Day 2: Salkantay Trek to iconic Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trek features its most scenic and longest day, starting with a gradual uphill hike to the famous Humantay Lake, located at 14,000 feet in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Along the way, we passed dome-shaped tents where trekkers were enjoying hot cocoa. Meanwhile, the majestic Salkantay Mountain towered over the valley against the clear blue morning sky.
We hiked for almost two hours, with the morning sun’s rays shining through the Andes. As we crossed meadows filled with mules and a bull basking in morning sunshine, it felt like we were in a countryside scene from a movie.
Huffing and puffing, we reached the lake! The effort was rewarded with an incredible view of the turquoise waters of Laguna Humantay, a beautiful glacial lake fed by the nearby snow-capped Nevado Humantay. Nestled among the stunning mountain peaks and green valleys, we could hear the sounds of rock falls and see wisps of white snow swirling in the air.
The lake is sacred, and our guide invited everyone to hold hands and hug to share in the spiritual energy of the region. We also participated in traditional rituals of the Quechua people, which filled our hearts with harmony and peace. We offered the revered cocoa leaves to Pachamama, the Mother Earth!
I touched the pleasant water and looked at the rocks beneath the crystalline blue surface. Humantay Lagoon is a popular spot, but visiting in the early morning hours allows for a peaceful experience with no other Salkantay trekkers around, aside from those in our group. Surrounded by nature at its finest, I watched water birds flew in and began swimming in the lake. In the meadows, we could see horses grazing and a mountain goat basking in the morning sun.
After taking in the scenery, we started our descent back to 13,300 feet, where we encountered many other trekkers. The trail that had been quiet just a few hours earlier is now bustling with enthusiastic hikers, all eager to see the magical lake.
There were sheds with drinks and snacks, and we all took a break for a briefing and started our challenging ascent to the Salkantay Pass!