Salkantay In January

Quick Overview Of Salkantay In January

Pros Of Salkantay In January:

• Early weeks of January on other treks like the Inca Trail can get quite busy – so Salkantay offers more peace and quiet.
• Lush green scenery from the recent rains awaits on the latter days as you begin dropping in altitude.

Cons Of Salkantay In January:

• Trekking conditions can be tough due to the weather, so it’s best to hike this route only if you have prior hiking experience.
• Rains can make daytime hiking cold at higher altitudes, so be sure to bring warm dry layers and a raincoat ready.

Important Things To Know:

• We don’t operate the Five Day Salkantay Trek in January due to the risk of landslides. 
• The first week of January tends to be busier on the trek with tourists who stayed in Cusco for the New Years.
• While January is one of the wettest months, it’s worth bringing clothes for all possible conditions since the weather is unpredictable (including hot sunny skies).

Everything You Need To Know About Salkantay In January

Below we’ll now cover everything you need to know about hiking Salkantay in January, such as why it’s worth it and what to expect when it comes to the weather.

Is It Worth Hiking The Salkantay Trek In January?

The Salkantay trek is one of the most famous hikes you can complete in Peru, given its high altitude alpine landscapes. As January is quite a wet month, this means we can enjoy some truly unforgettable winter sceneries with lots of snow, as well as the icy blue Humantay Lake. While rainfall can make the route a bit tougher, those who have experience and the right mindset will love the challenge – and find that the wet season is actually very underrated for these kinds of Andean treks.

Temperatures can range quite a lot, so it’s important you bring all kinds of clothes and layers with you. High up above 4000 meters in altitude, it can get quite cold if it rains – so you’ll want a rainproof jacket and thermals ready with you. If the sun is out, it can get hot so having thin base layers on is your best bet. During the nighttime we can expect very cool lows, so be sure to pack a warm coat, hat and gloves ready for both dinner and when settling down for the night.

The Weather Of Salkantay In January

Similar to the Inca Trail in January and other treks up in the Peruvian Andes, Salkantay is quite wet compared to most other months. Along with February, January sees a lot of intermittent showers – and it’s quite unpredictable when they will begin or finish. For this reason it’s essential to pack a warm raincoat or poncho, both for staying dry and also warm as the altitude and rain can make us feel much cooler.

Temperatures along Salkantay in January can also vary quite substantially along the route. Generally though they are warmer now, as January is a summer season month. Nighttime temperatures will be chilly regardless along the hike, while daytime temperatures can be hot when the skies are clear (both in the upper Andes around Mount Salkantay, and also lower down in the rainforest and cloudforests around Machu Picchu). This means it’s important to pack both thick layers for the cold evenings and thin layers for hiking during the day.

A Packing List For Salkantay In January

Here we will now list everything that you’ll need for your hike for January.

• Thin layers for hiking during the day (remember the sun can get very hot if skies clear).
• Thick jumpers and layers for the cooler nighttimes.
• A warm coat (essential when hiking up in the higher Peruvian Andes).
• High quality hiking boots or other shoes that are suitable for hiking.
• Thick pijamas for staying warm at night.
• A poncho (rains can be unpredictable and come out of nowhere, so it’s best to be prepared).
• A baseball cap or Andean-style hat (the sun is very strong up in the Andes).
• Sunglasses to prevent glare from both the sun and snow.
• High SPF sunscreen.
• Warm clothing additions for the evenings (such as a thick hat, scarf, and gloves).
• A hand towel.
• A reusable water bottle (on our treks we’ll bring all the water you need – so you simply refill your bottle at our stations).
• A day pack to hold everything you need (must be light as you will always be carrying this).
• Hiking poles if necessary.
• Personal medications if necessary.
• A quality camera or mobile phone.
• A portable power bank or extra batteries for your camera.

Preparing For A Salkantay Trek In January

Ready to hike the Salkantay trek? Let’s now cover the most important things for you to know.

The first important consideration is the altitude. While treks like the Four Day Inca Trail are generally much lower, the Salkantay trek is one of the higher Cusco multi-day circuits you can tackle – reaching mid 4000m in elevation at certain points. We highly recommend spending a few days in Cusco city prior to get acclimated, where you’ll want to do little, drink lots of water and avoid alcohol during this time. Altitude sickness remedies like Coca Leaf Tea and Soroche Pills are also very helpful both before and during the trek.

It’s also essential to pack properly for your Salkantay trek – and especially in a wet season month like January. Thin hiking layers are necessary for hiking during the day, and especially during the latter days where we decrease in altitude around Aguas Calientes (it’s more humid and rainforest-like). You’ll also need warm layers like a coat, gloves and a hat too as it can get very cold in the evenings up at such high altitudes – while a poncho is necessary to keep you dry during showers.

How To Book Your Salkantay Trek

It’s important to know that the Salkantay trek is a popular route, and as such spaces can sell out quickly in certain months. This is because The Original Four Day Salkantay Trek ends in Machu Picchu, which has limited capacity. With January this can happen for the first week given it’s New Years which is a busy time, although the rest of the month is more relaxed. We suggest booking your spaces for this trek at least 2/3 months in advance when coming in January – and 4 months in advance if planning to hike right around the New Years. 

For those who are curious, there is also a Five Day Salkantay Trek for those who want a more novel and longer adventure. While you will still visit the same highlights such as Humantay Lake, Soraypampa, Mount Salkantay and Machu Picchu, here we’ll also hike a portion of the original Inca Trail to see the ruins of Llactapata. However it’s crucial to know that we don’t operate the Salkantay 5 Day Trek in January, given the weather can get dangerous in certain parts of the route – so it’s better to come in December for this trek where conditions are safer.

Why Book With AB Expeditions?

Here at AB Expeditions we offer much more than just a simple guided multi-day trek. With decades of experience hiking around the Salkantay route and nearby mountains, our expert guides tailor everything to ensure you have the best experience possible. This includes meeting local indigenous groups, hiking to the very best viewpoints for photos, and also having a small trekking group which means a more authentic and relaxed feel.

You’ll also benefit from five star attention and services during your Salkantay trek with us here at AB Expeditions. You’ll be sleeping in warm tents at campsites and lodges along the route, with high quality gear and trekking equipment provided. As well as including all permits and private transport on the tour, our professional chefs will also join the experience – who cook buffet-style meals three times a day which we will enjoy between days of hiking through the Andes mountains.

Overview Of Salkantay In January 

And that’s all for this guide on hiking the Salkantay trek in January.

Along with the Inca Trail, the Salkantay route is one of the most popular trekking routes that you can hike in all of Peru. Here we can experience some of the most incredible alpine landscapes and glacial lakes, along with ancient Inca ruins and wildlife in the higher Amazon Jungle. While there are more rains in January for Salkantay, it’s a great month for enjoying more vivid scenery, and the latter weeks of the month are usually quite relaxed and not filled up with other hiking groups along the trail. 

Book Your Four Day Salkantay Trek Now, where you will experience both unforgettable landscapes and cultural experiences along the trek. As well as including your permits, meals and lodging, you’ll also have all private transport, hiking equipment and an expert guide too.