Hiking Guide: Salkantay Trek - Day 5 + Final Thoughts
HIKING
Day 5: Climb to Machu Picchu
Distance: 3.5km
Ascent/Descent: 400m
Time to walk: 2 hours, plus 2.5 hours at the top
Each person had a different time and circuit for their visit to Machu Picchu. Given I had booked quite late, I didn’t have anyone in my group with me - although I still had a good time-slot, at 8am. I actually think it was the perfect time - the earlier groups had to wait a while for the fog to clear, and any later in the day would have been too hot and really busy with day-trippers.
Just as the Incans did in centuries past, I decided against the bus transport from Agua Calientes town to Machu Picchu - I would be taking the stairs ! It was pretty brutal, with lots of switchbacks and uneven stairs, and it took me just over an hour to reach the top. I only passed a couple of other people on the stairs, whereas the line for the bus was a few hundred people long!
I was on Circuit 2, which allows you to tour the upper part of Machu Picchu and get the classic photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House. I also could go up to the Sungate - the part of the trail that people hiking the Inca Trail walk through on their descent back down to Machu Picchu.
I was placed with a tour guide with just one other girl, a German au pair who had been living in Chile. The two of us were taken on a short 15-minute tour of Machu Picchu, and our guide shared stories about the ancient site that once served as a royal estate and ceremonial center for the Incan elite.
He also told us about plans to even further cut the numbers of visitors to Machu Picchu, and to ban visitors from wandering through the ruins, to help protect the UNESCO World Heritage site. So I think I went at the right time! I don’t think these measures will come into place for a couple of more years.
After our tour and a couple of hours exploring on our own, I made the way back down the stairs - the bus back down had such a long line, that the stairs were likely the fastest option. My train wasn’t leaving until 3pm, so I had a few hours to kill before then. I met the rest of my group for lunch, and then explored the small town before arriving to the station.
Unfortunately, the trains had huge delays. I didn’t end up leaving until 4:30pm, and I was so annoyed as I had paid an extra USD$30 for the vistadome train, just for it to get dark within half an hour and I couldn’t see anything out of the glass dome ceilings! There was some entertainment on the carriage, mostly just some people doing catwalks showing handmade clothes available for sale, but all in all I don’t think the upgrade to the visadome was worth it (especially because I slept most of the way!).
The train ride was so long, I didn’t get back to Cusco until around 10pm. By then it was too late to collect my luggage from the Machu Picchu Reservations, so I had to go straight to my hostel and collect my clean clothes in the morning.
Final Thoughts on the Salkantay Trek
Despite it being a popular hike with a lot of groups on the trails, which I normally don’t like, I still really loved this trail. The vast difference in the scenery day-to-day and learning about the mystical history of the Incans made it uniquely spectacular. I would say this is a must-do hike for anyone visiting Peru.
Despite the hiccups at the start with my tickets not being printed, and having to change groups halfway through, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Machu Picchu Reservations.
The guides were so friendly and knowledgeable, and the cooks were EXCELLENT - I have never eaten so well on a hike (and I likely never will again!). I only paid USD$370 (plus USD$30 for the train ticket) and that included my Machu Picchu entrance fee, so it's a great deal for the level of service we had.
If you are debating whether or not to book through them - I would highly recommend it. Keep in mind, the age range was around 21 - 38 years, it was a social but not party vibe, and it was cute and cozy but not luxurious. If that sounds like something you’re after, you won’t regret it!
Read more about the Salkantay Trek with Machu Picchu Reservations here.
Final Thoughts on Machu Picchu Reservations
