Why the lesser-explored route through Peru’s Sacred Valley asks intrepid travellers to confront their own limitations

Associated with high altitudes, harsh conditions and challenging terrain, Salkantay earns its name, which is derived from the Quechua word for “wild” or “invincible”. A trail skirting its foothills served as a pilgrimage route for Incas travelling to Machu Picchu. But even before the sky-high citadel was constructed, ancient civilisations followed these paths. Marketed as an alternative to the popular Inca Trail, the Salkantay trek promises a quieter, crowd-free journey through…