A Guide to Hiking the Salkantay Trek, Peru
Salkantay Trek is one of the best multi-day hikes in Peru that will take you from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, a gateway to Machu Picchu. Our Salkantay Trek travel guide includes everything you need to know; practical information, itinerary, useful tips, facts, trail length, difficulty, altitude, and also our experience with Alpaca Expeditions.
For a long time, Salkantay Trek in Peru was known as an alternative trek to the famous Inca Trail, which leads travelers from all around the world to the mysterious lost Inca's city, Machu Picchu. But don't be fooled.
Salkantay Trek is no longer an overlooked brother of Inca Trail and definitely not only an alternative for those who can't afford it or who cannot plan their holiday several months in advance to make a reservation for the more traditional hike.
How it could even be when the National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine named it among the 25 best treks in the world!
Salkantay Trek is an option for hikers who want to experience the beautiful mountainous scenery of the Peruvian Andes, see an incredibly diverse nature and landscape that gradually reveals stunning views.
And at the end be blown away by one of the South American highlights and a must-visit place which is on every traveler's bucket list, Machu Picchu.
Everyone who visits Peru wants to see this ancient Incan citadel, and we felt that walking Salkantay Trek will be the best and the only right way that will take us to this incomparable world's wonder.
Not only we wanted to see more from the Peruvian wilderness, learn more about flora, fauna, and the traditional way of life in the Andes, but also we always enjoy the feeling when something we want to see so desperately is well-deserved.
After searching for the best tour company in Cusco, we decided to team up with Alpaca Expeditions.
In the end, hiking the Salkantay Trek exceeded our expectations in all aspects, and we still have fond memories of this incredible adventure.
SALKANTAY TREK
We spent two months in Peru and met many same-minded travelers with similar travel styles and opinions. Some of them kept mentioning Salkantay Trek is the best way to get to Machu Picchu.
And now, when we have the personal experience with the hike ourselves, we know where their excitement came from.
Salkantay trek's most significant advantage is that it does not need to be booked that long in advance - sometimes, you can even decide one day and set off the next day.
The price is also not that high compared to the Inca Trail, and as we have experience with both, we found Salkantay Trek also a bit more laidback in terms of atmosphere among travelers.
Before you go, you should definitely read our post on Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek: Which Hike to Machu Picchu Is Better.
Simply put, there are several reasons why you should put this adventure on your Peru itinerary.
One of the best things about being travel bloggers is that we can share our stories, photos and inspire people to get out of comfort zone, achieve new things - in this case, start planning Salkantay Trek.
In this travel guide, we've put together everything you should know before hiking Salkantay Trek.
From what to expect, Salkantay Trek itinerary, how to choose travel company, what to pack, whether it is better to hike on your own or with a guide, we've got you covered.
SALKANTAY TREK FACTS
Salkantay Trek is 62 kilometers long, assuming you start walking from a small village Soraypampa to Aguas Calientes. The official length is 74 kilometers in case your itinerary starts at Mollepata.
To reduce costs, some travel agencies start the hike in Mollepata, but if you are part of the guided tour and booked with a reputable company, it is common to begin in Soraypampa.
On the other hand, independent travelers usually opt for the more extended Salkantay Trek version from Mollepata because it is simply the point where the bus from Cusco stops.
Usually, Salkantay Trek takes three to four days to finish; the more common variant is the longer one.
Then, unless you want to visit Machu Picchu right after you reach Aguas Calientes, you need to add another day - this is important to know if you've just started planning your itinerary.
Be prepared to walk every day between six to nine hours, so at least a basic level of physical condition is required.
If you know you're out of shape but cannot imagine visiting Peru without hiking to Machu Picchu, we recommend starting building up your level of fitness at least one month before the trip.
Although traveling is often about exceeding your limits, the bottom line is that you should enjoy it, not suffer all the time.
The highest point you will reach on the Salkantay Trek is over 4600 meters above sea level, the Salkantay Pass, so it is necessary to be well-acclimatized, but more about it later.
