Day 2 of the trip started by 3:30 AM wake up and getting ready for hike pick up. Our van started from Cusco at 5:15 AM to Mollepata. This will be 90 km ( 2 hours and 40 minutes) drive. Mollepata district is one of nine districts of the province Anta in Peru. The people in this district are mainly indigenous citizens of Quechua descent.
Hike Day 1:
We reached Mollepatta at 8:00 AM and had our self-paid breakfast with the hike group. As part of hike package guides team will carry stuffs up to 5 kg weight on mules. We segregated 5 Kg of our backpack stuffs and gave to horse man. We filled our water pouches and geared for start of hike. We had introduction of the group. We had18 member hike group lead by two guides Primo and Climaco.
Hikers are from India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, Finland, Paris, Mexico and United States. This was one of the finest group I have hiked so far. We enjoyed the company of each others through the hike.
Our hike started at 2,900 masl at 8:40 AM. Initially we were walking through villages and their potato farm land. After 15 minutes of walk primo showed Cochineal insect in cactus plant. He took the white stuff from the cactus leaf and rubbed on his hand and it turned red juicy stuff. This Cochineal dye was used by the Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America. After walking steep up for few meters we started feeling warm and shed some of our cloth layers.
We passed through Marcoq'asa 3350 masl which is 5.7 Kms from our start point. We had view of the Umantay mountain which is 5,459 masl and covered with snow. We walked through potato farms and some agriculture water pipes and streams. We are now greeted by rain and we geared our self with poncho's. We walked through Hornanda Pata 3810 masl to reach Chinchirkuma 3,880 masl. View was very pleasing and rested here for 15 minutes and enjoyed the nature.
We walked down to reach Challacancha 3,500 masl where lunch was awaiting for us. We had vegetable soup, rice with dal and Coca tea. After delicacy we walked on mud trail on edge of mountain. This trail gave us beautiful view of another mountain with many falls in it. We also had to cross small water falls and streams while hiking to Soryapampa. While walking on this trail enjoyed the semi green mountains with grey rocks, falls and clouds hovering over the mountains. It was 7:00 PM when we reached Soryapampa 3,900 masl. Our tents were ready for us. After preparing our tent for sleep we had happy hour snacks hot tea and coffee with popcorn. Since evening I started having headache which was due to altitude. We had dinner Soup and pasta served at 8:30 PM. After dinner we had plan briefing for second day hike to Salkantay. This will be our highest attitude point in our hike.
Second day hike from Soryapampa to Salkantay will be 4 hour steep hike there was option of taking mule or hike. Our group was split into two with only 8 of us opted to hike up. After briefing we went to sleep at 10:00 PM with the plan to wake up at 5:30 AM. My body had pain all over and my head was feeling as if someone is banging from inside. After few hours of sleep my headache was gone. Slept well through out the night by waking up every hour. It was raining heavily all night. As our tents are within a big shed we didn't feel the impact of rain and also it kept the temperature high inside the tent compared to actual outside temperature.
Hike Day 2:
We had wake call at 5:30 AM from our little cooks with Coca tea. After having tea we packed our sleeping mat and bag. Today we added few more stuffs to the 5 Kg bag. Our breakfast Bread, Omelet and Coca tea and was ready at 6:00 AM. After packing our bags and getting geared had the breakfast and hiking team started at 6:30 AM from Soryapampa.
Morning mountain was pleasant covered with clouds with flowing stream music. Hike to Salkantay is rocky trail. While hiking up we saw some wild potatoes. After an hour of hike we rested in Inca style of rest place at 4100 masl. After another an hour of hike we rested in Suryoqqocha 4480 masl to catch up with others. While waiting we heard thunder like sound which was sound of avalanche in one of the surrounding mountains. We hiked further which is steep rocky climb going around up. We managed to reach the Salkantay peak 4630 masl in 3 hours and 30 minutes. We waited for the mules team to join and we all had our group pictures.
