Spiritual Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (Group Departure)

To prepare your mind and spirit for this spiritual retreat, we recommend you to do any discipline familiar to you from your own faith, such as meditation, prayer, and yoga. If you do not have a specific practice, you can send your intentions and wishes instead to all creatures in the morning and at night. Getting in the right mindset can help you to embrace your spiritual connection during this sacred trek. You can have the best shamans in the universe (Christ, Buddha, Krishna,) conducting ceremonies for you, but if your heart does not want to change nothing will happen. Only you have the power to change your destiny. Your own heart is in fact the best shaman for yourself in this universe. The best attitude is one of positivity; the right attitude includes honesty, love, patience, humility, respect, courage and a strong mental and spiritual determination. Approaching with these values will result in a fruitful experience. When you pray do not ask for miracles to mysteriously occur. Instead, ask for opportunities to create miracles with your own hands.

• A backpack with enough clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and trousers if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos optional available)
• Strong footwear. Waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for comfort while being at the campsite
• Warm clothes, including jacket and fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (available for rent)
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera, memory cards, and batteries (batteries are consumed more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent, minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Shampoo, contact lens solution, prescriptions, etc. that you require
• Additional snacks (remember that we supply you with plenty of food already)
• Swimsuit and small towel (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in Peruvian Soles for snacks, water, souvenirs, tips, etc.
• Original passport (mandatory for entrance to Machu Picchu)
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount at Machu Picchu).

The weather is very unpredictable and changes quickly in the Andes Mountains. Even though it is almost impossible to predict the weather during your trekking adventure, we can say that the first nights will be quite cold due to the altitude and weather conditions in the high mountains. It can get down to 5 degrees Celsius, which feels even colder on windy nights. Towards the end of your Salkantay Trek, you will be in the Peruvian jungle, which means that the climate will be more tropical and warm (25 degrees Celsius).

The best time to book your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season in the Andes Mountains, which is usually from early April to late October. During the dry season, there is almost no rain and the hike is more comfortable and a lot safer because the terrain is dry, steep and rocky. During the rainy season from November to late March, the temperatures are lower, it can get very windy and there are many heavy rainfalls. Sometimes you will even have some parts of your trek covered in snow due to the raining conditions and cold climate. We recommend you to do any type of hiking adventure during the dry season, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery to the maximum.

You can take a small day backpack with you with the items you might need throughout the day (bug spray, jacket, snacks, water, sunscreen, etc.). We will provide you a duffel bag during the five days of your Salkantay Trek, which can carry about 7 kilograms and will be carried by the horses.

The Inca Trail is more crowded than the Salkantay Trek because it is an original trail of the Incas and one of the most famous hikes in the world, attracting thousands of trekkers every year. It is the only trek that leads directly to Machu Picchu, but is therefore a lot more expensive than the Salkantay Trek. On the Salkantay Trek you will spend the last night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu the next day. During the Inca Trail you will discover ancient Inca ruins, whereas the Salkantay offers more wildlife and high mountain sceneries. Many trekkers consider the Salkantay Trek to be a bit more strenuous than the Inca Trail because the general altitude is higher. The Salkantay Trek offers the best alternative to the Inca Trail for everybody who doesn't like crowded paths and enjoys different landscapes during the trek.

Our professional guides are trained in case you get sick. There are many ways to make you feel better and treat altitude sickness. For example, chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea helps you and the leaves don’t have any negative effects. Our guides always carry oxygen bottles with them that you can use in emergencies. If you feel bad you also have the option of coming back to Cusco and then go to Aguas Calientes by yourself to meet up with your trekking group to visit Machu Picchu on your last day.

Flying to Cusco can be tricky because delays often occur and due to the special conditions at the airport of Cusco, it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Please be sure to arrive in the city of Cusco at least two days before your trek to Machu Picchu starts. The most reliable airline is LATAM because they offer you many re-booking options in case of a flight cancellation. On your last day you will come back to Cusco around 9pm, which means that you should always book your flight the next day when leaving Cusco.

Tipping is always appreciated and should completely be based on your satisfaction. Although tipping may not be usual to you, it is important to the people who’ll take care of you during your trip (drivers, guides, teachers, shamans, etc.).