In only four days, you'll see an incredible diversity of Peruvian nature with your very own eyes when it came to flora.
We descended little by little to cloud forest, rainforest, and finally to the jungle from the inhospitable and harsh mountainous environment.
In a single sentence - you won't be disappointed by Salkantay Trek when it comes to nature and spectacular views.
ALTITUDE AND ACCLIMATIZATION
We've already mentioned the highest point on the trek, and we feel that it is worth it to talk a bit more closely about the acclimatization and the threat of altitude sickness.
Try to arrive in Cusco at least two or three days before the trek starts and focus on making some physical activity. For starters, Sacsayhuaman Ruins is an awesome place to visit.
You can take a plenty of day trips from Cusco and give your body some time to adjust to the elevation.
There is a lot of things to do in Sacred Valley near Cusco - we can recommend an uphill hike to Pisac Ruins or visiting the Rainbow Mountain.
The proper acclimatization is very important (you've probably already noticed we never skip this part when hiking at the higher altitude) because you will spend the first night 3800 meters above sea level.
The next day, you will cross the mountain pass and sleep about 3900 meters above sea level, which is really high for an unprepared hiker.
Although no one can ever know how the altitude will affect you, it is always better to be prepared and know what to expect (you might experience a headache or breath shortage).
Don't take the chance of altitude illness recklessly.
We've already seen quite a few people who were very sick during our travels, and it is nothing pleasant to deal with in the mountains where the help might be far away. You can ruin your entire trip by not following a basic guidelines.
Always stay safe when traveling.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
For Salkantay Trek, make sure your travel insurance covers hiking at a high altitude (above 4000 meters above sea level).
Travel smarter and safer!
GUIDED TOUR OR HIKING INDEPENDENTLY
Unlike, for example, Inca Trail, you can choose how to hike the Salkantay Trek depending on your budget and skills because having a guide is not compulsory.
When you arrive in Cusco, you will probably feel overwhelmed by so many travel agencies selling the multi-day Salkantay Trek. But if hiking with a group is not your cup of tea, you can also do the trek independently.
As usual, every option has pros and cons, and it is only up to you which alternative you opt for.
You should consider several criteria - your navigation skills, previous experience with carrying a heavy backpack for several days, backcountry skills, time of the year, and budget.
Here you can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of hiking with or without a tour so that you can make an informed decision.
GUIDED TOURS
Hiking with a guided group is the most comfortable option for enjoying the Salkantay Trek. Generally, the most challenging thing will be to find the right, professional and honest tour operator.
Always remember you will get the service you've paid for - sometimes it is not worth saving a couple of dollars and ruin your experience.
When taking a tour, you don't need to worry about food, transportation, campsites, or equipment (tent is usually in the price, you must only rent a sleeping bag with linen, mattress, or walking poles if needed).
Always check if the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu gate and Machu Picchu entrance is included in the final price. You will also walk only with your day pack as the travel agencies have porters who carry your extra clothes for you.
What can be a downside of hiking with a company? You never know who will be your fellow hikers and what their level of fitness will be.
If you don't get the service you paid for, you cannot do much with it while in the mountains.
Obviously, this alternative is more expensive; on the other hand, you do not have to worry about anything except the hike itself.
INDEPENDENTLY
Honestly, no matter how we love hiking independently, sometimes it is better (and more comfortable) to join a group.
For sure, you can hike the Salkantay Trek without a guide as this trail is not that strictly regulated, but if you don't have all the camping stuff, you must rent everything - tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment.
You will also need to arrange your transport to the starting point and from the end of the trek, carry all your stuff, find every night a place to sleep, book a hotel in Aguas Calientes, and buy your Machu Picchu tickets.
There are a few campgrounds along the trail (some are private), and you shouldn't pay much for it, but there is a lack of options where to buy food and water.
Think twice (especially if you are not a well-experienced hiker) as sometimes arranging all those things on your own don't, after all, come cheaper.
The advantage of hiking independently is that you can plan your itinerary, and you can always walk at your own pace; plus, it feels like a real adventure.
