How to Hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Hiking to Machu Picchu is a bucket-list destination for many. 

But what many visitors to Peru don’t realise is that there are far more options than just the Inca trail for reaching this world-famous Inca city tucked high into the Andes. 

The Salkantay is a roughly 41-mile hike that starts in the sleepy hamlet of Soraypampa and ends at Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.

How many miles is the Salkantay trek?

If you’re relatively fit and can cope with covering 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) in a day, you shouldn’t have any issues. 

How fit do I need to be to hike the Salkantay trek?

Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and be sure to get some Diamox to help your body adjust.

How can you prepare for the high-altitude Salkantay trek?

This is because going directly from sea level to an altitude of up to 4,620 metres (15,157 ft) can be extremely dangerous.

Day Minus One: Pre-trek information session

On day zero you’ll have time for a relaxed morning and lunch in Cusco, before you’re picked up at your hotel by the Alpaca Expeditions team around 3pm.

Day Zero: Cusco to Soyrapampa

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