best The Ultimate Guide to Salkantay Trek Distance and Altitude: Everything You Need to Know

The Salkantay journey is an incredible path, ideal for explorers who wish to immerse themselves in the dynamic ecosystems they will encounter each day. From a snowy mountain paradise to a tropical rainforest filled with exotic animals, plants used in medicine, and beautiful flowers, your journey will be filled with wonder and awe. Experience historical traditions in their modern incarnation in villages rarely seen by outsiders. At 260 kilometers in length

The Vilcabamba mountain range is a sight to behold. Salkantay, a snowy peak, is located 6271 meters above sea level. Less than ninety kilometers (km) to the north-northwest of Cusco, in south-central Peru, stands this spectacular snow summit. The mountain’s proximity to the city means that experienced climbers have been making the ascent since at least 1952. You’ll need to be in decent shape to complete this trip, but your age shouldn’t stand in your way. Acclimatization to the altitude is the most crucial factor. The peak elevation will be 4,650 m above sea level. It’s best to give your body a day to adjust to the altitude before setting off on the hike

Distance of the Salkantay Trek

The cloud forest and the high Andes on the way to Machu Picchu. Fantastic vistas of Apu Salkantay (which means “savage mountain” in Quechua) at 20,574 feet, Cusco’s second-highest peak, await you along the route (6,271 m). This route to Machu Picchu takes travelers through less-visited regions rich in history and heritage as well as beautiful flora and fauna unique to Peru. There is no better way to obtain a feel for Andean culture than by spending time in the genuine Andes under ideal weather circumstances. Here are the distances you should expect to go during your Salkantay Trek:

The Difficulty of the Salkantay Trek

It’s a bit more challenging than the traditional Inca Trail, but travelers say it’s well worth the trouble in Peru. That’s a seriously breathtaking sight, man. In light of this, no additional preparation for this hike is required if you are in generally good physical shape. During a special briefing a few days prior to the start of your walk across the highlands of the Andes, your guide will offer you the most crucial information and advise you on what to bring. Remember! After a full day of riding on the second day, you will reach an altitude of 4,600 meters. This is more likely to cause headaches and shortness of breath during the first five days at altitude. Keep in mind that even at Cusco’s (3,300 m) altitude, locals sometimes experience shortness of breath.

The Salkantay Trek is a gentle hike that the whole family may enjoy. The highest point of the Vilcabamba Mountains, which are a part of the Peruvian Andes, is Salkantay, the sacred snow mountain.

Salkantay Trekking Alitude Changes

The city of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level (masl), is the starting point for the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu. After a four-hour bus ride from Cusco, you’ll arrive at the trailhead at Shallakancha, 3,800 meters above sea level, and begin your hike surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. Beginning in the Soraypampa region, the ascent continues to the 4,650-meter-high Salkantay Pass. This means that between the time you leave Shallakancha and the time you reach the highest point of the Salkantay Trek, you will gain a height of 850 meters.

You’ll need to take it easy and take in the scenery along the Salkantay trail in order to make it over the significant altitude changes. Each day will involve an average of six to eight hours of walking and the gain or loss of many meters in height. The only day of your TREKKING where you will walk less than usual and gain some elevation will be the last. Due to your exploration of the Inca fortress of Machu Picchu, you will ascend 850 meters in elevation and drop 3,150 meters to reach the Santa Teresa region.

One of the few hikes that allow you to see the Andes from a more manageable altitude is the Salkantay Trek. Although you won’t be climbing to extremely lofty altitudes on this hike, you’ll still be in close proximity to some impressive peaks

you should see

Salkantay Peak, the World’s Highest Freestanding Mountain at 6,271 Meters

Soraypampa to Cusco on Day 1

Your journey begins in the city of Cusco, located at an altitude of 3,400 meters; from there, you will travel for four hours to reach the village of “Shallakancha,” the beginning of your JOURNEY. From Cusco, it is a four-hour journey to Shallakancha on day one. This day’s hike only involves a 400-m ascent. That being said, you might not have any problems adjusting to the weather.

Walking from Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass and Chullay on Day 2

Today you’ll make the ascent from 3,800 meters to the highest pass. After 4 or 5 hours of hiking today, you’ll have gained 850 meters in altitude. First up today is a leisurely 400-meter ascent to the village of Salkantaypampa.

At Salkantaypampa, you’ll make your way via the “seven snakes trail” and up a steep incline to Suyruccocha, from which the ascent to the summit, at 4,650 m above sea level, is relatively easy. Because to the entire altitude increase and descent on this day, which might get tedious as it is your hardest trekking day, you will now descend to Chullay at 2,920 masl, an altitude of 1730m.

You can make the journey more bearable by going at your own pace and taking in the sights along the route. Do not simply think about getting somewhere; rather, take pleasure in the journey itself. Hence, you may have less fatigue and get more out of the hike.

Chaullay to Lucmabamba on Day 3

For the third day, hike from Chaullay to Lucmabamba, a descent of 570 meters over the course of six to seven hours. The majority of the route will be downhill, making the walk easier than if it were uphill.

But, it places a great deal of stress on your legs and feet. Kneecaps and trekking poles can be used as a pain-free alternative.

Traveling from Lucmabamba to the city of Aguas Calientes on Day 4

Starting at Lucmabamba, the trail gradually ascends 400 meters to the second pass of llactapata. You’ll go from an altitude of 2,750 meters to just under 2,000 meters as you make your way to the hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes. There will be about seven to eight hours of walking today, all of it downhill. You can continue using your trekking poles and kneecaps from the previous day to make the descent easier. Your journey to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trail concludes today.

The Day 5: Hitting Machu Picchu

Your guide will spend around 2 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu. Afterward, you will have time to explore by yourself the ruins and hike Huayna Picchu if you have booked this option. (This is a separate entrance ticket that costs $65 per person). Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take a train back to Ollantaytambo, and then bus back to Cusco. Once in Cusco, we will transfer you back to your hotel.