This may sound like a stupid question, but does the Salkantay trek end up in Macchu Pichhu?!
I'm in a similar position in that I'd like to be doing it after a volunteering stint ending mid-June but not sure whether to book in advance or wing it once I'm there. Potentially I could have a few weekends in Cuzco to get it sorted but don't want to risk not being able to do it for the sake of a few notes.
On the trekking topic if anyone knows of any good agencies for Ecuador I'd be glad to know of them. AilsaG - who did you book with?
Reply to this 'but does the Salkantay trek end up in Macchu Pichhu?!'''
Yep, it''s a 5 day trek, the last day is spend solely on Machu Picchu.
It's very easy to book it a day in advance. Read some of the old messages on this forum if you're unsure. 😊
Reply to this Hester, I really like that response! If anyone can get it, then as long as I'm sensible and take all the advise that's around I should hopefully be fine...(or that could be wishful thinking) :p
Sarrd - I'm not actually doing a proper trek (which could be a problem with the whole Salkantay trek!) - I'm doing a Geckos 'Ecuador Alive' tour which has one of the days being a trip to Cotopaxi. I haven't really looked into trekking there since I won't have enough time (am doing a volunteer program too!), but if I find out anything once I get there in a week and a half I"ll post it on here for you 😊
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Reply to this hesterr you are really kicking a$$ with these answers, super helpful.
I am headed for the Salkanty trek in early April. We land in Lima, and plan to fly immediately to Cuzco. I hear from random websites that it's much cheaper and pretty easy to book a flight to Cuzco once you land in Lima. Is this true? If not, can you recommend a good website? Are there a lot of flights to Cuzco? We arrive 6:30am on a Saturday morning, if that makes any difference, thanks so much.
Kil
Reply to this Glad to know 😊
Erm, regarding your question on flight to Cusco. I don't know the exact prices. When I was in Cusco last year (feb-apr) they were advertising flights to Lima for about 70 dollars (if I recall correct! I never bothered to look into it as I always took a bus). There are several flights leaving for Cusco every day, all leaving in the morning (as there is less chance of it being cloudy, thus less dangerous to fly over the Alpes). Flight can often be delayed due to the climate.
There are also many bus companies traveling between Lima and Cusco, usually taking about 22 hours. The quality of these bus companies varies greatly, some are 'okay', most are horrible. Cruz del Sur, Ormeno, among others have been noted as being 'okay' bus companies, and would charge less than 40 USD for a one way ticket (including a fabulous on-board Bingo where you can win a free return ticket!) last year.
Reply to this Why hello there!
I've just read through this thread and it has been very helpful as I try to learn more about the Salkantay trek. I'm planning to travel through South America from May to August (2009) and am hoping to arrive in Cuzco el 22 de Junio to take in Inti Raymi (my birthday also happens to be the 24th!) and then head out on a trek right around the beginning of July (celebrate Canada Day trekking.) I will be quite acclimatized by that point, hopefully, and I'm fit and keen to see the beautiful countryside and history of the area. I still have time to book the classic Inca Trail package on the internet now but keeping hearing good things about this alternative - Sankaytay.
So - is this "better" than the Inca Trail (if objectively determining that is possible)?
Will I really be able to book the Salkantay option right in Cuzco at that high season with everyone there for Inti Raymi?
If I speak Spanish can I save money and learn a thing or two going on a trek with a company that caters to hispanohablantes?
I really appreciate your help and am so excited to be off trekking!
Reply to this Which trek is better? Not even Peruvians/guides agree on which trek is best. Some say Salcantay, others prefer Inca trail. Both are amazing experiences. If you're interested in history Inca Trail could be slightly more interesting, as you visit several ruins on the way (which are otherwise off limits)
You will definately be able to book Salcantay on the spot.
I doubt you'll be able to save much money. Take into considerations most English speaking guides (especially those from the cheaper trekking agency's) don't speak English well, and it all depends on your luck (meaning it;s hard to tell whether what the agency offers you is what you actually end up getting).
Reply to this Someone said booking for the Inca trail trek requires more time-ahead ... would you recommend booking beforehand for that particular one or when you arrive? And is it better/worse than Salcantay? Anyone know?
And ... I have hardly any Spanish skills at all, is there enough English around/English speakers around to navigate okay traveling on my own?
Reply to this Have you browsed through this thread (or any other regarding the Inca trail for that matter)? I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information. :-)
Reply to this thanks hesterr & everyone else for sharing all your info.
