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Frequent Asked Questions about Salkantay Trek

Question 1: How do I reserve a space for the Salkantay Trek?

Question 2: Will the altitude affect me?

Question 3: What is the best thing to do in the event of altitude sickness?

Question 4: Do you require a deposit?

Question 5: Is the Salkantay Trek difficult?

Question 6: What do I need to bring on the trek?

Question 7: Should I request an extra horse?

Question 8: What do we do for water along the Salkantay Trek?

Question 9: How much money should I take?

Question 10: How long does it take to get to Peru?

Question 11: When is the best time to go?

Question 12: What entry documents do I need?

Question 13: Is it safe to travel in Peru?

Question 14: How do I get from the airport to the hotel on the escorted tours?

Question 15: What type of transportation is used?

Question 16: What happens if I arrive at Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change my train ticket?

Question 17: What training do you provide for your staff on environmental practices?

Question 18: What is the average participant like?

Question 19: Do you recommend Travel Insurance?

FQs Answers!

Question 1: How do I reserve a space for the Salkantay Trek? Go to theTop

You can rely on our dedicated staff to answer any questions you may have and to take care of every detail of your trip from start to finish.
Please email us to: info(AT)salkantaytrailtomachupicchu.com to get started.

Question 2: Will the altitude affect me? Go to theTop

When travelling throughout the Andes in Peru some people will suffer some effects of altitude sickness. If you plan to hike the Salkantay Trek we recommend arriving 2 or 3 days before the start to acclimatize and rest.

Question 3: What is the best thing to do in the event of altitude sickness? Go to theTop

Wherever possible "go down". But, if you are staying in Cusco, you may still feel the effects. The best advice is to sleep, take plenty of fluids and you could also try coca tea. The porters chew coca leaves wrapped around a black resin called llipta. When you are actually walking and active (especially on day two of the trail), this may help since it dilates vessels to increase the blood flow to the parts of the body that need it.

Question 4: Do you require a deposit? Go to theTop

Yes. We require a non-refundable booking deposit of the 25% from the total price per person.

Question 5: Is the Salkantay Trek difficult? Go to theTop

You know the answer to this one: it depends! You reach 4600masl on the second day after climbing for the best part of the day. Especially if you are within your first five days at altitude, this may give you headaches and shortness of breath. Don't forget that even people who live in Cusco (at 3300masl) still get short of breath.

Question 6: What do I need to bring on the trek? Go to theTop

Backpack, sleeping bag, mattress (we will provide you with this), rain jacket, strong footwear (walking boots are recommended as they provide support to the ankle which reduces the risk of injury especially when trekking in the wet season (December - March). However it is important that your boots are comfortable and well worn-in and not brand new. Many people prefer to trek in tennis shoes but extra care should be taken. We do not recommend trekking in sandals. One complete change of clothing, sweater, jacket (something warm), water bottle and sterilizing tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco), flashlight and batteries, broad-brim or peaked cap, sun block, insect repellent, toiletries and toilet paper, selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc, camera and plenty of film. You also have to bring your original passport with you on the trek.

Question 7: Should I request an extra horse? Go to theTop

It is better to request a horse before you go on the trail rather than realize halfway through that you’re not enjoying carrying your pack at this altitude and want some help.

Question 8: What do we do for water along the Salkantay Trek? Go to theTop

At meal times we will give you teas, coffees etc to drink. You'll come across a mountain spring, fountain or small stream approximately every 1½ hours along the trail where you can fill up your water bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1½ liter capacity per person. Although the water looks it is always safer to use sterilizing tablets or a water filter. The sterilizing tablets can be bought in most pharmacies in Cusco. With these tablets you have to wait between 30 and 40 minutes before drinking. Bottled mineral water can also be taken from Cusco or bought at Mollepata or Santa Teresa.

Question 9: How much money should I take? Go to theTop

Please review what is included in your trek in order to estimate what you should take. Along the way you can buy snacks and souvenirs, mostly of a non expensive nature.

