Peru,Travel,Salkantay,History, travel,insurance Peru Travel: Salkantay, History and Significance
Torres del Paine is among the biggest of Chiles national parks, occupying almost 600,000 acres (242,000 ha) of land in the south on the border with Argentina. It is also among the most important, receiving a significant proportion of domes Like any American, traveling occasionally is just what I love doing and I bet you share the same stuff with me. But traveling does not mean that you would be safe. Escaping from our job and other stressful activities is just something that w
The word Salkantay, also spelled Salcantay, is most popular as the name of a trek that starts 50 miles from Cusco, Peru. Most travelers embark on the Salkantay trek as a more challenging alternative to the Inca Trail, although this trek also ends with a day at the ruins in Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel.The mountain Salkantay is in the Vilcabamba mountain range, the peak of which, at 6,271 meters above sea level, is perpetually snowy. Mount Ausangate, to the southeast in the Vilcanota range, narrowly beats out Salkantay by 65 meters to claim recognition as the highest peak in the Cusco area.The peak of Salkantay was first summited in 1952 by 2 Swissmen; their ascent was followed by that of a Franco-American team a few days later. There is some controversy as to who reached the summit first, as Salkantay actually has twin peaks, which are denominated the east and west peaks. The west peak previously had a cerac, or pointed ice mass, that made it slightly higher than the east peak, but it subsequently crumbled, making the peaks equivalent in altitude. The first two teams that summited Salkantay climbed different peaks, hence the ensuing controversy. In the ensuing decades, other European teams tracked new trails up to the summit. Salkantay has continued to be a popular climb throughout the years due to its craggy slopes that make the ascent difficult and technically challenging.The trek does not ascend the peak, but it does get as close as possible. Trekkers are transported by bus or van from Cusco to Limatambo to the small village of Mollepata. It is important to spend a few days acclimatizing as the trek reaches 4,600 meters above sea level. The trek is 5 days in duration and the first 2 days, at altitude, with challenging ascents, and cold nights, are the most difficult. The Salkantay trek then diverges into 2 options, the first of which descend to Huayllabama to join the Inca Trail, and the second, more common route, continues to Llactapacta and then to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village). In Lllactapacta, trekkers are treated to views of Machu Picchu followed by the final descent to the Hydroelectic plant, which is also a train station. Here, trekkers can take the train to Aguas Calientes or a hike the last 8 kilometers by foot. On the fifth day, trekkers ascend to the ruins at Machu Picchu.As for weather, trekkers can expect year round warm days when the sun is out, chilly day time temperatures when it is cloudy, and frigid cold at night. During the winter months of June to September, nighttime temperatures frequently drop below 0 degrees Celcius. In the rainy season months of December through March, the trek can still be done, but conditions are not ideal and heavy rains may cause treks to be cancelled. The best time to do this trek is in the dry season months of March through September. Along the way, trekkers will see Andean flora and fauna including the spectacled bear, medicinal plants, trees. Article Tags: Machu Picchu
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