After spending 30 minutes of time and with rain coming we walked down to Huayracpampa 4,000 masl for lunch where we had Corn soup, beef, vegetables and pasta. After lunch we walked further down in wet muddy and rocky downhill trail to reach Chaullay 2,900 masl at 5:30 PM for the second night stay.
Tonight tent was in the first floor of the wooden shed with limited electricity. Some of them also took hot shower for 10 Sols. I decided not to break the hike routine by taking bath in bathroom hot shower. After our tonight's happy hour snacks popcorn and cheese or banana bread (Similar to Indian Bhaji this was stuffed with cheese or banana) and dinner. After dinner we had third day hike plan briefing. We also had introduction to our prettiest cooks and horse man. Primo made us speak Quechua for our self introduction. I have to say X Sutiymi Malar Cha ( I am Malar) and manta kani India ( I am from India). We all introduced ourselves in Quechua.
After tonight dinner we went to sleep at 9:30 PM with the plan to wake up at 6:00 AM in the morning.
Hike Day 3:
We had wake call at 6:00 AM from our little cooks with Coca tea. After morning routine of packing and breakfast we got together to thank horse man as today will be last day that he will carry our 5 Kg stuffs. We thanked and tipped him.
We started our hike at 7:00 AM. According to plan we are supposed to hike through jungle rocky trail today but due to continuous rain and possible landslide risk Primo took us through alternate route (Muddy road way). Today's hike was all down hill and flat muddy road way. Today weather was sunny and dry. Today is first day I am taking my Nikon camera from my backpack. Today I was walking slow enjoying the mountains, shooting pictures of flowers, Corn fields, passion fruits, Avocado and wild river flowing down. We reached Shuayaco 2064 masl around 12:30 PM. We had some refreshments and lunch here. Lunch included fresh mountain avacado's which was most tastiest one I have had so far.
After lunch we had to take van to reach Santa Teresa 1,560 masl. After preparing out tents and sleeping bed we went to hot spring which was ten minutes drive from our camp place. We spent 2 hours in hot springs and reached camp at 6:30 PM. We had refershments, happy hour snacks and dinner. Today's dinner was pizza. After dinner we had video show for Zip Line. After that we had camp fire setup but due to heavy dinner we decided to walk to town square. In town square we had fun fired some crackers. We headed back to camp at 9:00 PM and fired some fireworks and spend some time around camp fire.
We went to bed at 10:30 PM with the plan to wake up at 6:30 AM in the morning. Tomorrow we had to have our own alarms as they will be more Coca tea as we are in lower altitude.
Hike Day 4:
Today morning I woke at 5:00 AM. Coming out my tent had a beautiful view of the mountain. Walked down from the tent to the river. River was very wild. After spending time on the river side walked around the Santa Teresa and reached camp place at 6:30 AM. Met an India family who also did the same hike trail through another guide.
After having breakfast we packed and got ready for zipline fun. We started from Santa Teresa at 8:00 AM in van. Only 3 from our hike group did zipline . It was fun over 2500m of flying over 6 cables of different altitude. This is a 2 hour guided zipline tour. After a short hike to the highest mountain platform, we will be zipping down through the Andes.
After zipline we were dropped by bus in hydro electric where our group was waiting for us. Again we separated as two groups as some of them preferred train to Aguas Calientes. We decided to walk. This walk is almost flat and we have to follow the rail road and wild river on the other side. As soon as we started walking rain started pouring heavily. Most of our 10 km walk was in heavy rain. I enjoyed walking alone on edge of mountain and wild river on other side.
We enjoyed walking around the mountains, tunnels and flowers. We reached Aguas Calientes 2,000 masl at 5:30 PM. We missed Primo as we took different route to enter the town. After few minutes of search we found Primo and he asked us to check in Ecopackers hostel. After refreshing our self we meet our group for dinner at 7:00 PM in a restaurant.
After tonight's dinner Primo gave us the Machu Pichu entry ticket and return ticket from Aguas Calientes. Again our group was split as some people preferred to take bus to reach Machu Pichu. We decided to hike up. We went to sleep at 10:30 PM with plan to wake up at 4:00 PM.
