The Salcantay Trek to Machu Picchu, 5 days / 4 nights.

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Perú its a country with a big variety of landscapes, weathers, cultures and things to do. The most famous site in this country its Machu Picchu citadel, in Cusco. There are many ways to go to this place, the easiest its by train and the most touristy is the Inca Trek. But there are another trails to get to this world wonder, one of the most beautiful trails its the Salcantay Trek.

Salcantay Mountain, 6271 mts. high

The Salcantay trek its a 5 day/4 night trekking through mountains and forests, landscapes are amazing and its harder than the Inca Trek. You walk next to the Salcantay white caped mountain that has about 6271 meters high. You need to have some experience to do this trek or do some training before to be fit, there are long walking days, high altitude and tough roads.

Day 1.
We started in Cusco, the bus pick up us at 5.00 am and took the road to  Mollepata (2 hrs. journey) town, where we have some breakfast, Mollepata is located at 2900 meters over sea level (masl). 

We took a day pack and 5 kilos bag each that will be carried by horse. Our group had 13 people, 2 tour guides and a guy in charge of the horses. 

The walk wasnt difficult at the beginning, the weather was nice and hot. We took the dirty road out of Mollepata, we could see the mountains far away and some horses and people on the road, after 4 hours we had lunch at Sayllapata and the we continue walking through dirty roads and mountains, the road started to be steep and difficult, our team was tired but was amazing to see, from the road, two white caped mountains, Humantay (5900 mts. high) and far away the Salcantay with 6271 meters high.

We walked 8 hours and about 19 Km. on the first day, the last bit was harder  because was more steep, we camp at Soraypampa, at 3900 masl.  The campsite was in a flat area, we could see the white caped mountains around us, was a cold afternoon and we had some coffee and a great dinner, was a hard day for some people and we were looking forward for the next day, at night we could see the sky full of stars, was really beautiful. This was a great training for the second day, the hardest, we will walk until 4600 meters above sea level and see the Salcantay mountain.

Day 2.

The second day of the Salcantay Trek its the hardest one, we walked about 21 Km.  in about 10 hours, was cold, steep, tough, beautiful and a great challenge.

We woke up at 05.00 am, the night was really cold but the sky was amazing, full of stars and we were sorounded by white caped mountains. We packed everything and had a big breakfast and bad coffee, after get ready we started the trek at about 06.00 am. 

The first bit wasnt that difficult but very cold, I will recommend to take gloves, a good hat, warm clothes and a day pack to put everything after get warmer.

Then the road started to be steeper, the view was amazing and the road started to be in a endless zig zag, some people got tired and some 

guys had to get a horse. Our team did very well, we walked in a good rithm and didnt rest too much, this is a good advice, just walk as far as you can and dont rest every 15 min. If you want to rest dont take a seat, just stand up, breathe and enjoy the landscape.

After 2 hours of walking in zig zag on the steep road we got to a flat bit and then to a Soyrococha lake, located at 4300 mts. high. We were sorounded by mountains, snow, ice and rocks,very nice. We got to Soyrococha lake at about 09.15, its just a little lake with a nice view of the snow caped mountains. We had our snack and a break there, people were tired but happy because the great experience. I dont recommend any tablet for the altitude sickness, its better to just go slow and aclimatize yourself to the lack of oxigen.

We started walking again, the next section was steeper and we were at 4300 mts. altitude, our team was feeling tired but looking forward for the challenge. we walked about 2 hours to the highest point of the trek , the Abra Salcantay,  located at 4600 mts. high.

We had a rest and enjoyed the view, we had Salcantay mountain (6271 mts. high) just in front of us and was an amazing experience, then we did a 10 min. walk to a viewpoint to see  a beautiful lake and the mountains. After that we started walking down, we walked 2 hours more, the road was full of rocks but not very steep. We got to a flat area and had some lunch and a rest. 

After a siesta we started walking again, we hiked about 3 hours more, the landscape was different, we got into the forest area and we could see the white caped mountains from far away. The road was less rocky but full of dust and horses, was easy but long as we were allready tired. After 2 hours we got to our campsite , called Challway, located at 2900 masl. Was warmer than the last campsite and sorounded by forests, there was a shop to but water and beer, we had some coffee and then some dinner. Along all this trek you will find little shops where the locals sale water and snacks and a few groups of tourists as well. Our guide told us about the next day hike and we were looking forward for it.

Day 3.

The third day of the trek started in Challway campsite, located at 2900 mts. altitude, the weather was warmer that the last couple of days and the landscape was the cloud forest. We will walk 13 Km. in 4 hours to a village called Playa, have lunch there and then walk to Santa Teresa town.

The walk is nice, warm but sometimes dusty, we walked next to Salcantay river and could saw the white caped mountains far away, even if we were already in the forest, there were some waterfalls and local villages on the way.

We got to Playa for lunch and we had the option to walk 19 Km more or take the 10 min. bus to Santa Taresa,  the group was tired and choose to take the bus, maybe worth it as the road was dusty and full of mini buses. We got to Santa Taresa in the late afternoon and went to our campsite. Santa Teresa its a very little town, close to the hot springs and the hodroelectrica train station. After we set our campsite we took the mini bus to the hot springs, we spent a couple of hours there just to relax, really nice cheap hot springs. After that we went back to the campsite, had dinner and a few beers next to the fire.

Day 4.

Next day we woke up early and took the 10 min. bus to Hidroelectrica train station, over there we start walking for about 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, we walked next to the railway, a very nice walk next to Vilcanota river, we saw the forest and some birds around, we could see Machu Picchu far away and then we got to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, was a nice sunny day, great walk and a great experience, this was the alternative way to get to Machu Picchu.

Day 5.

We spent the night in Aguas Calientes and next day we walked up to Machu Picchu, we had a great day and took the train back to Cusco in the afternoon.

Salcantay trek its an amazing adventure, not for beginners or people who dont enjoy a good walk, you need to be on shape and be ready for long days, cold nights and amazing landscapes. Its a great adventure I would recommend to all the people who loves treking and mountains. A great experience.