This trek was the culmination of a month long expedition for 18 students and 3 teachers which I led for Camps International.
The trip started early in the morning when we met with our local guide and took a 4 hour drive from Cusco up into the mountains. On arrival at our start point, Soray Pampa, 3912m, we enjoyed a breakfast with a view while they packed the heavier kit onto horses. On day one we reached our highest point of 4600m at Abra Salkantay after walking up onto the moraine at the foot of Salkantay Mountain. We arrived at our first campsite at Wayracmachey, 3912m, as it got dark and quickly unpacked and got into the mess tent to eat dinner before getting an early night`s sleep.
We trekked for the next 3 days ascending and descending, thankful of the 3 weeks of acclimatization before starting the trek. sleeping each night on the outskirts of local villages finishing in Puente Ruinas, 2050m.
The last morning started at 0330hrs with cake for breakfast followed by the slow walk up the 1700 steps to Machu Pichu, 2430m, where we enjoyed the amazing views for 2 or 3 minutes before the cloud descended and the only rain of our trip fell in a huge storm, forcing us to cut short our tour and take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and by train onto Ollantaytambo .
An absolutely fantastic trip. Made all the more special as everyone made it to the top under their own steam.
