What do you need for Salkantay Trek?

Salkantay trek is one of the most difficult trips or toutes in Peru and therefore do not have to carry more than necessary for the trip, the travel time varies for days, but can be hours of trekking and do not want you to carry everything as a backpacker, salkantay is a great tour for adventure people, there is not hotel along the route, you have to carry a bottle of water.

Salkantay trekking is like the inca trail or like the lares trek, but with Lares trip you will stay in a home, but in salkantay trip is in a campsite, out of the city, out of the communities.

Bags - Salkantay Trek Packing

2 bags

1 day pack, and 1 large backpack to hold everything else. Your guides will carry up to 5 kilos for you each day, so if you have 2 packs, you can divvy up the weight pretty easily and only keep on you what you need.


Sleeping bag - Salkantay Trek Packing

1 sleeping bag

Which you need hands down, it gets really cold at night in this salkantay trek, so is recommend a bag that can handle -10 degrees Celsius.


Hiking boots - Salkantay Trek Packing

Hiking boots

Salcantay trek is amazing, 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.


Hiking Layers - Salkantay Trek Packing

5 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks

We recommend 5 or more pairs of underwear and shocks, it depends how many days you stay in the travel. 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.

Also we recommend 2 pairs of long underwear, 1 super thick, 1 capeline mid weight which is perfect for this amazing salkantay trek.


Pants - Salkantay Trek Packing List

2 pairs of pants, 1 hiking, 1 cotton

Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray the clothes before the trip, those things is just enough for have a good travel.


T-Shirt - Salkantay Trek Packing

2 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts

Actually you will stay in a hostel in Machupicchu village and for sure you will get a long shower, and you will need 01 more t-shirt for your Machupicchu day.


Fleece Jacket - Salkantay Trek Packing List

1 hoodie, 1 fleece jacket, 1 fleece shirt for layering, 1 vest

This items will be good for a cold person. Other people on the trek definitely will get away with less layers, the layers help much.


Rain Jacket - Salkantay Trek Packing List

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!).


Cocoon Sleeping Bag - Salcantay Trek Packing List

1 Cocoon sleeping bag liner

It is super light weight and easy to pack, and definitely does its job, and help you to have a good night.


Snacks - Salcantay Trek Packing List

Snacks, gum and lozenges

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 - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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.


Wet wipes - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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.


Bathing suit - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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.


Flip flops - Salcantay Trek Packing List

1 pair of flip flops

you can wear them to the hot springs, and in the shower at the hostel.


Toothbrush - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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 - Salcantay Trek Packing List

Bug spray

With 30% DEET is recommended, 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.


Head lamp - Salcantay Trek Packing List

A head lamp–which is useful

If you don’t have one, at least bring a small flashlight.


Camera - Salcantay Trek Packing List

A Camera

You won't want to miss a beautiful memory in a photo of amazing places that you are going to see when you travel to Peru and Cusco (home of the Incas).


Iron tablest - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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.


Apple watch - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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.


Sunscreen - Salcantay Trek Packing List

Sunscreen and Sunglasses

there are days where the sun gets really hot and dangerous


Imodium ad - Salcantay Trek Packing List

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 pills.