Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

A photo essay story of our 5-day trek across the Salkantay Trail, including the ascent to El Paso (Salkantay Pass) and the descent through valleys and the jungle edge to Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com

An Afternoon Walk - Day 1 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Our group keeps a brisk pace walking towards Humantay and Salkantay mountains in the afternoon of the first day of our trek. Little did we know that we were racing against afternoon rains. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
$0.66 Worth of Coca Leaves - Salkantay Trek
Audrey holds a bag of coca leaves we bought at the market in Cuzco for $0.66. Chewing coca leaves is a natural remedy for altitude sickness and for giving an extra energy kick. We chewed a few on our way up to the 4,650 meter (15,525 foot) pass at Salkantay glacier in Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
A Fisheye Lunch on Route to Salkantay Glacier - Peru
Our first lunch of our Salkantay trek at Cruzpata with a view of Humantay peak in the distance. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Keeping Up With His Horse - Salkantay Trek, Peru
A boy tries to keep up with his horses going downhill from the campsite at Soraypampa. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Camping at the Base of Salkantay Glacier - Peru
Our campsite the first night of the Salkantay trek (Peru) is at Soraypampa, near the base of Salkantay glacier. Quite an impressive view. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Young Riders - Mollepata, Peru
Three-year old triplets balance themselves atop a horse in the village of Mollepata, the starting point of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Snow-Capped Peaks - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Snow-capped peaks accompany us on the way up to the pass at Salkantay glacier at 4,650 meters (15,525 feet). Day 2 of the Salkantay trek in Peru featured the most impressive mountain landscapes along the route. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Heavy Loads - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Horses and mules carry camping equipment, luggage and food for travelers over the pass at Salkantay glacier. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Fresh Snow on Salkantay - Peru
An impressive view of Salkantay glacier with a fresh layer of snow from a night's rain. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Mountain Landscapes - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Views of nearby peaks on our ascent to the Apacheta Pass (4,650 meters/15,525 feet) at Salkantay glacier. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Carrying Equipment Over the Pass - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Horses and mules carry equipment and food for trekkers along the route of the Salkantay trek in Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
On Our Way Up - Salkantay Trek, Peru
We pause for a photo on our ascent up to the 4,650 meter (15,255 foot) pass at Salkantay glacier. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay Trek, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Cairns - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
From Nepal to Peru, people stack rocks at the top of mountain passes in formations known as cairns. Some people say the rocks represent prayers, while others say they just mark the pass for future travelers. Either way, it makes for an interesting view. Taken at the top of the pass at Salkantay glacier at 4,650 meters/15,525 feet. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
The Last Push to Salkantay - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Moving slowly up the last part of the ascent up to the pass at Salkantay glacier at 4,650 meters/15,255 feet. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Reward View at the Top - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
A view of Salkantay glacier from the top of Apacheta Pass at 4,650 meters/15,255 feet. Taken on day 2 of Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Lunch Below the Pass - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
A lunch stop in the valley at Huayracpunku after several hours of walking after the pass at Salkantay glacier. A welcome break. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Making it to the Pass (4,650 meters) at Salkantay Mountain - Peru
After three hours of slow walking, we finally make it to the top of Apacheta Pass (4,650 meters or 15,255 feet) at Salkantay mountain and glacier. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Careful Footing - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Horses and mules carefully navigate the rocky, downhill terrain after crossing the pass at Salkantay glacier. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Taking a Break - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Taking a breather before walking the remaining hour to our campsite at Qollipapampa. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
A Welcome Lunch after Crossing the Pass - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
A hearty lunch of soup and meat with rice after crossing the pass at Salkantay glacier. Just what we need to regain our energy for the rest of the day's walk? Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Second Campsite at Qollipapampa - Day 2 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
The second night of the Salkantay trek found us in a warmer, more humane setting at Qollipapampa. Taken on day 2 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Horse and Mule Huddle - Day 3 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Horses and mules appear to huddle before getting loaded up with equipment and food for the continuation of our trek. Taken at Qollpapampa on day 3 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Lush Valleys - Day 3 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
The landscape changed dramatically after we crossed the pass at Salkantay glacier from dry, rocky terrain to lush, tropical hills and valleys. Taken on Day 3 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Tropical Flower - Day 3 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
The route on the third day of the Salkantay trek was full of tropical flowers and plants. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com
Dan Hiking on Day 3 of Salkantay Trek, Peru
Taken on day 3 of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. Read: The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu © www.uncorneredmarket.com