Also, the Salkantay Trek is considered a safe trek in Peru; we did not even meet any aggressive strayed dogs.
We hiked the Salkantay Trek with a tour operator, so here we share our experience.
HOW TO CHOOSE A TOUR OPERATOR FOR THE SALKANTAY TREK
In the city center of Cusco, you'll find agencies offering the Salkantay Trek literally on every corner.
We have three main criteria how to select a tour operator and usually go from there.
It is always better when the company has in the portfolio more hikes than only the Salkantay Trek. More tours mean more customers, more experience and more staff who can be well-trained.
The second criteria which help us to decide are references from travelers we meet along the road. We often meet same-minded travelers who are seeking similar experiences and require a level of service as we do.
The third source is online references - we read tons of reviews but do not make our decisions based only on those reviews, as sometimes people complain about things that are not that significant for us.
Because the Salkantay Trek is nowadays quite popular, you should not have a problem finding relevant information, and it should be easy to choose a winning tour operator who will be able to provide the best service and meet your budget.
We chose to trek with Alpaca Expeditions, the number one tour operator in Cusco.
Alpaca Expeditions is a moderately priced company (not the cheapest one on the market, but still far from the expensive companies) that ensures customers will get a top service level. Apart from that, we found several reasons why to choose it.
In the first place, visiting Machu Picchu and overall hiking the Salkantay Trek was one of our must-dos in South America, and we did not want to end up disappointed.
Secondly, when traveling responsibly, we believe that it is important to support companies who treat their employees well (and believe us, it is not a standard in South America).
That's why we wanted to collaborate with a company that pays well their porters, horse guides, chefs, and guides.
Alpaca Expeditions goes a bit further and runs several social projects to help porters and their families to live better lives.
They call their team Green Machine, and porters get all the equipment, the same food as hikers, better wages than in other companies, plus Alpaca Expeditions support their families (especially kids) as well.
Also, the company in the recent past broke a taboo and employed first women, not only in the office but also as guides and porters.
These things were real deal breakers for us, and this was why we made the decision really quickly.
On the other hand, if you want to reserve your tour directly in Cusco and not in advance, you might need to lower your requirements and take the best possibility available on your travel dates.
BEST TIME TO HIKE THE SALKANTAY TREK
With a bit of preparation, you can hike the Salkantay Trek all year round (only think twice in case you plan on hiking in February). The official dry season starts in May and ends in October. During those six months, you have a high chance to see clear skies and enjoy the sunshine throughout the day.
Expect lots of hikers, especially in July and August, when people in the USA and Europe have holidays.
The demand is high, so prices skyrocket. These months are Peruvian winter, which means the weather is sunny and more stable, but temperatures are lower.
The rainy season starts in November and ends in April. Hiking in this season is always hit and miss.
We did our hike in mid-November, and to be honest, enjoyed milder weather than we had expected (and what weather forecast predicted).
It can happen that you won't see much because of low clouds, but as per our experience, the weather in the Andes changes quickly, and it is exciting to watch peaks around peek out of the clouds.
It rains the most in February when there is also a higher chance of landslides, mudslides, and some impassable sections.
That’s why reputable companies, including Alpaca Expeditions, don’t run the trek in February. If you plan on hiking independently, to stay safe, we recommend avoiding walking the trail in February, too, just in case.
The rainy season is the summertime, which means temperatures are higher, although it still gets cold in the evening, especially in the high altitude.
The offseason is excellent for budget travelers because no crowds give you more chance to bargain the price down.
Martin also wanted to hike at the beginning of the rainy season to get a moody picture of Machu Picchu. You can tell if he was successful.
BRIEFING
Before the trek, we had approximately an hour-long briefing where we received our duffel bags, met our guides, our fellow hikers (it was 12 of us), and our guides in detail explained everything about the hike and answered all our questions.
From the outside, Alpaca Expeditions' office looks inconspicuously. But once we entered the courtyard, it was like we walked into a beehive.
