Inca Trail Day 1

Up early, picked up by our tour company (Peru Treks), bus trip to Ollantaytambo and beyond to Kilometer 82, the starting off point of our trek.

We had a lovely group of 16 hikers, 2 guides and 21 porters. The Peruvian government has done an admirable job of regulating the safety and working conditions of the porters, but man, do they work hard. They carried virtually everything - tents, tables, chairs, kitchen supplies, food, etc, etc - so that we only carried about 10 pounds in our day packs (water, snacks, extra layers, a rain poncho I never used).

The path is well used and well maintained. Day one was mostly on dirt and gravel paths in open brush. It was dry, dry, dry. We followed the Urubamba River for awhile then veered off into a smaller canyon up into the mountains. It was a relatively easy hike, beginning around 8000 feet and gaining about 2000 by days end. All uphill but not very steep.

This part of the trail is on the edge of the national park area so there are small villages and settlements so we could buy water and snacks and pay our one soles for the use of the bathrooms.

7-11, of the Inca Trail variety

The views of the Andes peaks were breathtaking.

By late afternoon we arrived at our campsite, a small flat area at the edge of a cluster of farm houses. We were well fed then trundled off to bed where we spent a chilly night (unsuccessfully) relearning how to sleep on the ground.