Salkantay trek 5 days to Machu Picchu

Recommendations for Salkantay trek 5 days

What you have to take into account for the trip, remember that this trip is a mountaineering tour where we will be far from the city and most of the basic services:

• A light backpack with a change of clothes for the entire period of the hike – be prepared for a wide range of temperature changes.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $1 in Cusco.
• Sturdy footwear, waterproof hiking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
  Sandals or plastic flip flops are also good so your feet can breathe at night, if you wish to wear them.
• Warm clothing, including jacket, fleece, gloves and scarf.
• Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• It is hot in the Apurímac Canyon, so you should also be prepared for hot conditions on this hike.
• Sleeping bag (we can rent it).
• Flashlight and spare battery.
• Camera, film and batteries (batteries are consumed more quickly in cold conditions).
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun, rain and cold.
• Sunscreen.
• After-sun cream or moisturizer for face and body.
• Insect repellent – ​​a minimum of 20% DEET is recommended
• Toilet paper,
• Bring snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruit, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• We advise you to bring water sterilization tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own first aid kit with special medications you may need, paracetamol, second skin for blisters and more
• Small towel or sarong.
• Cash: Enough for tips and souvenirs, or any drinks or snacks you might want to buy along the way.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can rent them).
• Binoculars (if you have them)

The most outstanding

This 5-Day Salkantay Trek has spectacular views, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes, Andean plateaus, waterfalls and high jungle. It even includes an original Inca trail to a small Inca ruin and a distant view of Machu Picchu, before reaching the famous city.

This 5 Day Salkantay Trek is approximately 60km/37 miles and climbs to 4,600m/15,092ft. It is the second most popular trek in the Cusco region (after the Inca Trail) so it is quite crowded.

More information about the Salkantay Trek 5 Days

As all the routes can be done on your own or with an agency (except the Inca Trail which by regulation can only be done with authorized agencies), the departure is from the city of Cusco and you have to go to Av. Arcopata from where buses leave daily to Mollepata.

You must go early since the buses only leave until 7:00 am, the trip lasts around 2 to 3 hours and you will pass through important towns such as Poroy, Anta, Limatambo and Mollepata where you can take another vehicle that takes you to the Soraypampa sector which is 1 hour and a half away.

* If you cannot find a bus to Soraypampa you will have to walk from Mollepata, this walk takes approximately 8 hours.

On this first day you can stay camping in Soraypampa or climb the Abra del Salkantay (4600 meters above sea level) and camp on the other side of the mountain and in the jungle area.

Upon reaching the Abra del Salkantay you will be able to appreciate unique agglomerations of rock that are called “Apachetas” that are made by the hikers who pass through this place as a symbol of respect for the mountain and as a request for some wish they have, this is a custom that dates back to the Inca era and even to earlier cultures.

The descent route to pass through the Abra de Salkantay is jungle-like and passes through towns such as Chaullay, Colquepampa, La Playa and others.

The options for staying this day are to stay in La Playa or Santa Teresa and the next day leave for Hidroeléctrica by bus or walking to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) and finally visit the citadel of Machu Picchu.

The return can be done by train to Ollantaytambo or by Hidroeléctrica, everything will depend on your time and budget.

The best time to do the 5-Day Salkantay Trek

There are two seasons in the Cusco region: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season runs from April to October, and the driest months are from June to August: there is very little rain and temperatures are lower, especially at night. July-August is the peak tourist season, prices are higher and sights are more crowded.

The rainy season runs from November to March, with the most rain falling between December and February. During this period, temperatures are higher, there is a lot of humidity, it rains a lot, and there are not many tourists. December to February is the worst time to go hiking in Cusco.

Tour Details

Practical information for the Salkantay trek

• Salkantay is a high altitude route, so good acclimatization is essential.
• Drink plenty of water – hydration is very important for this hike.
• There are many streams and rivers along the way, but we recommend using water purification tablets or a straw bottle for life as many alpacas walk around the local water is not safe to drink.
• On the first and second day of the hike you gain altitude fairly quickly; don’t push yourself too hard if you feel tired; stop, rest and drink water.
• There are a couple of steep descents on the hike, hiking poles will be very helpful as they will take some of the pressure off your knees.
• From the third day onwards there will be villages along the way where you can get cooked food or buy some groceries, for example pasta, tuna, instant soup, snacks, cold drinks, etc.

How we classify Salkantay

• Difficulty level –  4 out of 5; the first two days are quite demanding; high altitude and steep climbs, the other days are easier.
• Landscape  – 5 out of 5; Humantay and Salkantay Lake and Glacier were the highlights.
• Tourism  – 3.5 out of 5; quite crowded compared to the Choquequirao or Ausangate treks, but not as crowded as the Inca Trail.
• For lovers of outdoor activities , South America is a true paradise, as there are many adventure activities and hiking is one of them.
• Activities:  Hiking, cultural, archaeology, gastronomy, nature, landscapes, flora and fauna, mountains, snow-capped mountains.
• Accommodation:   At the client’s choice, (Camp, Double tents)
• Group Size:  Groups of 6 to maximum 15 people, or semi-private
• When to travel:  All year round, most recommended from March to December

Tour Summary

• DAY 01:  Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
• Day 02:  Soraypampa – Chaullay
• Day 03:  Chaullay – Lucmabamba – Llactapata
• Day 04:  Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
• Day 05:  Hot Springs – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Preguntas Frecuentes: Salkantay Trek 5 días

Why choose Aremika Travel for your next vacation?

We are a team specialized in providing Tourist Services, establishing our headquarters of operations in the Immortal City, Navel of the World CUSCO.

We have the experience and the professionals who are part of our team to meet the requirements of all the programs and activities that we put at your disposal, to provide you with the best moments and unforgettable trips during the time of your estimated trip.

Our company seeks more than just to provide you with a service, as our goal marks the beginning of a friendship and good business relationships from today onwards.

What does Salkantay mean?

Salkantay is a mountain whose name translated from Quechua means ‘Wild Mountain’. This summit is known as ‘Apu’ (‘Lord’) for its majesty and elevation.

Where is the 5-Day Salkantay Trek located?

The ‘Apu’ Salkantay is located in the Vilcanota Mountain Range in the Andes of southern Peru. This mountain is the second largest in Cusco, after Ausangate (Mountain of 7 Colors).

How high is Salkantay Mountain?

The Salkantay mountain reaches 6,271 meters above sea level. The trekking route that leads to Machu Picchu has its highest point at the ‘Abra Salcantay’, at 4,650 meters above sea level. From there you can see the peak of the mountain.

What is the weather like along the Salkantay 5-Day Trek?

The mountain itself has an extremely cold climate (several degrees Celsius below 0º).

However, the climate during the Salkantay trek is varied. The intense sun and cold nights of the first days give way to the tropical atmosphere of the last days.

What is the flora and fauna like?

The 5 days and 4 nights of the Salkantay trek cover landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants, the orchid and the ichu (Andean grass) stand out. Among the species of birds and animals, the llama, the alpaca, the vizcacha, the condor, the spectacled bear and the cock-of-the-rock (national bird of Peru) stand out.

What is the Salkantay Trek?

The Salkantay Trek is a hiking route that takes visitors to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. The total distance of the hike is approximately 70 kilometers (5 days of hiking).