Hike Day 5:
Today is final day hike and exciting day for me to visit Machu Pichu 2400 masl. Woke up at 4:00 AM and got ready by 4:30 AM. After placing our backpacks in hostel luggage room. We had only needed stuff like water, snacks and camera in today's back pack. We reached hike check post at 4:55 AM. Check post for the trail will be opened at 5:00 AM. After 5 minutes of wait we were allowed to enter the trail.
We hiked up and reached the entrance by 6:00 AM. While hiking up the view was getting magnificent for every step we go up. This trail was stone stairs all the way up. We had our Machu Pichu tour by Primo from 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM.
After the tour I walked around Machu Pichu till 10:30 AM looking at the stones and enjoying the views through the windows on the wall. I was wondering at some point someone stayed in this house used to look out through this window which gives great view. Visited some of the below identified spots in Machu Pichu. You can find details of these places in http://www.enjoy-machu-picchu.org/architecture.php
The Temple of the Sun
The pyramid of Intiwuatana
The Main Temple
The Liturgical Fountains
The Temple of the Condor
The Temple of the Three Windows
The Royal Tomb
After walking around Machu Pichu I walked towards Montana Machu Pichu. This was a steep climb with narrow steps on the edge of mountain. Every step you walk up you get the bird's eye view of Machu Pichu. I stopped at the end each stair loop to enjoy the view. Reached the top of Montana Machu Pichu 3082 masl and enjoyed the view from there sitting at the edge rock. We spent time there for almost an hour.
I decided to walk to Sun gate and enjoy the bird's eye view of Machu Pichu from the other side. I walked down Montana and climbed to Sun Gate. This was less steep climb and I climbed in slower pace. While being on the top of Montana and Sun Gate top I was able to see the entire way of our 4th day walk from Hydro electric to Aguas Calientes. I was spotting the places and trying to recall my previous hikes in those places. After spending 30 minutes in Sun Gate walked to Inca Bridge. After quick visit I was walking out of Machu Pichu when my eye was treated with double full rainbows between the mountains. I stood still and enjoyed the rainbow view of mountains for few moments.
After heading out Machu Pichu bought some water and started walking down in slow pace and reached Aguas Calientes at 6:30 PM. With this we completed our magnificent 5 day hike.
After having dinner we headed to station for our return train to Ollantaytambo. We boarded train at 9:30 PM and reached Ollantaytambo at 11:30 PM. We had pick up from here to Cusco. We reached our hostel in Cusco at 1:00 PM.
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| Hike Map to Salkantay |
Hike Day 1:
We reached Mollepatta at 8:00 AM and had our self-paid breakfast with the hike group. As part of hike package guides team will carry stuffs up to 5 kg weight on mules. We segregated 5 Kg of our backpack stuffs and gave to horse man. We filled our water pouches and geared for start of hike. We had introduction of the group. We had18 member hike group lead by two guides Primo and Climaco.
Hikers are from India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, Finland, Paris, Mexico and United States. This was one of the finest group I have hiked so far. We enjoyed the company of each others through the hike.
Our hike started at 2,900 masl at 8:40 AM. Initially we were walking through villages and their potato farm land. After 15 minutes of walk primo showed Cochineal insect in cactus plant. He took the white stuff from the cactus leaf and rubbed on his hand and it turned red juicy stuff. This Cochineal dye was used by the Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America. After walking steep up for few meters we started feeling warm and shed some of our cloth layers.
