Cusco Salkantay Trek Review: 4 Days, 3 Nights w/ Train Return

So, you’re pondering taking on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu? Is that it? We went for the 4-day, 3-night version that brings you back to Cusco by train, and wow, that trip it’s almost like stepping into another Universe. Now, it can be a pretty big decision, so let’s share what that experience was actually like to maybe help you decide if this trek that could be a really amazing one, is that right for you.

Why Choose the Salkantay Trek Over the Inca Trail?

Very often people wonder, “Why Salkantay instead of the Inca Trail?” So, for starters, it is arguably less expensive, and it is frequently easier to get permits since the Inca Trail is pretty closely regulated. The Salkantay Trek, well, it delivers totally astonishing scenery, offering this brilliant alternative if that legendary Inca Trail is fully booked, or perhaps just a little outside your budget. In some respects, you get that diverse landscape from snow-capped mountains that are quite stunning to tropical jungles. It might be an adventure for those of you seeking that touch of something maybe a bit off the beaten path. Yet, you need to remember, it is rated as pretty challenging, that said, rewarding!

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa via Humantay Lake

Okay, Day 1, actually it’s almost all about getting from Cusco to Soraypampa, but that involves a side trip to Humantay Lake, too it’s almost like a sparkling turquoise jewel tucked away that’s nestled beneath gigantic glaciers. We were picked up very early – just a little before dawn, and so there was this scenic drive toward Mollepata. It was there we stopped for breakfast, that was arranged by our tour operator. Following a bite, that vehicle carried on up into this trailhead where we begin that hike. The path that leads to Humantay Lake it’s moderately steep, but frankly the view, wow, that alone is actually more than worth that effort. Many people like your hike around that lagoon and took some photos, and similarly to the standard itinerary, after this that group journeyed on toward Soraypampa in that base camp. Arriving there very, very late that afternoon and frankly a bit knackered, we had those tents already set up, very much waiting for us. The evening basically included supper that was wholesome, a briefing from our guide about just what that trip might involve. Following that the participants all huddled within these tents so that we might get as much kip as that body could soak up ahead of Day 2 which, as had previously been warned to us, well, is arguably, rather demanding!

Day 2: Crossing Salkantay Pass – The Toughest Day

The morning of Day 2 dawns that’s actually quite early, as they get ready to attempt to tackle that highest point along this route – a Salkantay Pass, which that sits really incredibly high above at some 4,600 meters (15,091 feet)! Right after breakfast – and perhaps yet another cup of cocoa leaf tea to try to assist those bodies, just, to acclimate, that climb begins. As I was saying, that stretch could prove rather difficult and so requires actually some effort but is arguably something anyone can attempt given the right preparations, as there really is, at that end, quite a huge amount of gain to be gotten when the clouds pull away to allow the stunning landscapes that you see there. On reaching, basically that summit one has that space in which one can catch just a bit of a breather, so just celebrate this success – so make the most of that vista out of that gigantic space. Afterwards you may start on what is that very, very lengthy and steep drop, that’s headed straight downwards toward Huayracmachay where you will break for that midday food! A short break, then you’ll travel through these breathtaking spaces down as far as your camp at Chaullay. If the bodies aren’t complaining right now, just hang in there, because tomorrow could be a challenge anyway!

Day 3: Into the Cloud Forest – From Chaullay to Aguas Calientes

From this cold that mountain atmosphere slowly the travelers sink down, literally right down and straight to a warm almost subtropical zone today. After leaving the camp at Challay it is almost, like walking in what looks a very different area altogether, walking at every moment down a verdant terrain dotted that’s always been cultivated, especially too it’s almost around a Santa Teresa where the guides will provide, frankly, an opportunity – optionally – too, it’s almost allow walkers on a long zip-line or that can spend an interval perhaps by having those joints soothed by that warmth emitted at these natural very hot springs. Continuing from that town toward Hidroeléctrica those paths weave down those railroad line and bring that travelers to that spot along that route by train directly away from Aguas Calientes. At Aguas Calientes (frequently known too as “Machu Picchu Pueblo”), so we get to visit one final evening just by preparing ahead as the moment rapidly, that next morn, to discover, at very last, those historical spaces up at Machu Picchu itself quickly is creeping on! Enjoy having what really could feel like, one great lengthy night’s sleep, that so rightly has been rewarded to anyone whom might reach that site – that final day – a fit one, prepared as possible, so we might feel its wonder and its mystique to it’s almost it fullest!

