42 Mile Solo Reverse Salkantay Trek - Day 2 "Bugs and Botany" - Peru

On Day 2 I travel from Llaqtapata Lodge to Playa Sahuayaco losing about 1,600 ft (480m) in elevation over the course of 6 miles (9k)

This section will have you initially climb approx 800 ft (240m) passing through the small ruins of Llacatapata before descending through a wide jungle path where you will encounter multiple small farms and villages where you can resupply or rest. This area is teeming with wildflowers, lush tropical vegetation, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Bring a small, portable water filter such as the MSR MiniWorks as there are several waterfalls and streams along the path, this way you don't have to carry multiple bottles or purchase plastic ones in villages, enabling you to travel light and save money. Heavy rainfall creates muddy conditions and possible encounters with landslides or washed-out sections of the trail so use caution.

The 42 mile long Salkantay Trek is an adventurous alternative to the more popular, and thus more crowded, Inca Trail which many hikers use as a gateway to the renowned UNESCO archeological site of Machu Picchu in Peru.

The standard protocol is to begin this trip in the foothills of Salkantay Mountain at approximately 15,000 ft (4,600m) and work your way down over several days to approx. 8,000 ft (2,400m) with the trek culminating in the ruins of Machu Picchu.

I do this trek solo and in reverse, starting in Machu Picchu Village and walking to Soraypampa gaining altitude the entire way while carrying a 25kg pack.

As an added challenge I take the jungle route between the villages of Playa Sahuayaco and Collpapampa. Most trekking guides will avoid this route and ferry their group via bus along a dirt road as the trail is remote, narrow, and potentially non-existent due to mudslides. ***This route is dangerous. Proceed with caution or with a guide.

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Music
Echoes of the Canyon by SaReGaMa