Trek to Machu Picchu – BBC

The more strenuous and less crowded Salkantay trekking is becoming a more attractive option for trekkers headed to Machu Picchu.

For years, Peru’s most well researched travelers have known of the “other trail” to Machu Picchu: the Salkantay.

Today however, as the more popular Inca Trail has become overcrowded, it appears that the Salkantay is making a name for itself.

According to the BBC, “the lesser-known Salkantay Trek is quickly gaining a reputation as both a less-crowded and more strenuous alternative.”

The BBC declares that “mind-blowing visuals” and “variety of ecosystems” seen on the alternative trail are worth the extra pain and sweat.

Those who brave the trek reach 4,650m, the highest point of the hike, the Salkantay pass. According to the BBC, “‘Salkantay’ is a Quechua word, meaning ‘Savage Mountain.’”

On the Salkantay, trekkers “follow in the footsteps of the highly trained Inca messengers” through “cloud forests and alpine peaks to glacial lakes and tropical jungles” to arrive at the of the journey, “the ancient site of Machu Picchu.”

Do you have what it takes to do the Salkantay trail, Living in Peru readers?
The Salkantay trail is four-to five-day trek. And, for now it doesn’t require permits.

Alternative treks to the Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu

Since 2005, the Peruvian government has put a maximum of 500 tourists per day whom are allowed to begin the Inca Trail, to reach the no less famous Machu Picchu. An experience that inside 4 days takes us from Cusco (the starting point) to the lost city of the Incas.

The actual amount of travelers who can take the trail each day does not exceed 200, since the rest of the quota is taken up by the necessary personnel including guides, cooks and porters.

For the summer which begins shortly, the quota has already been covered. Travelers who had plans to take this route during summer will have to look at other options, or wait until the new spring season (austral) that begins in September.

A little more effort is needed on this as the road begins with the arrival to the villa of Lucmapampa and from there by a road paved through coffee plantations. You can visit the archaeological complex of Llactapata (2700 masl), which for the most part is covered by giant trees. You can see how the roots of the trees have been invaded the original Incan walls, which gives us an idea how the first explorers found it.

Here we have our first views of the great city of the Incas: Machu Picchu and the impressive Urubamba Canyon. Going down to the station you must continue by train to Aguas Calientes (2000 m). In  general people spend the night here, and take advantage of the hot springs.

From here, the route is similar to that of the Inca Trail since the transfer to Machu Picchu is done in conjunction, usually by bus.

Where to visit in Peru

The world has choses its new Seven Wonders, and many countries choose their own (natural or not). Undoubtedly, the whole planet has beautiful things to offer and we would need a thousand rankings to be fair with each and every one of these wonders. As Peru is no stranger to wonders, we have chosen seven of our own.

This was an initiative carried out a couple of years ago by Panamericana Television which after many months arrived with the below list of the 7 Wonders, Peruvians choice.

The following have been chosen as the people’s choice:

• The Nasca Lines, located in Ica.
• Lake Titicaca, in the department of Puno.
• Forest of Stones of Huayllay, in the department of Pasco.
• The Great Pajatén, in the department of La Libertad.
• Plateau of Marcahuasi, in the department of Lima.
• The citadel of Markahuamachuco, in the department of La Libertad.
• Chan Chán Citadel, in the department of La Libertad.

Dropping pins in the map, will help you see the very best that Peru has to offer.

Salkantay Trek - The Best Way to Enjoy Machu Picchu

The next time that you are interested in visiting Machu Picchu why not try out the Salkantay Trek? The trek is an excellent alternative for regular visitors to the place as it provides a refreshing view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and far differently compared to the classic Inca trail route provided to the tourists.

Machu Picchu - UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983

For first time travellers, Machu Picchu is an excellent place to visit as it feeds one's curiosity to the lives of the Incas as well as to the reasons for the abandonment of the stronghold in the 16th century. It also serves as a silent testimony to the modern architectural advances of the old civilization. The " Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu" is excellent for first time travellers to the ruins as it covers the original trek of Hiram Bingham and covers major archaeological sites.

The trail is a six-day hike but is divided into several smaller treks which are customized to fit travellers who have health problems but still want to enjoy the beautiful archaeological site. The trek will involve camping in different camp sites although some tour companies also have a shorter trail tour packages for those visitors who are not interested in camping and would usually run to about two days instead of the full six-day trek.

The Salkantay Trek

One problem with the classic Inca Trail trek is that one should book ahead or months before they are able to visit the place due to the restriction that the government imposes on the number of visitors allowed in the World Heritage Site. The Classic trail also includes thousands of visitors and as such, one might not really appreciate the place. Whilst that said, another alternative to the Classic Trail is the Salkantay Trek which runs for seven days. The trail is more challenging; however it provides a glimpse of the Machu Picchu without much of the heavy traffic that one would experience when one joins the Classic trail.

The Salkantay trek starts near the Mollepata town and covers the Salkantay Mountain for three days and shorter depending on whether one is an experienced trekker. On the fourth day, the trek will join the classic trail and trekkers would experience the grandeur of the archaeological sites and on the last day, experienced Machu Picchu themselves.

The trek covers not only the Inca ruins but also provides trekkers an excellent view of the snow-capped mountain peaks of Cusco in a fascinating way. The trek might be expensive for some but can be a life changing experience especially for someone who wants to enjoy the raw beauty of the ancient civilization without the trappings of modern technology.

The Famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Nestled high in the Andes at an altitude of 2350m, and overshadowed by a 3000m peak, lies an Old Mountain. For years, the morning mists settled on this ancient site keeping the complex beneath shrouded in mystery.