Day 4: Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco by Train

Very early, just before dawn, after waiting in line you have that short bus trip high upward, almost toward those ruins or indeed you may take one pathway upwards along several hills, at this legendary City. Be that however these travelers go up there one very final early climb they had that whole place quite empty to discover! In contrast with many spots among such historic remains this area had an enormous area from which anyone might explore that spaces right on their terms, and with an extra guided journey to make much from what it held; yet to roam these parks freely could provide the chance so as we allow that site right in a moment almost too perhaps allow any kind perhaps. Going afterwards at mid-afternoon, get back onto such rail service straight for Ollantaytambo at which place transfer, which we arranged so this trip may get brought these guys very closely to reaching at nighttime finally down by Cuzco after what will live permanently inside peoples heads. That Machu Picchu Salkantay experience? So worthy!

What’s Included in a Typical Salkantay Trek Package?

Okay, when looking for that Salkantay Trek option from different travel companies here might possibly be the typical products or services built as part such trek arrangements:

Pre-trip Briefing: The people generally encounter those journey organizer within these times just before to beginning along with discussions that have been laid around questions and route details etc etc..
Transportation: Such includes the pick-up, maybe bringing passengers for such kick off path, at places where treks conclude together via return routes coming down with their cities either after those walk concludes themselves, usually for being brought at those towns in buses where it seems very many individuals originate.
Accommodation: Lodging that had those tenting throughout camps perhaps those local location stays across it’s walks etc perhaps hotels for it’s villages right just outside and perhaps including basic necessities so many could possess throughout that expedition
Meals: It’s generally incorporated a meal package deals consisting usually along practically many days just apart snacks and breakfasts maybe main meals lunches alongside lunches to include for various unique diets needs in between different folk
Trekking Guide : Normally bilingual local guides so therefore all users get instructed over terrains backgrounds which is incorporated so too.
Entrance Ticket (Machu Picchu) It consists of ticket right from just Machu Picchu which permits right for such renowned Inca. Usually folks obtain what entrance too right into just Huayna which it’s best reserved really ahead too.
Train Back straight down into Cusco: Next up getting done right into Machu it is quite typical if folks would get a vehicle directly across getting across towards a vehicle waiting to directly get travelers coming completely away throughout almost throughout all over which finishes your whole trek altogether

Tips for an Amazing Salkantay Trek

Acclimatize, alright? Make sure we spend several days that’s adjusting high in Cusco almost before your start.
Pack Layers: Almost Like various temperatures so perhaps could perhaps rapidly turn at mountainous locales! Prepare yourself!
Purchase solid Hiking Boots: Make sure those legs possess strong walking footwear to try reducing blisters, twists perhaps pain just so people could perform more easily throughout those steep or perhaps rocky soils
Pack things really really Light-weight: Remember something less the individual put it down throughout that person might be far better during climbing mountains etcetera, too always there have almost surely have someone who had assistance perhaps get anything perhaps transferred
Always Bring Liquid! Continually pack or have bottled juice so persons perhaps may remain appropriately moist over trekking while under harsh weather
Have Snack: Contain snacks really inside cases like your stamina perhaps is reduced etcetera throughout those walks ( power meals ,dried super fruit)
Sun lotion etc. are essentials To stay protected via such sun have on headwears with such high quality safety cups while implementing sunscreen across every part during such trekking that skin turns highly revealing that’s above altitude ranges for all users trekking!
Have local currency/small amounts of cash with the individual so everyone could possibly buy or find extra requirements etc through or surrounding path perhaps offer any type that tip those teams members really there.