When I returned from the Salkantay Trek, I spent 2 days in Cusco before I flew back to Germany. One evening I was sitting in a restaurant with my partner and there was a band playing some Peruvian music. Among other songs, they played one called “Pachamama” which seared into my memory, because it said: “America Latina es un misterio, America Latina es un enigma”. And that’s what makes Peru such exciting. It’s about one of the greatest legacies of mankind. I’am speking about the Inca empire and everything they created.

In Peru you can walk different treks. The best known of them is the Inca Trail. But I dediced to walk the Salkantay Trek because it is not as crowded as the Inca Trek. Read here about my experiences during these 5 trekkinig days I wrote down in my travel diary. The diary consists of seven parts, and the first two parts are about the arrival in Cusco and acclimatization to the altitude.

Modified rules for visiting Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 1: Viva el Peru

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 2: Acclimatization in Cusco

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 3: My new family Pachacutec or the first day of the trek

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 4: Anyay Salkantay or the second day of the trek

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 5: Santa Teresa and hot springs

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 6: A rude awakening or the fourth day of the trek

Salkantay Trek diary – Part 7: Machu Picchu – a citadel that never was lost