Solo Hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

[@felisaxo]

Now that you've watched my vlog - will you do this hike?? Hope you enjoyed, lmk if you have any questions and let's be friends on IG~ @felisaxo

[@camillehom_]

i watched this vlog a couple months ago and booked my salkantay trek with KB adventures this month - kind of starstruck when we got Big Willy as our guide! we had such a great time, he’s really the best ☺️ and he remembered you, felisa. thanks for making such a great vlog!

[@felisaxo]

Omg that’s SO cool!! I love that!!! Thanks for taking the time to come back and commenting because this made my week! 🫶🫶

[@murchinksonmorks]

Extraordinay place to practice meditation.

[@iamerind]

This was such an amazing video thanks so much for sharing!! 💜💜 excited to plan my hike.

[@felisaxo]

You're so welcome! Can't wait for you!!

[@lomosx70]

amazing video! i'm going to peru next week, so exited!

[@felisaxo]

Amazing!!!! Hope you had the best time!!

[@denisesung1976]

I am even more determined to go to Cusco by myself this November after watching your vlog.

[@felisaxo]

Omg yesss so glad!!! Hope you have an amazing time!

[@walkwithdiya8004]

Thanks for this! Super inspired.

[@felisaxo]

You’ve welcome!! It is still the best and most challenging thing I’ve done. But I’m SO glad I did!

[@jryan1024]

I just did this trek, but our trek was much longer. No busses, no horses, all walking with Inkayna tours. Day 1 was categorized as "Strenuous" and Day 2 to 15,200 ft on the Salkantay pass was categorized as "strenuous" (15.2. miles but it was overall the best part of the hike). Day three with no bus was 19 miles ("Moderate"). Day 4 going up "over the hump" to Hidroelectrica was brutal (3000 ft straight up then 4000 ft down on steep rocky switchbacks) followed by the pleasant rail path along the river to Aguas Caliente. This was 18.8 miles of foot pain and blister irritation. This latter day 4 hike was mischaracterized as "mild" so I wonder whether we took an alternate route. It hurt and was certainly NOT mild. Overall. I wish I had used newer hiking boots (my old Merrills disintegrated by day 4) and from now on I will use "Darn Tough" brand socks, with a more aggressive use of insect repellant. Others in my hiking group swore by Darn Toughs and I was the main blister victim. The food and guides were excellent. Overall, I think is better for younger hikers (I am 66, as was clearly the oldest dude I saw on the trail). Great hike though, and well worth the effort.

[@jryan1024]

Correction, Day 2 hike categorized as "Formidable"

[@millebelem4153]

Perfect😍😍😍

[@felisaxo]

Loved meeting you on the trek!!! We did it!!!

[@Amy-nj3re]

omg you had the perfect weather....I´m going in december and hope that I get these great views on the trek and Machu Picchu too hahah. Unfortunately I couldn´t go in the dry season :(

[@felisaxo]

Yess really lucked out with the weather. We've heard it is quite random each day so it's just based on luck!! How was your trip?!

[@chipgreer7908]

Hi. Thanks for the great video. I have a question:are there places on the trek where there is a sheer drop where someone with the fear of heights might be uncomfortable. It looked in the video like there might be a couple of tight spots. Thanks so much.

[@marcobiello5295]

Awesome! Going to peru in June. Only 1 day in Cusco to acclimate, but should be fun!

[@felisaxo]

Oooof I wish I acclimated longer!! Get some meds!

[@MrBaltazar1234]

Cool video. I think the 2 day hike is more my style. What month of the year did you go explore Peru? Thanks in advance.

[@felisaxo]

If I could avoid how cold that first night was, I would cut down a night as well! I went in May

[@johnnyverano1373]

Big question; Do I have to drink out of that cup/spout that looks like a Willie?😅

[@janec8751]

What’s the difference between Inca trail with Salkantay?

[@vivekpartap1346]

Great video

[@felisaxo]

Thank you!! Means a lot!

[@dianeotten6169]

I am doing this trek at the end of August. I will be spending 4 days in Cusco before the trek. I am worried about being fit enough to do the hike! How fit are you? What kind of exercise do you do on a regular basis? Do you run 10km?

[@yiayoga5434]

What month did you go?

[@felisaxo]

In May

[@shanikerose690]

Do you have a link for KB adventures?

[@felisaxo]

Yes I added it to the description!

[@samirasalimi5759]

What is a difference between Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek?

[@ire-mi-su]

My mom and I want to hike to Manchu picchu. This video was super informative! Did you train before taking the trip or do you exercise on a regular basis?

[@felisaxo]

That's amazing, you can definitely customize your trip so it's suitable for you and your mom! I did not train before this but do exercise regularly. It was still extremely hard for me due to the altitude!! There was a mother in our group and she took her time and the guides were very accommodating and would accompany and check in on her often!

[@clairedy6]

I’m going on my first solo backpacking trip to Peru next week and your videos have been so helpful!! 🥰 just wondering when you did the Salkantay trail, did you have to room with another person on the tour at the campsites or were you alone? thanks so much!! ❤

[@felisaxo]

Thank you!! This means a lot! Since I was solo, I got my own huts / camps! On the last night at the hotel though, there was some shuffling involved and they asked if it was ok I room with 2 other ladies and we all became friends so we said yes! Have SO much fun!!

[@TheMafeighn]

I love the idea of the horse trekking I'm considering this given that im just trying to squeeze this trip over my 7 day hike in Chile😱 do you need to book the horse un advance?

[@felisaxo]

Everything was arranged through my tour agency: KB Adventures. It looked like they organized the horses day before at our campsite, so I'm not sure if you would be able to. Definitely ask your tour agency about it! I'm really glad I did the horse portion!

[@kaibiganni935]

Beautiful 😍 I'm excited to this but me and my boyfriend would love to do it independently.

[@felisaxo]

Definitely do-able, met a lot of people on the hike and hostel in Cusco who did it themselves. It's considered easier to do Salkantay without a tour because it's well marked and there are hostels to stay at as well. But I think you'll need to bring food etc? I'm not sure so please check and do research!! Have fun!!!

[@almaalambra7272]

How about laundry?

[@felisaxo]

I did laundry back at my hostel in Cusco after the trek!

[@leakleffmann5865]

How much do you payed for this trip of 4 days?

[@felisaxo]

I paid $345. The breakdown is listed in the previous video, hope this helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqPTnWd6ltNnaa8si=HSVTMegtK3AaV9LF

[@anthonylopez4311]

in total how much was it for your 2 weeks there

[@felisaxo]

I didn't total it up this time around because I booked soo many things last minute so it was definitely more expensive than usual. Sorry!

[@sam2oy]

Sharam ani chahiye behen is umar me ye halat hai apki 😂 4 din k hike pe se 2 din to tum ghode and bus pe baith gayi 😂😂