Trekking Through Time (Pt. 1)

5 Day, 5 Night Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

The thought of writing all that was this trip in one go of it feels daunting, so I welcome any and all future revelations from the Universe as I continue to fully integrate the experience.

So for this series, I’ll focus the dirty dets of the trip itself.

No Guts.

Just the Cold Hard Facts:

WHO: My usual travel besties Anna (Wandering Roots), Abbey (Wandering Roots Chef & Artist), Michelle Krick (My mentor and Business Partner), Diane (Our new travel companion that we met back in November in Tuscany attending a retreat!)
WHAT: 5 Day, 5 Night Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Alpaca Expeditions
WHERE: Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley
WHY: Anna’s 40th Birthday Trip
WHEN: March 29th-April 9th, 2024

And here’s how it started…

Pre-Hike Day 1: ✈️ GR 640 FT —> ✈️ ATL —> ✈️ Lima —> ✈️ Cusco 11,155 FT

A rare afternoon flight meant spending the morning second guessing absolutely everything I’d packed the night before, moving things back and forth trying to make more space. I was REALLY motivated to pack less for this one, since it wasn’t a retreat and I didn’t have to bring the gowns and gear I’d usually travel with.

Proudly down to one carry on suitcase and my camera bag we set out for the quick 15 minute drive to GRA. We didn’t make it far before I panic questioned whether or not I remembered to actually pack the altitude prescription I had last minute picked up from the pharmacy that morning. After a Michigan u-turn back home, and one very annoyed Uber driver, aka: husband, I quickly scanned the kitchen with confidence , and raced back to the car making the last minute “fuck it” decision to grab one more small empty suitcase on my way out because my gut said, “Future Elise is going to wish she had this.” 🤷🏻‍♀️

I slept most of the overnight flight and we arrived in Cusco around 7am, various levels of both exhaustion and excitement! We found our shuttle driver and braced ourselves for the short, but hilly roads to the Hilton Garden Inn. Unable to check in until noon, but knowing we needed to take it easy with the abrupt altitude jump, we killed time drinking Coca Tea and resting in the sun.

After some unpacking and napping, the hunt for dinner was on. (Unless you were Diane and I, who slept right through it in those cozy hotel beds!)

Pre-Hike Day 2: 👣 Explore Cusco & Pick-Up Trek Packs | 11,155 FT

Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, Cusco stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Andean history and culture. Once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco was known as the "navel of the world" and served as the epicenter of a vast civilization that stretched from modern-day Ecuador to Chile. The city's origins are loaded in myth and legend, with the Incas themselves tracing their ancestry to the divine founders Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo.

Under Inca rule, Cusco flourished as a sophisticated urban center, adorned with magnificent stone temples, palaces, and terraced gardens. However, the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century brought destruction and heartbreak to Cusco's history, as the once-mighty empire succumbed to colonization and religious conversion. Today, Cusco's resilient spirit blends indigenous traditions with Spanish colonial influences to create a colorful mosaic of cultural heritage.

I’m almost always up with the sun while traveling. The excitement of new places and possibilities with a sidecar of FOMO has me up and ready to chase the day. We snagged the hotel breakfast and headed out on foot to explore Cusco.

Navigating the narrow corridors many steps while taking in the quiet, soon to be bustling city, was an Enneagram 7’s DREAM!

We quickly met the most lovely couple outside their home who graciously took our photo beneath a cobble stone street arch after watching us struggle to. This lovely man showed us exactly where he wanted us to stand, and quickly had us all in giggles with his enthusiasm and excitement! (A space I’m particularly comfortable in.😉)

Our attempt at balancing the phone on the curb… 🫣

His most amazing, “Save the Day” portrait… 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Next we moseyed through Plaza De Armas where we shopped our faces off, ducking in and out of shops as we each saw something shiny and new in various windows.

You can’t NOT buy something alpaca while in Peru. Revered for its incredibly soft and luxurious fleece, baby alpaca wool is prized worldwide for its warmth, durability, and hypoallergenic qualities.

Beyond its commercial value, alpacas themselves are adored as symbols of Andean tradition and resilience, playing a vital role in the lives of rural communities. From providing wool for traditional textiles to serving as companions and guardians of the highlands, they are deeply woven into Peru's cultural identity. The global demand for alpaca products sustains livelihoods and fosters sustainable development in Peru's remote regions, supporting artisanal craftsmanship and preserving ancient weaving techniques passed down through generations.

After buying ALL the baby alpaca sweaters, and a brief run in with a boutique mannequin, (Mk won, obvi😈) we set off to find street food at a market set up outside the Plaza San Francisco.

Fun Fact: Questionable street meet is a little known love of mine.

With the afternoon left to explore before our 6pm trek debriefing, we made our way to the San Pedro Central Market and went row by row through the butcheries, produce, spices, textiles and locally made gifts, (some of a more phallic variety).

These “too cool for school” alpacas now live in my kitchen. 😎

Starting to lose steam around the 3pm mark we followed the cravings for ceviche and tucked into a small place called Bar Cusco. We took turns sharing our fears and tears for the trek over mocktails and altitude meds before mustering up one more second wind to make it to our 6pm welcome meeting with our guide and group.

We even caught the attention of a fabulously leathered group at a restaurant and only Michelle Krick could orchestrate the coordination a group of strangers doing the wave from a balcony!

We anxiously made our way over to the Alpaca Expeditions office, a whole 30 minutes early, itching to pick up our packs so we could get back to the crisp, white hotel beds calling our names. White Mk tested her oxygen levels while running up and down the stairs, the rest of us desperately tried to stay energized by reading informational pamphlets and trying to make sense of the trail map.

We were most excited to meet the 11 other adventurers that would be joining us on the trek. We met solo travelers, couples, and families from Colorado to Germany, all with their own motivation and hesitation for the journey.

We got our packs and an Uber and raced to our beds, hoping for one more great night of sleep, preparing for it to be our last for awhile.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we begin our 5 day hike…

XoXo,

E