Salkantay Trek: Day 1

Saturday

5:10 AM

We just got picked up and we're off to begin our hike! A gal from Atlanta, Naaz, has joined us as well. She is a PA, so we have our designated trip nurse/pharmacist! Our tour guide, Haver, is quite a comic.

8:55 AM

We ate a yummy pancake breakfast. You wouldn't believe how busy the two ladies who were running the restaurant were. The one lady kept running out of the restaurant and would run back in with some random food or supplies, even the oranges for our fresh squeezed orange juice. And because I have a sore throat I was looking for Sprite at a local shop and I found Halls cough drops instead! So happy!!

4:39 PM

Our trek began soon after we left breakfast at about 9:30, and we have been hiking ever since. The first hour or so was only uphill and very intense.

Soos got sick and had to be taken by horse ahead of us. It was really amazing how quickly we were getting out of breath. After quite a bit more strenuous hiking (with many breathing breaks), we made it to our lunch spot at 12:30.

It was delicious and warm which felt good on my sore throat. I feel as though I am hiking the Salkantay with strep throat, but I am pushing through it! After eating lunch, we mostly hiked downhill and flat. The path can be very narrow at times, and is quite scary looking down at the trees below.

The views are outstanding, it seems as if everyone you round a bend there's a completely new stunning view. We have now made it to our campsite (we carried backpacks all day, and horses were provided to carry our overnight bags). Dinner is soon, and I can't wait - tengo hambre!

8:01 PM

I am currently wearing every article of clothing I own, and am bundled up in my sleeping bag. It is freezing here at the base of a snowcapped mountain, so I am hoping to stay warm!