The Salkantay Trek in 20 Photos

Here is our 4-day, 56 km trek along the Salkantay, for those who would rather have it in pictures than in words:

Day 1

A fork near the start of the trail. The first day’s trail has several such junctions.

Reaching Parador Horanda Pata, the first vista along the trail

Hiking deeper and higher into the Andes

A view of Salkantay Mountain overshadowing Sorayapampa, the first night’s campsite

Day 2

A cow rests in the valley below the Salkantay Pass

Campsite at Salkantaypampa on the way to the Salkantay Pass

Switchbacks rising from the valley floor up to the Salkantay Pass

The top of the Salkantay Pass on a rainy day

The mists of the rainy season hang over the Andes on the other side of the Salkantay Pass

The rainy season temporarily converts the trail down into a slippery stream. This is how I slipped and fell and hit my neck (but not where it happened, thank goodness, or I’d be much worse off).

Day 3

A view of Salkantay Mountain over our campsite last night (Wayramachay)

A turquoise river flows through the dense jungle next to the trail.

Hiking mostly downhill today, a welcome change. I’m wearing a makeshift neck brace after yesterday’s fall.

The Santa Teresa/Salkantay River at high levels from the rainy season

A washout on the steep valley trail beside the river. This one was thankfully passable.

 

Day 4

Operating the gondola to cross the river at our campsite (Winaypocco). We tried to venture further on this side of the river but encountered an impassable washout.

Locals wait as a CAT digger clears a washout on the vehicle road. Rainy season brings washouts throughout the valley. Some (like the one above), cut people off from the outside world for several days.

Hiking the hot, shadeless vehicle road just outside of Playa. From here, we took a car to Santa Teresa to find a doctor and make sure I hadn’t been injured from Day 2’s fall.

The first hot meal after four days of trail food, after arriving by car in Santa Teresa.

Reference stacks at the Santa Teresa medical clinic. We visited to make sure I haven’t seriously injured my neck. It all turned out fine.