Excuse me while I kiss the sky. —Jimi Hendrix
Salkantay Trek
Location: Vilcabamba Mountain Range, Peruvian Andes, Cuzco Region, Peru
Elevation: 4,630m (15,1906ft)
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Trail length: 92km (57.2mi)
Elevation gain: 1,800m (5,900ft)
Camping / Huts: Yes / No (scroll down for more info)
Date hiked: 2013
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After our three days of acclimatizing in the warm and lovely city of Cuzco, we set off at 5am the next morning to begin our grand adventure. As per usual I slept on the moving vehicle (minibus this time) to the drop site so not much to report. . . Read more of my Salkantay Trek story + see spoiler photos
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Description: 3 - 5 day hike (most guided groups do it in 5 days, as did we)
Day 1: Mollepata to Soraypampa: 20 Km (12.4 miles)
Day 2: Soraypampa to Collpapampa: 22 Km (13.7 miles)
Day 3: Collpapampa to La Playa: 16 Km (9.9 miles)
Day 4: La Playa to Aguas Calientes: 25 Km (15.5 miles) – via Llactapata
Day 5: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Peak: 9 Km (5.6 miles)
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Recommended:
1. Take altitude sickness medicine, even if you don't need it, just in case.
2. Download a Maps.me, Waze or Google Maps app route beforehand.
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Trail: Well-maintained. Mostly hard-packed dirt, rocky, loose gravel, dirt roads.
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Organize before the hike:
I recommend booking a guided tour, this is what about 95% of the hikers on this trail do. We booked our amazing guide Isaac with SAS Travel Peru (it cost $265 in 2013, now $660 in 2020), and couldn't have been happier. They were incredibly competent and friendly.
Pack: Please see my Trusty Gear and Pack List pages!
Helpful links:
