Salkantay In May

Quick Overview Of Salkantay In May

Pros Of Salkantay In May:

• In May we can enjoy clear blue skies most days along the trek, as we now move into the dry season for the Andes.
• Landscapes will still be perfect for photography such as vivid green jungle and lots of snow given recent rains in Salkantay in March and April.

Cons Of Salkantay In May:

• May is one of the very best months of the year, so there are almost no disadvantages of hiking this month!

Important Things To Know:

• Temperatures are still warm in the day and cold at night, so be sure to pack properly both starting your trek.
• While May is part of the dry season, it’s still much quieter than later high tourist season months like June and July.

Everything You Need To Know About Salkantay In May

Below we’ll now cover everything you need to know about hiking Salkantay in May, 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 May?

May is a truly brilliant month for hiking the Salkantay trek, and can arguably rank as one of the very best months of the entire year for this route for the scenery we will see along the four days. This is because the heavy rains have now passed so we will have great hiking conditions – but also as rains from the previous month will mean the high jungles are very green, along with huge glaciers and snow up in the high Andes portion of the trek.

The other advantage of choosing the Salkantay trek compared with others if coming to Peru in May, is that the hike will be relatively quiet along the trails – even though we are almost in a high season tourist month. This is firstly due to May being an early tourist season, so it’s usually quieter than June onwards given most have their holidays after May, but also as the Salkantay route is much less-known and quieter compared with the Inca Trail.

The Weather Of Salkantay In May

While Salkantay in April marked the shoulder season, May brings the official start of the dry season – while also being the final month of Peru’s autumn season. This means that showers are extremely rare in May, so we can expect clear blue skies and warm hiking temperatures during the day – as well as perfect visibility to see icy lagoons, giant glaciers as well as the surrounding rainforest and plantations lower down on the trail.

Temperatures are slightly cooler than earlier months of the year at night, however it’s going to be cold regardless of the time of year to be honest. For this reason it’s important to bring a warm coat, thick jumpers, gloves and a hat ready (you can see our packing list later in this article for a full breakdown of what to bring). During the day temperatures will be warm so it’s best to wear lighter layers, and also to keep reapplying sunscreen given the sun is much stronger up at these higher Andes altitudes.

A Packing List For Salkantay In May

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

• Thin layers for hiking during the day and late mornings (clear days virtually all month in May).
• Thick jumpers and layers for the cooler temperatures in the evenings.
• A warm coat (to stay warm during dinner and when sleeping at night).
• High quality hiking boots or other shoes that are suitable for hiking.
• Thick pijamas for staying warm at night.
• A baseball cap or Andean-style hat (the sun is very intense in the Peruvian Andes, so a hat will avoid you getting sunburns).
• Sunglasses to prevent glare from both the sun and snow.
• High SPF sunscreen (we suggest at least a sunscreen SPF factor of 30+).
• 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 May

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

In May we won’t need to worry about rainy weather or slippery trails, which already makes the route easier and more enjoyable. However the altitude will still be as challenging as it will be in any other month – so it’s important to prepare properly before your trek. We highly recommend spending at least three days before your hike in Cusco for your body to naturally acclimate to the higher altitudes of the Peruvian Andes, and also to bring Coca Leaves or other altitude sickness medications (Soroche Pills or Diamox) to prevent symptoms. You can read our comprehensive altitude sickness guide for more tips and strategies.

It’s also important to make sure you pack properly and bring everything you’ll need during the Salkantay trek. We’ve covered this properly in the packing list section, however we want to emphasise how important both thick and thin layers are for the different temperatures we’ll experience both during the day and night. While we don’t need to bring a poncho and rainproofs, essential items you won’t want to forget include sunscreen, high quality trekking boots, gloves and a hat.

How To Book Your Salkantay Trek

Once you’ve decided you want to hike Salkantay in May, it’s time to book your trek in – and ideally a couple of months in advance to guarantee your departure dates and permits. With the Classic Four Day Salkantay Trek, you’ll want to try and book 2 or 3 months prior, and especially if going during the dry season (where Machu Picchu entrance tickets often sell out at the busiest peaks). This also allows you to relax once you arrive into Peru, and gives you plenty of time to get everything you need and to be properly prepared once you arrive in Cusco for your multi-day trek. 

For those who want a more complete adventure, consider choosing the longer Five Day Salkantay Trek. Here you’ll follow the same routes as the classic hike via Soraypampa and around Salkantay, before trekking through the cloudforests and high jungle. However on this route you’ll then join onto the Short Inca Trail, where you’ll walk the ancient Inca steps and see ruins like Wiñay Wayna and Chachabamba – before arriving at Machu Picchu. Given the Inca Trail has limited daily permits, you’ll ideally want to book this trek around 3-4 months in advance to guarantee your spot.

Why Book With AB Expeditions?

One of Cusco’s most experienced trekking operators, here at AB Expeditions we know exactly how to make our trips special and unforgettable for travellers. During all Salkantay multi-day treks you’ll have our very best expert guides lead your group, along with our experienced chefs – who join your trek and cook fresh buffet-style meals three times a day for your party. This means you’ll arrive at each campsite comfortably, where you can enjoy the evenings properly after a day of hiking though the Andes.

You’ll also have all main gear and equipment provided, such as warm and spacious tents, hiking poles if necessary and anything else you may need. The other benefit of choosing AB Expeditions is that we have over a decade of experience leading treks along the Salkantay route – meaning our guides know the very best spots for scenic landscapes, and also for seeing local wildlife and getting to know the indigenous cultures that live in these remote mountain areas.

Overview Of Salkantay In May 

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

Out of all the different multi-day hikes you can choose from in Cusco, the Salkantay route is arguably the most diverse and compete of them all – where you’ll see giant glaciers and snow-capped mountains, icy blue lagoons, warm high Amazonian rainforest and mysterious locals cultures. Hiking Salkantay in May is arguably one of the very best months of the year, where we’ll have great weather while still enjoying the quiet period before the busier touristy season begins in June.

Ready to book your Salkantay trek? See our Four Day Salkantay Trek now, which includes all private transport, lodging along the route, buffet-style meals, all permits as well as an experienced lead trekking guide who will lead your group through this unforgettable region.