Cusco Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Review: 5D/4N Experience

So, you know, the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – that five-day, four-night adventure – is like, pretty famous for a reason. It’s not just a walk; I mean, it’s almost a deep dive into some seriously amazing Peruvian landscapes. From super high mountain passes to super lush cloud forests, that trek seriously throws a bit of everything your way. It definitely gives you, like, a solid alternative to the, you know, sometimes overcrowded Inca Trail, offering what could be a wilder and maybe even more enriching way to get to the famous Machu Picchu. Getting into what this whole thing is about, thinking about the challenges, the sights, and what you need to think about for preparing? That’s going to really help to make the absolute most out of the hike, right?

Why Choose the Salkantay Trek?

Unlike, you know, that super well-known Inca Trail, Salkantay is, like, really more of a path less traveled. I mean, Salkantay tends to bring together really breathtaking views, with that sense of peacefulness you sort of only find when you are further from every single person and their camera. I mean, Salkantay goes past the huge Salkantay Mountain (which is, like, one of the highest in the Andes), so it leads hikers up through, I guess you could say, stunningly different environments. From there, that trail drops into that warm, almost jungle-like area closer to Machu Picchu, where, too, the views could not be more different. And, like, this switch is what, arguably, really sets the trek apart; I mean, that alone should be the only thing needed to sway anyone wondering whether or not this hike is up their street.

For one thing, people thinking of doing it often go for it to, kinda, get away from, that I guess you could call, the Inca Trail crowds and all the, I would argue, super strict permits; still, the trek isn’t something that folks just, randomly, decide to do – well, actually, you shouldn’t, I mean. That bit of extra freedom lets people go at their pace, letting everyone, including yourself, soak it all in. So, whether you’re seriously into hiking, or you’re, in some respects, just in it for what are seriously unique experiences, that Salkantay Trek provides, at least for me, what feels like that really awesome mix of something quite tough, beauty, and quiet.

Daily Breakdown: What to Expect

I want to give, arguably, a breakdown of, sort of, each day. By breaking that down I will give you, very much, what is needed for an accurate snapshot of this hike. Let’s break it down:

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa (Humantay Lake). Very often, Day 1 includes a ride from Cusco to a spot closer to the trail start. So, from there, you typically hike to Soraypampa, which is often where you will camp. Usually, the super popular activity on this day? Hiking to Humantay Lake, arguably one of the bluest and, like, beautiful lakes you will probably lay eyes on – I guess, I could be biased, right? That first day helps, really, in a way, in prepping your body for that hike and just, so, allows you, too, to slowly get that, like, nature vibe rolling.

Day 2: Soraypampa to Huayracmachay (Salkantay Pass). This one? That’s that day you seriously work for. That second day takes hikers over Salkantay Pass, and at, really, more than 4,600 meters (or 15,000 feet), and so it’s, actually, super high! But I think the, sort of, sights from up there are quite worth the challenge, I would argue. Because from there, too, you drop down, somewhat a lot, into that higher altitude cloud forest, heading for Huayracmachay, or even, sometimes, Chaullay for a second night of camping under that canvas.

Day 3: Huayracmachay to La Playa. Day three has this, slightly, awesome shift in environment. After leaving that colder climate, Day 3 will guide you through those super lush, sort of, tropical parts of that trek. What I would describe as nature explodes all around you, and so you walk beside these roaring rivers, taking everything in – so keep your eyes peeled for some exotic birds! You’ll end up in La Playa, you know, a super small settlement where that climate starts to, kind of, noticeably warm up. Day 3 makes it much better by revealing that transition from something icey cold and something warm to get you mentally closer to arriving at Machu Picchu.

Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes. Hiking onwards, like, that fourth day usually means doing a blend of walks – some on those original Inca trails, some on the train tracks, usually. So, that part brings trekkers to Aguas Calientes, and too it’s basically, the city right at the bottom of Machu Picchu. At this time you probably can get that much needed shower, explore that city, and rest up to get set for that awesome visit to Machu Picchu, next. I, too, was seriously thinking of heading to those Aguas Calientes hot springs – even though they weren’t that warm I guess.

Day 5: Machu Picchu Exploration. That big day! Getting up, like, seriously early, getting into line, heading up to Machu Picchu to view what seems like a really, really ancient city as the sun pops up. With luck and, I think, enough planning, maybe you’ll secure permits to, sort of, explore Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain; doing those lets you get those killer, very high-up panoramic views. So, after soaking everything in and all those tours, you’ll generally go back down to Aguas Calientes to hop on that train, you know, heading back to Cusco after that seriously unreal journey.

Altitude: Your Biggest Challenge

Look, dealing with altitude is probably that biggest thing when it comes to trekking around Cusco. Going from that low ground to more than 15,000 feet? Yeah, that’s actually a super huge jump. Because Cusco is already at an altitude. I mean, your body needs to slowly change; still, you need to know some symptoms so it’s something to seriously remember. I guess that’s what I really want to drill down in, that’s just really being real about something that shouldn’t ruin the whole trek! Listen to, well actually, your body, too, to actually give it that decent chance of actually really making it. Get this right? And it should actually let you actually experience those landscapes more.

So, altitude sickness, very often called “soroche” in Peru, has that ability to make you just feel not too good. The most, slightly, common effects can be that throbbing headache, sickness, I guess you could call it, feeling quite dizzy, plus you might also get extra tired really fast. But? It shouldn’t always be that dramatic if you seriously prepare well enough! Taking it kind of easier from Day 1, you know, skipping any seriously hard tours, and not drinking much booze all give your body that great chance to acclimate – well actually, there’s even prescriptions too, should it get too dramatic – ask your doctor first though. It’s actually worth arriving in Cusco several days earlier too – acclimatization makes it so your entire trek gets upgraded, for want of a better phrase.

