A good friend of mine is leaving for Peru today and I’ve told her all the must-see places to photograph. So I decided to post some images from my trip there 10 years ago. It’s quite a place that includes colorful landscapes and people. This first of five posts covers our trek to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trail
Our destination for this trek.
The bus leaves at 5am from Cuzco, bringing us to Mollepata, the beginning of the Salkantay Trail. The bus not only took us, but stopped along the road and picked any locals looking for a lift.
Leaving Mollepata.
I believe this was Pablo Escobar’s Hideout….
That’s Nevado Salkantay in the distance, rising some 20,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes. We would eventually make it to Salkantay Pass at 15,000 feet.
Salkantay Pass where it was snowing and then raining….
Our trek was at the very end of the rainy season so all the rivers and creeks were quite swollen.
During part of the trek, it was necessary to be transported by van. I was thinking I’d rather walk.
Vegetable stand in Santa Theresa.
The easy way to cross the mighty Urubamba River.
The town of Aguas Caliente at the foot of Machu Picchu. The train takes you right to your hotel.
Wood-fired Peruvian pizza!
dawn2dawn photography 
21 responses to “Memories Of Peru”
Beautiful scenery! The first photo is incredibly gorgeous!
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It’s was quite an experience that day with the fog rising from below…
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Oh, boy, the memories. I walked the Inca Trail in 1979. I’ve often wondered what changes have developed since then. There were few amenities back then as you can imagine!
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I really thought Peru was magical and wished I could have gone with my friend. The trail we used in 2008 was not developed at all but probably is now.
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I forgot to ask if the parrot was still alive in Agua Calientes? It wasn’t much more than a wooden building with a small restaurant and a few rooms to rent. The parrot lived on the porch. He knew a bit of Spanish and English, amusing. Did you visit the hot springs? I remember they temporarily turned your skin a ghostly white!
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I don’t remember the parrot, probably would have based on your description. We didn’t go to the hot springs in Aguas Caliente but did in the previous town of Santa Theresa.
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Such a great trip! we stayed in the lodges along the Salkantay – with our nightly warm water bottles. 🙂 Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories!!
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Thanks Pam. I remember that on the trail in the middle of nowhere, a Peruvian woman had a little snack bar and I bought a few Snickers bars and some warm beer!
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Nothing like warm beer after a long grueling hike. LOL
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That scenery – oh, my. This has got to have been one of your favorite spots in the world for sheer beauty.
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Yes, Peru is a beautiful country and has some many different types of environments. More photos to follow including some from the jungles of Peru!
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Wow, what an adventure! A friend of mine went last year. I didn’t get an impression they hiked that much, maybe they did. She said Machu Picchu was packed with tourists… We are hoping to visit there in the very near future. 🙂 Isn’t it summer there now?
Thank you so much for the tour, Michael! Great captures.
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Thanks Amy. Summer is just ending there now as well as the rainy season. MP didn’t seem overly crowded 10 years ago but I imagine it gets busy now. I told my friend to visit early in the morning.
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What an adventure!
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It was great! More photos to come very soon….
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Hi Michael- I hope she has a safe and wonderful journey!
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Thanks for your thoughts Joan. She’s pretty resourceful and aware.
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❤️🌹❤️
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Great pics! Peru is dear to my heart after living there twice.
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I’m glad these images brought back some good memories.
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