There are several offices, many guides, and tourists preparing for their hikes in the building, all buzzing with excitement, but our check-in went smoothly from the very beginning.
A gentleman took us to the office, scanned our passports, offered us a hot drink, and took us to a room prepared for hikers starting the Salkantay Trek the next day.
From this very moment, we were assured and felt that we are in good hands.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO BEFORE THE TREK
Cusco offers an extensive network of reasonably priced hotels in the city's historical part, and you don't need to stay anywhere on the outskirt to save money when traveling on a budget.
If your hike starts soon, it pays off to learn where's the meeting point or whether the company offers the pick-up.
Suppose you travel independently to the trailhead, research where's the closest bus terminal. Also, we recommend staying in a reputable hostel where you can store your luggage safely.
We've handpicked the best three hotels in Cusco for every traveler you can use as a base for Salkantay Trek.
Budget | Cusco Bed and Breakfast - Spacious and clean rooms, comfortable beds, very quiet at night, excellent location, and the price is very reasonable for such a touristy destination.
Mid-range | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro - This hotel provides a tranquil environment, beautiful rooms and also has one of the top-rated locations in Cusco.
Luxury | JW Marriott El Convento Cusco - The hotel features impressive interiors, has a charming colonial courtyard, luxury rooms, and Cusco’s cathedral or main square are only three blocks away.
SALKANTAY TREK ITINERARY
Salkantay Trek can be hiked in three to five days, so the itinerary can slightly differ.
We booked the 5 days / 5 nights version of the Salkantay Trek. It is a unique and new itinerary, and we were happy to experience it.
The classic 4D/3N and 5D/4N itineraries are also a great choice.
How is it different, and what can you see along the hike? Keep on reading!
Here's our day-by-day itinerary. Of course, when short on time, it is better to opt for the shorter version, but this time we could fully appreciate the advantage of living a nomadic life and not being on a strict schedule.
DAY 0: CUSCO - SORAYPAMPA
Our Salkantay Trek itinerary started with the departure from Cusco and arriving in the first accommodation. There was no hiking involved on the first day, so we will call it Day 0 in our itinerary. It is basically a departure and acclimatization day.
We left Cusco at 3 PM in a private van, which took us to Soraypampa campsite. The ride took about 3 hours with a short stop in Mollepata, where is the checkpoint.
Our guides accommodated us in the cabins where we were about to spend the first night after our arrival.
We arrived just on time to admire the sunset over Humantay mountain, and because the night was clear, we could watch stars from our beds as a huge window replaced the roof.
After light dinner, we received a short presentation about what to expect the next day and went to bed early.
DAY 1: SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY LAGOON- SALKANTAY PASS - WAYRACMACHAY
The first day of hiking was the toughest one - despite the popularity, Salkantay Trek is not for faint-hearted travelers.
The advantage of the longer itinerary is the fact it includes hiking to Humantay Lake early in the morning.
It is possible to visit the Humantay Lake on a day trip from Cusco, but if we were you, we would have booked the Salkantay Trek that includes Humantay Lake, so you save time and money.
Humantay Lake is one of the most beautiful mountain lagoons in Peru, and the word about its beauty has already spread, and this place cannot be missing on any Cusco itinerary.
Although there are many private campgrounds in Soraypampa, no other company in Cusco has the same program as Alpaca Expeditions at the moment.
It means that early in the morning, we started our 1.5-kilometer long climb to the Humantay Lagoon, sitting 4200 meters above sea level.
Thanks to our early start, we were the only group on the lagoon's shore that morning, and we could enjoy the beauty of this lake only in our small group.
We didn't meet anyone else until we descended back to Soraypampa, where we could spot first one-day hikers making their way up.
When we descended from Humantay Lagoon, we started our ascend to Salkantay Pass straight away; there was no time to rest.
Our group's pace was reasonable, and we had plenty of time to stop and take photos of the surroundings.
We could see mountains around us on and off as the clouds and winds changed the scenery quickly. After about three hours, we had lunch in Soyroccocha, and after a short rest, we started the final push to the Salkantay Pass.
