Salkantay Trek: Impartial Hiker’s Information

When most individuals consider climbing to Machu Picchu, the primary title that involves thoughts is the Inca Path. And justifiably so. For many years that traditional trek was the only real focus for anybody seeking to arrive on the fabled ‘misplaced metropolis’ on foot. Nevertheless, as Machu Picchu’s fame elevated, so did the amount of individuals desirous to expertise the Inca Path. Within the early 2000’s authorities put in a a lot wanted quota on climbing numbers, a choice which led to the emergence of the Salkantay Trek on the world’s backpacking radar.

I hiked the Salkantay Trek in August, 2017. The knowledge contained beneath is usually geared in direction of hikers who select to do the stroll independently quite than with a guided group (Be aware: Since 2001 it’s prohibited to hike the Inca Path with no information).

Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva descending from Salkantay Cross (4630m/15,190ft).

Distance:  57.2 miles ( 92 km)

Avg. Time:  5 days.

• That’s the usual period of time taken by guided teams . If you’re match, acclimatised and carrying a lightweight pack, there are not any actual points in doing the hike in three or 4 days for those who really feel prefer it.

Begin:  Mollepata

• As of 2017, just about all organized teams begin at Soraypampa, which cuts off some 12 miles/20 km from the general distance talked about above. We determined to start our hike on the conventional trailhead of Mollepata, and hike from there to Soraypampa.  From Mollepata you possibly can both comply with the filth highway or take a effectively marked path (the signed junction is only a few minutes out of city) all the best way to Soraypampa.

End: The summit of Machu Picchu mountain.

• The normal finish of the Salkantay Trek is the Machu Picchu archeological web site. We determined to increase it a little bit by making the summit of Machu Picchu Peak (3061m / 10,042ft) our ending level.

Yours really and Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva on prime of Machu Picchu Peak – ending level of our Salkantay Trek.

Highest Level: Salkantay Cross 4630 m (15,190 ft)

Lowest Level: Hydroelectric Plant 1800 m (5906 ft)

Problem:  Simple to average.

Transport:

• • Mollepata – Three hours by common buses from Cusco. Value 15 Peruvian Soles (about US$5). As of 2017, you possibly can catch each day minibuses from close to the junction of Arcopata and Avenida Apurimac. They often depart round 7 to eight am.

• • Machu Picchu – Returning to Cusco from the end of the hike is both costly or time consuming. The priciest, best and most snug approach is to take the prepare from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (4 hrs). Alternatively you possibly can catch the prepare to Ollantaytambo, then take a Collectivo minibus or taxi from there to Cusco (between 3 hrs and 4 hrs complete). Lastly, the most affordable and most time consuming solution to return to Cusco from Machu Picchu is as follows: 1. Stroll the 11 km again to the Hydroelectric dam alongside the railroad tracks; 2. From there take a minibus or collective taxi to the village of Santa Teresa; 3. Catch one other bus again to Cusco. This three step journey can take one of the best a part of a complete day relying on connections, and you might effectively end up overnighting in Santa Teresa; not such a foul factor because it does sport some soothing scorching springs (Be aware: In the event you plan on taking the prepare, it’s best to guide effectively upfront).

The world’s most futile hitching try on the best way to Aguas Calientes (picture from Ryan Sylva).

Season:  Attainable all 12 months, although the dry season between Could and October is right. Throughout this era nights will be chilly (0°C is widespread), however days are typically clear.

Guidebook / Maps / On-line Data:

• • Guidebook: Alexander Stewart’s The Inca Path (2013) accommodates trekking notes and primary maps for the Salkantay Trek (in addition to different hikes within the space).

Permits & Charges: No permits are wanted to hike the Salkantay Trek. Nevertheless, you will have to buy an entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological web site and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu peaks. Impartial hikers can organise these upfront via the official Peruvian Ministry of Tradition web site. Alternatively, in case you are going with an organised group, the tour firm might do it for you. It’s value noting that as of 2017, it’s also possible to choose up entry tickets to Machu Picchu (however not the peaks) when you arrive in Aguas Calientes. 

For a radical overview of the ins and outs of buying Machu Picchu tickets, see Thrifty Nomads.

The view from Machu Picchu Peak overlooking the citadel and Huayna Picchu (Photograph courtesy of Ryan Sylva)

Meals:  You might have a number of choices: 1. Bring all of your provides from Cusco; 2. Buy provisions and organise meals alongside the best way at Soraypampa, Colpapampa and La Playa, or; 3. Do a mix of each. We went with the ultimate choice, and loved a number of great house cooked meals throughout our journey. For these eager about taking the identical strategy, I’d advocate beginning the trek with not more than two days meals.

