Memories Of Peru

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.

 

Three Colorful Peruvians

 

Family in Mollepata.

 

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.

 

Packing up, day two.

 

 

 

THE RIO BLANCO

 

Heading up the fog-shrouded pass.

 

Spoiled Cattle

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.

 

The roaring Rio Santa Theresa winds its way through the Andes.

 

Tired.   

 

During part of the trek, it was necessary to be transported by van. I was thinking I’d rather walk.

 

The young woman nursing her baby was actually pressed up against my right arm so I moved a bit to get the photo. I don’t think she noticed. The baby certainly didn’t.

 

On the other side of Salkantay Pass, we made it to a tropical valley.

 

Vegetable stand in Santa Theresa.

 

 

 

I’ll take an order of flies with that…….

 

THE URUBAMBA RIVER FLOWS THROUGH A LUSH TROPICAL VALLEY NEAR SANTA TERESA,PERU

 

The easy way to cross the mighty Urubamba River.

 

 

A WILD POINTSETTIA FLOWER GROWS IN THE URUBAMBA RIVER VALLEY,PERU

 

The town of Aguas Caliente at the foot of Machu Picchu. The train takes you right to your hotel.

 

Wood-fired Peruvian pizza!