Hike in the Andes – Salkantay Trek

Hike in the Andes. The Salkantay Trek, within the historical and cultural context of the Salkantay Trek and its namesake mountain, was very important for the Andean people during the Inca era, as it is today. A guardian and protector of the local populations, this trek is the most important in the area, heading toward the Inca city of Machu Picchu.

The History Behind the Salkantay Trek

1. Salkantay Mountain

Name origin: “Salkantay” comes from Quechua Salqa, meaning “wild, untamed, savage.”
Height: 6,271 m (20,574 ft), the highest peak in the Vilcabamba range of the Peruvian Andes.
Sacred role: For the Inca, mountains (apus) were holy deities. The people regarded Salkantay, with its imposing glacier-capped summit, as one of the most powerful apus. Salkantay controls the weather and water sources that sustain agriculture.
Rituals: People made offerings like coca leaves, chicha, or llama sacrifices to honor Salkantay and seek protection during journeys.

2. Connection to Inca Civilization

Trade & pilgrimage route: The Inca used the valleys and passes around Salkantay as pathways between Cusco and the western jungles. These routes enabled the transportation of goods such as coca leaves and exotic feathers.
Llactapata ruins: Found along the trek, Llactapata is an Inca archaeological site that provided ceremonial and astronomical functions—and even a direct sightline to Machu Picchu.
Spiritual geography: The trek itself follows landscapes the Inca saw as cosmologically significant, with glaciers, rivers, and jungle microclimates symbolizing transitions between worlds.

3. Modern Trekking History

Rediscovery for tourism: Unlike the Inca Trail, which explorers rediscovered in the early 20th century, Salkantay gained popularity as a trekking alternative in the 1990s and 2000s, especially after authorities placed strict permit caps on the Inca Trail.
Recognition: National Geographic Adventure listed it as one of the “25 Best Treks in the World.”
Blend of old and new: Today’s route combines ancient pathways, indigenous communities, and modern trekking infrastructure (lodges, camps, guided tours).

Got it—you’re talking about the Salkantay Trek in the Andes. That’s the famous high-altitude route to Machu Picchu, often chosen as an alternative to the Inca Trail. Here’s a quick, useful breakdown for you: Hike in the Andes.

Hike in the Andes – Salkantay Trek Overview

Location: Cusco region, Peru.
Distance: ~72 km (45 miles), depending on the route.
Duration: 4–5 days (standard trek).
Max altitude: 4,650 m (15,255 ft) at Salkantay Pass.
Difficulty: Challenging (high altitude + steep sections).
Highlight: Up-close views of Mount Salkantay (6,271 m), varied ecosystems (glaciers to cloud forest), and a dramatic approach to Machu Picchu.

Typical Itinerary (5 Days)

01 Day: Cusco → Mollepata → Soraypampa → (optional hike to Humantay Lake).
02 Day: Soraypampa → Salkantay Pass → Huayracmachay → Chaullay (most challenging day).
03 Day: Chaullay → La Playa (lush cloud forest, coffee plantations).
04 Day: La Playa → Llactapata ruins → Aguas Calientes (vía train or trek).
05 Day: Machu Picchu (sunrise visit).

What Makes It Special: Hike in the Andes.

Scenery shifts dramatically: snowy peaks, turquoise lakes, cloud forests, tropical valleys.
Less crowded than the Inca Trail.
Humantay Lake and Llactapata ruins are unique bonuses.
Great option if Inca Trail permits are sold out.

Hike in the Andes, Preparation Tips

Acclimatize in Cusco (2–3 days before) to handle altitude.
Pack layers: freezing at night, hot during the day.
Hire a guide/agency unless you’re experienced in self-supported high-altitude trekking.
Permits: Unlike the Inca Trail, no strict permit cap, but you still need Machu Picchu entry and train/bus tickets if you’re not hiking back.