Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

This is where things really get interesting.  After our few days in Cuzco a couple guides from Llama Path with another nine hikers led us into the Andes to start what would become quite an adventure.  After a few close calls over the years this would also be Jolene and my first camping trip together.

The Salkantay Trek ended up being 50 miles of hiking over the course of five days through the mountains, over Salkantay Pass (15,200 ft), into the jungle, and finally Machu Picchu.  It is basically impossible to express/show how challenging this hike was, how the altitude impacts how you breath, how much you need to drink, and your appetite.  Along with that challenge were amazing views that looked too outrageous to even be postcards.  The best I can do is bullet off some of the most memorable moments.



(Mollepata - Soraypampa - Colcapampa - La Playa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu!)

• Starting to see Salkantay Mountain in the distance as we hiked during our first two days.  A beautiful mountain tucked away in the Andes which seemed unreal and also incredibly far away.  Camping our first night with it right behind us and the valleys and peaks that we had hiked that day as our view from our tent it really became real that we were in the middle of nowhere. 
• The Seven Snakes, a place where the trail curves back and forth in a quick ascent of 1300+ feet.  This part of the trail nearly killed Jolene.  We had to pass her stuff over to me as she took her time getting to the top.  At this point we are above an altitude of two miles high and just about everybody was having a difficult time.  For a short time we thought we were going to have to put her on a horse ambulance or give her oxygen but she did it all on her own.
• Reaching Salkantay Pass which would be the highest altitude on our hike.  This not only culminated what had been a very tough morning hike that had pushed us to our limits but also meant we would soon start to drop off the mountains and to lower altitudes in the jungle with the hope of easier trails or at least make it easier to breath.  To make it even better it was snowing while we were up there.

• An optional (strenuous) hike up a jungle mountain where an Inca site called Llactapata sits with views to Machu Picchu is offered early one morning.  Majority of the group appeared to be opting out but Jolene nearly immediately volunteered us both to go.  Before you knew it we had a few others join us as well.  Apparently Jolene can thrive at altitudes below 10,000 ft and the Amazon jungle meets that criteria (don't every take her above that limit though!).
• Finally arriving at Machu Picchu.  Completely covered in fog and a slight drizzle.  As just about everything went on our trip, things found a way to work out.  Within thirty minutes the weather blew through an the old Incan town for royalty was around us.  As we toured the ruins we also took the chance to hike to the top of Huaynapicchu to get what are supposed to be some of the best views of the town and it's condor shape.

We had a great group with us who made the trip so much more enjoyable.  Everyone helping each other out, exchanging stories, and of course morale support.  We jokingly gave each group their own little classification making it easier to list who we were missing: Hawaiians, Honeymooners, The Brits, German Girls, Team Photographer.

Even with this great group we wouldn't have survived our first day without Roger and Irving, our Llama Path guides.  Not only did they provide information about the area we were in or things we saw but they had great stories and interesting jokes as well that we got out of them.  It was always apparent to me their top priority was to get us all through safely as well and could tell they were keeping a close eye on how people felt.  One conversation that will stick with me for awhile is Roger talking about the Quechuan culture and language and tying that back to the people of the Andes, the Incas, and how it was impacted by the Spanish conquistadors then and to this day.  Definitely a man who is proud to be Peruvian and you can't ask for anything more while trekking through Peru.