Since I tend to be cheap and I don't experience FOMO, I figured to try out the Salkantay Trek on my way to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trial is by far the most popular but when you see the price and know you can still get some beautiful scenery with the same end product, why not go with the Salkantay Trek. I never trekked in high elevation before nor saw snow capped mountain peaks so this was an easy decision for me.
The trek started out with a stop for lunch and we made sure to pick up some coca leaves for some energy and possible help with altitude sickness. I guess it worked because I did not have any issues at all. The first two days are the most difficult but nothing brutal. The views you get to see in the first two days are amazing though.
The view from the camp site wasn't so bad either.
The company we went with was simply called Salkantay Trekking. You can find cheaper in Cusco when you arrive but it was definitely worth the extra money with the extra TLC they provided. We heard we had better food options since we had chefs preparing us each meal along with a rise and shine cup of coca tea. The main ascent up to the Salkantay Pass was in my opinion the highlight of the trek but again this was the first time I saw a snowcapped peak up close. We also saw an avalanche so that certainly helped.
The altitude change definitely slows you down and you will have to take many breaks to get your breath back. However, once you arrive to the top cursing and telling this mountain to suck your dick(which I did and some European lady thought it was quite amusing), it feels amazing being engulfed in the epic scenery around you.
More Salkantay and Machu Picchu posts coming in the near future
