SALKANTAY TREK

• A permit is not required for the Salkantay Trek.
• Start dates are flexible. It is best though to book your trekking package in advance, especially during the high season (May to September), to assure reservations for daily excursions and at desired hotels in destinations you visit before and after the trekking experience.

Salkantay is a challenging trek with dramatic changes in elevation. Shortness of breath and fatigue from the high altitude are variables that add to the trek’s level of difficulty. Good physical condition and health are required to endure long days of walking along the ups and downs of the trail for up to 6 hours a day on average.

• We recommend travelers spend a few days in Cusco before doing the trek to help adjust to the high altitude. It’s better to acclimatize in Cusco, not the Sacred Valley, because the higher elevation of the city at 11,120 ft (3,400 m) is more akin to those at the start of the Salkantay Trek.
• Altitude sickness is caused by a rapid change in elevation without the necessary time for acclimatization. Mild symptoms are common and include lingering headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. Every person responds differently to the change in altitude and unfortunately there is no way to prevent it or predict how seriously it may affect you.

The Salkantay Trek is an alternative trek to Machu Picchu.

What this means is that unlike the iconic Inca Trail, the trail for Salkantay does not conclude at the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu. Instead, the trekking portion of the Salkantay tour package concludes in the region near Machu Picchu. On the final night, sleep at a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

Perks | Alternative treks to Machu Picchu are often thought of as backup options to the iconic Inca Trail that concludes at the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu. However, these trails offer some nice perks that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• The limited number of permits for the Inca Trail sell out quickly, sometimes 5 months in advance for dates during high season (May to September). For Salkantay, no permits are required and give you a lot more planning flexibility.
• Foot traffic along alternative treks to Machu Picchu is far less compared to the very popular Inca Trail.
• You can do the Salkantay Trek year round. The iconic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.

Enjoy beautiful views of the Salkantay Mountain at the beginning of the trek. You will pass below its towering peak as you ascend the Salkantay Pass (15,090 ft /4,600 m). Summiting the peak of the mountain - a feat first achieved in 1952, by a French-American team - however is not part of the traditional trek and a journey reserved for serious mountaineers with the proper equipment.

• Clothing | Bring short-sleeved shirts and add warmth by wearing additional long-sleeve shirts and a jacket. Long, light-weight pants - not shorts - are ideal for cooler climates and also trekking through warmer tropical terrain for protection against mosquitos. The Salkantay Pass is at a high altitude and average temperatures are very cold, especially at night. Thermal undergarments, a warm hat, and gloves are recommended.
• Footwear | Comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes are a must. Also pack shower sandals.
• Wet Season Gear | Rain gear is a must for the Salkantay Trek during the wet season. Be prepared with a rain jacket and pants or poncho. Waterproof footwear is ideal because trail conditions can get very muddy and wet.
• Bag(s) | Bring a comfortable smaller daypack to wear along the trail to carry your water bottle, camera, and any other necessities. On the Salkantay Trek, pack animals will carry your larger personal bag filled with clothes as well as the communal-used outdoor and camping equipment.
• Official Documents | Don’t forget your original passport. Along with your general entry ticket, it’s required to enter Machu Picchu.

Please consult your travel advisor with specific questions regarding trekking equipment and rental options during your Salkantay trekking experience.

Travel is full of variables and there is always a risk, however small, that something might go wrong before or during your trip. Something as minor as a flight delay can have a significant financial impact, as can illness, bad weather or baggage delay.

Ask your travel advisor about including travel insurance in your customized travel package.