Buenos dias!
Sixteen intrepid souls with Ángel and Valentin leading us as our guides, started out at 6am from Cusco. Fourteen Americanos, 1 Kiwi and 1 Aussie began our five day trek which took us along Mount Salkantay, the second largest mountain in the Cusco region. It's my second SAS trek - a company that I can highly recommend. They are professional, experts, always well-organised and the food is amazing! A mixture of traditional dishes, Milo! and energy food that will sustain you. In fact, I'd requested Valentin again to be on this trek as I'd trekked with him duing the Lares trek.
The first night we camped within clear sight of the snow-capped peak of Salkantay mountain, it was muy cold about - 5 degrees! On the way up to our first camp-site, it hailed but we kept trudging up along our steep path in our rain ponchos and jackets. We slept at an altitude of 4,200 metres.
The second day was tougher, we reached the highest point of our trek in a remarkable 40 minutes, Apacheta Pass is at 4,600 metres. We could also see the snow-capped mountains Humantay anbd Huayanay, white river, small lakes and moraines. Then we started walking down hills, strewn with huge boulders. We kept descending; it was very hard work. I'd far rather climb hills than go down hills, you must use your trekking poles to lessen the stress on your body and knees. The countryside began changing to lush jungle, we saw lizards, coca and banana crops. Our second camp site was much warmer and lower altitude, Collpapampa at 2,800 metres. We are surrounded by chickens, pigs, horses and dogs.
Day 3 and we are feeling it today, the result of hard, strenuous exercise and long days. It's a much easier day, we walk 3 hours into a high jungle zone called Ceja de Selva. We saw beautiful rich foliage, trees covered with vines, flowers, birds, banana crops and different fruits. Even coffee beans, which are yellow and red in colour before they are roasted brown. We reach our campsite La Playa very early, so early in fact that a soccer game is held between the Americanas Vs the Peruvians, including the chef!
Our second last day and we begin early to the village of Lucmambamba and see the remains of an Inca trail. We foolow this trail for three and a half hours and see an incredible view of the Santa Teresa Valley. We reach the top, Llaqtapata 2,700 metres and see a very different perspective of the mountain of Machu Picchu. We trek down to a hydroelectric plant where we have the last supper with our staff. We take the train to Aguas Calientes at 2,000 metres and finally reach Hostel Viajeros. Ahhhh, a hot shower and a BED! Tomorrow is our last day and we visit Machu Picchu, the home of the Inca ruling classes.
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