8 & half weeks until i leave!
have spoken to a few friends that have recently returned from cuzco & from the sound of it, i'll definitely be booking the trek in cuzco to save $$
does anyone here have any experience travelling from cuzco to coroico (in bolivia)? is there a direct service or would i have to go to La Paz first? depending on how i go on salkantay i may also do a shorter hike in Bolivia (choro trail) which looks amazing too. has anyone done this one?
thanks
Reply to this Hi guys,
Just to give my 2 cents, I ended up doing the Salkantay trek through Llama Path, who I highly recommend. I booked it online a couple of days before I arrived in Cusco (although booking something in Cusco, even with limited Spanish would be easy - there really are soo many different tour agencies). I found Llama Path do treat their porters and horseman really well and are environmentally aware, and you do pay extra for this, but it is something to think about when booking a cheaper agency.
Salkantay wasn't as hard as I thought, and the altitude wasn't a problem at all thanks to lots of coca tea 😊 I was a bit annoyed to find out that the Inca Trail is actually harder than Salkantay (according to our guide) due to all of the steps - I thought I was doing the hardest one! But it was stunning, with a different range of terrain (countryside, paramour, alpine, cloud forest etc), and there was a chance to go to some inca ruins which we didn't have enough time to do.
Mongoose, with the Inca trail you need to get a permit several months in advance, so many people do the Lares or Salkantay treks as an alternative, since you still get to go to Machu Picchu - you just don't actually hike into it like you do with the Inca Trail. Also, I had really limited Spanish, and I was ok. Particularly in Cuzco where there's so many tourists, you should be fine with only basic Spanish 😊
Reply to this I know an Exploring Peru and Service are charged for the Salkantay and Machu Picchu $ 600 includes airline tickets Lima / Cusco / Lima hotels and all tours and trekking
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hey just to make the confusing even bigger, there's another alternative trip ending in Machu Picchu, which I highly recommend. It called Inca Jungle to Macchu Picchu and normally includes biking and trekking. I found a company River Explorers that makes the trip with biking, rafting and trekking. AAAmazing trip! Very recommendable really and a great way to arrive to Macchu Picchu.
Let wanted to let you know that not only Salkantay ends in M.P. If anyone is interested their website is: www.riverexplores.com
Reply to this Some great info in these threads that i will be using. My question is i will be is September a good time for doing the trail??
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Reply to this Salkantay is an absolutely awesome trek to do and if you're in a good group it doesn't hugely matter which agency you book with. Just as long as you establish before you hand any money over exactly what is included (sometimes you can get caught out!) it's fine. It's definitely better to book it once you're in Cusco and make sure you ask for student rates if you can. I went with Conde travel which is along Plateros, just off Plaza de Armas. You'll find that most agencies are along there or the street running parallel to it. If you're concerned and want to book in advance I've heard that United Mice are reasonable, but for the extra cost it's easier just to sort it in Cusco! If you're by yourself also stay in the Loki or the Point and you'll find there are a lot of other people out to book the same trek.
Cotopaxi - do it if you can, it's hard work but worth every single oxygen-deprived step when you reach the summit! Woop woop! xx
Reply to this Hi all,
well I did the salkantay trek & loved every minute of it! I booked with hiking peru (on plaza de armas) & paid USD$180 but they just end up putting lots of groups together to make up the numbers. I was fortunate to have a great tour guide (Percy) and a great group. 1 of the days was a bit tough because it was just climbing up hill at above 4000metres, but the views/scenery was worth every step & every hard earned breath. From what I hear, it was a better experience than the classic inca trail.
henty - September/Oct is still good weather - dry and toward end of tourist season so won't be as crowded as july/august period.
Have fun 😊 and thanks everyone for all your advise, it was worth it.
Reply to this I just got back from doing the Salkantay with Admacus tours, but they all consolidate tour companies anyways. I paid about $160 (with a student discount), and don see any reason to book with one of the expensive companies (SAS, Llama Path, etc, that charge over $400 US), as they did the exact same trip and had the exact same meals.
The trip was amazing. Highly recommended.
Rained the second day for about an hour and the morning we arrived at Machu Picchu, but cleared up by 10. Not too rainy yet and much cheaper than going in high season.
Reply to this Check out www.dosmanosperu.com , that´s where I booked the Salkantay trail.. Don´t know if it is still usefull to post this, but who knows 😊 If you think about doing the Salkantay Trail, don´t hesitate! It is amazing! Inca trail is amazing as well, it´s just the choice you make which one you are going to walk. Good luck!
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