Salkantay Trek: It is a must when you visit Peru

When it comes to places for trekking, South America and Peru are right up there. And where better to go for that magical wilderness connection than Ausangate? We all know that the most popular and well-known trek is the Inca Trail, but it is important not to overlook the rest of the abundant country and other amazing treks such as Ausangate and Salkantay.

Another breath-taking and challenging trek is the Ausangate Circuit. Tinki, a small village, is where this trek tends to start and end during the six day cycle. It does not include a visit to Machu Picchu so, if you are planning to include a tour there, you will need to go by train.

This is a spectacular trail and Salkantay trek including snow-capped mountains, gorgeous lagoons, large herds of llamas and alpacas, hot springs and small villages that have retained their traditions throughout the centuries. Consider acclimating to the altitude before hitting the trek by spending up to three days in the city of Cusco. It is also quite cold and requires proper outfitting.

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 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 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.