Salkantay trek: Day 3

We joined up with the Inca Trail to cross another mountain pass: 3 hours uphill and a couple more downhill until we arrived at an archeological site with a view across the valley of Machu Picchu. Fitting for the rainforest, it was intermittently raining while we were near the top of the ridge. The awesome consequence: a rainbow appeared as we were eating lunch and gazing out at Machu Picchu. (The other amazing thing about that lunch was the mango & chicken ceviche...incredible.)

Then we decided to hike another 2 hours downhill and travel by van to the hot springs at Santa Teresa. The hot springs felt absolutely amazing on our aching muscles, and it was a beautiful location right next to the river amongst the rocks.

We also learned that this town was destroyed by a terrible landslide in 1998. The damage is still almost apparent today, as the buildings seem newer and temporary in comparison to other villages in the area.Read more