Can I buy food on the Trail?
Yes, in quite a few places.
The items available are limited but not expensive.
Last minute items you can pick up in Mollepata at the start of the Trek.
Once you cross the Pass, many farm houses offer Coke, beer, junk food, etc.
In La Playa town there are dozens of shops offering basics.
And at the start of the train track, the last 8km of the hike, there are a number of restaurants catering to those waiting on the train.
You will not starve.
Are there toilets on the Salcantay?
Not really. You might find a pit toilet or two en route.
Remember — as is the norm in South America — few provide toilet paper. Carry your own.
Showers? Hot Springs?
No showers. But the natural hot springs near Colpapampa more than make up for that!
What animals will I see?
Perhaps we have been unlucky, but we saw only domestic animals on the Salcantay. Horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens & llamas.
Reportedly in the region are pumas, tigrillo (wildcat) as well as a few kinds of monkeys. There are species in danger of extinction in the Sanctuary as well, such as the rock hen, spectacled bear, otter and the mountain cat.
Birds were the highlight for us — we saw one condor at the start of the Trek. Others saw hummingbirds.
We did see tarantula-like spiders, bright weird insects, biting flies (snapped up by chickens). Cicadas buzz like chainsaws.
Other things to do near Cuzco?
For hikers, the other big treks close are:
For sightseeing, consider:
- visiting traditional villages of the Sacred Valley
- Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, & Ollantaytambo
- Qoyllur Rit'i festival, Cuzco (late May or June)
Additionally, you could head to Huaraz, in northern Peru. The great hikes there include Alpamayo & Huayhuash.
Many hikers organize other adventures in Cuzco or Arequipa, especially rafting & mountain biking.
The Nazca lines are not far. And many backpackers head to Ica for sand dune boarding.
Lake Titicaca is very convenient from Cuzco, as is travel to La Paz, Bolivia.
Nobody is bored in Cuzco!