Question 10: How long does it take to get to Peru? Go to theTop

• To Lima on a non-stop flight (recommended):
• From Miami 5 1/2 hours
• From New York 8 hours
• From Los Angeles 8 1/2 hours

Question 11: When is the best time to go? Go to theTop

This is a difficult question to answer as Peru has a huge variety of weather conditions. We would say travelers can visit Peru any time of the year!
Dry season runs from May to November and this is typically the time that is most recommended. However, this is also the cooler time of year. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing at the height of the dry season. June, July and August are the most popular months to visit so you will tend to encounter much larger crowds during these months.
In the wet season (December to April), you can expect showers three to four afternoons a week. For travelers that do not mind a little drizzle and muddy trails, this time of year offers smaller crowds and greener hillsides, with wildflowers and orchids often in bloom. The shoulder seasons, April to June or September to November can often provide the best of both worlds. They typically have fewer crowds and warmer temperatures than the height of the dry season, but still tend to have relatively little rain. For more information, check out our Peru Weather page.

Question 12: What entry documents do I need? Go to theTop

U.S. citizens need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier either at the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Peru or once on-board. (NOTE: Other nationalities should check with the nearest Peruvian Consulate to determine correct entry requirements.

Question 13: Is it safe to travel in Peru? Go to theTop

Definitely yes, we tend to hear the very worst news from Latin America. Helpful people and extraordinary culture, most crime is opportunistic and not violent buy of course it is possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Care and common sense will nearly always prevail.
The “Sendero Luminoso” is no longer active.

Question 14: How do I get from the airport to the hotel on the escorted tours? Go to theTop

All of our escorted tours include arrival transfer services, a Inca Trail Travel representative will be waiting for you at the point of your arrival.

Question 15: What type of transportation is used? Go to theTop

Our escorted tours utilize a variety of transportation including private vans/ cars, comfortable tourist buses, flights, canoes, etc. We use a mix of private/ public transportation to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transportation in each area. Occasionally, we may include non-typical transportation modes (rickshaw, bicycle taxi, "chicken bus", etc.) for short distances to give travelers a sense of local flavor.

Question 16: What happens if I arrive at Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change my train ticket? Go to theTop

It is still possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you decide to stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes. You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return date of your ticket. You will probably be asked to pay an extra administrative fee and changing the ticket will be subject to availability of spaces the following day. If you change your ticket for a cheaper service then you will not be refunded the difference!

Question 17: What training do you provide for your staff on environmental practices? Go to theTop

Our guide teams have been trained in first aid and rescue and are regularly updated through seminars and courses in their respective fields. All of our trekking staff receives regular briefings on how to best comply with the Salcantay Trek Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary Regulations as well as on environmental awareness.

Question 18: What is the average participant like? Go to theTop

The average age of participants on our Group Treks is 47 years. Most are between the late 20s and early 60s, although the range is about 10 to 76. The gender gap is fairly evenly split with slightly more women than men. About 40% of participants sign up alone, 40% sign up with a partner, and 20% as a family. Most importantly, however, is this: most people who join us for the first time are nervous about the "group tour" experience but most alumni rate it as one of the best parts of their vacation. You'll never know until you try.

Question 19: Do you recommend Travel Insurance? Go to theTop

We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive, in the range of $60 - $200 depending on the trip you book. The reason we are so keen on you having travel insurance is because it protects you if you have an unexpected change in travel plans. Here is an example. Let's assume you are signed up for a trip and hurt your leg a week before you are supposed to leave. If you have no insurance, you will call us on the telephone and we will be very sad to tell you there is no refund - because our costs are mostly fixed and you might have displaced someone who otherwise could have gone in your place. You might then be unhappy with us, even though you took the risk of not getting travel insurance! If you do have travel insurance, you can usually receive your entire airfare and trip cost from the insurance company and can start planning for your next trip!

There are many different companies who offer trip insurance. Please contact insurance companies directly for information about their plans. One that our travelers have used successfully is TripInsurance.com, one of the industry leaders.

Please do not hesitate to email us if you have more questions in mind, we will be happy to help you.

Thanks.

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All Promotions below are based on groups of 4 people or more. Prices listed are per person.