Salkantay Pass

Another challenging but rewarding day! We trekked 23km along the Salkantay Pass (up 700m then down 1700m), although the up section for me and the other altitude sufferers was on mules! An incredible experience to travel through the Andes that way and I found it fascinating watching my ride pick his route up the steep sections (whilst being distracted by any greenery that crossed our path)!

The way down took 5 hours and in duration it reminded me of the descent of the Hochschwab in Austria with Matthew and Tom two years’ ago. My fear of heights also struck again, as I very hesitantly navigated the sections on which the path was flanked by a cliff edge – I fear there will be a few more like that tomorrow… The other challenge was the rain that stuck around most of the afternoon – Peru is just transitioning to the rainy season, so we all hope the transition isn’t complete yet!

As we continued to descend, the high mountain scenery gave way to the start of the cloud forest. Eucalyptus trees and hummingbirds were among the evidence of the change. By the time we reached Mountain Sky View camp, it very much felt like Paddington territory.

The accommodation is amazing here, as the video below shows. Being the only solo male traveller in the group, I have the pod all to myself, which is an added bonus! I continue to be taken aback by how kind all the staff are. They don’t have it easy, sometimes only having one day off between each five day hike, but they take great pride in doing their work well and in making those of us fortunate enough to come here feel welcome.