Peru Part 4-2: Salkantay Trek (4D/3N)

Day 2 (4th Dec) Soraypampa-Abra Salkantay-Huayrapampa-Challhuay:
As usual, I woke up before the wake up call and got myself ready. Victoriano came over to the tent with coca tea as promised and Alejandro came with hot water for a wash. This is one of the reasons why I think the basecamp is a luxury and the people made it even more so. After a quick round of packing, it was time for breakfast then the start of the ascend to the highest point, Abra Salkantay at 4,620m.

Freezing start

It was a sight to behold and here I was, a spot of human trying to scale a small part of the world towering left and right of me. Now all I need was a good heart, determination and the believe that I can do it. Apply the same principle at Colca Canyon, enjoy the surrounding and pace to make sure that I have gas left for the downhill. Junior was attentive and motivating, checking on me for both altitude and physical plus providing tips on zigzagging rather than trekking straight up that made it easier on the knees.

Halfway rest point

Slowly but surely, I made it up and what an amazing feeling being able to complete it. The physical stress lasted only a fraction of time after reaching the top then the senses took over. It was overwhelming and humbling to stand in the grandeur of the Salkantay mountain. After a short photo shoot session, Junior and I sat leaning against one of the big boulders admiring the snowcapped peak. He went about telling the stories of old, the tradition and culture that once was and is still being practice now.

At last, the top

I took out the three rocks he told me to carry up from the base then he handed me three perfectly shaped coca leaves for the offering to the mountain. ‘It must be the best, always’, he said. No matter what it is, the offering must be the best of what we could bring and so must the thoughts that we send along with the offering. One of the principles that I know very well. We made the offering and send the best thoughts towards the mountain then placed the rocks on top of the coca leaves. Junior captured the quiet moment I was having, sending prayer to the mountain. That guy, he knows how to capture the perfect moment!

What supposed to be just a 20 minutes up at the top turned into 40 minutes. I wasn’t feeling any of the altitude symptoms and was comfortable at that level. In actual fact, I wanted to stay there longer but we were one of the last groups at the top and it was time to head downhill for lunch at Huayrapampa near Wayranachay. One and a half hours trekking downhill was kinda fun especially using the walking sticks, it’s almost like skiing.

Victoriano in his superhero gear and the cloud forest

After lunch, it was another two and half hours trek downhill to Challhuay. Victoriano and Alejandro both trek like it was a stroll in the park, they have my utmost respect. We were heading down to the cloud forest and I can see why it’s called cloud forest. As we move lower down in altitude, the flora and fauna of the land changed from a rocky environment to one filled with life.

It was nice and early when we got to the base camp and I had the place the tent was pitched all to myself.  After a nice hot shower, I perched myself on our dining table and reminiscing the day that just gone past. I was very happy to have walked all the way up to the highest point and survived the four hours downhill trek. Victoriano prepared popcorns for us as he did the evening before and Junior and I chatted over hot drinks about family and life before dinner. Another perfect starry night and full from dinner, I slept like a happy tired baby.