Salkantay Trek difficulty

Salkantay trek is one of the most beautiful Inca roads.This trek is an alternative route to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is a 5-day and 4-night hike to the Inca Citadel by accessing the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Wonder of the World. On the route you can see landscapes even more impressive than the Inca Trail. Places like the snowy Salkantay, whose summit is 6,721 m.a.s.l. and whose slopes the tourist crosses to 4,572 m.a.s.l. You can also visit places such as the beautiful Mollepata Valley, the ruins of Llactapata and tropical territories where flora and fauna abound. The last section is parallel to the Vilcanota River, until arriving at Aguas Calientes. From there, one ascends on foot or by bus to the entrance gate to the Inca City. The Salkantay Trek was chosen by the National Geographic magazine as one of the 25 best hiking trails in the world. To access this adventure you can hire a tour operator. The other option is to do it on your own. This requires experience and necessary care. There are some variants to this adventure, which start the route in different points.

Road to Machu Picchu through the Salkantay Trek 

The 'Apu' Salkantay (6,271 m.a.s.l.) is a snow mountain belonging to the Vilcabamba mountain range. It is the second highest mountain in Cusco after the Ausangate (6,384 m.a.s.l.). Its name means wild mountain. Due to its imposing and isolated appearance, it was much appreciated by the Incas. They put before him the denomination 'Apu' which means 'lord' or 'sacred'. This snow was considered as one of the most powerful in the region. They paid veneration to the point that they built Machu Picchu in view of its summit. According to the Andean cosmovision, the mountains provided life and decided on plantings, harvests and even natural disasters. Because of this, he should be given respect and offerings. Today, the inhabitants of the Andes still consider the mountains as important spirits. In Cusco, Salkantay is as much appreciated as the Incas were.
View of the Salkantay mountain The 'Apu' Salkantay

• Name: Salkantay Trek. 
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights. 
• Kilometers: approximately 72 kilometers. 
• Climate: minimum of less than 0 ° C in the 'Abra Salcantay'. 
• Maximum height: 4,572 m.a.s.l. in the 'Abra Salcantay'. 
• Minimum height: 1,800 m.a.s.l in the town of Santa Teresa. 
• Difficulty: challenging. 
• How to do it ?: with a tour or on your own. 
• When to do it ?: in dry season (from April to October). 
• Places you visit: Mollepata, Soraypampa, 'abra Salkantay', Chaullay, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. 
• Physical conditions: advisable to be in good physical condition.