Salkantay Trekking

This project was created during a five-day premium trekking tour with Salkantay Trekking in Peru. Together with Fini, I joined the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu to produce photo and video content that captures both the atmosphere of the experience and the scale of the Andean landscape.

The journey began with an early morning pick-up in Cusco and a private transfer to the trailhead. On the first day, we hiked to camp before continuing up to Humantay Lake. From there, the route unfolded into a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding experience, shaped by dramatic scenery, changing weather and long days on foot.

One of the most intense stages came on day two, when we climbed up to the Salkantay Pass at around 4,600 metres (15,100 ft) before descending another 17 kilometres to the town of Collpapampa. Over the following days, the trail continued through a wide range of elevations and environments, including another major climb on day four before reaching Aguas Calientes.

Despite not having perfect weather throughout the trek during the rainy season, the route was absolutely breathtaking. The combination of mountain scenery, remote camps, shifting light and the shared experience of the trail made it an unforgettable setting for visual storytelling. On the fifth day, the journey ended with a visit to Machu Picchu — a fitting finale to one of the most beautiful hikes we have done.

Created, captured & edited by:

- Marcel Zirpins - Josefine Gesien