Alternative Inca Trail: Salkantay to Machu Picchu Trek

Hiking the Inca Trail has become number one in what Adventure Tourism in Peru concerns.
Due the high demand, local authorities decided some years ago to restrict the number of visitors per day which is 500 including tourists, guides, porters and other members of the staff which means permits are sold out really quickly, especially during March to August when it’s recommendable to make bookings at least 3 or 4 months in advance to secure your place on the trek according to your travel dates.

Salkantay pass

Because many visitors are not aware of this and they cannot get a permit for the Inca Trail on the desire date, some alternative routes became more popular and perhaps the route Mollepata – Salkantay – Machu Picchu is the most popular one.

Although some people may feel disappointed because they end up booking this alternative route instead of the original Inca Trail, here you have some advantages compared with a classic one:

1.-AVAILABILITY: Even if you also need a permit (bought through an authorized travel agency), you don’t really need to book it with so much time in advance as the Inca Trail.
If you are a last minute planner, it’s most likely that the trek will be confirmed on your itinerary as the demand is lower compared with the other one.

No availability issues

2.-NO CROWDS: Hiking this route reminds the old times of the Inka Trail when Peru didn’t received so many tourist and you didn’t encounter crowds of tourist on the trek like nowadays (remember, they are 500 per day). Specially during high season when campsites are so crowded that authorities needs to open more capmsites around the main ones.

No crowds issues

Awasome landscapes 3.-LANSCAPES: You may not find so many tourist on your way, neither archeological remains but landscapes are absolutely breathtaking, with a range of altitudes and climates that allow you to see from colorful Andean valleys, to the dry and high mountains passing by the Salkantay snow peak and going down to the tropical rain forest where Machu Picchu is located.

4.-FLEXIBILITY: It’s possible to book it for any time of the year. Even though the rainy season is not the best time, it’s possible to hike during February for example while the Inca Trail is closed during that full month due the heavy rains and because of the maintenance works.

5.-HORSES: Also, for people who are not eager to hike all the time, it’s possible to rent horses for the trek while on the Inca Trail, these are not allowed on the route so trekkers must hike all the time.

Salkantay caballos Horses and trekkers

6.-LUXURY ALTERNATIVES: for people who is not eager to sleep in a tend but loves hiking, there is a net of small-luxury lodges where you stay overnight with all the necesary facilities.

Trekkers and lodges

7.-LENGHT : you can choose to hike during 4, 5 or 8 days while the Inca Trail is limited to a 4 days trek or short version.

Grupo Thecla en Sanlkantay Camping Salkantay

Unlike the Inca Trail, we can stand out that there are no ruins along the route (for ones looking for history and adventure) and that the altitude is more of a consideration as the Salkantay climbs as high as 15,420 feet (4,700 m), nearly 2000 feet (600 m) higher than the Inca Trail. But those who choose the Salkantay trek several advantages with a similar payoff.

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