Day One - Inca Trail

Trip Start Sep 20, 2004
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Trip End Mar 30, 2005


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Thursday, October 14, 2004

So the day had come to start our hike to Machu Picchu. After a briefing the night before we were ready to go although atill a littel hesitant about our tour operator. The group we had met the night before stood around awaiting for the bus to arrive before finally it arrived and we all hopped on. We set off arounf Cusco to pick up some of the other people in the group which seems to be standard practise rather than all meeting in one spot.

Anyway we stopped in one of the squares to do some horse trading. OK well not literally but thn we realised that this company choose its porters on the day of departure to the trail. After bargainning and sizing up the right team our operator dished out the money (which is a pitiful amount) and the porters piled on to the bus. Ten or so including the cook, head porter and half pint who looked like he should still be in school First Ruin on the trail!
First Ruin on the trail!
 .

With all of us on board we set off and after a few more stops we were well on our way to 82km starting point. When we arrived we pitched up a makeshift lunch spot and tucked into some serious carbs before soem last minute shopping - one pair of lama gloves and two walking sticks (an absolute saviour purchase).

From there on in there was no looking back, we stomped forward to the first check point which everyone made it through (suprising considering a number of fake photocopy passports). We sprinted over the bridge and onward on our journey.

The first leg of the walk was very pleasant although the altitude still took your breath away. We first stopped and took a break next to some dwellings (which I was suprised about as I didnīt realise the indigenoud peopel were still living in such close proximity) where we took some water on board and had a few emergency toilet stops.

Then onward ...along stunning scenic paths with breathtaking views of snow capped mountains.
Within 2 hours of entering the Inka Trail
Within 2 hours of entering the Inka Trail
Our first camp was on the land of a crazy looking old man which had a very dubious toilet facility...hole in ground with a hose running in with no light - there was a door though !

After tea and dinner outside (brr) we huddled around looking at the stars which were incredible and the sky was so clear we coudl see the milky way. Luckily we had planned ahead on the bar front and we cracked open a bottel of rum (or some other strange drink) and had a few snifters to keep the cold out whilst start gazing.

Retired to bed early, tired after our first day !
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