Salkantay Trek: Back Door to Machu Picchu | Day 3

Before our journey started, I had expected that The Dutch and I would be on our own the

entire trek to Machu Picchu. As it turns out, this was the only leg of the trip that we would be

all alone. The rest of the way, we were with three other people (who were the best hiking

companions you could wish for) who also arranged their quasi-DIY treks via Refugios Salkantay.

We have not gotten used to the views, because we were still astonished at the massive

and continuous mountain ranges of the Andes. There were waterfalls

and wild orchids and flowers lining the trail. It was an audible experience too

as the sound of the river down below would follow us. We would also hear (and see!) a

lot of hummingbirds (and I'm obsessed with them!) and I was so delighted

to learn that hummingbirds here are large - twice as big as what we see at home!

FIRST VIEWS OF MACHU PICCHU

If you examine the photo below closely, you could see a triangular shape

carved in the middle of the mountain. Those are terraces of the citadel.

Behind it is the somewhat blunt-shaped peak of Machu Picchu Mountain.

Off to the left is a mountain with a stiff peak which is Huayna Picchu.

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