Covered in forested area and overgrown with dense vegetation, it remained hidden from the outside world until 1911, when archaeologists named Hiram Bingham, 'officially' discovered the site. "Old Mountain" was home to the ancient Inca trail trek better known today as Machu Picchu.

Thought to have been built by the Incan ruler, Pachacuti Inca Yapancui, the sanctuary of Machu Picchu overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, and covers an area of 5 square km's.

It is part of the larger Machu Picchu Heritage site, spanning an area of 32,600 hectares and is home to numerous archaeological wonders and a myriad of magnificent flora and fauna.

While the ruins of Machu Picchu can be accessed by train and a quick bus trip, the best way to arrive to the ruins is along the famed, Inca trail.

Built by the Inca's in about 500AD, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu covers only a small section of the ancient road system, which once spanned 23000km's and connected over three million km of territory. The trail was built block by block along the spine of the Andes, linking southern Ecuador to central Chile.

Among the lists of world famous treks, the Inca Trail in Peru is undoubtedly one of the top ranking, so popular in fact that one needs to reserve a spot on the trail at least three months in advance.

Up until 2005, the number of trekkers on the route escalated out of control with the result that the paths were overcrowded and strewn with litter and garbage.

It got so bad that the government finally stepped in and imposed a restriction of 500 trekkers per day, to include guides and porters.

At a spot called Km82 on the Urubamba River, about 170 tourists gather each day, to walk the 53km famed Andean trail, to the ruins of Machu Picchu.

For many, the path give modern man a chance to walk in the footsteps of a lost civilisation, but what many people don't realise, is that the route opens a window to exquisite plant life, a myriad of old Incan Ruins and an insight into some of the old traditions of the people.

Five tips before taking the Inca Trail

You have already made the decision to go to fulfill one of your dreams: to make that mythical trip, to walk the Inca Trail to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

We want to collaborate with you by giving these 5 tips before taking the Inca Trail. With the thought in mind that this should be an unforgettable experience. That is why we want to give you here these simple and practical pieces of advice so that nothing tarnishes your trek.

 Book early:

Once the decision is made, do not delay in making the necessary reservations: flights, accommodation, and a company to do the trail with. This route is sought after by thousands of people from all over the world, and usually there is a lot of demand at almost any time of the year.

Acclimatization:

For several days you will be high above sea level. Your body needs to acclimate slowly, so as not to suffer the annoying side-effects of altitude sickness. It is advisable to stay in the city of Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to acclimate properly. The date of the Inca Trail cannot be changed and there are no available refunds, so precautions must be taken to ensure a great trek.

Appropriate clothing and footwear:

The climate in the Andean region can undergo sudden changes. The sun can be blazing, but once it is hidden behind a cloud the temperature can fall quickly. It is important to wear a coat at night as the cold can be harmful.

Footwear must be specially designed for trekking. Taking care to wear shoes that cover the ankles to maintain better stability. It is necessary since your footwear must endure 8 hours of walking a day and the terrain is often difficult and slippery.

Walking Poles:

Walking poles will help you a lot during the whole trip. If you do not have experience using them, they will soon be your best friends. They will help you move forwards safely and comfortably, unloading some of the weight and giving you stability. You can also buy them in Ollantaytambo.

Extras essential:

It is not very advisable to consume the water from the springs that you will see during the trail. Bring your own thermos or water bottle with mineral water that. On the other hand, you can buy in the small stores that you come across.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, flashlight, sunscreen, batteries and batteries for your personal gadgets.

Know about the Inca Trail Trek before you visit Peru

An Inca Trail Trek is a very popular activity for visitors to Peru. This trek is the best-known route for hikers in this country, and understandably so. Trekkers on this path will experience incredibly scenic mountain vistas, amazing Inca ruins, and a wonderful mix of beautiful forests with their abundant, unique flora and fauna.

Of course, the main purpose of an Inca Trail Trek or Salkantay trek is to visit the mysterious, mystical Machu Picchu. Visiting this sacred Inca city is the pinnacle of a wonderful trek. To get the full effect of this visit, many trekkers choose to arrive at Machu Picchu at dawn on the final day of their journey.

Most Inca Trail Treks take about 4 days to reach the mountain city. This popular route is a fairly strenuous 45 kilometres, traversing some mountainous terrain at a fairly high altitude.

A moderately fit person should have no trouble completing the trek, but due to the altitude it is recommended that any person arriving from sea level spend at least two or ideally three days in the city of Cusco prior to beginning the hike. This will give your body time to acclimatize.

Cusco is the city from which you will begin your trek. Here, you will find hundreds of tour operators offering to assist you on your journey. As you might expect, however, they are not all equal. The Peruvian government awards licenses to operate on the Inca Trail.

These licenses based on several criteria to ensure that the tour companies are operating appropriately.

That being said, even after ensuring that your Inca Trail Trek or Salkantay trek tour company is operating legally, you'll want to understand a few other things to make sure that you are booking with a reputable company. While everybody wants a great deal on their travel costs, please be reasonable about this. Expect to pay around $500 per person for your trek.

If you see any rates advertised lower than about $450, the odds are good that the tour operator is cutting corners in some respect. Most likely, they would be unfairly straining the porters, who are the employees assigned to carry cargo.

As you select a tour operator, also keep in mind that trek permits are limited, so you'll want to book well in advance of your intended travel time. The busiest season is from May through September. During this period, you'll want to reserve your spot at least four months in advance.

If you know your plans earlier than four months ahead of time, that is even better. During other parts of the year less advance notice is necessary, but you'll still want to make sure you give yourself at least a few weeks in order to ensure your preferred travel date.

Hopefully these technical details won't detract from what is sure to be a wonderful travel experience. Select your tour operator carefully, book your trip early, and then rest easy knowing that you'll have a great time on your Inca Trail Trek and your Machu Picchu visit.