Inca Trail Vs Salkantay Trek
If you are planning to hike the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek , you may find it difficult to choose between the most popular routes in Cusco, here are some differences between the Inca Trail VS Salkantay trek routes.
Hiking through the Andes of Peru is undoubtedly one of the best adventures, the Andes offers a biodiversity of flora and fauna species, you will be trapped with so much beauty that each destination in Peru offers, however, the Inca Trail and Salkantay routes trek are the most popular trails and are considered the best hikes by national geographic, managing to appreciate enigmatic Inca monuments, mountains, cloud forests and the jungle in its natural state.
Difficulty differences Inca Trail Vs Salkantay Trek
1.Inca Trail: the difficulty of the Inca Trail is moderate compared to other hiking trails in Cusco. The Inca Trail is a 43-kilometer journey through mountains, cloud forests with abundant vegetation, and thus reaching the sanctuary of Machupicchu.
Difficulty level:
Day 1: 13 kilometers Difficulty: Difficult Altitude: 3,100 masl 10,170 feet
Day 2: 11 Kilometers Difficulty: Difficult Altitude: 3,924 masl 12,874 feet
Day 3: 16 kilometers Difficulty: Moderate Altitude: 3,580 masl 11,745 feet
Day 4: 3 kilometers Difficulty: light Altitude: 2,640 masl 8,661 feet
2. Salkantay trek: the difficulty of the salkantay trek is high compared to that of the Inca trail. The distances of the walks are longer, which is why there are two travel programs:
Road to Salkantay 4 days: Basically it will make the trek more demanding, the distances are longer in order to reach Machupicchu.
Road to salkantay of 5 days: This trip will make the trek have more rest time and more stops for a better enjoyment of the trek.
Difficulty level:
Day 1: 11 km Difficulty: Moderate Altitude: 3,850 masl 12,631 feet
Day 2: 19 Kilometers Difficulty: Difficult Altitude: 4,600 masl 15,090 feet
Day 3: 16 km Difficulty: Difficult Altitude: 2,800 masl 9,080 feet
Day 4: 3 kilometers Difficulty: Moderate Altitude: 2,740 masl 8,901 feet
Difference between the most difficult sections of the Inca Trail and Salkantay
Inca Trail: The first day and second day are more difficult because they cross mountains, reaching high elevations.
- In order to access the Inca Trail, permission and a guide are required in advance due to the popularity of the Inca Trail trail.
- Views of archaeological centers, Inca monuments and the Inca trail that is still maintained from the time.
- Advance physical preparation is required for less than 2 months
Note: Take into account the state of your heart, muscle pain and back, so that you can complete the Inca Trail without discomfort.
Salkantay Trek: The first day and the third day are the most difficult because they cross the Salkantay mountain, and they have longer walks.
- In order to carry out the salkantay trek, permission is not required to access the salkantay trek trail, except for the entrance to machupicchu.
- If you are a nature lover, this trek is of interest to you since you will be able to observe nature and you will discover less explored places in the high jungle.
- Advance physical preparation is required
Which of the treks is the best option, Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek?
Without a doubt, both walks are impressive, but since they are different types of trips, you must choose between one of them.
inca trail
If you are interested in the Inca culture, getting to know archaeological centers and living close to how the Incas used to move along huge paths that are still maintained and reaching the historic sanctuary of Machupicchu as the Inca ancestors did, this walk is made for you. Inca Trail has biosecurity protocols read more here: Inca Trail Protocols
Salkantay Trek
If you are a nature lover, get to know sacred lagoons and mountains up close and go through the little-explored virgin jungle, have an exchange of Andean coffee production with the communities, without a doubt you will live one of the best travel experiences with final arrival at Machupicchu. Salkantay Tour 5 Days