All downhill from here

At least for the day, anyway.  We got to sleep in a bit this day, not hitting the trail until 8AM.  Another big breakfast, another pot of fine Peruvian coffee and we were on our way.  Eventually we'd end up going down about 3,400 feet to the Colpa Lodge.  Here's a look back up the valley, with the Salkantay toward the left side of the shot.

Another look up at the closest snow peak over the Wayra Lodge before we start heading downhill.

Before long, we found ourself down in the high jungle, with much more leafy vegetation and much less grass.  Bugs and humidity would soon enter our life; a taste home in Peru!

A small landslide in the trail that happened the night before.  (The guides from different groups keep in touch about trail conditions.)

And here's a big slide that happened a couple of years ago, but has never given way entirely.  Our next lodge is around the bend to the right.

Spirits were high on this day; warm temperatures, sunshine and a steady stream of downhill will do that for ya.  We were in such a good mood, we had no problem with this:

And just what the heck is that thing, I'm sure you're wondering.  A guinea pig!  The big meal of the day was what Antonio dubbed "the meat orgy", a Peruvian BBQ, luau-style with meat and hot rocks in the ground, featuring lamb, chicken, pork and our formerly furry friend in the appetizing photo above, plus several different potatoes.  (Peru has thousands of varieties of potatoes, dozens of which are edible.)  So how's the guinea pig?  Not bad, really.  Kinda like squirrel: a little dark, a little greasy, a little more trouble than it's worth with all the bones, but fairly tasty. 

A post-meat orgy Cusquena or two was enjoyed in the late afternoon sun.

Even down here at lower elevations (~9,400 feet here at the Colpa Lodge), the slope of the mountains and the narrow valleys made for impressive views all around.  Check out how narrow that valley is behind me. 

Not visible in that picture are the rows of angry mosquito bites above my sockline.  The mosquitos were mean little b******s who seemingly laughed off my weaksauce 25% Deet 'smell good' product.  The next day I fared better after borrowing some Jungle Juice from a fellow traveler (although I didn't smell nearly as pleasantly fruity).

Rhonda banged out a hard-earned nap while I soaked up some more healing sun and Cusquena.  Given the post-meat orgy belly swell, a relatively light supper was in order, but we still got more than our fill.  Evening conversations among the group began to turn toward Machu Picchu.