Water: Loads of water accessible all through the trek (we by no means carried greater than 1.5 lt at a time), nonetheless, due the prevalence of livestock and human settlement it is strongly recommended that every one water ought to be handled.

Guided Vs Impartial: Greater than 95% of hikers deal with the Salkantay Trek as a part of a guided group. Nevertheless, when you’ve got the required gear (it’s additionally doable to hire gear in Cusco) and an inexpensive quantity of backpacking expertise, there are not any points with doing the hike independently. The path is simple to comply with all through its course and as talked about above, you should buy meals alongside the best way (i.e. which interprets to a lighter load). 

DM descending the Quebrada Humantay.

How does the Salkantay differ from the Inca Path? The first variations are as follows: it’s longer, barely tougher, much less crowded, boasts a larger variation of ecozones, however doesn’t have the a number of archeological websites which you could go to on the Inca Path. It’s additionally cheaper, regardless of whether or not you go along with an organized group or independently; considerably so for those who select the later choice. In brief, they’re totally different treks that each occur to finish on the similar spectacular vacation spot.

Overview map of various trails to Machu Picchu (Terraquechuaperu.com)

Trekking Notes:

• • Total Character: The Salkantay is probably most notable for its ecological range. It traverses picturesque valleys, alpine meadows, goes up and over a dramatic mountain go and meanders its approach via a lush subtropical rainforest.

• • The Cross: The excessive level each geographically in addition to scenically is the 4630 m (15,190ft) Abra Salkantay. Upon reaching this spectacular go, hikers are afforded jaw-dropping vistas of Mount Salkantay (6271 m), a peak that has lengthy been thought-about sacred by the inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes.

Views from Salkantay Cross.

• • Transformation: From the go, the path descends greater than 2000 meters (6562 ft) into cloud forest. The change in flora, in addition to temperature is dramatic. Alongside the best way there are numerous lodging/tenting choices the place it’s doable to interrupt up the descent (i.e. Huayracmachay, Collpapampa and Challway).

• • Ascend to Llactapata: Not lengthy after leaving the pleasant village of La Playa, the pathway ascends once more through banana and occasional plantations (make sure to cease for a cup or two) to the just lately rediscovered ruins of Llactapata. There’s a campsite near the archeological web site with spectacular views in direction of Machu Picchu.
     
  • Alongside the Tracks: From Llactapata the path goes steeply downhill to the hydroelectric plant. Quickly after you go the railway station the place provisions will be bought. From this level it’s a flat and simple 11 km to the city of Aguas Calientes following the railway tracks.

• • Stairway to Inca Heaven: The ultimate stage of the Salkantay is steep, brief and contains a whole bunch of steps. Give your self anyplace between 45 minutes and an hour and a half to hike from Aguas Calientes as much as the doorway to the archeological web site. From there it’s one other half-hour to an hour to succeed in the summit of Machu Picchu mountain.
    • 

      DM strolling via a espresso plantation on the best way to Llactapata.

    • Levels: The Salkantay Trek is usually damaged down into the next 5 levels:
      • Day 1: Mollepata to Soraypampa: 20 Km (12.4 miles);
      • Day 2:  Soraypampa to Collpapampa: 22 Km (13.7 miles);
      • Day 3: Collpapampa to La Playa: 16 Km (9.9 miles) (**Replace – March 13, 2018: In accordance with report, path between Collpapampa and La Playa is closed attributable to landslides. No info as to when it will likely be cleared; within the meantime take highway as an alternative. See feedback beneath – Calvin Benson – for particulars).
      • Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes: 25 Km (15.5 miles) – through Llactapata;
      • Day 5: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Peak: 9 Km (5.6 miles).
        

        Ascending the steps to Machu Picchu Peak (picture courtesy of Ryan Sylva).

Ultimate Ideas:

• • Route Selections: There are a number of totally different route choices for the Salkantay Trek. I’d recommend the next: 1. Begin at Molletapa, quite than Sorayapampa; 2. Take the path quite than the filth highway on the part between Colpapampa and La Playa; 3. Go for the path to Llactapata, quite than the filth highway to Santa Teresa. Sure, it’s tougher, however the payoff is a gorgeous stroll via espresso plantations and nice views of Machu Picchu within the distance.
    
  • Go Impartial: By any standards, the Salkantay will not be a tough trek. In case you have the gear, are moderately match, effectively acclimatized and know the best way to comply with a path, I’d extremely advocate going independently. It’s rather a lot cheaper, a much bigger sense of accomplishment, extra alternatives to work together with locals, and also you present your self the aspect of freedom; the liberty to decide on the place you camp, what you eat, whom you hike with (if anybody), if you take a break, how briskly or gradual you stroll, and so forth.  

Yours really on the finish of the Inca Path in 1996, and 21 years later on the finish of the Salkantay Trek.