Alternative Inca Trail: Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek

Hiking the Inca Trail has become number one in what Adventure Tourism in Peru concerns.
Due the high demand, local authorities decided some years ago to restrict the number of visitors per day which is 500 including tourists, guides, porters and other members of the staff which means permits are sold out really quickly, especially during March to August when it’s recommendable to make bookings at least 3 or 4 months in advance to secure your place on the trek according to your travel dates.

 

Salkantay Pass at 4600 masl (15,000 ft)

Because many visitors are not aware of this and they cannot get a permit for the Inca Trail on the desire date, some alternative routes became more popular and perhaps the route Mollepata - Salkantay – Machu Picchu is the most popular one.

Although some people may feel disappointed because they end up booking this alternative route instead of the original Inca Trail, here you have some advantages compared with a classic one:

1.-AVAILABILITY: Even if you also need a permit (bought through an authorized travel agency), you don’t really need to book it with so much time in advance as the Inca Trail.
If you are a last minute planner, it’s most likely that the trek will be confirmed on your itinerary as the demand is lower compared with the other one. 

No availability issues with the permits at the Salkantay Trek

  
2.-NO CROWDS: Hiking this route reminds the old times of the Inka Trail when Peru didn’t received so many tourist and you didn’t encounter crowds of tourist on the trek like nowadays (remember, they are 500 per day). Specially during high season when campsites are so crowded that authorities needs to open more capmsites around the main ones.  

Crowds are not a problem on the Salkantay route

  
3.-LANSCAPES: You may not find so many tourist on your way, neither archeological remains but landscapes  are absolutely breathtaking, with a range of altitudes and climates that allow you to see from colorful Andean valleys, to the dry and high mountains passing by the Salkantay snow peak and going down to the tropical rain forest where  Machu Picchu is located.

Awesome landscapes on the way. Salkantay snowcap mountain at the back of this valley

4.-FLEXIBILITY: It’s possible to book it for any time of the year. Even though the rainy season is not the best time, it’s possible to hike during February for example while the Inca Trail is closed during that full month due the heavy rains and because of the maintenance works. 

5.-HORSES: Also, for people who are not eager to hike all the time, it’s possible to rent horses for the trek while on the Inca Trail, these are not allowed on the route so trekkers must hike all the time. 

Horses carrying trekker's luggage

Trekkers can take a break during the hike and go horseback riding instead

6.-LUXURY ALTERNATIVES: for people who is not eager to sleep in a tend but loves hiking, there is a net of small-luxury lodges where you stay overnight with all the necesary facilities. 

A luxury alternative where hikers stay in a comfortable lodge instead of a tend

7.-LENGHT : you can choose to hike during 4, 5 or 8 days while the Inca Trail is limited to a 4 days trek or short version. 

Unlike the Inca Trail, we can stand out that there are no ruins along the route (for ones looking for history and adventure)  and that the altitude is more of a consideration as the Salkantay climbs as high as 15,420 feet (4,700 m), nearly 2000 feet (600 m) higher than the Inca Trail. But those who choose the Salkantay trek several advantages with a similar payoff.

If you are planning a trip to Peru, contact us!

PERU TRIP ADVISORS
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Website: www.peru-tripadvisors.com
Address: La Paz Av. 676 Office 4, Miraflores, Lima – PERU
Phone number: 51-1 241-7429

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ROYAL PATH - INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the best treks of the world due the combination of mountains, high cloud forest and archeological Inca’s sites. The Incas built a highly advanced network of nearly 40,000 thousand kilometers of trails to connect the distant corners of their vast empire that stretched from Quito in Ecuador down to Santiago in Chile and east to Mendoza in Argentina. The named it Capac Ñan and Cusco was the heart of this great empire.  

Inca Trail Map

What is known as the Inca Trail is in fact only one of many Inca trails in the Cusco area. However, this trail has become famous due to its final destination: Machu Picchu. There is no better way to arrive to the citadel than on foot at the Sun Gate at dawn, visiting the ruins in the early morning light before most of the tourists arrive.

They’re many versions of the Inca trail being the 4 days trek also named Classic Inca trail, the most popular.

There are 500 permits available each day: approximately 200 are allocated to tourists and 300 to porters, cooks and guides for that reason it’s highly recommended to book this trek with at least 4 months of anticipation.

Starting Point - Km.82

The first day of the 4-days Inca Trail starts with a transfer to Km. 82 where all trekkers hike by the shores of the Urubamba River for around 3 hours up to the archeological site of Llactapata. Then, they continue walking heading for the first camp in Huayllabamba where they have dinner and overnight.

Total distance:                 12 Km (7,47 miles)

Trekking time:                  5 to 6 hours

Highest altitude:              3,000 Mt (9,480 ft.)

Altitude on campsite:    3,000 Mt (9,480 ft.)

The most challenging portion of the trek is the second day with a steep ascent, followed by 3 hours walking until reaching the first step, Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman), located at 4,200 m.a.s.l. approximately.  After lunch trekkers descend towards Pacaymayu for dinner and camp.

Total distance:                 11 Km (6,84 miles)

Trekking time:                  6 to 7 hours

Highest altitude:              4,200 Mt (13,776 ft.)

Altitude on campsite:    3,500 Mt (11,480 ft.)

Pacaymayu

Wiñayway

The third day of the trek is a more relaxed, trekking a downhill and mostly flat trail. On route tourists visit Runcuracay and Sayacmarca archeological sites and then go on to the Phuyupatamarca ruins. The last night of camping is at Wiñaywayna (always young). 

Total distance:                 16 Km (9,94 miles)

Trekking time:                  8 hours

Highest altitude:              3,900 Mt (13,776 ft.)

Altitude on campsite:    2,650 Mt (8,692 ft.)

On the fourth and last day, trekkers start walking for one hour by the forest until reach the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), known like the front door to Machu Picchu, from where everybody  have an impressive panoramic view of the Inca citadel. Upon arrival Machu Picchu, trekkers  have a guided tour within the citadel visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the temple of the Three Windows and cemeteries.  

Sun Gate

At the end of the guided tour they are free to stay longer in the citadel or to take right away the bus down to Machu Picchu town (also known as Aguas Calientes) where the booked hotel waits for them with a comfortable room to rest after the demanding trek. 

Best time to go: during the dry season that starts in April and ends around November. The trail is availble anytime except in February when is closed.

Difficulty: more than a walk in the park but less than an alpine climb. If you are in half-decent shape, this 4-days trek will be fine.

The trail goes higher than 4200 meters so you should spend a bit of time in Cusco to adjust and avoid getting altitude sickness on the trail.

You can find some tours with this trek in our web page www.peru-tripadvisors.com

Come to Peru and do not miss this unique adventure!

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