That night we met with the Cusco travel agent who helped me set up the trek and our trek guide, Miguel, who briefed us about the trip. The Salkantay trek is an alternative to the Classic Inca trail which must be booked months in advanced since only 500 people are allowed on the trail each day (including porters, cooks, guides). We were told there would be others trekking with us, but it ended up being a private trek with one guide, one cook, one porter, and 3 horses to carry supplies.

Día 4 (Trek Day 1): At 4 am, we checked out of our cozy hotel in the San Blas neighborhood to meet Miguel. He came with a driver in a big van. Along the way, we picked up the cook and made stops to pick up fresh bread and propane tanks.