Salkantay trek (Day 1)

I would love to sit down and describe to you the sights, sounds and smells of walking a four day trail that takes you through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the Andes down to the fringe of the tropical jungle. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is still a jumbled mess in my head and I do not know where or how to start describing the experience.

So, after some discussion with Ingrid, we have decided to put some pictures up first and maybe put some words to the pictures at a later date.

A short introduction.

Salkantay trek is named after the mountain that the trek passes on the first day. Salkantay is the Quechua name for the mountain and translated into English, it means Savage Mountain. To date, only one attempt has been made to scale the mountain which failed and its peak is still untouched by Man. Salkantay to the Incas was a special mountain and for that reason, they called it Apu Salkantay, ´Apu´ meaning god/sacred one.

Kev´s mode of transport.... attached via a tourniquet round his neck to Ingrid´s backpack.

Ascent to Salkantay pass. We had 3 mules and 1 horse help carry our gear like tents, cooking equipment etc. We had 1 cook, 1 guide, and 2 assistants for the trek.

Lunch stop, just before we reached the top of the Pass.


Salkantay pass, 4600m. Salkantay is in the background.

Our guide, Edwin Huaman Puma. Descending Salkantay pass on the other side.