Salkantay Trek: Independent Hiker’s Guide

When most individuals consider mountain 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 point of interest 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 mountain 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 beneath is usually geared in the direction of hikers who select to do the stroll independently moderately than with a guided group (Note: Since 2001 it’s prohibited to hike the Inca Trail and not using a 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 might be match, acclimatised and carrying a lightweight pack, there aren’t any actual points in doing the hike in three or 4 days for those who really feel prefer it.

Start:  Mollepata

• As of 2017, nearly 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 observe the grime highway or take a effectively marked path (the signed junction is only a few minutes out of city) all the best way to Soraypampa.

Finish: The summit of Machu Picchu mountain.

• The conventional 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 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 possibly can catch every day minibuses from close to the junction of Arcopata and Avenida Apurimac. They normally 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 method 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 whole). Finally, the most affordable and most time consuming technique 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 most effective a part of a whole day relying on connections, and it’s possible you’ll effectively end up overnighting in Santa Teresa; not such a foul factor because it does sport some soothing sizzling springs (Note: If you propose on taking the prepare, it’s best to e-book effectively prematurely).

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

Season:  Possible all 12 months, although the dry season between May and October is good. During this era nights will 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 fundamental 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 want to buy an entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological web site and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu peaks. Independent hikers can organise these prematurely by way of 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 price noting that as of 2017, you can too 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 a number of choices: 1. Bring all of your provides from Cusco; 2. Purchase provisions and organise meals alongside the best way at Soraypampa, Colpapampa and La Playa, or; 3. Do a mixture of each. We went with the ultimate possibility, and loved a number of great house cooked meals throughout our journey. For these focused on taking the identical method, I’d advocate beginning the trek with not more than two days meals.

Water: Plenty of water out there 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 Independent: More than 95% of hikers deal with the Salkantay Trek as a part of a guided group. However, you probably have the required gear (it’s additionally attainable to hire tools in Cusco) and an inexpensive quantity of backpacking expertise, there aren’t 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 best way (i.e. which interprets to a lighter load). 

DM descending the Quebrada Humantay.

How does the Salkantay differ from the Inca Trail? The major variations are as follows: it’s longer, barely more difficult, much less crowded, boasts a better variation of ecozones, however doesn’t have the a number of archeological websites you can go to on the Inca Trail. It’s additionally cheaper, regardless of whether or not you go together with an organized group or independently; considerably so for those who select the later possibility. 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 maybe most notable for its ecological range. It traverses picturesque valleys, alpine meadows, goes up and over a dramatic mountain cross and meanders its method by way of 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 best way 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 by way of banana and occasional plantations (you should definitely cease for a cup or two) to the just lately rediscovered ruins of Llactapata. There is a campsite near the archeological web site with spectacular views in the 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 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, quick and contains tons of 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 by way of a espresso plantation on the best way to Llactapata.

    • Stages: The Salkantay Trek is often damaged down into the next 5 phases:
      • 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 on account of 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) – by way of 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 a number of totally different route choices for the Salkantay Trek. I might recommend the next: 1. Start at Molletapa, moderately than Sorayapampa; 2. Take the path moderately than the grime highway on the part between Colpapampa and La Playa; 3. Opt for the path to Llactapata, moderately than the grime highway to Santa Teresa. Yes, it’s more durable, however the payoff is a lovely stroll by way of espresso plantations and nice views of Machu Picchu within the distance.
    
  • Go Independent: By any standards, the Salkantay just isn’t a tough trek. If you have got the gear, are moderately match, effectively acclimatized and know tips on how to observe a path, I’d extremely advocate going independently. It’s quite a bit cheaper, an even bigger sense of accomplishment, extra alternatives to work together with locals, and also you reward your self the factor of freedom; the liberty to decide on the place you camp, what you eat, whom you hike with (if anybody), while you take a break, how briskly or gradual you stroll, and so on.  

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