The Salkantay Trek is a trail through the Peruvian Andes that takes you past snowy peaks, lush jungle, and remote mountain villages, ultimately leading you to Machu Picchu.
It’s often considered a more scenic and less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail.
And the quick answer is yes, you can absolutely handle the Salkantay Trek as a non-hiker, but there are some things you need to know.
For some background, I just finished a 4-night, 5-day guided trek along the Salkantay trail with a adventure company out of Cusco named Machu Piccu Reservations
Now generally, I don’t hike, nor do I really enjoy hiking. I’m more of an ocean person, so aside from the occasional trip to a waterfall or swimming hole, I’ll almost always choose a beach day over a nature hike.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this trek.
In fact, I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Peru, even (or especially) if you’re not a hiker
This brings me to my first point: Do a guided tour.
Along the trail, you’ll see all kinds of people, some serious mountaineers hauling their own gear, and others (like me) just carrying a daypack. As a non-hiker, doing a guided trek is absolutely the way to go. No question.
Not only do they carry your gear, but they also:
Teach you about the history of the region
Share knowledge of local plants and herbs
Set you up in amazing places to stay
Cook all your meals
And most importantly, support you every step of the way as you make your way to Machu Picchu.
Here are 5 things you should know before embarking on your journey through the mountains:
1. Days one & two are no joke.
Hiking uphill at high altitude is hard. I consider myself to be in pretty decent shape, but I was definitely humbled.
The key is to listen to your body, control your breathing, drink plenty of water (and coca tea), and take breaks when you need to. If you do these things, you’ll be fine, and if you really feel like you’re dying, you can hire a horse to take you up the most difficult sections. No shame in that. The following days become easier as your body acclimates and your confidence grows.
2. Drink and chew lots of coca leaves.
Seriously, coca tea is your best friend. It helps with the altitude, keeps you hydrated, and gives you a gentle energy boost without the crash. Most trekking companies will have it available throughout the day, so take advantage.
3. It gets cold… and hot.
The weather swings wildly. Mornings and nights can be freezing, especially in the higher elevations, but midday sun will have you shedding layers. Bring lightweight clothes you can layer and peel off as needed, and don’t forget gloves and a hat for those chilly mornings.
4. Use trekking poles.
Even if you think you don’t need them, use them. They help with stability, reduce the impact on your knees (especially on the downhill parts), and basically turn you into a four-legged mountain goat, which is a very good thing on this trail.
5. Take the train back to Cusco.
After five days of hiking, you’ll be tired. Don’t try to hike back or take the cheaper, complicated bus route unless you’re really trying to rough it. The train from Aguas Calientes is scenic, easy, and feels like a reward after your trek. Do it, its worth the extra money.
If you're in Peru, just do it.
The Salkantay Trek, especially with a guided group, is such a fun and rewarding experience. My group had 16 people, ages 19 to 38, from all over the world: the U.S., France, Ireland, Peru, England, Scotland, Australia, and Italy.
We started as strangers, and by the end, we felt like best friends.
Beyond the trekking itself, we shared meals, soaked in hot springs, drank pisco and Pilsens, told stories, laughed, and powered through moments of near exhaustion together.
The Peruvian Andes are some of the most beautiful mountains I’ve ever seen, and to top it all off, the trek ends at Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
So really… why not?
Me encanta!! Gracias por los tips y la info🫶🏽🩷 amo Perú, es mágico ✨