The Salkantay Trek Guided Tour to Machu Picchu is an incredible adventure that will take you through the heart of the Pedruvian Andes to experience the ancient wonders of the Inca people and the beautifully scenic landscape that they called home.
Spend time exploring Cusco, the vibrant capital city of the Inca Empire, before trekking through the Andes Mountains along the Salkantay Trek. After passing through the high-altitude villages of the Quechua people, you will eventually arrive at the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu.
Featuring the perfect mixture of adventure and luxury, the Salkantay Trek Guided Tour to Machu Picchu really does have it all, making for an amazing getaway to the Peruvian Andes!
Explore Cusco
Start by exploring the city of Cusco, which has been continuously inhabited since its days as the capital city of the Incan Empire. Old meets new in this city that is full of archaeological discoveries as well as a modern and vibrant nightlife.
Navigating the hustle and bustle of Cusco while acclimatizing to the high altitude is an adventure in itself, but the city will really come alive as you explore the markets and cultural sites that make this city so unique.
Discover the Andes Mountains and Quechua Villages
Then grab your backpack for a 4-day adventure trekking through the Andes mountains. Stretching out for 7,000km along the western edge of South America, the Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world and the highest outside of Asia.
While exploring these mountains, you will encounter breathtaking scenery at every turn and come across high-altitude villages inhabited by the Quechua people. This fascinating group of people are indigenous to South America and have played a strong role in the region’s history, as they have ancestral ties to historically influential groups such as the Inca and their language, Quechua, is one of the official languages of Peru.
Salkantay and Nearby Mountains
Trekking through the mountainous terrain, you will witness the rugged and awe-inspiring beauty of countless mountains, including Salkantay, the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Range and the twelfth-highest in all of Peru. The name of this imposing peak comes from the Quechua word meaning wild or uncivilized, an apt description for the majestic terrain in this part of the world.
Visit the Ancient Ruins of Machu Picchu
Finally, spend a day exploring the famously mysterious site of Machu Picchu, a 15th Century citadel located high above the Sacred Valley in the Eastern Cordillera of Peru. Although the grand structure is often mistaken as a lost Incan city, many archaeologists now believe that the complex was built as an estate for the famous Inca leader Pachacuti. The site was abandoned only a century after its completion, as the Spanish Conquest put pressure on the Inca people. This caused Machu Picchu to remain hidden from the world until 1911, when Hiram Bingham made the site famous. After watching the sunrise here, take a guided tour of the area, then explore further on your own.
Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail
Comparing the Salkantay Trek vs the Inca Trail is like comparing apples to apples; both are equally scenic and have their own unique qualities. The Inca Trail is the classic route leading to Machu Picchu, which is evident in the fact that it sees higher volumes of foot traffic and implements a permit system designed to limit the amount of travellers on the trail at any given time. Conversely, the Salkantay is less-travelled and features some breathtaking alpine scenery in the Peruvian Andes, making it an ideal choice if you are not overly concerned with the history of the Inca Trail, but would rather take in the natural beauty of your surroundings. No matter which route you do end up choosing, when it comes to the Salkantay Trek vs the Inca Trail you can’t go wrong with either!
Can You Do the Salkantay Trek Without a Guide?
If you are looking to set out on a multi-day adventure in Peru, you may be wondering: can you do the Salkantay Trek without a guide? Attempting the Salkantay Trek without a guide is certainly possible and will likely end up being cheaper; however it will require a fair amount of extra planning on your end. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning your adventure in Peru, consider booking one of these incredible Machu Picchu Guided Tours.
Do you need to book the Salkantay Trek in advance
Wondering if you need to book the Salkantay Trek in advance? As it is one of the less-travelled options leading to Machu Picchu, trekkers generally do not need to book the actual Salkantay Trek portion of their adventure that far in advance. However, when it comes to securing your entrance to Machu Picchu itself and the various train tickets involved, you will certainly want to book these well in advance. For this reason, it is recommended to plan ahead and book your entire Salkantay Trek Guided Tour to Machu Picchu in advance to avoid any issues upon arrival.
Salkantay Trek Altitude
When it comes to the Salkantay Trek, altitude will certainly be a concern for many travellers. The highest point along the route is located at approximately 4,630 m/15,190 ft above sea level, which is more than high enough to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Due to the Salkantay Trek’s altitude, it is highly recommended that anyone looking to complete the Salkantay Trek Guided Tour to Machu Picchu should spend at least two days in Cusco prior to the start of the tour.