1

The following link has a good description and map of your trek- http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/treks/salkantay.html

It also has a list of trek operators- you probably can't go wrong with any of the first six or seven.

http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/companies/peru/index.html

For your piece of mind, get a copy of LP's Peru and see which operators are mentioned and what kind of reviews they get. I ended up choosing the first one on the list and was 100% satisfied with their service. (I did the classic Inca Trail trek.)

Maybe the next few months will allow you to scrape up a bit of extra cash so you can go for the full trek. It would be a shame to spend so much money to go so far and then have to try to squeeze it all into four days.

Good luck in your planning/

2

Hi there!

Glad you're thinking of doing this trek - it's lovely, very impressive.

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Salkantay-Trail/blog-738517.html

Re. which company to use, I would strongly recommend visiting a couple of companies in Cusco and asking some questions. This is only way to find out for yourself if you like the look of them. Having done the trek myself, I would say not to worry too much about the company - all the companies cook the same food (the cooks work together in the kitchen-tents) and use the same campsites. Ask to have a look at the camping equipment - this is one thing which can vary quite a lot depending on who you go with. In particular, I would insist on an inflatable mattress - I did and slept like a baby. Others found themselves on spongy rollmats and were up shivering all night. It gets cold at night up there.

The iPeru office in the Plaza de Armas in Cusco has lists of complaints against particular companies for you to look at if you like. Bear in mind that some people consider "not enough green vegetables" as a valid reason for lodging a formal complaint against a trekking company, so these complaints books (+libro de reclamos+ in Spanish) have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

For what it's worth I visited BioAndean and was impressed, but went with another company and paid quite a bit less. There is a lot of variation in the prices quoted, anywhere between $150 and $500, incredibly, and having looked around me on the trek I couldn't really see why there should be such a difference...

The first day of the trek from Mollepata is actually not that interesting - cutting the first day off is not such a big deal!

Best of luck and have fun!!!

Will

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Alain Machaca Cruz is an official registered guide that volunteers at the South American Explorers Club Cusco. He is AMAZING and gives a lot of time and importance to all of his groups. You may want to contact him! Just email or call the Clubhouse :)

4

Will,

Which company did you end up using?

Thanks.

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It had a most unpromising name! "Friends of the Nature"!!! They were cheap and since I'd found out that everyone pretty much shares the facilities it didn't matter. Our guide wasn't what I'd call brilliant, but then again I enjoy trekking quietly. I speak Spanish so had plenty of time to chat with the arrieros.

Their office is on the main plaza de armas, on the side opposite the steps.

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We recently completed a 5 day hike on the Salkantay Trek with (www.salkantaytrekking.com) and I have to say that it was a great experience overall. It was nice that our tour guide (wilfredo) and his crew are actual locals which made it a very authentic experience. First of, I was highly impressed by the details provided in preparing us for the journey, everything was on time and well thought out. Secondly, I was amazed by the service provided by the chef along with the rest of the porters. They displayed incredible diligence assisting us with the transportation of our personal belongings and materials for the trek, while getting to the campsite before us to set up our tents and prepare our meals, they were hands down the unsung heroes of the trip! Meanwhile our tour guide Raul was very entertaining and knowledgeable throughout the journey.
Overall, the service provided by Salkantay Trekking Company made it a very luxurious journey to the point all that’s left to do is to enjoy every moment with your friends.
I would highly recommend this team they are just an amazing group of people.

Thanks. John

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So, who did you go with and how much was it? The 150ish folks that is...

Edited by: JacobAsheville