Salkantay Trek Peru

Salkantay Trek Peru

Salkantay Mountain (Nevado Salkantay), Sallqantay in Quechua is the highest peak of the Willkapampa mountain range, part of the Andes Mountains in Peru. It is located in the Cusco Region, about 60 km (40 mi) west-northwest of the city of Cusco. It is the 38th highest peak in the Andes, and the twelfth highest in Peru. However, as a range highpoint in deeply incised terrain, it is the second most topographically prominent peak in the country, after Huascarán. Salkantay is a large, steep peak with great vertical relief, particularly above the low valleys to the north, which are tributaries of the Amazon River.

Directly to the north of Salkantay lies Machu Picchu, which is at the end of a ridge that extends down from this mountain. Viewed from Machu Picchu's main sundial, the Southern Cross is above Salkantay's summit when at its highest point in the sky during the rainy season. The Incas associated this alignment with concepts of rain and fertility, and considered Salkantay to be one of the principal deities controlling weather and fertility in the region west of Cuzco.

There are variations of trails on the Salkantay Trek after the third day, there is a choice of hiking another 4 hours for a visit to some very impressive ruins Llactapata and then continue hiking down to the Hydro Electric Plant and then to the last campsite at Puete Ruinas at the foot of Machu Picchu Mountain.

The other choice is a one hour bus trip from Santa Teresa and then a hike down along the Urubamba River eventually arriving first at the Hydro Electric Plant and the Agua Calientes. Your accomodation is in a hostel in this lovely village.

Salkantay Treks include the last day at Machu Picchu with a guided tour and plenty of time to discover and relax in this magical location.

Best Time to Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

The high season is from June to September as most tourists visit from the Northern Hemisphere in there summer. However the best time to visit Machu Picchu is in the low season (October to May) as the bulk of visitors have left and the climate is perfect. The wet season is in progress from November to April, however this does not constitute rainfall all day, Usually just a downpour for and hour or 2 in the afternoon and sometimes at night. February is the wettest month and can make any trek very slippery on rock and mud. Not to mention feeling wet and cold in hiking clothes.

Weather on the Salkantay Trek

The weather on the Salkantay Trek is changeable. The first and second night camping can be cold as you will be traversing 2 high passes,one of which is 4,800 meters near the Salkantay Mountain. Campsites are at a lower altitude, but be prepared with thermal underclothes and layer clothes accordingly. Many other parts of this trek can be very warm as you walk down through subtropical cloud forest and alto jungle.

Tierras Vivas Tour Company is an very experienced, professional and friendly travel operator and team, based in Cusco. They provide quality camping gear, down feather, four season sleeping bags, thermarest matress, four-season tents, porters, cook, bi-ligual guides and excellent prices for their trekking packages.