What to Pack: Gear and Essentials

Packing actually can kind of make or break your hike, it is worth adding here! Here is that packing list; what I, generally, found works includes, right?:

• Right Backpack: Get what you are really happy to carry for ages each day. Thinking that frame? So, if that hike is, I guess you could say, going through tour groups, then that 40–50 liter hiking pack usually hits that sweet spot. That pack I mention allows for you to have, typically, stuff to put your needs like those super critical extras I talk about below; if, you know, you decide on, arguably, those porters, maybe just one thing to note will be carrying something small with your daily gear to it doesn’t get lost or confused.
• Those Reliable Hiking Boots: Having shoes to withstand different terrains whilst helping the walker through those is very, very critical. Be certain that you get, sort of, really nice broken-in boots to prevent all that painful blistering and stuff from going brand-new to mountains straight from that, so called, shop floor, or even something from out the delivery box. If you want ankle supports from that? Get what covers your needs and be certain to find what allows that walking on your feet whilst having some support to avoid you potentially twisting your ankle on that off-set-step-or-two during it.
• That Clothing To Layer Up With: You should know that that climate, too, shifts all across that walk. Pack anything from these water resistant, very durable jackets to thermals.
• Water bottle, Sunblock/Sunglasses/Wide-brim hat: Sun can reflect hard and that sunlight combined with altitude can easily mess with skin – also protect yourself to make for no walking blind! Always a big problem on mountains, too.
• Insect spray/repellant: Going through all those tropical stretches demands you actually bring bug sprays. So get it ready before all those bites happen!.
• Medicines/Personal First Aid: Get a tiny kit packed with every single basic medicine, things that stop pain and help bandages work for just general aid on any scrape from hiking with no medical emergencies whilst getting through those terrains..

Choosing the Right Trek Operator

That operator can basically determine the thing on all tours like this; if done correctly, the correct choice ensures everything works just great, especially in all things involving Machu Picchu treks where different things, right, should go a great way with a better set up group tour than it probably otherwise will be done, typically – and better managed.

• Reputation matters: Look, what people previously involved previously have gone and thought definitely matters; actually view websites giving all their trekkers and hikers a medium of speaking out on what their time touring Peru was seriously like! Do I look around the things people said about what the safety setups was too?.
• Exactly what’s on The Tour Package: Do be certain to understand what that tour group really does give (e.g things like meals- how much stuff the people can load onto yaks!
• Tour- guides must be local: What sets guides from all this are those who just actually have all those historical, area/nature insight because it only benefits that full feeling tour vibes more to your actual hike too – being natives means something seriously extra from this place is coming straight for something really, extremely good indeed for all those experiences!.

Tips for a Successful Trek

• Start Training Early: Train prior by hiking at the most you actually will handle. Just start all your fitness really really really soon so your walking days go at 100% all those distances.
• Pack light – It’s Okay: At this point packing lighter actually means hiking a really, significantly further distance with no real feeling it all at your actual walking bits here because there won’t be excess loads; think smartly before your trekking because extra and unwanted clothing literally impacts what goes onwards for treks there – consider giving more importance just for packing well-rounded trekking stuff to handle all temperatures!.
• Hydration Rules: Keep constantly properly hydrated at really those high-altitude points!. What keeps everything seriously very great when moving a significant, slightly, far point up, just starts really easy when you don’t miss just those fluid intake bits to literally avoid any altitude sickness occurring on those trips and have every hiking and all those trips as it originally always intended.

If I gave these important guidelines out it will always provide a journey as unique and probably awesome to do for trekking within Peru.

Budgeting for Your Trek

Knowing all stuff, so that includes cost for all tours so folks know they are preparing the best can do wonders prior and know how trips is actually happening for those financial plans, actually – the actual cost just might differ hugely by everything. You can change up something when budgeting though, that’s fine.

• Trip Expenses and What Stuff It Consists of for Most Times: Any budget allocations should happen to any trek deals booked from travel agencies- they probably will involve things like the authorization of what places they visit from places such as MP and passes to take you anywhere for all hiking tours too. It even covers how the transport to that jump of points gets you onward through a jump over places/camp locations along side permits necessary/stuff.
• Further Bills that aren’t usually in It : Have and provide separate allowance meant towards those items outside every packaged deal in fact, stuff consisting from anything with luggage bearer services when being carried because not ever covered if given via tour operators as things you can do with what they often sell on the tours; at other times things going tips to support group tour helpers-chefs along trip crew might add a little overhead beyond trekking expenditures at the trekking time!.
• Costs when Trekking and Budget Guidelines to get things done smoothly as said trek happen: Plan on and provide allowance towards foods when out through Aguas, snacks when needing fuel refills as energy is literally running flat. Or the more of getting all stuff when in those destinations/town that those trips just takes, and more costs may add on. It helps plan budgets by all average costs to go about how trek occurs with absolutely zero difficulty along tour days or treks being walked though with trekking periods!.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Key Takeaways

• The Salkantay Trek seriously offers that less packed option for what will eventually become the visit over Machu Picchu.
• Be wise with everything on, how acclimatize the trip/altitude when dealing on it with all that what that trip could bring.
• Always find everything to travel with so trek all along trips; take very awesome what trip advisers come with trip; pack safely from trip.
• Reserve treks as an almost automatic thing particularly from having things coming.

I found that the trip over to the Salkantay trek with the amazing and just beautiful ending there with it and, getting though MP felt more satisfying – doing just that really helps out though – go and hike just for everything unique from what Peru really and certainly will bring!.