The Salkantay Trek

When to go

Jan-March

Ideal length

4 nights

Transfer time

1 hour flight from Patagonia

The Salkantay Trek has been named among the 25 best Treks in the World and unlike the Inca Trail it is open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits.  You will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems from beginning to end.

THINGS TO SEE ON THE SALKANTAY TREK

SORAYPAMPA

You will begin your trek to Soraypampa, on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for acclimatisation and to enjoy a mild & beautiful 4 hour trek

VILCABAMBA PASS

After an early start you will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass you stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks

SALKANTAY MOUNTAIN

With the south face of Salkantay Mountain towering above you, you will need to keep your eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass you continue your descent toward ‘the place where the wind lives’, which is your destination for the evening

LLACTAPATA TRAIL

Head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations  bananas, ‘granadillas’, and orchards.  After another hour of trekking you arrive at the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”

LUCMABAMBA

After the Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900ft) and the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored, you then begin your final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations

MACHU PICCHU

Your reward for completing one of the best walks in Peru, is a view of the best Inca ruins of Peru, Machu Picchu. You will spend an afternoon and a night here to fully appreciate this special place.

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