hike the salcantay mountain
the savage mountain - 6,271 m
The Salcantay mountain is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range, part of the Peruvian Andes. It is located 60 km northwest (3 hours) of the city of Cusco. It is the twelfth-highest in Peru and it is known to be one of the toughest mountains to climb in Peru due to many avalanches. In fact, Sallqantay comes from the Quechua language and it means savage or wild mountain.
How to reach it?
For the easy hike (two hours one way) you don’t need a guide, you can take a private transfer from Cusco all the way to the village of Soray and it will take approximately 3 hours by car.
If you want to do the long Salcantay trek to Machu Picchu you have to book a guide through a tour operator in Cusco. The hike takes 5 days and it is considered quite tough.
seasons
The dry season lasts from April to October with the driest months being June, July, and August. This is also the busiest season.
The rainy season is from November to March and the worst months to go trekking to Machu Picchu are December, January, and February. It is not impossible, but you should ask yourself if it’s worth it.
I was there at the end of November and I had perfect weather all the time, with the advantage of having no crowds because it was still considered low-season.
the easy hike - 3,5 hours
Once arrived in the little town of Soray, you can start hiking for twenty minutes all the way to the base camp. Here, you will see two trails dividing, one is going to the Laguna Humantay (where the crowds are going) and the other to Salcantay.
The hike is quite easy, only the last part gets quite steep. Take the trail to Salcantay which is the path on the right side of the restaurant. Continue hiking for 2-3 hours (depending on your speed) and you will finally reach the foot of the mountain, where you will get a view of the majestic Salcantay.
To go back, take the same trail.
I loved this hike a lot because the scenery reminded me a lot of the Himalayas. Unlike the other trails, there is no one else hiking it, because everyone is visiting the Laguna Humantay (one of the most popular destinations in Peru). Moreover, you don’t need a guide to do it.
This hike is surely recommended if you love adventure, you are fascinated by mountains, and you like to go off the beaten path.
the 5-days salcantay trek
The cost for a guided Salkantay Trek usually starts from 350 USD and it includes accommodation, transport, meals and a guided tour. The prices are always more expensive if you book online, so it is best to find a good tour operator while you are in Cusco.
Before starting this trek I recommend acclimatising first for a couple of days in Cusco and If you want to be sure to avoid altitude sickness you can take Sorochi pills every 12 hours.
Expect to pass through snowy mountaintops before heading down through the cloud forest on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You'll end up hiking through the lush Peruvian jungle as you get closer and closer to the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu. The drastic change in climate and surroundings are what make this exciting trek so unique.
THE TOUR
On day 1, you'll trek up to the stunning Humantay Lake, which sits like a blue gem amidst the snowy backdrop. The next day, you'll embark on the challenging trail up to the Salkantay Pass to see the majestic Salkantay Mountain. On day 4, you'll get to visit the fascinating Inca archaeological site of Llactapata and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
As if that wasn't enough to get your heartbeat racing, what better way to end the ultimate trip than with a visit to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu? You'll enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours before climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain and contemplating a panoramic view of the fortress.
You'll feel like you're flying high like a condor and transport back in time hundreds of years to imagine what life was like back then.