We passed through Marcoq'asa 3350 masl which is 5.7 Kms from our start point. We had view of the Umantay mountain which is 5,459 masl and covered with snow. We walked through potato farms and some agriculture water pipes and streams. We are now greeted by rain and we geared our self with poncho's. We walked through Hornanda Pata 3810 masl to reach Chinchirkuma 3,880 masl. View was very pleasing and rested here for 15 minutes and enjoyed the nature.
 |
| Mesmerizing Green Mountain |
We walked down to reach Challacancha 3,500 masl where lunch was awaiting for us. We had vegetable soup, rice with dal and Coca tea. After delicacy we walked on mud trail on edge of mountain. This trail gave us beautiful view of another mountain with many falls in it. We also had to cross small water falls and streams while hiking to Soryapampa. While walking on this trail enjoyed the semi green mountains with grey rocks, falls and clouds hovering over the mountains. It was 7:00 PM when we reached Soryapampa 3,900 masl. Our tents were ready for us. After preparing our tent for sleep we had happy hour snacks hot tea and coffee with popcorn. Since evening I started having headache which was due to altitude. We had dinner Soup and pasta served at 8:30 PM. After dinner we had plan briefing for second day hike to Salkantay. This will be our highest attitude point in our hike.
 |
| Stream to be crossed |
Second day hike from Soryapampa to Salkantay will be 4 hour steep hike there was option of taking mule or hike. Our group was split into two with only 8 of us opted to hike up. After briefing we went to sleep at 10:00 PM with the plan to wake up at 5:30 AM. My body had pain all over and my head was feeling as if someone is banging from inside. After few hours of sleep my headache was gone. Slept well through out the night by waking up every hour. It was raining heavily all night. As our tents are within a big shed we didn't feel the impact of rain and also it kept the temperature high inside the tent compared to actual outside temperature.
 |
| Me in Ponchos |
Hike Day 2:
We had wake call at 5:30 AM from our little cooks with Coca tea. After having tea we packed our sleeping mat and bag. Today we added few more stuffs to the 5 Kg bag. Our breakfast Bread, Omelet and Coca tea and was ready at 6:00 AM. After packing our bags and getting geared had the breakfast and hiking team started at 6:30 AM from Soryapampa.
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| Rest Place |
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| Here we are at Salkantay |
After spending 30 minutes of time and with rain coming we walked down to Huayracpampa 4,000 masl for lunch where we had Corn soup, beef, vegetables and pasta. After lunch we walked further down in wet muddy and rocky downhill trail to reach Chaullay 2,900 masl at 5:30 PM for the second night stay.
Tonight tent was in the first floor of the wooden shed with limited electricity. Some of them also took hot shower for 10 Sols. I decided not to break the hike routine by taking bath in bathroom hot shower. After our tonight's happy hour snacks popcorn and cheese or banana bread (Similar to Indian Bhaji this was stuffed with cheese or banana) and dinner. After dinner we had third day hike plan briefing. We also had introduction to our prettiest cooks and horse man. Primo made us speak Quechua for our self introduction. I have to say X Sutiymi Malar Cha ( I am Malar) and manta kani India ( I am from India). We all introduced ourselves in Quechua.
After tonight dinner we went to sleep at 9:30 PM with the plan to wake up at 6:00 AM in the morning.
Hike Day 3:
We had wake call at 6:00 AM from our little cooks with Coca tea. After morning routine of packing and breakfast we got together to thank horse man as today will be last day that he will carry our 5 Kg stuffs. We thanked and tipped him.
 |
| Here we both staying strong on day 3 |
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| Tried capturing flowers |
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| Crossing the stream |
After lunch we had to take van to reach Santa Teresa 1,560 masl. After preparing out tents and sleeping bed we went to hot spring which was ten minutes drive from our camp place. We spent 2 hours in hot springs and reached camp at 6:30 PM. We had refershments, happy hour snacks and dinner. Today's dinner was pizza. After dinner we had video show for Zip Line. After that we had camp fire setup but due to heavy dinner we decided to walk to town square. In town square we had fun fired some crackers. We headed back to camp at 9:00 PM and fired some fireworks and spend some time around camp fire.
We went to bed at 10:30 PM with the plan to wake up at 6:30 AM in the morning. Tomorrow we had to have our own alarms as they will be more Coca tea as we are in lower altitude.
