People recently back from Peru are reporting that the Salcantay Trail is not such a good alterantive to the Inca Trail anymore. I had blogged about the possibility of the Salcantay Trail as an alternative to the Inca Trail last month.

Here are some highlights from a recent Thorn Tree discussion on the Salcantay Trail that anyone contemplating this trek should consider:

he scenery is impressive and I could see that 2 years ago this would have been a wonderful trek. Unfortunately now however, it is struggling with the overflow of people (myself included) unable to do the Machu Picchu Inca Trail….there is no serious attempt to deal with human waste on the trek….. the group sizes are generally way too big. We had 18 people in our group despite assurances the night before that the maximum group size was 10 people….COST - Be aware that it comes down to your bargaining skills and talking to other people. For Salkantay, the base rate seems to be around US$160-US$165. One of my tentmates however paid US$280 and another US$380 yet we all had to share a tent and the same food. This includes the train and entry to Machu Picchu as well as accommodation in Aguas Calientes.

Suggestions are to spend more time in Machu Picchu and Cuzco and save your trekking for elsewhere, perhaps Bolivia or Huarez in Peru. One poster who was also disappointed with the Salcantay trek advised:

I have just finsished the Santa Cruz Trek near Huaraz, better food, better mountains, proper toliets at the campsite (still stink), the guides werenice butnot professional (i.e. no first aid kit, 2 way radios etc) Cost $80! Easy to do youself by pickingup a donkey driver in Cashapampa (they can sortfood etc). Trek is 4 days, my mate did it in 2 with just a tent and a loaf of bread and cheese.