Five Day Salkantay Trek

Although my time with Fulbright for Global Classrooms in Peru came to an end, my exploration of beautiful Peru had just begun as I adventured on a five day hike through Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu. This hike was truly AMAZING and definitely not one for the faint of heart. My friend Aria had recommended Salktantay Trekking for their organization, amazing food, wonderful lodging and incredible views. Her recommendation absolutely exceeded my expectations. Erik my tour guide was knowledgeable, a jokester, and a bundle of fun. Everyone in my group was around my age and I wasn’t the only solo traveler hiking Salkantay. The majority of my time hiking was spent with my two new British friends, Ashley and Jack. We laughed so hard throughout the hike and my gratitude for them was immense.

With all the incredibleness being said about this trek, I will admit this trek is not for the faint of heart. There were many people that were severely underprepared and unready for hiking in the elevation, let alone hiking at all. The hike was most certainly intense due to the physical terrain, early mornings, and hours of elevation/trekking spent a day. However, I believe if you are mildly athletic, can hike with elevation, and take care of your feet you will have a great time. I felt quite strong throughout the whole hike and was one of the faster hikers in my group. I would definitely recommend hiking poles if you use them and a good pair of hiking boots are strongly suggested due to the loose rocks and strenuous climbs.

Something that I loved throughout this hike was how diverse the different terrains were. We went from snowcapped mountains, to foggy Lord of the Rings like energy, to jungle trees, to railroad tracks, to waterfalls, to a beautiful and glorious day at Machu Picchu. If you are truly looking for a trek to get to know Peru better, the ancient Salkantay trek is something I couldn’t recommend more. I also felt like my appreciation for Machu Picchu was all the more intense and grand having walked the trails the Incas walked. Knowing how strenuous the climb was myself, I was able to better acknowledge how much labor, grit, and brain power was used to create a magnificient place such as Machu Picchu. The walk to Machu Picchu was truly the best part of the experience and below I would love to share more about my day to day of it with you.

Day 1- Challacancha to Humantay Mountain and Lake (10km)

The initial climb up Humantay Mountain was initially a little bit jarring with a straight vertical climb for about a half a mile. Quickly the terrain flattened out and we were spoiled with beautiful views of the mountainside. We noted the Inca irrigation system they had built and how it still helped farmers prosper today. After four hours we got to the Sky Camp and reveled at the beautiful glass domes and view. After that, we trekked up to Humantay Lake which was exceptionally rigorous for most, that even some people took horses up. I was definitely winded, but continued to press on and was one of the first people in my group to reach the top. Erik later told us that the trek to the lake was actually a test to gauge the group’s overall fitness ability. The lake was absolutely stunning. Blue glacier like water, snow-capped mountain peak with a green base. Ox and horses roamed around the lake and for awhile Ash, Jack, and I sat on the rocks astonished by the sights. That night in the glass dome it got quite cold and I was very grateful for the sleeping bag I rented with the company.

Day 2- Soraypampa to Collpopampa (23.5km)

Today was my absolute favorite hike, it was hard but the views were oh so rewarding. We started trekking by 6am and at that point some people had already rented horses to take them up the mountain. The trek was a steady uphill climb for hours and hours with loose rocks and slight rock scrambling. By 9am, we had reached the highest point at 4600m at Abra Salkantay and we watched two avalanches from a distance. It was incredible. After we reached the peak, we had cocoa tea on the mountain, to reduce altitude sickness, and continued our trek down and out as we had an additional 5 hours of walking. Quickly, the terrain changed and we traded snow and mountains for lush greenery and mosquitos. Jack, Ashley, and I were ahead of the group and we ended up stopping to get a beverage and a snickers at some of the local spots as we waited for the rest of our group. By 5pm, we finally reached the mountain house and I was so exhausted I went to bed after appreciating the night sky and stars.

Day 3- Collpapampa to Lucmabamba (17 km)

The next day was considered an “easy” hike, although some people in my group didn’t feel the same way. We walked through the local village and Erik pointed out some vegetation and berries. After that he painted our faces with berries, I got the sun on my right cheek, and we made our way through a jungle like brush filled with mosquitos and spiders. We saw waterfalls, hugged the sides of mountains, climbed over loose rocks, and by 2pm had made it to the Jungle Dome. We ate a quick lunch, stopped at a coffee plantation, and headed to some hot springs close by. There we swam, drank, and danced until 8pm at night and all went to bed exhausted and ready for another early day.

Day 4- Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes (25 km)

Today was my second favorite hike. It was a beautiful hilly terrain that hugged the mountainside for the first two hours. At a little wooden café on the side of the mountain, Ashley bought us a coffee and we drank and enjoyed bearing witness to the stunning beauty all around. Following that, the weather started to get warmer and we passed by some wild horses, Erik shared some Inca history, and Ash, Jack and I enjoyed beverages and ice cream waiting for the group. My probably least favorite part of the walk was the railroad tracks, I definitely prefer the uphill climb than walking on flat loose little rocks for three hours. Jack and I talked and walked together for awhile and I think we were all relieved once we reached the town. We had dinner as a group, and Ash and I walked around together in town before calling it a night.

Day 5- Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (6km)

We woke up, took a bus, and after many days were finally greeted by the steps of Machu Picchu. I was truly in awe. I already knew the brilliance of the Incas, but being at Machu Picchu and seeing it firsthand was something else. They had thought of everything. Seeing their irrigation system for water, how their homes were built, and the sacredness of their symbols carved into every structure. It was truly an honor. Around every bend Erik was a wealth of information sharing facts the entire time about Inca history and culture. There were a few llamas roaming around the property and when we arrived the mist had cleared away giving us a beautiful sunny view of the structure. I could see why the Incas felt that Machu Picchu was a spiritual place of worship, it was truly magnificent. After that, the rest of the group decided to take the bus down; however, I felt like walking. So I took the hour and a half steps down back into the city. Most people took the bus, so it was nice to have that time to reflect and keep seeing the views of Machu Picchu as I slowly made my way down. Later that day, I said goodbye to my friends as we hopped on a train back to Cusco and I tried to swallow the idea that my incredible weeks of travel in Peru was coming to a close.