Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail, Thoughts from an Expert Guide
The highland regions of Peru are a paradise trekking destination for adventure and nature enthusiasts; scenic and historical trails with towering spire peaks, cloud forest, snow-clad mountains, lakes, ancient Incan ruins, Inca trails, and abundant flora and fauna.
The most iconic destination in Peru is Machu Picchu, to reach this place is not only by train or bus, otherwise, there are many hiking trails, in this article, we will talk about the 2 stunning and exhilarating treks in the Cusco region: Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek.
Salkantay Trek is the second most popular trek to arrive at Machu Picchu just after the Classic Inca Trail, this trek encompasses the highland deserted areas where the views are mostly of snow capped mountains like the famed Salkantay Mountain whose summit is at 6,271 m/ 20,574 feet; the highland jungle or cloud forest.
The section of lush forest is hiked on from day 2 until the last day, in which, there is an abundance of wildlife like birds, reptiles, insects, and lots of flora; the trail also covers a semi tropical area where is fairly common to see fruit orchards and coffee plantation crops
Besides the fascinating views of the mountain ranges, cloud forest, and semi-tropical areas, you will also experience Inca ruins, short section of the Inca Trail, and see Machu Picchu from a further location a day before the arrival at this sanctuary, all this makes this trek a treasure for adventure lovers.
Salkantay Trek gives you the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu on the last day and you can even hike one of the mountains inside the park like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
The Classic Inca Trail is the most popular and the most requested hike to Machu Picchu, rated as the best hiking trail in Latin America and the world, this makes justice as the trail itself is very historical from the 15th century, and it goes through the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a park that encompasses over 32,592 hectares. Today the Inca Trail is part of the Unesco’s Site along with Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is rated as the highest possession in ranking among other hiking trails since the trail has many reasons to offer from fascinating vistas of the Andes through the Urubamba Mountain Range, sweeping cloud forest, and unknown Inca temples, to abundant flora and fauna.
The Inca Trail is the only hike that allows the hikers to arrive directly at Machu Picchu via Sun Gate, in other words, on day 4, you arrive directly in Machu Picchu from the hike with your backpack on making this trek unique.
The trek ends at Machu Picchu, so you have a great opportunity to explore this great Inca citadel with your trek guide.
This trek does not only limit you to hiking in the highland area, if not, you hike through the lush forest of the cloud forest, and semi-tropical areas.
You learn about the flora and fauna of the highlands, cloud forest, and semi-tropical lands, as well as about the local culture and history through the ancient Inca constructions.
A lot of campsite opportunities along the trail, local families even offer basic lodging service, so you don’t have to bring bulky gear to accomplish this trek.
Safer trail to reach Machu Picchu as the trail is the second most popular trek in the Cusco region.
Learning about the highest coffee produced in the world and you will even taste it, how? On one of the nights you will camp close to the coffee crops and you will visit the crops to harvest some coffee beans, and finish making a nice espresso.
There is a hot shower service at each campsite.
This trek does not require a special permit and you can hike independently or on your own without a tour company.
There is a wi-fi connection at some campsites.
Very historical trail that allows you to understand better about the Inca civilization as you will experience the original Inca trail and many Inca sites along the trail.
Part of the Unesco’s site.
Very well-organized trail, clean campsites, clean trail, the best trail in being managed by the Peruvian Government.
This trek allows you to experience semi-tropical areas, cloud forest, Andean montane lands, and highland areas where the views are awe-inspiring.
The safest trek to reach Machu Picchu as the trail is very restricted and well-controlled.
Arrival at Machu Picchu via Sun Gate, only Inca Trail hikers have access to.
There is a misconception of a lot of people on the trail, meeting large groups or crowds is totally manageable, you can hike ahead or behind the large groups and have the trail for yourself.
Only 500 people are allowed a day, of which, about 200 hikers and other people are just guides, porters, and cooks.
One of the world’s top trekking trails.
The trail is NOT as authentic anymore as used to be, the trail has been unfortunately ruined by many illegal constructions at each campsite by unethical travel agencies; about 10 years ago, this trail would still offer beautiful and peaceful trek to Machu Picchu but nowadays the trail became very messy and crowded, that’s why the Classic Inca Trail is even more recommended than Salkantay.
Light pollution at each campsite since the are many constructions of huts and domes.
Constructions that ruin nature because they were not made following the minimum guidelines of environmental caring.
The trail itself is very eroded and in bad condition, the pack horses and trekkers use the same trail; it is very dusty in the dry season and very muddy in the rainy season.
Lots of trash along the trail left by the independent hikers, muleteers, and locals.
Unsafe trail between December and April due to the often landslides along the trail.
Very limited spaces for permits and they sell out just in hours for the high tourist season (May – July). That’s why the permits should be booked 5 – 6 months in advance.
There is still abuse against the porters by most of the tour operators, this is sad to see, of course as a hiker or traveler it is hard to notice but the porters are literally enslaved, here reflects a lot of the amount you pay for a tour or trek. Cheaper prices are not always a good idea, there is always someone who needs to pay behind. We do recommend choosing the right tour operator.
Toilets in bad condition, toilets are squat type.
No hot shower service along the trail.
No internet connection along the trail.
It’s impossible to hike this trail without an authorized tour operator, thus you must contract a trekking service through a tour operator.
Inca Trail Hike 4 days: 43 km – 26.71 miles.
Inca Trail Hike 5 days: 43 km – 26.71 miles.
Short Inca Trail 2 days: 12 km – 7.46 miles.
Salkantay Trek 4 days: 48 km – 29.82 miles.
Salkantay Trek 5 days: 55 km – 34.17 miles.
All of the following treks are arranged and operated by Peru Summit Adventures, a local licensed tour company based in Cusco City.
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Activity Type: Physical Rating:Service Level: Contact us for a free quote today, for any custom private tour we have in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Inca Trail Hikes, Rainbow Mountain, and much more. All tours are personally designed for you by one of our local experts. We’ll ensure your trip is best suited to your personal travel style. Here at Peru Summit Adventures, we will help you to create the trip of your dreams, not ours.
Peru Summit Adventures Main Office Cusco – Peru Customer Service: Any time Available +51 984 464 391 Emergency Number: + 51 984 464 391 (from within country). WhatsApp: +51 984 464 391 [email protected], [email protected] perusummit.com
