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.

 

 

Tired.   

 

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!