The trek seems like a blur now. What started out as an innocent idea flourished into an epic adventure. 5 days. 5 long days. The Salkantay trail is known for being one of the most challenging routes to Machu Picchu., The notorious second day grinds you down with altitude and a steep climb. The day started with a 4am pickup from Cusco, it was raining and cold, just like being back in the UK. Bundled into a minibus with a group of equally unimpressed people, things could only get better.

Most of us slept for the next few hours, (or at least tried too). I awoke at one point to see snow lining the road, which certainly wasn’twhat I had in mind when I thought of trekking in Peru. We arrived in the town of Mollepata, a town with seemingly no reason to exist aside from being the start of the trail. We bailed out of the van which was left grounded in the wet mud like a beached whale.

Most of us slept for the next few hours (or at least tried too) I awoke at one point to see snow lining the road, this certainly what I had in mind when I thought of trekking in Peru. We arrived in the town of Mollepata,aside from being the start of the trek I saw no reason for its existence.We bailed out of the van after it was grounded in the wet mud like a beached whale.

Diving into what looked like someone’s house, which turned out to be our breakfast RV, We had some food and tea before heading off into the rain. Our spirits were high but we had a lot of miles to cover.

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