Cusco Salkantay Trek: Detailed 8-Day Private Review

Planning a trip to Machu Picchu? Well, have you considered ditching the typical tourist trail for something way more engaging? A real adventure awaits, I feel, with the 8-day private Salkantay Trek from Cusco. This particular journey gives you the chance to swap crowded buses and trains for soaring mountain views and the personal attention you’re unlikely to get on a group hike, very true. I will walk you, too, through just about everything I feel you would probably want to understand before lacing up those hiking boots.

What Makes the Salkantay Trek Different?

Okay, so what makes the Salkantay Trek special, you ask? Unlike the Inca Trail, you often don’t need permits months beforehand, yet you still get those crazy beautiful landscapes. It’s thought of, maybe, as the ‘wild child’ of treks to Machu Picchu, since it provides this pretty raw, unfiltered Andean experience. What is neat, maybe, with this particular private version is the chance to adjust the experience to your needs, interests and that ideal speed, even if that just involves more time taking photographs or slowing the hike to take it all in.

What’s quite cool too is the shift in environment you will pass by, going up high Andean passes into luxuriant tropical forests, after, the change in plant life is incredible. When it comes to challenging yourself with some tougher inclines whilst discovering the wonders of Peru’s scenery, it’s hard to beat.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Alright, let’s get real personal and talk, like, the day-by-day. Knowing what’s in store will assist in deciding, it feels, if this hike is for you. Bear in mind, so, this is based on my experiences and that trips are going to be adjusted to individual businesses:

• Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa This frequently starts early having a pick up through your Cusco hotel followed by a picturesque drive up to Soraypampa, starting point in the hike, basically. Anticipate gentle acclimatization climbs surrounded by mountain views and meeting the team that makes up this adventure possible – that is, your horses and guides.
• Day 2: Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass to Huayracmachay Oh boy, today is usually challenging and quite demanding, very. It involves moving throughout Salkantay Pass, the trek’s highest location – at 4,600 meters (about 15,091 feet). The scene over the snow-capped mountains is very rewarding. That decrease to Huayracmachay could be very welcome following conquering the pass.
• Day 3: Huayracmachay to La Playa Very distinct landscapes as you go into what appears to be cloud forests. So, warmer weather, denser plant life and waterfalls, too, everywhere! Reaching La Playa usually brings a feeling of success following the last two days’ exertions.
• Day 4: La Playa to Santa Teresa A really great day that mixes much more hiking that’s just incredible! Oh and also that chance to unwind at the Banos de Colcalmayo natural thermal springs. Believe me when I say the muscles will many thanks.
• Day 5: Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes: Get that zip lining, if you are experiencing very adventurous or simply have a nice hike through to Hydroelectric plant followed by having a train ride up to Aguas Calientes, the town on the bottom of Machu Picchu.
• Day 6: Machu Picchu And, you know, the main event! Up super very early to view the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Private trips usually are that expert guide so that you know exactly the citadel’s historical past.
• Day 7: Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo to Cusco Most individuals make use of this day for a secondary day in Machu Picchu if day one wasn’t enough. Afterwards it’s back towards Cusco.
• Day 8: Free day in Cusco: Get looking at a few of the local locations.

What I Looked for in a Private Trek

When booking a private trek, I feel there are certain main aspects you, like your good self will have to look into. First is that tour’s reputation and opinions. You really should examine third party assessment websites and traveler community in the tour in an attempt to see what some others said about their experiences, more or less.

You’ve got to go through the flexibility for modification, too. Would they custom design the hike in accordance with dietary specifications, fitness ranges, and particular attractions? What’s also essential is how clear they are of whatever the prices entails and consists of and no surprise expenses or further “extras” when you are over halfway up a mountain. Moreover you’ve got to figure out just how seasoned and prepared all of the instructions tend to be – are they licensed, do they know basic first aid, and that can they are able to handle frequent challenges that might be faced upon a long walk like this.

Benefits of Choosing a Private Trek

So, what’s good with using private rather than set excursions anyway? I am hoping the advantages will go some way beyond mere luxurious, in a fashion. To be honest you are actually getting attention, at least for any cash that you shell away! Therefore you have the full help and guidance on your crew at the trek, indicating a greater knowledge and better connection with all of your guide. Should you choose to would like more time for taking photos? Absolutely no issue. Are you presently feeling exhausted and would like to create a more gradual speed? It might be arranged.

Privacy offers higher flexibility of speed, routes in addition to routine day-to-day depending on how your system does work and exactly what you prefer seeing – I understand not everybody would rather visit another Inca web page, though lots of others could possibly find it interesting. By choosing only your people and people picked with you indicates much less interruption using others and, for some individuals, creating connections gets simpler. When all is considered a personalized trek tends to produce one of a kind and unforgettable reminiscences custom built specifically close to exactly what produces the most excitement for you personally!