The climb was steady but not strenuous, and after an hour, we arrived at the pass. Because it rained during lunchtime, we did not have high expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised by the views when we reached the pass at 4600 meters.
I think we spent about an hour there only to enjoy the glacier, mountains around us and also the victorious feeling.
And then, it was time to descend to our campsite, Wayracmachay.
It took us about three hours to get there, mostly because we were all the time turning our heads back to observe the towering mountains looming behind us.
DAY 2: WAYRACMACHAY - COLLPAPAMPA - LA LORETA
The second hiking day was not hard because of the trek's profile but because of the length.
It was the longest day when it comes to the distance, 20 kilometers. In the morning, we started our descend to a lunch place Collpapampa. It was also a day when we left the mountains behind and walked into a cloud forest.
We could admire the cloud forest in its best as it was cloudy all the way down.
Along the way, we could observe the changes in flora and fauna. We walked through lush green scenery and, from time to time, found beautiful flowers along the path that were incredibly photogenic.
After lunch, the sky started to clear, and we carried on for another four hours to La Loreta campground.
This section led along the river, with another micro-climate that allows people to farm here coffee, avocados, or passion fruits, which we could taste right from the trees.
This day was long, difficult for our knees because of the long downhill section, but we had a huge motivation to finish this part - a hot jacuzzi waiting in our private campground.
DAY 3: LA LORETA - LLACTAPATA
The third day was the shortest, 12 kilometers, but we came to the campsite as usual, around 5 PM, because of one of our team members' health troubles.
The hike's first section was easy, mostly flat, and the path led us to one of the original Inca trails (horses cannot walk those parts) and to tropical forest and coffee plantations.
Here we had time to rest a bit, pick coffee beans, and learn the coffee's whole cycle. And of course, we tasted some!
In the afternoon, after coffee tasting and delicious guacamole, we had to carry on to our final destination Llactapata.
It was incredibly hot, and we had to make our way up (chased by mosquitos), which was not easy, but all those viewpoints along the way made it up.
But the best view awaited for us at Llactapata ruins (the only ruins you can see along the Salkantay Trek). When we arrived at the ruins, we could, for the first time, get a glance at Machu Picchu on the opposite side of the valley.
Our campsite was in a perfect place, only a couple meters below Llactapata ruins so we could enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu.
DAY 4: LLACTAPATA - AGUAS CALIENTES
The next morning, we woke up to one of the most spectacular sunrises and views of the Salkantay Trek.
The clouds were rolling over the slopes of impressive mountains, the first light of the sun was illuminating the Machu Picchu ruins, and we could enjoy a hot cup of coca tea. The world was simple at that moment.
On the fourth day of hiking, we set off with an idea of a hot shower in a hotel in our minds.
We had to walk downhill for two hours to get to Hidroelectrica Station (which we could see from our campsite the night before), an artificial 300 meters high waterfall which generates the electricity for the region of Cusco. From here, we walked a short while to the Machu Picchu region checkpoint.
The last 10 kilometers long section to Aguas Calientes is almost flat because it leads along train tracks.
We don't know how it happened, but we did not meet any other hikers along the Salkantay Trek, so it felt a bit strange to see so many people, all of a sudden, going the opposite direction than us.
After approximately two hours, we arrived in Aguas Calientes, where our guide brought us to a hotel where we were about to spend the last night.
We could enjoy a free afternoon (there is an option to go to hot springs in the town for additional S/20, but no one from our group had the energy to go there).
Instead, we enjoyed a hot shower, Wi-Fi service, complimentary mint tea, and took a rest in our room. In the evening, we met once again with our group to have the last dinner and went to bed early because we had to get up before 4 AM the next day.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
And finally, the most awaited day of the whole Salkantay Trek has come. Yes, the trail is magnificent, but we cannot hide the real cherry on the top is Machu Picchu.
We got up at 3:30 AM to have enough time to be at our meeting point at 4:30 AM. The reason was simple.
