Despite little sleep we woke up super excited about commencing the Inca Trail. We caught a taxi to Peru Treks office where the bus picked us up. A few people were already on board then we proceeded to collect the remainder of the group. We were quite annoyed when the bus collected other passengers only a few blocks from our hostel given they had made us get a taxi!

Nevertheless we were on our way! We drove initially to Ollantaytambo, an old Incan town nestled in a valley. The surrounding mountains are scattered with old Incan ruins on their steep slopes. We stopped in the main square here for some breakfast and to stock up on last minute supplies like coca leaves and to hire trekking poles.

Then we were back in the bus for the last part of the drive, another hour or so to Kilometro 82, the start of the trail. It wasn't until this point that we were given the sleeping bags and mats we had hired so we spent some time reorganising our bags to fit the gigantic and heavy sleeping bags.

After quick introductions with the rest of the group we were on our way, excited about the days ahead. We had our tickets checked and passports stamped, took the obligatory start of trail photos and set off along the path.

The first section follows the valley alongside the Urubamba River. The trail is fairly flat to begin with, though we made a few stops to catch our breath and start munching on some coca leaves. Across the other side of the river we saw the first of the ruins we would pass along the trail.

Further along we reached Llactapata. These ruins were of a small town and agricultural terraces. We had climbed a little by this point so our view was from a hilltop overlooking the site. It was a beautiful view and an impressive site despite this being only a minor ruin.

The trail continued to climb slowly upwards. We stopped for lunch at a nice clearing along the way, where our Chaskis (Quechua for Runner) had already set up our meal tent and were preparing the food. Or first trek meal was delicious! A starter of guacamole, some soup and a main (which typically included rice, vegetables and a meat dish or two). The whole group was impressed.

A few hours more trekking got us to our first campsite on a nice grassy terrace seemingly in the backyard of someone's house. Again our Chaskis had arrived well ahead of us and had set up the meal tent as well as all our sleeping tents. We had some time to relax before dinner so we sat on the grass and got to know our fellow trekkers, 2 Kiwis and 11 Americans, and the house owners pets.

Dinner was delicious and there was plenty of food to replenish the energy we had used, even though it wasn't a very tough day. Soon after we were in bed recharging for day 2.

LAPFWT