Salkantay Trail (Day 4)
[Llactapata → Aguas Calientes]
This is it, this is the day when you’ll be able to tell your friends that “I reached the holy cities of Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu from Cusco trekking on my own.” It’ll be a beautiful hiking day full of achievements and self-reflection on your great adventure.
You’ll start the day waking up at the ancient site of Llactapata and from there you’ll have a magnificent view of the crown jewel…”Machu Picchu itself”, that few other people see or even realize that it exists…and it’s a free view! Take as much time as you want to admire this view and soak in all the feelings of humbleness, achievement, conquering, nomadic, back-in-time…and lots more as every person will have his/her unique reflections at that moment, while immersed in the perfect blend between the beauty of our planet and the genius of the mankind. I know it’ll be a tough decision to leave this view and hike down, but, at the same time, remember that your ultimate prize for all this effort is awaiting for you.
It’ll take approximately 2 hours of hiking down to reach Hidroelectrica as you’ll descend 900 meters while the adrenaline is rushing through your veins while you get closer and closer to Aguas Calientes. The hike is pleasant and easy and at Hidroelectrica you’ll meet a wide array of fellow travelers: those who, unfortunately, didn’t know that they can do what you did and are taking the train; those who used guides to get them to this point; and those like you…the adventurous self-believers!
Hidroelectrica is not a town, its actually, as the name suggests, a place where there is an electrical power plant and a train station that goes to Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo. You’ll be asked to register your name and passport here as it is considered the boundaries of the sacred city, which is an easy, self-done process. From here you’ll hike along the train tracks all the way to Aguas Calientes. Although officially illegal, it was the ancient path to reach Aguas Calientes and the authorities disregard this rule and allow people to hike. Of course, it can be dangerous as trains pass by, but the drivers know that people are hiking and give plenty of warnings.
The hike is a slight uphill, but you won’t feel it; on the contrary, you’ll get the feeling that you are in a pilgrimage to reach the holy city. People from all walks of life, from different nationalities, different backgrounds, different attitudes, and different beliefs; yet all are uniting for one single goal…reaching the historic city of Aguas Calientes as our ancestors used to do in ancient times. Enjoy the hike, get to know your fellow travelers, share stories and tips, and reflect on your adventures.
You are finally there!! the feeling of reaching Aguas Calientes can’t be described in words…in addition to the anticipation of a hot shower:). The train tracks cut through the town and you’ll find lots of restaurants, souvenir shops, and hotels that cater for tourists, yet you can still find the local ones and have the amazing local experience away from all this (click to request info).
You did it fellow adventurer, and tomorrow you’ll be in Machu Picchu where flocks of tourists will be there too, but you’ll know that YOU ARE DIFFERENT.
