The best treks in the region of Salkantay

Questions and considerations before traveling to the mythical Salkantay in Peru

There are routes for all tastes and for all levels; from great circuits for experienced mountaineers to small routes ideal for adding some mountain to a vacation.

The region of Salkantay is one of the most traditional gateways to explore the fantastic national park of Machu Picchu. So far, every year thousands of mountain lovers travel to face impressive routes that for weeks, go into the most spectacular valleys and climb to mythical mountain passes that have marked the history of world mountaineering. “Sunrise Peru Trek” offers a list of the most impressive routes and the requirements you need to start planning your assault to the top of the world.

A list based on our personal experiences and the recommendations of many sources in Spanish and English. Choose the one you want and start diving to prepare the trip. Keep in mind that the Salkantay treks you can do all year around, but we recommended from April to November, although the best months are August to November.

UMANTAY LAKE

It is the easiest day trek I the region of Salkantay; the trip takes you to visit the light blue color waters of the Umantay Lake; located in the base of the snow Mountain, this is a day trip where you’ll enjoy the most awe-inspiring landscapes of the Andes.

The trip starts in the city of Cusco, from where you travel by bus for three hours to the community of Sorapampa located at 3,800masl, and from here you’ll walk 1:30 hours to the lake. Once in the border of the lake you’ll appreciate the magnificence of the mountains and the bright color of the Umantay Lake; then return to Saraypampa and later by bus to Cusco.

SALKANTAY CHALLENGE TREK 3 DAYS

This trek for strong customers with enough experience in trekking , since the trek will last for 7 – 8 hours per day and you’ll cover a distance of 18 to 20 kilometers per day.

The trek starts in the city of Cusco; from where you travel by bus for three hours and walk for two days because the last day you’ll explore the stunning Machu Picchu. The trek is very popular among the locals since you don’t spend much time in the mountain if. The trek includes one night spend the night in the camping tent and one night in the hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes.

SALKANTAY CLASSIC TREK 4 DAYS

It is the most affordable of the trek in the region of Salkantay; both by the average difficulty of their journeys (the maximum height is around 4,650 meters above sea level) and by the physical level that is required when completing the different routes that ascend through this valley located a short distance from Mollepata village. It is not a place to make country trips. Flirting with the middle and high mountains always requires caution and good physical condition. But there is no doubt that simpler routes can be found here, ranging from three days to three weeks.

In this trip you’ll hike for three days and one day explore full day the Iconic Machu Picchu; the trip is popular trekking to Machu Picchu and you’ll need to buy your entrance plus make the reservation of the train tickets to return to Cusco. Additionally you can climb the mountain fo Huayan Picchu, it is located near the Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary.

SALKANTAY TREK & UMANTAY LAKE 5 DAYS

It is one of the least exploited areas from the tourist point of view and, at the same time, more affordable from the technical and physical point of view. The Salkantay trekking and the Umantay Lake demands 5 days from which 4 days you’ll hike and one day you’ll explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. On this trek you can find more wildlife species and birds. The flora and fauna is one of the strong points of this route in which you can see the famous “Cook of the rock”, the country’s national bird. But beyond the landscapes, the route allows to know picturesque villages and extensive forest areas in a continuous slide of ascents and descents that culminates in the 2,400 meters of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

SALKANTAY & INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS

A good way to feel first hand many of the sensations experienced by the great trekkers. The normal thing is to do this route, which adds about 90 kilometers. The trek takes you through the Pass of the condor at 5,100masl; this trek joins the salkantay trek and the classic Inca trail where you’ll have the options to explore the ancient Inca temples located along the trail. It is important to get permits for this trek

3-Day Challenge Trek Short Trek to Machu Picchu 4-Day Salkantay Trek Nice walk to Machu Picchu 5-Day Salkantay Trek Highly Recommended Trek