The Salkantay 5-Day trek to Machu Picchu is the most challenging in Peru! If you’ve chosen it for the 2024 trip, congratulations! Our first insider tip is you must book early. Next, we’ll cover all subjects before hiking to elevations of 15,000 feet!
General Information on the Salkantay Trek
This tour is an extraordinary occasion to enjoy the best of the Cusco highlands. On the first 2 days, you’ll hike across massive snowies and mountains, a wonderful landscape, strong natural energy, and spend the nights at a campsite. Then the adventure enters the jungle border, across subtropical forests, rivers, and unique wildlife. Finally, the mighty Machu Picchu site for an unforgettable guided tour.
The best time for doing the Salkantay Trek in 2024 finally depends on you. Now hikers must pack very warm clothes, particularly if they’re coming between May and September, the coldest months. Our packing list guide for the Salkantay trek will also be quite a good orientation on this. Now, perhaps you’d like to celebrate this feat with a typical dinner in Cusco City!
Insider Tips for the Salkantay Trek in 2024
1. What you shouldn’t miss: take the chance to enjoy at the fullest the astonishing natural beauty all the way. For example, the mighty Humantay snow (19,300 feet or 5,902 meters above sea level) with its amazingly beautiful lagoon of turquoise waters, or the monster Salkantay snow, 20,500 feet above sea level! (6,271 meters). This mountain is deemed sacred and powerful by most Andean people. In the jungle part, get relief from the warm weather, lush vegetation, and unique fauna (read our article on vaccines for the Inca Trail, so you’ll be completely covered). This expedition will surely get your mind and body exercised and relaxed!
2. When you should do it: it depends on the level of adventure you’re looking for. In the dry season (mid-March until late October) the terrain isn’t at all wet or muddy, no rain of course but the temperatures are quite low. Between late October and mid-March there comes the rain (usually brief pourings two or three times a week), so if you want to be a bolder explorer and warrior, and know how to deal with water, and wetness issues, this may be the best time. All year long, the climate in the jungle part is warmer. Anytime, please consider adding some travel insurance, it’s very convenient, and we can also provide it if you want.
3. Which electronics to take: you can not miss at all the opportunity to take splendid pictures and videos! A good photographic camera is a must, however, it should be the most portable possible, preferably belt-adapted, because you will be hiking a lot. A smartphone will be also useful in some situations. Bring spare batteries or another insider tip is using portable solar chargers. Some hikers bring a GPS device for more adventure.
4. Which clothes to bring: they must be in the first place really warm for the mountain part (including gloves, handkerchief, hood) and camping nights on the clear. For the jungle part, lighter clothes of course. A good pair of previously used, waterproof hiking boots is a very good tip. Hat, sunglasses. And if in rainy season, a light rain poncho. We refer you to our packing list link above.
5. What to await from the trek: it will certainly be a major, unforgettable experience. Expect astonishing landscapes, relaxing, strong currents of ecological energy, hiking all stress and tensions out, adventurous camping nights, unique flora and fauna, the famous Aguas Calientes village, and of course the triumphant finale in Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay trek is a 5-day getaway across one of the most praised routes in the world. We are sure these insider tips on the Salkantay trek will be quite useful! Our website home contains more information and articles for a perfect vacation in Peru. If you will do it in 2024, start getting the paperwork ready and contact our travel experts in good advance, demand is quite high.
