Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
A rest stop for photos heading up the valley to the start of the trail.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The viewpoints are excellent, though apparently not as thrilling as a good book....
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The start of the trail.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
Mules coming back from dropping supplies off at the lodge.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The trail is pleasant, fairly wide, and offers stunning views. The sheer prominence of these peaks is astounding.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
A local traditional Incan priest conducts a ceremony heading up to a lake near Salkantay Pass.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
For those who like to acclimitize by heading high there is the hike up Cerro Yanaoaoa.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
It's a stunning view from the top and an airy 4,700 meters above sea level.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
From Yananoupou looking toward Salkantay and the Incan Cross that watches over the valley.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
A man and his young daughter sell trinkets and drinks on the way up to Salkantay Pass.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
Crossing the rocky and more challenging sections of the trail. If you aren't acclimatized, you will really feel the effort here.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The long wide road heading ever upward toward the pass.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
A lovely pasture just before the pass. It is very pleasant and littered with massive boulders.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The final trudge up to Salkantay Pass. It seemed to get a lot busier here as people slowed down on the steeper slopes.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
A very crowded Salkantay Pass.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
Salkantay Mountain, for which the pass gets it's name. A much more challenging objective, it is rated as a TD AI4 M4 route that begins on the other side.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
This is a superb spot to take a break. Even in June the weather was pretty cool this high.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
Heading down the valley from the pass toward the Cloud Forest.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
It gets increasingly lush quickly as you descend. But the trail is gravel and very hard on the knees. Poles are recommended.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The lush jungles just beneath Salkantay along the Rio Teresa.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
Passion Fruits line the road in June. Sellers are everywhere, and the fresh fruit is delicious.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The final days consist of a steep and humid climb up and over the ridge following old Incan trails.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
In the distance you can see Machu Picchu. It's a superbly beautifully spot.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
The train station to Machu Picchu is a great place to stop or carry along the trail. The trail goes right beside the slow moving train. It's a hike of several hours, or it is 15 minutes by train.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
06/09/2016
This brings you to Aguas Caliente and Machu Picchu.