Salkantay Mountain at 6271m is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range of the Peruvian Andes. The name Salkantay comes from the Quecha word sallqa, which means savage, wild, uncivilized. This is a fantastically appropriate name for this epic ride.
The Salkantay Trek is another alternative to the classic Inca Trail (which comes from the East near Ollantaytambo) to Machu Picchu. It can be hiked in as little as four days, as long as 10 days or if you go by bike like we did, finished off in one day.