It was Sunday (usually the busiest day on Machu Picchu), and also we wanted to go to the Sun Gate before our Machu Picchu tour.
At 4:45 AM, we were already standing in a line waiting for the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance gate.
The first bus was leaving at 5:30 AM, and because we were on the fourth bus, we arrived at the entrance at 6 AM, right when the gate was open.
It was pouring rain. When we entered the grounds, we couldn't see anything. That's why it was a surprise that after five minutes, the wind scattered the clouds, and we could catch the most iconic view of Machu Picchu.
After this beautiful welcome, full of new energy, we started our climb to the Sun Gate (although in this weather, we knew there wouldn't be any spectacular views).
After 45 minutes, we arrived at the gate. Unfortunately, we could not see much, but who wouldn't like to stand next to Machu Picchu's important structure?
When we got back down, the official tour with our guides started. We could admire the views of the whole archaeological site, the beautiful settings (Machu Picchu means old hill), more or less preserved structures, and precisely cut rocks from which all buildings in the Machu Picchu were built.
The whole walk around the strictly guarded site took us a bit more than two hours, and because we wanted to spend here as much time as we could, it took us another hour and a half to reach the exit.
The rules in Machu Picchu are pretty strict.
It means you can walk only one way and can't return to places you haven't had enough time to explore. We were still lucky, as we could spend six hours there, next year, all visitors will have only two hours to see it all.
Make sure to read our article Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu.
After the visit to Machu Picchu, we took a bus to Aguas Calientes (expect to wait about half an hour in the line), had lunch in the town, and waited for our scenic train, which took us to Ollantaytambo village, another significant former Inca's place.
Here a driver from Alpaca Expeditions waited for us and drove us back to Cusco. What a wonderful but long day.
DIFFICULTY
If you have at least a medium level of fitness, we believe you should not have difficulties finishing this trek.
The most challenging day is the first one when you will climb 300 meters to Laguna Humantay, descend back, and start ascending to the pass about 700 meters up and then 700 meters down to the campsite.
Otherwise, there are no steep or slippery sections.
What we found the most difficult about the Salkantay Trek was the constant changes in elevations and temperatures.
From about 4600 meters, you will descend to 2000 meters above sea level, and from cold, harsh, windy, and possibly rainy weather, you will appear in the hot and humid areas of the Peruvian jungle.
Those changes were quite challenging for our organisms. Some of our fellow hikers were using pills against high altitude, so if you are not sure how your body will react, you can try those.
FOOD AND DRINKS
We can guarantee you one thing. You won't be hungry when hiking with Alpaca Expeditions. In all probability, you might even eat better than during your travels.
The most impressive is how the chef and sous chefs could prepare delicious food in 4000 meters after they carried everything on their back while using a simple gas burner.
We usually had a variation of eggs, bread, jam, pancakes, fruits, or porridge for breakfast.
Lunch and dinner consisted of meat (chicken, fish or beef), potatoes, rice, yuka, vegetables, corn, cheese, soups, pasta, and we can't forget the delicious guacamole (and also the super tasty cake because a member of our group celebrated a birthday).
We also received a snack every day - a piece of fruit and something sweet to replenish our energy along the hike.
Because water along the Salkantay Trek is not drinkable, we always received boiled and cooled down water for the entire day, plus tea, hot chocolate, or coffee during all meals.
And of course, we cannot forget to mention the hot coca tea we got from our porters every morning to wake up our senses (and also to fight with the altitude).
ACCOMMODATION & CAMPSITES
We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of our campsites along Salkantay Trek.
First of all, we had them all only for ourselves (it was the beginning of the low season, so this might not be a standard), but also cooking shelters, eating tents or buildings and toilet facilities looked pretty nice.
We spent the first night at Soraypampa campsite. It is a private campsite where Alpaca Expeditions built brand new cabins and facilities.
All cabins are facing Humantay Mountain, and we could watch countless stars above us when in bed.
We slept for the next three nights in tents.
