What does Salkantay mean?
The Salkantay is a snowy mountain whose name translated from Quechua would mean ‘Wild Mountain’. This summit is known as ‘Apu’ (‘Lord’) for its majesty and elevation.
Where is it located?
The pu Apu ’Salkantay is located in the Vilcanota Mountain Range in the Andes of southern Peru. This snow-capped mountain is the second largest in Cusco, after Ausangate (Mountain of the 7 Colors).
How high is the snowy Salkantay?
The snowy Salkantay reaches 6,271 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.). The trek route that leads to Machu Picchu has its highest point in the ‘Abra Salcantay’, at 4,650 m.a.s.l. From there you can see the peak of the snow-capped mountain.
How’s the weather?
The snowy in itself presents an extremely cold climate (several degrees Celsius below 0º).
The climate during the Salkantay trek, on the other hand, is varied. The intense sun and the nightly cold in the early days are changed by the tropical environment in the latter.
What is the flora and fauna like?
The 5 days and 4 nights of the Salkantay trek cover landscapes with a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the species of flowers and plants, the orchid and the ichu (Andean grass) stand out. Among the species of birds and animals, it is worth mentioning the llama, alpaca, vizcacha, condor, spectacled bear and the cock of the rock (national bird of Peru)
Salkantay trek: everything you need to know
What is the Salkantay trek?
The Salkantay trek is a hiking route that takes the visitor to the Inca City of Machu Picchu. The total walking distance is approximately 70 kilometers (5 days of route).
The Salkantay trek is considered among the 25 best excursions in the world by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
How is the tour to Machu Picchu with the Salkantay trek?
The most usual way to do the Salkantay trek is with an organized tour. On the internet (and in the Historic Center of Cusco) there are many tourism agencies that offer this adventure.
This is the Salkantay trek with tour:
Day 1 (16 kilometers of walking):
The tour starts in the city of Cusco. The agency picks you up from your hotel by car along with the other hikers to the town of Mollepata. Then we ascend for approximately 7 hours to the Soraypampa camp passing through the Huamantay lagoon. There the tours organize food and a tent for tourists to rest.
Day 2 (22 km walk):
The walk starts after breakfast. The highest point of the trip is covered in the ‘Abra Salcantay’. Then it continues downhill to the town of Chaullay, where the cold climate begins to change to tropical. That day is considered the most difficult.
Day 3 (16 kilometers of walking):
The trek that day is easy. It begins with a descent to the so-called ‘Playa Sahuayaco’. After lunch, the walk restarts to the town of Santa Teresa. In this tourist town you can enjoy the Cocalmayo Thermal Baths. There he spends the night.
Day 4 (16 kilometers of walking):
That day is one of the most fun of the trek. It begins with a walk of a few kilometers to the Hydroelectric station. After lunch, the route continues parallel to the Vilcanota river (and the train track) until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain.
Day 5 (ascent by bus to Machu Picchu)
That day starts very early with a bus trip to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. Another option is to walk the 9 kilometers of ascent to the mountain. The rest of the day is dedicated to enjoying the Wonder of the World. The return to the city of Cusco is with a train and bus trip.
vertigotravelperu.travel.blog 