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Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Your Questions Answered

So you’re thinking about the Salkantay Trek to get to Machu Picchu (which sits at about 2,430 meters or 7,972 feet)? Awesome choice It’s a totally different vibe than just taking the train way more scenic and perfect if you love being out in nature. A lot of travelers ask us similar stuff about this trek so here are the answers to the top 10 questions we get. Let’s dive in!

Do I Need to Be Super Fit for the Salkantay Trek?

Yeah you kinda need to be in decent shape for this one. We usually tell people to maybe get some exercise going for like 2 or 3 months before they come. This isn’t just a casual walk it ranks from medium tough to pretty hard going in spots.

Should I Acclimatize Before the Trek?

Oh yeah definitely. Anytime you’re hiking high up around Cusco (the city itself is at about 3,400 meters or 11,152 feet) you gotta give your body time to adjust. Best plan is to arrive in Cusco maybe 2 or 3 days before your trek starts just hang out take it easy. This really helps avoid getting soroche you know altitude sickness which is no fun. Also worth remembering no matter when you come pack a rain poncho the weather here can switch up fast.

Are Trekking Poles a Good Idea?

We really think hiking poles are smart for the Salkantay trek especially if your knees sometimes bother you. There are some seriously steep parts both going up and coming down plus old Inca steps. Poles help a lot with balance and they’re like knee savers taking some of the impact off. Just one thing make sure your poles don’t have sharp metal tips the park folks don’t allow those because they chew up the ancient trails. If you don’t have poles you can usually rent them.

Where Can I Leave My Extra Stuff During the Trek?

Got bags and things you don’t need to drag along? No problem. Most hotels in Cusco are cool with storing your extra luggage for free while you’re off hiking. If your hotel somehow doesn’t do that just ask your tour company usually you can leave your gear safely at their office. That way you can hike without worrying about your extra suitcase.

When’s the Best Time of Year to Do the Salkantay Trek?

If you’re looking for the best chance of good weather aim for April through October. That’s generally the dry season here more sunshine less rain. June July and August are usually the absolute driest months but remember that’s winter in the Andes. So the days can be beautiful and sunny but man the nights get really cold. Seriously pack warm layers!

Can I Do the Trek If I Have Allergies?

Okay so this depends. If you have allergies you absolutely need to tell the tour company everything about them way ahead of time when you book. For many food allergies or mild stuff the cooks can usually sort something out if they know well in advance.

BUT and this is important if you have a severe life-threatening allergy honestly doing a remote trek like this might be too risky. Because getting help fast way out there is tough we cannot accept travelers with life-threatening allergies. If you have a serious allergy that’s manageable you must travel with someone who knows exactly what to do in an emergency and has your medicine ready. Safety first always.

Seriously How Hard is the Salkantay Trek?

It’s generally rated moderate to challenging. What that means is it’s a proper tough hike It involves crossing high mountain passes like the Salkantay Pass itself which is way up there around 4,650 meters or 15,200 feet. So being reasonably fit definitely makes it more enjoyable. And good hiking boots are key make super sure you break them in before your trip otherwise your feet will not be happy with you.

How Many People Are in a Group Tour?

For the standard group tours we keep the size manageable usually no more than 10 travelers sometimes as few as 2 people. You’ll have your guide leading the way just try to stick together with the group okay.

What Exactly is Included in the Tour Package?

Here’s what you typically get when you book the standard Salkantay Trek tour:

• Your professional guide (if the group is 9 or more people there’s usually an assistant guide too)
• A cook who makes your meals on the trail
• Mules or horses these guys carry the cooking gear camping equipment and up to 7kg (about 15 lbs) of your personal stuff
• Transport from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point of the trek
• Safe drinking water (except for the first few hours on day 1 you should bring your own for that bit)
• Most meals: 4 breakfasts 4 lunches 4 afternoon snacks (like a ‘happy hour’ with tea and biscuits) and 4 dinners. If you’re vegetarian or have other dietary needs just tell the company when you book.
• A dining tent set up with tables and chairs for meals
• Your sleeping tent usually a 4-person tent used just for 2 people so you have space
• A basic hotel room in Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu around 2,040 meters / 6,693 feet) on the fourth night
• A sleeping pad (mat) to put under your sleeping bag
• An oxygen bottle carried by the guide for emergencies
• A first-aid kit carried by the guide
• Your entrance ticket into the main Machu Picchu site
• The bus ticket from Aguas Calientes up the zig-zag road to Machu Picchu and back down again
• Your train ticket from Aguas Calientes back towards Cusco getting off at Ollantaytambo (around 2,792 meters / 9,160 feet)
• Transport arranged from Ollantaytambo train station back to your hotel in Cusco

What’s NOT Included in the Price?

These are the main things you’ll need to cover yourself or pay extra for:

• Your sleeping bag (you can almost always rent one from the tour company though see table below)
• Breakfast on the very first day before you leave Cusco
• Lunch and dinner on the very last day (Day 5) after the trek finishes
• Entrance ticket if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain inside the site (this needs booking way in advance and costs extra see table)
• Tips for your guide cook mule drivers (tipping is customary in Peru if you were happy with their hard work people usually give tips at the end)
• Travel insurance Getting travel insurance that covers hiking and medical emergencies is super important please make sure you have it.

Potential Extra Costs