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Trek FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions by our clients. Before making us a general inquiry, feel free to read this page carefully along with our Salkantay trekking information and Peru travel information pages.

HOW DO I MAKE A BOOKING?

STEP1 Fill out the form
Fill out the passenger details form in a word document.This should be attached in your email.

STEP2 Pre payment
Pay your deposit, and let us know when you have paid! This is important because our system does not automatically notify us when you’ve paid your deposit.

STEP3 Confirm reservation
Once you’ve received your booking confirmation in the form of a PDF, please check it over to confirm that everything is correct.

STEP4 Informative session
Your all set!! Remember to come to our offices the day before your departure date at 5:00 PM for your briefing.

WHY DO I NEED TO COME TO THE BRIEFING?

The briefing is really important because there you will meet your guide. Throughout this meeting, the guide will explain important details about the excursion. Depending on your route, you will be given a duffle bag.
During this meeting, you will be asked to pay any outstanding balance. You will be given a map of our offices with your reservation information.

CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE AT THE SALKANTAY TREKKING OFFICES?

Yes. You can leave your luggage at our offices.
You can leave your luggage with us, don't worry. You can bring it when you are picked up in the morning to leave for your trek. The driver will bring it to our storage.
You'll pick it back up once we return from our expedition.

IS WATER INCLUDED?

Yes. Please bring your own water for the first morning of your trek. After that, we will provide water for you. No need to worry, the water will be clean and safe to drink!

DO I NEED TO BRING EXTRA MONEY FOR THE TREK?

Yes. This is very important!!! We recommend that you bring 300 to 400 Peruvian soles. It is possible that you may not need any of this money, but just in case of an emergency, you should make sure to have plenty of cash. If you are struggling on the route, you can use the money to purchase alternative forms of transportation such as: car, horse, and train. If you are participating in the 5-day trek, there are a couple of extra activities along the way, including hot springs.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP THE TREKKING TEAM?

Tipping is at your discretion but is always highly appreciated.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN MY GROUP?

Groups are usually 10 to 12 people. This also depends on the time of year. The maximum is 12 people and the minimum is 2 people.

WHAT SIZE BAG DO I NEED TO TAKE WITH ME?

We will provide you with a duffel bag for all of the Salkantay Treks. You can carry about 7 kilograms in the duffle bag. These duffle bags will be carried by horses throughout the trek.
You only need to carry a small backpack/day pack with the items you might need throughout the day, like sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, or snacks.

WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHARGE MY DEVICES DURING THE TREK AND WILL I HAVE WIFI?

Yes. You will have the chance to charge your devices at each of our campsites. That being said, at some of the sites you cannot leave your devices charging overnight.
You will have access to Wi-Fi at some campsites for an additional cost. Cameras and cell phones are not allowed to be left charging overnight.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRIVATE TOUR AND GROUP TOUR? WHY IS IT WORTH IT TO PAY MORE FOR THE PRIVATE TOUR?

If you choose to go on a private tour, the tour will be tailored to you. The size of the group depends on you and only you. You can decide exactly who will be on the trek with you. This is perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends. You will have your own personal chef and guide, which means the trek is more personalized and able to satisfy your personal needs.

SHOULD I RENT AN EXTRA HORSE?

If you are worried about the trek you have the option of renting an extra horse. The cost is US$ 80.00. You will only be able to ride the horse during the first two days while trekking uphill. During the latter days, at times you will have the opportunity to opt out and take a car or train for certain legs of the trek. Also, you should know that on the first day, you would be going a different route than those who choose to hike. You do not have to organize this in advance.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 4–DAY AND 5-DAY TREK?

The main difference between our 5D and 4D treks comes from a slight variation on the trail. With our 5D trek you get to hike along an original stretch of Inca Trail up to the Llactapata Archaeological Site. This section is meant to give you the opportunity to trek along an original Inca Trail, see the Llactapata ruins, and be able to admire the Santa Teresa Valley and Machu Picchu from afar. This again, is not included on our 4D trek. During the 5 day trek you will also have the option of visiting the hot springs in Cocalmayo for an extra fee.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MACHU PICCHU ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE AND MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN?

