Dou don’t know how to organize Salkantay Treks to Machu Picchu?.- Find here very important recommendation for a memorable trek. Salkantay Treks are the best trekking destinations in the world – and it’s fully open for business after the 1970s. So what do you need to know before you go?
Tips for Salkantay Treks to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
- The best time for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is from March through October. Sure, it’s the busy season (especially June to August), but it’s also the dry season. And for Sure, you not are going to want to visit this site during rainy season! A day of this hike will be harder and a night will be colder.
- Make your reservations for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu several months in advance 2, 3 to up to a year, if you’re going during peak season.
- For Salkantay trek you must take your passport and a photocopy of it, it is very important that you have to keep it in a plastic bag in case of rain. If you are student is valid only the ISIC – International Card (the green card).
- There are some biting mosquitos at Machu Picchu, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes, wear long light clothing and use plenty of strong insect repellent.
- Be prepared with sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses and sun block. Some people even take in small umbrellas, a. Feel free to look like a little daft, but don’t get burnt! Time is a little funny here in Cusco, one day can be hot and not another day.
- For Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu take some Peruvian currency for buying bottled water and snacks along the way, as well as for tipping the guide, cook and porters.
- Waterproof, well worn-in walking boots – Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential, and a sleeping bag is necessary too.
- There is only 1 snack bar at Machu Picchu, be prepared with snacks and drinks to see you through the day and night.
Book 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – All included
Tipping
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, and local guide(s) at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected – though not compulsory – component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
Spending Money
Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Currency Exchange Tip:
Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent). The currency exchange rates can fluctuate often.
Read More About 5-day Salkantay Trek
Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Visas
All countries require a valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It’s your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation.
Tips for Personal Porters and Food Porters
Tipping porters is optional, but we find that the majority of our clients generally feel obliged to give a tip at the end of the trek. Usually a personal porter is tipped around 100 soles and a tip is given to the group as a whole contributed by all the trekkers in the group. The group tip is discussed by the trekking group at the end of the trek as it depends on the performance.
Personal Favorite Snacks
If you have favorite snacks you’d like to have during the trek, such as snack or fruit bars please bring them along. You may do some shopping at the supermarket in Port Moresby prior to your trek, if you arrive 1-2 days ahead of the schedule. Please note that as part of your trek package, you will also be provided with some snacks as well as meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The following items should be brought to the trek:
Waterproof shoes, sleeping bag for low temperatures, gloves, cotton hat, thermal socks, day hat, heavy jacket, light jacket and impermeable, long sleeve shirts, hiking pants, t-shirts, underwear, sun glasses, tennis shoes or sandals to be used at the campsites, small first aid kit, toilet paper, sun screen, insect repellant, flashlight, and water container.
You might consider the following items:
Snacks, energy bars, walking sticks (Rustic walking sticks can be purchased before starting the trek), sealable bags, wet wipes, water purification pills, altitude sickness pills and camera.
Please make sure to bring your personal medication to the trek as well as stomachache pills, diarrhea pills, and headache pills.
RECOMENDED THINGS TO TAKE
You need to bring for Salkantay Trek the following things
- YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT.- The passport that you book the tour because in the control point you’ll checked if you are the person who did the reservation.
- 2 BAGS, 1 DAY PACK, AND 1 LARGE BACKPACK TO HOLD EVERYTHING ELSE.- Your guides will carry up to 6 kilos for you each day, so if you have 2 packs, you can distribute the weight pretty easily and only keep on you what you need.
- 1 SLEEPING BAG.- which you need…hands down, it gets really cold at night, so is recommend a bag that can handle -10 degrees Celsius.
HIKING BOOTS.- When you walk as much as you do on the trek, and go through waterfalls, and up and down mountains, extra support and coverage can really be a lifesaver. - 3 PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR, 4 PAIRS OF SOCKS.- It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not trekking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks as well. The weather is all over the place, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or overheating.
- 2 PAIRS OF LONG UNDERWEAR.- 1 super thick, 1 capeline midweight–which is perfect.
- 2 PAIRS OF PANTS, 1 HIKING, 1 COTTON–WHICH IS JUST ENOUGH. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray the clothes before the trip.
- 2 T-SHIRTS, 2 LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS.- Actually you will stay in a hostel in Machu Picchu village and for sure you will get a long shower, and you will need 01 more t-shirt for your Machu Picchu day.
- 1 HOODIE, 1 FLEECE JACKET, 1 FLEECE SHIRT FOR LAYERING, 1 T-SHIRT.- this items will be good for a cold person. Other people on the trek definitely will get away with less layers, the layers help.
- 1 RAIN JACKET, 1 WARM/WINTER JACKET.- The first night the temperature can be as -10 degrees Celsius and the second day you go up close a snow covered mountain, so the big coat is a must. The rain jacket can be helpful, cause there are raining days (even if we are dry season!) .
- SNACKS, GUM AND LOZENGES–WHICH ARE NEEDED.- The trek is long and we don`t take many breaks. So if you keep a bar or some nuts in your day pack, they will really help you keep going.
- CASH.- Few places in Peru accept credit cards, and in the mountains, you’re not going to find an ATM. about 500 soles, and we would recommend bringing at least that much in case something goes wrong or you need help.
- TRAVEL-SIZED TISSUES AND WET WIPES.- The air is cold and damp, so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seemed to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.
- 1 BATHING SUIT–WHICH CAME IN HANDY.- The third and fourth nights are near hot springs, so if you plan to go, bring one. A lot of people bring towels, but you don’t need them. You can rent towels at the hostel or hot springs for 1 or 2 soles, which frees up a lot of backpack space.
- 1 PAIR OF FLIP FLOPS–WHICH ARE NICE.- you can wear them to the hot springs, and in the shower at the hostel.
- TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE, ETC.–WHICH YOU NEED, BUT PACK LIGHT.- You’re going to be filthy and gross, so you don’t need shampoo and soap and all of that. Pack the day to day minimum.
- BUG SPRAY WITH 30% DEET IN IT–WHICH YOU NEED.- but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Salkantay is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger, and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on.
- A HEAD LAMP–WHICH IS USEFUL.- If you don’t have one, at least bring a small flashlight.
- A CAMERA… no explanation needed!
- IRON TABLETS AND PILLS FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS.- Several people on the trek have varying degrees of altitude sickness, and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
- A WATCH WITH AN ALARM.-You don’t need it, but there are a lot of early morning wake up calls, and on the last day to get to Machu Picchu, you need to wake up on your own. Also, the guide talks time a lot (meet at 6, dinner at 7, etc.) so a watch would be nice to have.
- SUN SCREEN.- there are days where the sun gets really hot.
- IMODIUM AD OR SOMETHING FOR YOUR STOMACH.- Some people get an upset stomach at one on the trek, with 8-10 hours of hiking each day, you need to get over whatever the day throws at you quickly, so bring some meds.