The Salkantay Trek is a five-day hike up to Machu Picchu.


Cusco and the Sacred Valley before heading to Machu Picchu or doing a trek. It's part of my value system to support small local tour


operators. You know your money is actually helping a small business and you get a more rewarding experience. We had an amazing team of well-trained guides, porters and cooks from the region. Tey ensured that we were all well taken care of, safe and healthy, well fed, and informed about the amazing history and environment throughout the trek. I still can’t believe the meals our chef prepared - from mango ceviche appetizers, huge dinner spreads, to beautiful and tasty desserts, all prepared in the cook tent in remote locations in the Andes. Incredible! Te trek itself really tested our physical, mental and


emotional capabilities. Te Salkantay Trail is one of the more challenging trails in the region, with the summit, the Salkantay Pass, reaching 4,638 m. Our group experi- enced how much the altitude affects your endurance. Ev- ery step seemed like a huge accomplishment, and it was an emotional moment when we all reached the summit together. After the Salkantay Pass, we hiked through several unique microclimates, waterfalls, lush vegetation, and in- credible valleys and landscapes. On the fourth night we reached Llaqtapata, an archaeological site that overlooks Machu Picchu. Our campsite was on a local property situated near the site, so we slept on a mountain facing Machu Picchu. We sat overlooking the site as our guide


A happy group of Manitoba hikers. thehubwinnipeg.com Summer 2018 • 27


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