Adventure Log #10: The End of an Era

It has been a long couple of weeks. We were about to embark on our most extended trek to date—the famous 5-day Salkantay Trek on the 18th of August. We decided to do a tour with this one and it was one hell of an experience. The itinerary for this trek was as follows:

• Day 1: 4 am pickup, hike to Humantay Lake, and stay the night in our skydomes
• Day 2: 5 am wakeup, hike through Salkantay pass (4600 meters) and stay in huts
• Day 3: 5:30 am wake up, hike through an insane canyon and stay the night on a coffee plantation
• Day 4: 4:30 am wake up, hike 16 miles, and reach Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
• Day 5: 5:30 wake up and then Machu Picchu!

Along with a great guide & amazing accommodation, we were also spoiled with a 4-course meal every meal. The food was some of the best I’ve had in Peru as well as in all of Latin America thus far. Machu Picchu was also amazing and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to experience it. Our tour guide said within the coming years there will be some big changes to this area. Cable cars are in the works and being installed. You won’t get to explore the entirety of this sacred site in the future like we were able to.

We were completely wiped after these 5 days. The plan was for Dave and me to head to Arequipa where we would do more hiking. After a week or two here he would bus to Bolivia. Things change every day and I decided to head home. A little early considering our goal was to travel until November but it was the right decision. Once back I didn’t get to rest long because Kelsey and I were headed to a wedding that weekend.

Another big reason I came home is I wanted to go with Kelsey to her next nursing assignment. This time she is traveling to Phoenix, Arizona and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve never been to this area and still need to visit places like the Grand Canyon. After the holidays, our goal is to start traveling outside the country again but until then, you will be seeing some United States content!