The first campsite was in Wayracmachay, where all our tents were under roofs, so we were protected from the rain and wind at the high altitude. Also, we got extra blankets for the first and second night to ensure we are not cold (and we weren't, thanks to this extra care).
The next campsite La Loreta was exceptional as it is Alpaca Expeditions' private campsite with two jacuzzies and a swimming pool.
We can't even express how great it was to relax in the jacuzzi after two long days of walking. At this campsite, we could also enjoy a hot shower. How refreshing and desirable that evening was!
We spent the last night in the Llactapata campsite, and although the camp is not private, it is owned by a local family, and only Alpaca Expeditions has permission to use it.
From this place, we could overlook Machu Picchu and snow-capped mountains.
We were blessed with perfect weather both evening and morning and couldn't even imagine sleeping in a more beautiful place. This campsite's settings and spectacular views from there were unquestionably one of our highlights of traveling in South America.
Also, the feeling that after three days walking, we are so close to Machu Picchu was incredible.
On the fifth night, we had a hotel room booked in Aguas Calientes.
When making the Salkantay Trek reservation with Alpaca Expeditions, a three-star hotel is included, but you can pay for an upgrade if you are looking for something more luxurious.
We enjoyed our free afternoon and especially the hot shower. The night before visiting Machu Picchu was a short but very comfortable one.
A real treat after three nights in tents.
GUIDES
Honestly, the biggest downside of traveling in Peru (and overall in South America) was guides and their English level.
Fortunately, it wasn't the case with Alpaca Expeditions, as all their guides must have certification and must pass a test.
Because it was 12 of us in the group, we had two amazing, funny, knowledgeable, and well-trained guides. Everything went smoothly thanks to their skills, and we were glad to be in their team.
What we usually appreciate the most when traveling is the authenticity.
Our guides grew up in the area and knew a lot about the everyday life of local people they could explain all superstitions and myths which are closely tied up with mountains and rivers in the area.
WHAT TO PACK
Because of changes in the altitude, temperatures, weather, and climates, you will need to pack a bit of everything.
It does not matter whether you hike independently or with a group; you should always pack smart and leave things you do not need at home.
Here are a few essentials you should undoubtedly pack for Salkantay Trek.
Quality hiking boots are a must, same as comfortable daypack.
When it comes to clothing, success lies in layers. Pack a light, fast-drying short-sleeved t-shirt, functional underwear, enough hiking socks, so you always have a dry pair in your backpack and hiking pants or leggings.
A rain jacket, the same as rain pants and rain poncho, is a must. Pack a fleece jacket, and for the evening in campsites, we recommend a down jacket.
Trekking poles are definitely helpful, you can also rent them for an extra fee.
When it comes to gear, pack a headlamp, sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen and hygiene such as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet tissues, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, and travel comb.
Make sure you have a fully charged travel camera with a few spare batteries, phone, and you can also bring a book or Kindle to kill some time in the evening.
ACCOMMODATION IN AGUAS CALIENTES
As we have already mentioned, our tour included accommodation in Aguas Calientes so we didn't have to worry about it.
When traveling on your own, you'll have to arrange the night in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.
This destination is basically one large hotel, so you should not have a problem finding a room in your price range.
We've selected the best hotels for every type of traveler in Aguas Calientes.
Budget | Hotel Machu Picchu Inn - You will hardly find a better deal so close to Machu Picchu for the price. The rooms are spacious, clean, and the atmosphere charming.
Mid-range | Susanna Inn Machu Picchu Hotel - Most of the rooms offer beautiful views, and in general, this hotel is worth mentioning because of the excellent services provided for guests.
Luxury | Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel - If you prefer a touch of luxury, you will hardly find a better hotel so close to the Incan citadel. This hotel has everything you might think of, and their staff goes the extra mile.
ALPACA EXPEDITIONS INFORMATION
For information about the Salkantay Trek or other treks, check Alpaca Expeditions website.
To make an inquiry, fill out this contact form or send them directly an email.
This post was written in collaboration with Alpaca Expeditions. As always, all opinions are our own.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