Hike Day 4:
Today morning I woke at 5:00 AM. Coming out my tent had a beautiful view of the mountain. Walked down from the tent to the river. River was very wild. After spending time on the river side walked around the Santa Teresa and reached camp place at 6:30 AM. Met an India family who also did the same hike trail through another guide.
After having breakfast we packed and got ready for zipline fun. We started from Santa Teresa at 8:00 AM in van. Only 3 from our hike group did zipline . It was fun over 2500m of flying over 6 cables of different altitude. This is a 2 hour guided zipline tour. After a short hike to the highest mountain platform, we will be zipping down through the Andes.
After zipline we were dropped by bus in hydro electric where our group was waiting for us. Again we separated as two groups as some of them preferred train to Aguas Calientes. We decided to walk. This walk is almost flat and we have to follow the rail road and wild river on the other side. As soon as we started walking rain started pouring heavily. Most of our 10 km walk was in heavy rain. I enjoyed walking alone on edge of mountain and wild river on other side.
We enjoyed walking around the mountains, tunnels and flowers. We reached Aguas Calientes 2,000 masl at 5:30 PM. We missed Primo as we took different route to enter the town. After few minutes of search we found Primo and he asked us to check in Ecopackers hostel. After refreshing our self we meet our group for dinner at 7:00 PM in a restaurant.
 |
| Front of Tunnel |
Hike Day 5:
Today is final day hike and exciting day for me to visit Machu Pichu 2400 masl. Woke up at 4:00 AM and got ready by 4:30 AM. After placing our backpacks in hostel luggage room. We had only needed stuff like water, snacks and camera in today's back pack. We reached hike check post at 4:55 AM. Check post for the trail will be opened at 5:00 AM. After 5 minutes of wait we were allowed to enter the trail.
We hiked up and reached the entrance by 6:00 AM. While hiking up the view was getting magnificent for every step we go up. This trail was stone stairs all the way up. We had our Machu Pichu tour by Primo from 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM.
 |
| Thilak in Machu Pichu |
After the tour I walked around Machu Pichu till 10:30 AM looking at the stones and enjoying the views through the windows on the wall. I was wondering at some point someone stayed in this house used to look out through this window which gives great view. Visited some of the below identified spots in Machu Pichu. You can find details of these places in http://www.enjoy-machu-picchu.org/architecture.php
The Temple of the Sun
The pyramid of Intiwuatana
The Main Temple
The Liturgical Fountains
The Temple of the Condor
The Temple of the Three Windows
The Royal Tomb
 |
| I am in Machi Pichu |
After walking around Machu Pichu I walked towards Montana Machu Pichu. This was a steep climb with narrow steps on the edge of mountain. Every step you walk up you get the bird's eye view of Machu Pichu. I stopped at the end each stair loop to enjoy the view. Reached the top of Montana Machu Pichu 3082 masl and enjoyed the view from there sitting at the edge rock. We spent time there for almost an hour.
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| We made it. Top of Montana |
I decided to walk to Sun gate and enjoy the bird's eye view of Machu Pichu from the other side. I walked down Montana and climbed to Sun Gate. This was less steep climb and I climbed in slower pace. While being on the top of Montana and Sun Gate top I was able to see the entire way of our 4th day walk from Hydro electric to Aguas Calientes. I was spotting the places and trying to recall my previous hikes in those places. After spending 30 minutes in Sun Gate walked to Inca Bridge. After quick visit I was walking out of Machu Pichu when my eye was treated with double full rainbows between the mountains. I stood still and enjoyed the rainbow view of mountains for few moments.
 |
| Rainbow |
After heading out Machu Pichu bought some water and started walking down in slow pace and reached Aguas Calientes at 6:30 PM. With this we completed our magnificent 5 day hike.
After having dinner we headed to station for our return train to Ollantaytambo. We boarded train at 9:30 PM and reached Ollantaytambo at 11:30 PM. We had pick up from here to Cusco. We reached our hostel in Cusco at 1:00 PM.
Salkantay trek is the alternative to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
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