plateau in the impressive majestic mountains of the Andes with two lying green crags would be the setting of the great city where the Inca Empire was going to be built. On the contrary, the fact that the Spaniards failed to discover the stargate despite their efforts depicts the underlying truth of the landmark.  The abandoned had only to hope on rain and sunshine for shelter.  Which, by chance, had being been found by a Bingham expedition in a 1911 trip as well.  On the other side, Machu Picchu , a fortress City built on the top of an amazing natural area surrounded by colossal mountains had the privilege not be able to be reached by other ways than foot or by train which perfectly fit their Godlike scenery.  The Seven wonders of the world today are symbolized as the reminiscence of this its architect's achievements. My Machu Picchu highlights Not everyone may know about Machu Picchu whether it really worth its ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mysteries Of The Salkantay Trek

Since time immemorial, mountains have been places of reverence and awe, and the Salkantay Trek in Peru is no exception. This trail, winding through majestic peaks and deep valleys, has been traversed by daring travelers in search of adventure and connection with nature. Located in the historic region of Cusco, Peru, and with the specter of the ancient Inca Trail and the archaeological wonder of Machu Picchu as a backdrop, the Salkantay Trek stands as a portal to an experience that fuses mystery and grandeur. The path to the Salkantay Trek takes us beyond the tangible, entering a world where history, spirituality, and the inexplicable intertwine in an intriguing dance of unsolved enigmas. Like the intricate paths built by the ancient Inca civilization, this trail seems to be woven with threads of mystery that invite us to explore beyond the apparent. The city of Cusco , with its rich cultural heritage and its past as the capital of the Inca Empire, adds an extra dimension to the mys...
1 comment
Read more