Salkantay Trek FAQs

Salkantay Tours FAQs, Find here answer to the most frequently asked questions regarding our hikes, and information before you come, during the trek and after tour, the amount of days on advance you have to book and many more, answer made by our team who really know about the item.

If you still have questions, feel free to let us know, we will be glad to provide you all clear information, so you can determine and take the correct decisions, and get prepared for a nice tour experience doing any of our hiking programs.

What is Salkantay, and why is it important. iT is the highest mountains in the region “6.272 meters above sea level, it is considered a holly mountain, to which every shaman of the regions prays before starting a ritual, near to this mountains there are other several mountains that are very high as well, with summits over 5.800 meters, between this mountains there is a network systems of trail that were used to connect villages, sacred mountains, lakes, and farming land in the old times, nowadays these trails are abandoned, and no one else are hiking, these are the inca trails and one of inca trails is highly used (machu picchu to cusco inca trail), but only an small portion of it, while most of it is even hidden by the grasses, the landscape of this region is amazing, very scenic and absolutely worth to hike.

2: What is the Difference with the Classic Inca Trail 4 days – 3 nights?

Traditional Inca trail

The 4 days inca trail is great and beautiful, shows original stones paved path, and inca sites along the way, If you book the Salkantay inca to trail you can walk both of trails in in a trip.
No animals are allowed along the trail.
Maximum 500 people allowed between cooks, porters, tour guides and tourists.
There are set camp grounds, usually several groups at the same area.
You need advanced booking, at least 7 month in advance.

The Classic trail.

The classic Salkantay, is great as well, but does not show any stone paved trail, it is a path that has always being used by locals and the old trail as disappeared, there villages along the way.
Horses are allowed to carry equipment.
No limit in the amount of people per day, in the high season there about 300 tourist doing it per day.
In the low season about 20 people per day.
There are more options to camp, and our company used the lonely campsites to avoid the noise.
Even with one month advance booking it is still ok, sometimes 1 week is enough.

What are the Salkantay treks trail like?

The traditional hike, is a path that shows several kinds, parts that is grassy, parts are rocky, steep uphill trail, switch bags, downhill and not much flat trail during the 1^st and second day, except on the 3th day which is mainly flat.

What are the other Salkantay trails like?

Mostly grassy, nice sandy at parts, almost no one else does those trails, there are uphils and downhill, and at the camp sites we are the only ones camping.

When is the best season to hike this trails?

From April – to – November, the entire Andean territories has similar weather conditions: where April, October and November are the best, not too cold at night and some nice green views. (We can still hike during the rainy season, but you have to be prepared to walk in rain “the nature during this season is blooming”.

Where do we spend the night – do we have to bring our own camping equipment?

According our itinerary, we spend the nights in tents at the camp grounds, with the programs including machu picchu, then the last night is in a clean, private bath, hot shower hotel.

We provide the tents, sleeping mattress, cooking utensils, provide the meals, and tables, and toilet tents.

Do I bring my own sleeping bag?

Yes, we tell you how the temperatures are, so you can bring accordingly, if you do not have one, we can hire you.

Do we carry all this equipment, or can we hire someone to take it?

For the classical program and the non-classical ones, our company provides horses to carry all equipment, we also provide horses to carry 15 pounds per person of your luggage including sleeping bags.

When and how do we get back Cusco?

We provide all transport service, train tickets, and transfers to start the trek and form the train station to the city.

How is the food like, how about vegetarian or food option?

Our food is quiet diverse, healthy and fresh; for breakfast usually comes: oat meals, milk, and buffet of teas, pancake and or omelets breads plus, ham, marmalade and coffee. For lunch always a different soup every day, main curse consisting in meat, fish or chicken during first days, tofu and other non-meat products good in carbohydrates, plus buffet of teas, for dinner is exactly same as lunch. About Vegetarian option it only costs that you have to tell us that you are vegetarian, and/or you do not eat any particular product, no extra money costs.

– How about the daily activity and level?

It depends the trek programs, but generally the first days are harder, but each trek is particular, and some treks are larger but the approximation is from 7 – 8 hours of walk per day. Any way we will get sure to describe it in your booking trek.

– Does it need physical preparation and who can make it?

Anybody from 02 years old up to 70’s or more if has good conditions and prepared for it, This trekking involves a variety paths from moderate to strenuous activities, at high altitude. The trekking in particular requires a fairly high level acclimatization and fitness due to the altitude.

The trek requires a combination of cardiac and strength training; Jogging, swimming, and aerobic exercises will help increase endurance (Push-ups, sit-ups and other weight training exercises that increase upper and lower body strength) will ensure preparedness for your trip. We also advice to arrive to Cusco, with at least 3 days before your trek, we have training hikes that can help you.

How about shower?

There is no showers along the trek, but you can take shower in the 3rd camp site, for other large treks we advise to take wet wands, and take dry showers.

13: Do I have to tip?

Yes, since our crew has being working with clients from United States and from other countries where tip, they expect some, be aware that they are well paid, so the tipping amount is customary.

If you have any other questions regarding our trekking tours, then, just let us to know.