Should I worry about bandits?
No big concerns yet on this trek. The worst we have heard is that unattended gear sometimes goes missing if you camp in the school yard at La Playa town.
Still, be alert.
We wondered if tourists are ever attacked walking up the mountain to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes in the dark early morning. Several guides told us they had never heard of an incident.
E-mail us if you have had problems with thieves or robbers on this hike.
Actually, you are at far greater risk in Cuzco than when you are hiking. In Cuzco tourists are robbed, choked, drugged & even raped. Stay off dark streets in Cuzco.
Counterfeit currency?
Counterfeit dollars & soles are a huge problem in Peru. Locals check every bill & can tell the difference.
Anyone with counterfeits will try to pawn them off on you. Be especially cautious if you change money on the street for a slightly higher exchange rate.
The bank machines are safer.
Do I need accident insurance?
Yes. If you are a non-Peruvian, be prepared to pay for your own medical care immediately. Insurance will likely need to repay you. Closely check the terms of your insurance policy to ensure that hiking is covered.
Who administers First Aid?
In case of injury, someone will need to take responsibility for First Aid.
In every group, someone should be assigned the role of First Aider. This person must be confident, competent & certified in First Aid, preferably in the speciality of Wilderness First Aid. It's worth having someone in your group take a course before your hike.
Who rescues me in case of emergency?
You are on your own. This is not an official hike even though much of the walk is within the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary.
If this worries you, perhaps the Inca Trail is the better option. Rescue & evacuation are organized by your tour company on that hike.
On Salcantay, the injured hiker should first try to reach a Trailhead on their own feet. Easiest exit points include:
- road at Mollepata (or possibly Soraypampa)
- road at La Playa
- train tracks at the new hydroelectric plant
If the injured hiker cannot move, they should remain in a safe place. Don't leave them alone. Send other hikers to find help. Go to the nearest farm. You might be able to hire someone to ride out an injured hiker on a horse to the road at La Playa.
It is better not to hike Salcantay alone. Carry an emergency whistle just in case you fall out of sight and need to alert other hikers. The international emergency signal is 6 blasts on the whistle, a pause, & then 6 more blasts. Use your flashlight, at night, to signal emergency. Again it is 6 flashes, a pause, then 6 more flashes.