Packing Essentials for the Salkantay Trek

Packing for any Salkantay Walk tends to test sometimes people’s capabilities, very, however being correctly ready to head out will certainly create and/or destroy all of the activities for this type of trekking. So what must you make an effort to take into consideration preparing effectively?

• Appropriate Clothes: Tiering happens for varying local climate. So, consider moisture-wicking clothes (simply no cotton!), raincoats, a coat plus a variety of pairs for wool-mix socks and you’ll stay protected.
• Sturdy Hiking footwear: Be certain these sneakers and boots are completely worn during. Blisters can wreck a trek immediately. Try to add mole skin perhaps cushion, must your businesses occur, so to handle a large amount of pain due to blisters
• Daypack :A handy sized back pack to assist you keep everyday merchandise such as for example fluids or snacks digital cameras/ additional layers of clothing.
• Water Container: Keep hydrated during increased altitudes using refillable canisters and maybe hydration bladders
• Trekking poles: Support using inclines reduces strain when you strike the knees.
• Sun Block And Insect Repellent: Sunlight are especially intense at greater elevations. Safeguard ones epidermis and prevent annoyances due to insects by buying great UV/insect repellent goods
• Basic first-aid set : Consisting of medicines, pain alleviation medicines as well as antiseptics alongside band supporting supplies relating to little medical conditions
• Altitude Medicine: Talk about a health expert prior to journey relating to mountain sickness therapy, for instance acetazolamide (Diamox), specifically in the event susceptible to major high-altitude problems.
• Snacks: Big calorie snack foods ,which are quite simple-to-carry supply levels of energy relating to hike; consider walnuts in addition to trails, electric power eateries together with dried up fruit!

Budgeting for Your Private Salkantay Trek

So, discussing costs! All private Salkantay Treks are different and how much will they run by doing, although the price commonly mirrors customisation in addition to support quantities of level included here. Assume that an independent venture might take you $1,000 up to 3,000 US dollars for the duration of human being – of course!

Some essential components impacting costs: the scale with all your group – with even more people this can possibly divide set operating expenditure; what typical products and services get incorporated like porters or fantastic chef food which boost selling price, additionally which in the specific area or maybe the calendar period impacts need also – take note rates for instance top weeks frequently high then decreased occasions and this offers to often schedule when it seems most cost-effective. Make an effort assess a variety firms, and not simply decide entirely about amount; furthermore find transparency inside fees along with confirmed value.

Things to Consider Before You Book

Prior booking some Salkantay travel bundle you really need do take these into consideration previously to protect you: Firstly examine your amount workout and / or any existing wellness difficulties, consult a heath care professional which way if this extensive walk in improved high locations could possibly go well you along. Spending various other hours within altitudes just prior any trekking can alleviate in which physique so it has to turn out to be, the reduced problems that mountain sickness has got to set your physique for example it provides. This does make sure to consider most trip provider in detail looking over critical assessment, including understanding most policies on precisely how rescheduling if there must be any emergency situations take place – ensure all company is covered!

This region’s tradition which has various Andean tradition needs exhibiting respect on the town in addition to culture while visiting regions close to, sustain lasting travelling concepts. Finally maintain current via-neighborhood conditions plus environment conditions and find information to any of those local people but probably keep adaptable just on the spot which provides which any conditions has become as reliable as you would need to receive.

Is a Private Salkantay Trek Right for You?

Really, this comes with their own tastes; even more independence during touring could just prove of advantages when you have some degree fitness and you prefer spending longer outside of crowds then having such the all individual excursion really needs the majority of some trekking hopes! Though really remember, though, in case spending more money for comfort plus individualized support doesn’t go nicely your needs – just be it: It should turn out alright anyway- really don’t ignore looking directly when other alternatives along those common excursions so which is to ensure most things will match.

The individual Salkantay walk, in Cusco, does indeed offer the extremely stunning experience: one- which delivers to its own person along side Machu Picchu on his conditions when traveling. Through knowledgeably opting provider as prepared, one definitely guarantees the trip may get impressive memories of those landscapes when travelling!

Essential Tips and Recommendations for the Salkantay Trek

Planning this Salkantay Journey? Ok that here most are some vital assistance will show the event would need in order is truly mind blowing: Allow yourself enough moment, 2 perhaps Three days near high elevations by traveling; any reduces chance Mountain Sickness does indeed greatly! Next remain adequately well hydrated always: consume liquid or juice possibly perhaps even drink several liquid which you’d plan normally perform in. Be careful always whatever things eats for only whenever by the trekking also test in fact and always consume gently to aid help to help assist alongside assimilation at high-altitudes!

Purchase superior clothing or things along boots for which are made as a part of trekking which may certainly provide level of smoothness within climate, which most extreme; employ also most hiking bars particularly, these provide guidance just on steep surface or they possibly lower weight off feet just on falls – remember never actually become in front, consistently pay very closely when and only most area’s to stay most well covered!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)