Your ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological site is included in the price of the tour. This involves a two-hour guided tour through the ruins of Machu Picchu. This is your general entrance ticket. With your entrance ticket you have the option of buying a ticket to Machu Picchu mountain.
Machu Picchu mountain is an extra hike, that is NOT included in the price of your tour. It costs an extra $60.00 USD for both the Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail. The hike is about a three-hours round trip journey that you will be able to do after your guided tour. From the top, you will have a 360-degree view. You can see the Machu Picchu ruins from a much higher vantage point. We recommend this if you wish to spend more time at Machu Picchu.
These two tickets must be purchased together, so it is important to let us know as soon as possible if you wish to do Machu Picchu mountain.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUAYNA PICCHU AND MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN?

Huayna Picchu - The hike to the summit is approximately 45 minutes, along narrow and steep Inca stairs. Once at the top, you get to see the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding hills and valleys. This is the famous peak in the background of every iconic Machu Picchu photo. Summiting Huayna Picchu is always a top item on most Machu Picchu visitor’s lists which means that you usually need reserve this hike months in advance. Only a certain amount of people are allowed to hike this mountain each day (currently 400). Along this trek you’ll see breathtaking views of the Machu Picchu ruins. The limited number of tickets is a restriction set forth by the ministry of culture in Cusco, not by Salkantay Trekking. This is completely out of our hands unfortunately. Tickets for this mountain are non-transferable.
Machu Picchu Mountain - The hike to this summit is approximately 1.5 hrs. Once at the top, you get a much higher vantage point so you have an amazing view of the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surroundings. This hike is a great alternative to Huayna Picchu. It is ideal for those who don’t want the hassle of fighting for a ticket, or who were unable to get one. Technically, spaces for Machu Picchu Mountain are also limited to 400 per day, but it rarely sells out. We simply need to reserve a space when we buy your entrance tickets.
This trek is great because it will also take you high up like Huayna Picchu, offering great views. This trek has an easier incline (also making it accessible for those who fear the heights of Huayna Picchu), but the path is much longer making it equally as challenging in it’s own way.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

Our guides are trained in case you get sick. Unfortunately, it is illegal for us to provide you with altitude medication but we do our best to help you feel better in other ways. For example, we make coca tea often and the guides carry oxygen bottles with them. If you feel bad you have the option of coming back to Cusco and then going to meet up with your group in Aguas Calientes so you don’t miss out on Machu Picchu.
This will come with significant extra charges however. You also have the option of using other forms of transportation along the trek such as: cars, horses, and trains for a significantly lesser cost.

CAN I JOIN AS A SINGLE TRAVELER?

Yes! We have single travelers joining our treks all the time. You would share accommodations with someone of your same sex. If you wish to have a single hotel room, you can arrange that for an extra $30.00.

IF I DECIDE TO CANCEL, WILL I BE REFUNDED?

No. Unfortunately our company has a no refund policy. All $200.00 deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We understand that unexpected things happen that are out of your control, but we can’t make exceptions. To get more information, please check our terms and conditions.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE DURING THE SALKANTAY TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable, changes quickly, and varies by season. It is impossible to say exactly what kind of weather you will encounter on your trek. However, in general, the first night will be quite cold. It can get down to about 5 degrees Celsius. Towards the end of your trek, you will be in the Peruvian jungle. In these sections of the trek it could be as hot as 25 degrees Celsius.

WHY IS THERE AN 5% CHARGE FOR PAYPAL AND VISA? IS THERE ANY WAY TO AVOID THIS CHARGE?

Unfortunately, the 5% charge is completely out of our hands. This fee does not go to us but to PayPal and VISA. There is really no way around it.

Brian
Challenging and INCREDIBLY FULFILLING experience! Kenneth is the best guide! November 23, 2023
We decided to do the Salkantay trail with Salkantay Trekking. We had Kenneth as our guide, and I am so happy that we went with this trail and this company. We were grouped up with a great team full of fun, empathetic and social people. Kenneth’s personality, knowledge and leadership is unmatched and he provided us with the best guided tour I’ve experienced in my years of international travel/excursions. I was unfortunately very sick for the first 1-2 days of our trek and Kenneth was a very caring, informed leader during these times. He is funny, entertaining, and informative. My constructive feedback that I’d give to this company is to emphasize further that guests should not try these experiences unless they’ve acclimated to the altitude of Cusco/Machu Picchu for at least 2-3 days. And my other criticism would be that the sky domes did not provide any view for us. Instead, they worked more like reflective glass. The stars were definitely out, but we couldn’t see them in the sky dome. It was also really cold the first two nights (as of Nov 2023)! Anyways, I want to end this with emphasizing the pros: the guides and workers for this company were all incredibly kind, hard-working and funny. They were the backbone of our experience, and the views were STUNNING AND SO WORTH IT. View full Review

