After four days of unforgettable trekking through the stunning landscapes of the Salkantay Trek, we finally reached our destination: the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. Today, I’m excited to share the highlights of our final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience, packed with adventure, culture, and a few unexpected moments. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or just love exploring iconic landmarks, Machu Picchu is a must-visit on your bucket list!
Early Morning of our Final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Breakfast and Preparation
Our day kicked off bright and early at our hotel restaurant on the seventh floor, marking the start of our final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience. Even before 5 AM, the kitchen was bustling, ready to serve us a hearty breakfast. We enjoyed delicious scrambled eggs and bacon, freshly made to order—a perfect start to our day. Don’t miss trying the local Peruvian yogurt; it’s incredibly refreshing!
Leave Hiking Poles Behind
By 5:30 AM, we had checked out and stored our duffel bags securely. A quick tip for your Machu Picchu visit: leave your trekking poles behind! Machu Picchu doesn’t allow them, and we only saw a couple of tourists using single poles, likely as walking sticks for support.
Boarding the Bus to Machu Picchu
We waited for our guide to arrive, and together, we headed to the street to queue for the bus to Machu Picchu. The guide handed out our round-trip bus tickets and entrance passes to both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, essential for our final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience. The streets were already teeming with tourists by 4 PM, forming a long, organized line. Thankfully, the process was smooth with buses arriving promptly one after another. We briefly queued again at the Machu Picchu entrance before entering the park.
Entering the Ancient Citadel: Our Final Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Experience
Remember to keep your passport handy, as it’s required for entry and verification. Inside, our guide led us through the ruins, sharing fascinating insights for about an hour. This final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience allowed us to fully appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship of Machu Picchu‘s stone structures for temples and noble residences, contrasting with the rougher stones used in common areas.
Exploring Machu Picchu
Walking through Machu Picchu, we noticed that about 60% of the site is original ruins, while the remaining 40% consists of restored areas. The stark contrast between the ancient and rebuilt sections was quite striking. Despite the cloudy weather making photos less vibrant, climbing Huayna Picchu was a blessing as it kept us cool during our final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience.
Climbing Huayna Picchu: A Thrilling Challenge
While Huayna Picchu is often hailed as one of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails, I found it to be almost insignificant compared to Angels Landing in Zion National Park. The ascent involved a 308-meter climb with moments where we had to use both hands and feet. The panoramic views from the top were absolutely worth the effort, offering breathtaking vistas of Machu Picchu and the Urubamba River below.
Returning to Aguas Calientes
Back in Aguas Calientes, we found the restaurant our guide’s recommended. We enjoyed a hearty lunch featuring local dishes like Aji Cheese Stew with Mushrooms – a vegetarian twist on a traditional Peruvian favorite. Another standout was the Seco de Cordero, a flavorful lamb stew with cilantro, garlic, and Aji peppers.
Souvenirs for our final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Before catching our 4:20 PM train back to Cusco, we bought a CD of local music as a souvenir. It’s a wonderful way to remember the vibrant sounds of Peru. We also took some time to wander the small plaza and visit a quiet chapel for a moment of peace.
Back to Cusco
The ride back on the tourist train was comfortable and scenic. Snacks and drinks were provided.. When we arrived in Cusco after dark, our guide was waiting for us at the station. We hopped into his mini van and made our way back to the hotel. After unloading our bags, we thanked our guide with a 100 Sol tip.
Tomorrow we will be flying back to Lima, marking the end of an incredible final day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu experience that began on May 10th. No more early wake-ups at 4 or 5 AM – finally, some well-deserved rest!
