Salkantay Trek: Independent Hiker’s Guide

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

I hiked the Salkantay Trek in August, 2017. The info contained under is usually geared in direction of hikers who select to do the stroll independently slightly than with a guided group (Note: Since 2001 it’s prohibited to hike the Inca Trail with no information).

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

Distance:  57.2 miles ( 92 km)

Avg. Time:  5 days.

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

Start:  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 may both observe the dust street or take a effectively marked path (the signed junction is only a few minutes out of city) all the way in which to Soraypampa.

Finish: The summit of Machu Picchu mountain.

• The conventional finish of the Salkantay Trek is the Machu Picchu archeological website. We determined to increase it somewhat by making the summit of Machu Picchu Peak (3061m / 10,042ft) our ending level.

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

Highest Point: Salkantay Pass 4630 m (15,190 ft)

Lowest Point: Hydroelectric Plant 1800 m (5906 ft)

Difficulty:  Easy to average.

Transport:

• • Mollepata – Three hours by common buses from Cusco. Cost 15 Peruvian Soles (about US$5). As of 2017, you may catch each day minibuses from close to the junction of Arcopata and Avenida Apurimac. They normally go away 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 comfy method is to take the practice from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (4 hrs). Alternatively you may catch the practice to Ollantaytambo, then take a Collectivo minibus or taxi from there to Cusco (between 3 hrs and 4 hrs complete). Finally, the most affordable and most time consuming approach to return to Cusco from Machu Picchu is as follows: 1. Walk 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 the perfect a part of a complete day relying on connections, and you might effectively end up overnighting in Santa Teresa; not such a nasty factor because it does sport some soothing scorching springs (Note: If you intend on taking the practice, you must e-book effectively upfront).

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

Season:  Possible all yr, although the dry season between May and October is right. During this era nights may be chilly (0°C is frequent), however days are usually clear.

Guidebook / Maps / Online Information:

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

Permits & Fees: No permits are wanted to hike the Salkantay Trek. However, you will have to buy an entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological website and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu peaks. Independent hikers can organise these upfront via the official Peruvian Ministry of Culture web site. Alternatively, if you’re going with an organised group, the tour firm could do it for you. It’s value noting that as of 2017, you may as well decide up entry tickets to Machu Picchu (however not the peaks) when you arrive in Aguas Calientes. 

For an intensive 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 (Photo courtesy of Ryan Sylva)

Food:  You have just a few choices: 1. Bring all of your provides from Cusco; 2. Purchase provisions and organise meals alongside the way in which at Soraypampa, Colpapampa and La Playa, or; 3. Do a mix of each. We went with the ultimate choice, and loved just a few fantastic residence cooked meals throughout our journey. For these desirous about taking the identical method, I’d advocate beginning the trek with not more than two days meals.

Water: Plenty of water accessible all through the trek (we by no means carried greater than 1.5 lt at a time), nevertheless, due the prevalence of livestock and human settlement it’s endorsed that each one water needs to be handled.

Guided Vs Independent: More than 95% of hikers sort out the Salkantay Trek as a part of a guided group. However, in case you have the mandatory gear (it’s additionally attainable to lease tools in Cusco) and an inexpensive quantity of backpacking expertise, there are not any points with doing the hike independently. The path is simple to observe all through its course and as talked about above, you should buy meals alongside the way in which (i.e. which interprets to a lighter load). 

DM descending the Quebrada Humantay.

How does the Salkantay differ from the Inca Trail? The main variations are as follows: it’s longer, barely tougher, much less crowded, boasts a better variation of ecozones, however doesn’t have the a number of archeological websites which you can go to on the Inca Trail. It’s additionally cheaper, no matter whether or not you go together with an organized group or independently; considerably so for those who select the later choice. In quick, they’re totally different treks that each occur to finish on the identical spectacular vacation spot.

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

Trekking Notes:

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

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

Views from Salkantay Pass.

• • Transformation: From the cross, the path descends greater than 2000 meters (6562 ft) into cloud forest. The change in flora, in addition to temperature is dramatic. Along the way in which there are numerous lodging/tenting choices the place it’s attainable 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 lately rediscovered ruins of Llactapata. There is a campsite near the archeological website with spectacular views in direction of Machu Picchu.
     
  • Along the Tracks: From Llactapata the path goes steeply downhill to the hydroelectric plant. Soon after you cross the railway station the place provisions may be bought. From this level it’s a flat and straightforward 11 km to the city of Aguas Calientes following the railway tracks.

• • Stairway to Inca Heaven: The remaining stage of the Salkantay is steep, quick and consists of 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 website. From there it’s one other half-hour to an hour to achieve the summit of Machu Picchu mountain.
    • 

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

    • Stages: 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) (**Update – March 13, 2018: According to report, path between Collpapampa and La Playa is closed resulting from landslides. No info as to when it is going to be cleared; within the meantime take street as a substitute. See feedback under – 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).

Final Thoughts:

• • Route Choices: There are just a few totally different route choices for the Salkantay Trek. I might recommend the next: 1. Start at Molletapa, slightly than Sorayapampa; 2. Take the path slightly than the dust street on the part between Colpapampa and La Playa; 3. Opt for the path to Llactapata, slightly than the dust street to Santa Teresa. Yes, it’s more durable, however the payoff is a ravishing stroll via espresso plantations and nice views of Machu Picchu within the distance.
    
  • Go Independent: By any standards, the Salkantay shouldn’t be a troublesome trek. If you have got the gear, are fairly match, effectively acclimatized and know learn how to observe a path, I’d extremely advocate going independently. It’s so much cheaper, a much bigger sense of accomplishment, extra alternatives to work together with locals, and also you reward your self the component of freedom; the liberty to decide on the place you camp, what you eat, whom you hike with (if anybody), once you take a break, how briskly or gradual you stroll, and many others.  

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