Peter H
Classic Salkantay 5 day - Wow November 23, 2023
Just an incredible trek, which was made so much better because of Freddy Apaza. His knowledge was incredible. The food prepared by Rolando and Elieser was amazing. Each meal was different and delicious. I would definitely recommend Salkantay Trekking. View full Review

Bee
Beyond our expectations! AMAZING! Thanks to NICO & TEO!! November 22, 2023
We had the very best experience with NICO & TEO from salkantay trekking. It is truly the best company for this trip. From the perfect organization and communication, through the equipment, the briefing, the absolutely delicious food on the trek, the amazing accommodation and the best guides ever, who created a caring, responsible and fun atmosphere. We always felt safe and in the best hands, with lots of information from plants, animals, inka culture and Peru in general. View full Review

Kilcrank
An amazing experience November 22, 2023
We went on the 4 day Salkantay trek, which was fantastic value for money. The route takes you through different environments from glacial to jungle and allows you to experience many aspects of the Andes in a relatively short space of time. We had a great team looking after us, led by Juvenal and Jackson. The altitude you reach in the first couple of days is no joke and they are very attentive to make sure everyone gets up and down safely. It is also visible that some of the money you spend is going in to the local communities that you pass through. View full Review

Charles B
A beautiful trek with wonderful guides. November 22, 2023
Juve and Jackson were incredible guides. We learned all about the botany and wildlife of the region as we passed through many different biozones. They also taught us about the local beliefs and culture in a fascinating and engaging way. Juve made sure we were all on time to many different points along the route and Jackson even gave me a crash course in speaking Spanish as I asked him questions during our hike (I was one of the weakest spanish speakers in the group). This was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Thank you Juve and Jackson! View full Review

EcoE
Amazing trek! November 22, 2023
We had fantastic 5 days trek! Our guide Nico was incredible knowledgeable of inca culture and was very attentative to our needs. The quality of the food was also amazing. We were so glad that we booked with Salkantay Trekking. Nico, thank you so much for the experience and memories. Best trek in Peru!! View full Review

Taylor B
Amazing Experience! November 22, 2023
Phenomenal experience, start to finish! Juve & Jackson were our guides and they took great care of us—they were so informative, very knowledgeable, and made the experience so fun for us. The treks were hard but doable, and we learned so much along the way. Cannot thank them enough! View full Review

Charu K
Excellent experience November 22, 2023
We found out about Salkantay Trekking through internet and YouTube. Minelva helped us pick the right combo per our need - 5 day trek with deluxe package. Felix was our guide who opened us up to the rich history of Peru. He explained the local cultures, walked us through various phases of Peruvian history. Showed us biodiversity on the way with nice explanations. He also had suggestions based on individual abilities of the people in our group. Salkantay Trekking have created a good package that includes good accommodations on the way. Their chefs provide excellent Peruvian meals. Only slight negative was that those were barely warm by the time they were served. Very tasty though and not repeated. Overall this was amazing experience made even more memorable by our awesome and professional guide - Felix. I highly recommend that if you’re planning to go ahead with Salkantay Trekking insist on having Felix as your guide. You’ll never regret. View full Review

Tobias D
Great trek, highly recommended! November 22, 2023
I did the 7 day Salkantay plus Inca Trail trek. I can definitely recommend doing trek with Salkantay Trekking. Our guide was very knowledgable, showing us the different herbs and plants on the way. Whenever we arrived to a lunch spot a great and warm lunch was ready for us. It's amazing what our cook was able to do in such a small space. The tents and sleeping bags were great so that we were never cold. It was overall a great experience and a highly of my trip to Peru. View full Review

Gaurav C
Well organized trekking experience November 21, 2023
This trek far exceeded my expectation. It was very well organized. Our guide Fredy Chucya was very involved and kept us moving, while taking very good care of the individual needs of everyone in our group of 9 people. All the sites we stayed at were quite comfortable and unique in their own way. The chefs accompanying us did a great job and we had quite a spread for every meal. I would certainly recommend the Salkantay Trekking to anyone who’s coming in to explore Peru and see the landscape and the culture. View full Review