Group at the start of the trip

Salkantay to Machu Picchu

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May 26th 2009
This trip started bright and early at 430am, we were picked up from our hostals and then drove 3 hours to our starting point. Here we hiked next to Salkantay Mountain (witnessed a HUGE avalance) and hiked uphill to the highest point of 4550m. I was feeling the altitude a little bit and it made me kinda nauseous, but after we reached the highest point the rest of the day was downhill into the valle ... read more

South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu

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Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1... ... read more