Inca Trail vs Salkantay: The Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek are both popular hiking routes in Peru that lead to Machu Picchu, the iconic ancient Inca citadel in the Andes mountains. Both treks offer a unique and rewarding experience, but they differ in terms of length, difficulty, and the type of landscape and cultural sites you will see along the way.

Differences between Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek:

• Length: The Inca Trail is approximately 43 kilometers (27 miles) long and takes 4 days to complete, while the Salkantay Trek is approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) long and takes 5 to 7 days to complete, depending on the route you choose.
• Difficulty: Both treks are considered challenging, but the Salkantay Trek is generally considered to be more difficult due to its long distance and higher elevation. The Inca Trail involves a significant amount of uphill and downhill walking, as well as some sections that are quite steep, but it is not as high or as difficult as the Salkantay Trek.
• Landscape: The Inca Trail passes through a variety of landscapes, including cloud forests, alpine tundra, and subtropical jungle, while the Salkantay Trek passes through a more diverse range of landscapes, including high-altitude alpine tundra, subtropical jungle, and Andean valleys.
• Cultural sites: Both treks offer the opportunity to visit a number of ancient Inca sites, including temples, citadels, and tombs, but the Inca Trail is considered more culturally significant due to the fact that it follows the same route that the Inca people used to access Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek passes through a number of smaller Inca sites, but it does not follow the same route as the Inca Trail.
• Cost: The Inca Trail is more expensive compared to the Salkantay Trek.

Ultimately, the choice between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek will depend on your personal preferences and the amount of time and physical fitness you have available. Both treks are rewarding and unforgettable experiences, and they offer the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful and culturally significant sites in Peru.

Inca Trail or Salkantay trek?

The Inca Trail vs the Salkantay Trek is both popular hikes in Peru that lead to Machu Picchu.

• The Inca Trail is a classic hike that takes 4 days and offers a more cultural experience.
• The Salkantay Trek is a more challenging hike that takes 5 days and offers more scenic diversity. It ultimately depends on your personal preferences and physical abilities.