Embarking on the Salkantay Trek is an exciting adventure like no other. The stunning landscapes and scenic views take your breath away at every turn. From challenging trails to the beauty of nature, this trekking experience leaves long-lasting memories.
In this article, you can read everything about my and Jake's five-day guided Salkantay Trekking experience in the Andes. With a day-by-day breakdown, I was recounting the challenges that awaited us along the trail and immersing you in the breathtaking landscapes and cultural encounters that made this adventure truly unforgettable.
The Salkantay Pass
While trekking the Salkantay Pass through the Andes, you will ascend to an impressive height of 4.600m/15,190ft in height and cover a total distance of 84 km. You will cross through diverse landscapes, from lush green forests to dry gravel sceneries, while encountering fascinating Incan Ruins and diving into the rich Incan history. Along the way, you also walk sections of the ancient Inca trails, which ultimately lead to the awe-inspiring site of Machu Picchu!
Furthermore, the Salkantay Trek offers a less congested, more picturesque alternative to the renowned Inca Trail, attracting many adventurers and scenic enthusiasts. Throughout the entire journey, trekkers encounter both challenges and rewards, creating truly one-of-a-kind memories.
Last, depending on the tour company, the Salkantay Trek offers a unique accommodation and dining experience for outdoor lovers seeking comfort and adventure. For example, reaching the Sky Camps, Andean Huts, and Jungle domes after a rewarding day of hiking adds more joy and relaxation, elevating the overall trekking experience beyond traditional camping. Also, throughout the journey, Salkanay Trekking chefs prepare nourishing and wholesome breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, creating a sense of camaraderie as the entire trekking group shares the plates of food on one big table.
Note: Jake and I decided to book our trekking tour with Salkantay Trekking (highly recommend)
Arrival and Acclimatize - Cuzco
Acclimatizing is highly recommended when hiking in altitudes exceeding 2.500m (8,200ft). And, since the Salkantay Trek involves crossing the Salkantay Pass at an altitude of 4.630m/15,190ft, acclimatizing becomes necessary. Before you embark on the Salkantay Trek, we highly recommend arriving two days prior in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness!
Upon arrival in Cusco, you can feel that you get quickly out of breath when strolling through the city. Arriving two days before the hike hasn't just helped us get used to the climate and altitude but also helped us mentally prepare for what was about to come the following days.
The afternoon before the trek, we met our Trekking Guides and companion hikers for the first time. We went over the entire trekking itinerary, preparations, and all the information needed to prepare for our trekking begin at 4 a.m. the following day.
Day 1 - Soraypampa & Humantay Lake (7k + 1,5 k hike)
We started our first day by waking up at 3:30 am. Our guides picked us up at 4 am at our hostel in Cusco. After assembling all the other hikers, we continued driving to Mollepata, the final city, before embarking on the trail. By 6 am, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast before proceeding further to Challacancha, the trail's starting point, situated at an elevation of 3.800m/12,467 ft.
Soraypampa - 7 k hike in 3 hours
Venturing on the trail from Challacancha to Soraypampa, we covered a distance of 7 km, completing the hike in approximately three hours. The journey started with an incredible view of distant snow-capped mountains, creating an exciting start to our trip. The following path, which was moderate in difficulty, led us by an ancient Incan irrigation line through the hills.
Accompanied by Jake's good friend Andres from Puerto Rico, we joined a vibrant group of nine international travelers and two local guides. Our spirited group was named "Cosco Runas," inspired by Incan history. Throughout the trek, our guide, Freddy, motivated us with many cheers of "Cosco Runas," filling the hike with enthusiasm and camaraderie. During rest breaks, Freddy shared stories and wisdom passed down from his Incan ancestors.
Upon reaching our Sky Camp accommodation in Soraypampa around lunchtime, we were met with a big feast prepared by the chefs. Various dishes, including avocados, assorted meats, vegetables, rice, and eggs, were generously shared amongst all trekkers and guides. Our hunger was enormous, and the food was satisfying after a long morning of waking up early and trekking our first seven kilometers.
Humantay Lake Hike - 1,5km in 1,5 hours (elevation 4.200m/13,780ft)
After lunch, an optional hike was offered to ascend another mountain to see Humantay Lake. We've already been extremely tired since waking up at 3:30 am and laying down in our beautiful glass igloos sounded just perfect.
Of course, we couldn't lie down and were eager to check out the lake.
The hike to Humantay Lake turned out to be more demanding but also more rewarding than expected. We trekked straight up the mountain, passing gravel paths, crossing a small river, and witnessing beautiful views over the camping valley.
After one hour of trekking, we arrived at the lake, where we could feel the freezing wind blowing around our heads. It was pretty cold up here but incredibly scenic.
The scenic views on our way back down into the valley were breathtaking. We passed by many horses and donkeys freely roaming the area. The horses and donkeys belong to locals who use them to transport hikers and supplies along certain trekking parts.
Despite the relatively short distance, the hike up to Humantay Lake proved to be significantly more challenging, leaving us eager to reach our destination and pass out in our Sky Camp Beds. Little did we know that the day's difficulties were merely the beginning — the following day awaited an even more challenging trek than day one.
Our glass igloos have been one of the many highlights of day one. We received a hot water bottle in the evening that kept us nice and cozy throughout the night. The next day Freddy woke us up with hot Coca tea to our beds. What a service! :)
PS: no showers at the sky camp, only toilets.
Day 2 - The Gringo Killer (7k + 15km in 10 h)
On the second day, we encountered the infamous "Gringo Killer," named by the local guides. Had I known the challenges ahead, I might have hesitated to sign up for this day's hike. The demanding ascent in elevation makes it a highly intimidating journey for most trekkers, and only a select few manage to conquer it without choosing the optional horse ride.
Salkantay Pass - 7k in 4 hours
The day started with an early 5 am wake-up call and a swift breakfast before heading on our hike at 6 am. The trek led us first to Salkantaypampa (4,150m/13,615ft). Onward with a challenging ascent to Soyroccocha (4,490m/14,731ft), and ultimately led up to the highest point of the trek, the Salkantay Pass, perched at an impressive 4,630m/15,190ft elevation. In the span of four hours, we persevered through a 700-meter elevation gain while covering seven kilometers of rugged terrain.
During the trek, some of our companions opted for the assistance of local porters and horses, especially those who struggled with exhaustion or altitude sickness. Nonetheless, reaching the Salkantay Pass filled us with a great sense of achievement. While we enjoyed the breathtaking view of the majestic Salkantay Mountain, Freddy, our guide, shared many ancestral stories and wisdom.
Chaullay - Andean Huts (15k in 6 hours)
As we descended from the Salkantay Pass, we hiked on a continuous downhill trek (lasting 2-3 hours and covering an elevation drop of 700 meters), leading us to Huayracmachay – the designated lunch place. Upon reaching our lunch spot, Jake and I found ourselves pretty exhausted and lacking energy. We underestimated how challenging the first leg of the hike was and should have snacked more frequently to sustain our energy levels.
