Sunday, September 21, 2014

2014_09_21 Trek Day 5 - Colca Lodge to Lucma Lodge

After yesterday's long slow boring downhill trek I was hoping for a better experience today.  We got it!  After an early breakfast at 6:30 we headed out a bit late at 7:45 for Lucma Lodge.  We were warned that the beginning would be on a steep, muddy trail leading down to the level of the Salkantay River.  They were not kidding!  I thought it was great fun but the others were less enthused I think.


Here we are still on the grounds of the Colca Lodge.


Heading down, Bobi, Connie and Gail.  It was steep!!!


Here's the path


We need to get to that ridge below to cross the river.


I got down to the bottom so I could take images of the others coming down.  Our guide Admil looks triumphant - Bobi, Connie and Gayle are behind.


Here's a look at some white water on the Salkantay River from above.


Here's a bit of video from above the bridge.  Once our 10 mile trek on what Admil called "Andian flat" a gently rolling up and down trail.


This is a hot spring pool that is under construction and will be used mostly by backpackers.  A previous version of a hot spring was wiped out by a landslide 2 years ago.


Rain coming.  Ponchos out for the first time.  We kept putting on and taking off.


 Really nice waterfall just appeared around a little turn.  We crossed a little wooden bridge here.


Richie walking over a little bridge.  He is pretty afraid of heights and did great!


This little girl was sitting next to us singing and riding her bike at the lunch stop.


12 of us at lunch.  Out in the middle of nowhere there was a mesa with a nice place to eat and restrooms.  This place is only for Mountain Lodges of Peru clients.


Crossing over a wooden bridge.


Approaching the major landslide area.  Admil cautioned us to be very careful and lean into the mountain side.  Also no photos.


Almost through the landslide area I snuck one image.


Here come Richie with Admil.  Well done Dr. Blood!


These two little donkeys were just standing in the path when we went by.  Then this grandma came with her grandson and brought them past us towards the town.


The other 6 "fast walkers" had to wait here for the "slow walkers" to arrive. Here we are FINALLY getting to the end of the trail.


Saying good bye to S. Stanislav.  He will be walking back home with his animals - two full days away!


The bus took us about 25 minutes to the start of the Inca Trail.  Then it was up a hill for about 30 minutes for a stop at the coffee co-op.


Rich was the cuy (guinea pig) for grinding roasted beans for us to drink.


This lady gave us a demonstration of the coffee process.  Bought a couple of bags to take home.


The lobby of Lucma Lodge from the balcony outside our room.

No comments:

Post a Comment