Top 5 on The Salkantay Trail

As if it wasn’t enough to be trekking in the Andean Mountains of Peru, what about some particular highlights to look out for?

The Salkantay Trail is a beautiful place all on it's own, but it’s worth knowing what’s around you, and taking time to appreciate it all. This can be a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make sure you make it an epic escape.

Chonta - Condor Valley

The valley of the Condor. The Chonta mountains are part of th Andes mountain range, a massive expanse of peaks that stretches into seven different South American countries, including Peru. With all those mountains, there are a lot of valleys, and this one is home to the largest flying bird in the world: the Andean Condor.

Humantay Lake

Another geological wonder that we have the mountains to thank for. Formed from the melting of glaciers and run off from the surrounding mountain minerals, creating a stunning turqoise. Humantay Lake is broad, cold and beautifully clear. You may feel compelled to dive in, but it’s a protected site. Gaze all you want instead.

Salkantay Mountain

It won’t be a surprise to hear that there is an Salkantay Moutain, part of the Vilcabamba range of mountains that make up part of the Peruvian mountains. Salkantay is the highest peak of the range, at nearly 6300ft. Salkantay itself literally mean ‘wild’ or ‘rugged’, so the peak has often been known as ‘Savage Mountain.

Llaqtapata

About 5km from Machu Picchu and Huayana Picchu is the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. Built in the 1400s, around the same time as Machu Picchu, it’s made up of a stepped rise, typical of Incan construction in this hilly landscape, to a wide complex of buildings around a ceremonial centre.

Machu Picchu and Huayana Picchu

Two for one, and no surpise, as this is literally where our Salkantay trek is headed. The wonderful city in the clouds, high up and surrounded by valleys and moutains, with the iconic Huayana Picchu rising above it. This is one of the most iconic sights in the world, and a rare example of something living up to the hype, every single time, for every person we’ve ever guided here.

As you’d expect from a ‘top 5’ this is a short, incomplete, and variable list, which barely scratches the surface of what you will get from this wonderful trip. Find out more by visiting the Inca Adventure page here, or email us at info@epciescapes.org.uk