The Salkantay Trek is not an isolated route. Along the trail, there are villages, hamlets and campsites where local families sell water, drinks, snacks, fruit and even warm clothing for anyone who did not pack enough. Knowing what is available and where lets you carry less weight from Cusco without going without the essentials. But not everything is available at every stop, and there are things you will not find anywhere along the route. Here is what you can buy on the trail, what is best to bring from the start and where the main shops are located.
How shops and stalls work along the route
Almost all shops along the Salkantay route are family-run businesses. Some operate within the campsites, others are kiosks at rest stops, and others are small stores in the villages you pass through on the descent toward the jungle.
In the highlands, everything sold has to arrive by mule from the nearest village. This explains two things: the selection is limited and prices rise with altitude. In the jungle area, where there is road access, there is more variety and prices are lower.
Opening hours depend on when groups pass through. Shops open early and close once visitors stop arriving. Outside high season, some kiosks do not open.
Water and drinks
Bottled water is available at all campsites and most kiosks. In the highlands, it can cost two or three times what you would pay in Cusco.
Most agencies provide boiled water at every meal to refill your bottles. If you bring a reusable bottle and purification tablets or a filter, you will hardly need to buy water along the route.
You will also find soft drinks, rehydration drinks, packaged juices and beer. Campsites also sell hot drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and coca tea, useful on cold nights in the highlands.
Snacks and food for the trail
Cookies, chocolates, candies and some energy bars are the most common options. The selection is limited, and the brands are the same ones found in any Peruvian corner store.
What you will hardly find in the highlands are nuts, protein bars or specialty products for gluten-free or vegan diets. If you need them, bring them from Cusco.
Fruit from the high jungle
From the descent toward Collpapampa onward, and especially in La Playa, the selection changes. Fresh locally grown fruit appears: bananas, avocados, granadillas, passion fruit and, depending on the season, mangoes and oranges.
This is farm-grown fruit, harvested that same day or the day before, and it is usually sold individually or in small bags. After two days at more than 3 900 m s. n. m., it is one of the most appreciated things on the trail.
Coffee, chocolate and local products
In the Lucmabamba area, there are coffee farms that sell roasted coffee produced by the farmers themselves. Some offer a small demonstration of the process, from bean to cup, and sell bags to take home.
You can also find honey, cacao and artisanal chocolate at some points along the jungle section. They are among the few purchases on the route that work as souvenirs while also putting money directly into the hands of the families who work the land.
Last-minute clothing and gear
In Mollepata and the Soraypampa area, vendors sell hats, gloves, scarves and wool socks. They are a good option if you realize too late that you have not packed enough warm clothing for the first night.
Plastic rain ponchos are also sold. What you will not find are trekking poles, footwear, sleeping bags or technical jackets. All of that should be sorted out in Cusco before you leave.
Medicine and first-aid supplies
This is the most important point in the article. There are no pharmacies between Mollepata and Santa Teresa. Shops along the route may have an occasional painkiller, but you cannot rely on them.
Your regular medication, painkillers, anti-diarrheal medicine, rehydration salts, sunscreen, insect repellent and blister bandages should go with you from Cusco. The guide carries a first-aid kit, but it is intended for emergencies, not to cover every passenger’s individual needs.
Coca leaves and coca candies are available at almost every point of sale.
Services you may also need to pay for
In addition to products, some campsites and kiosks offer services for a small fee:
- Restroom use at rest stops that do not belong to your agency’s campsite.
- Hot showers at campsites where they are not included.
- Charging your phone or power bank in places with electricity.
- Satellite internet connection at some campsites, slow and available for a limited time.
Where the main points of sale are located
Availability changes depending on the season and the day, but this is the general reference for the classic five-day route.
| Location | What you can find | Selection |
| Mollepata | Corner stores, wool clothing, snacks, water | Wide selection, last village before the mountains |
| Soraypampa | Water, hot drinks, snacks, hats and gloves | Limited, high prices |
| Rest stops before the pass | Water, drinks, chocolates | Very limited, depends on the season |
| Chaullay and Collpapampa | Drinks, beer, snacks, phone charging | Moderate |
| La Playa | Fruit, corner stores, drinks, services | Wide selection |
| Lucmabamba | Coffee, fruit, local products | Moderate |
| Hidroeléctrica | Restaurants, shops, water | Wide selection |
| Aguas Calientes | Everything, including pharmacies | Complete |
To work out how much money to bring for these purchases, check the additional expenses you should consider when booking a Salkantay Trek.
What to buy in Cusco before leaving
Some products are unavailable on the route or cost much more. Get them before your pre-trek briefing with the agency:
- Medicine and first-aid supplies.
- Specific snacks: nuts, protein bars, gluten-free products.
- Batteries and a fully charged power bank.
- Water purification tablets or a filter.
- Toilet paper and biodegradable wet wipes.
- High-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to carry all my water from Cusco?
No. One or two one-liter bottles are enough for the first section. After that, you can refill them with the boiled water provided by the agency or buy water at the campsites.
Are there shops before climbing Salkantay Pass?
During high season, there are usually small stalls at some rest stops on the ascent, with water and drinks. They are not always open, so leave Soraypampa with enough water and snacks for the entire morning.
Can I buy coca leaves along the route?
Yes, at almost every point of sale. Coca candies are also available and are more practical to carry in your pocket during the climb.
Can I buy vegan or gluten-free food along the trail?
Very little, apart from fruit in the jungle area. If you have a special diet, let the agency know when booking so they can adapt the meals, and bring your own snacks from Cusco.
Is it worth buying souvenirs during the trek?
Lucmabamba coffee and artisanal chocolate are worth it, as you will not find the same products in Cusco and the money goes directly to the producers. For textiles and crafts in general, Cusco and Chinchero offer much more variety.