Why is Salkantay more popular than Lares?

The reasons why Salkantay is 'more popular'.

1. You can almost trek to Aguas Calientes on this route, whereas Lares you need to take the train from Ollantaytambo.
2. Geographically, the Salkantay trek is closer to the traditional Inca trail than the Lares trek
3. When the limits were placed on the traditional Inca Trail, agencies began selling Salkantay as the 'Alternative Inca Trail'
4. As such, guide books tend to list it and its the second best known trail.
5. So more people have done it than Lares and so they tend to talk about how great it is... thus giving the impression that its more popular.
6. I don't think Salkantay is necessarily easier than Lares, they are quite similar - highest point on Lares 4400m (depends what route you take) and Salkantay 4800m.
7. Cultural? Neither of them have ruins on them, unless you go via Llacatapata on the Salkantay route.
I'd say you would be more likely to see traditional culture on the Lares route as Salkantay is certainly beginning to show signs of its 'popularity.'

differences between Lares and the Salkantay trek

i've done both the salkantay and lares treks + the traditional inca trail.

both treks are in the high andes.
salkantay actually does end up in machu picchu (well pretty close - at santa maria only a few kms away) whereas lares doesn't really end up at machu picchu - you usually/sometimes end up at huaran and then have to take the machu picchu train from olllanta - eg. several hours travel.) travel agencies seem to be saying things like the "lares trek to machu picchu " - that is really misleading marketing - as the trek is not to machu picchu at all.

salkantay has good views of snow capped mountains -eg huamantay and salkantay plus descends down into the humid high jungle near santa maria .

lares is A LOT LESS touristed than salkantay and you pass through a couple of very traditional villages.

lares has stunning views of lakes and some pretty waterfalls.

lares has great hot springs - but then there are hot springs at santa maria and also at aguas calientes...

neither salkantay or lares treks have ruins - whereas the traditional inca trail does.

paying $120/$150 for a 5 Salkantay trek

Yes, it is possible to pay $120 to for a Salkantay trek around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. usually these groups consist of 16 to 20 people and will be a almagamation of different companies.

If this tour includes entry to Machu Picchu, plus the bus to the ruins and a return train ticket, then do the math - (these things add up to $94) that leaves just $26 for the rest... the food, wages, tents...

if you decide to take this option, tip your porters, arrieros and staff VERY WELL - because they will not be paid well by the company that they are working for. In fact, most likely the company you go with will not provide any budget for their food either...

the budget for your food will be almost non existent and the quality of your camping equipment will be non existent.

you should go to the toilet thoughtfully and with least impact that you are able to, and you should encourage your porters and staff to carry their rubbish out.

we've backpacked around the world and know what it is like to have a small budget - so if you are one of these people know that by paying a small amount for your trek you are in some way contributing to exploitation within the cusco tourism industry - but in knowing that, try to alleviate this by tipping well and be environmentally conscious.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.