Where can I buy / rent gear?
It is easy to rent gear in Cuzco.
Check around in the many outdoor shops & tour operators near the main plazas. Price varies with quality, but expect to pay US$3-6 / item / day. (i.e. tent, sleeping bag, stove, etc.)
You can purchase basic gear too. Quality, selection & price are, of course, not what you might hope for. Many items cost about double what we pay in Canada.
The best gear shop of the bunch is Tatoo Outdoors & Travel (Plazoleta Las Nazarenas) — but it is not inexpensive.
Best is to bring everything with you to Peru.
Do I need a Reservation to hike?
No. Nada.
The Salcantay is completely unregulated.
No hassle. No fee. Hike when you want. Camp where you want.
This is the biggest advantage of Salcantay over the Inca Trail which officially requires a minimum of 30 day advance booking.
Who should NOT hike Salcantay?
Anyone not yet acclimatized for altitude. The 4700m pass is on the first day of the hike.
NOT those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries.
There are rough & muddy sections. Evacuation on the first half of the hike would be difficult.
What's the most difficult section?
Salcantay Pass (4700m) is by far the most difficult section. Weather is a concern. Expect snow, wind & cold!
Many hikers experience symptoms of altitude sickness.
That said, we found the 700m of ascent & descent on the Pass trail surprisingly easy. The ascent was quick. In fact, one group crossed the Pass on the same day they started the hike. (We do not recommend this. It was not necessary. We caught up to them a couple of days later.)
