Second day of the trail we head off at 7am, ready for the walk up to Dead Womans Pass which is over 4000 metres up! We pass through more Incan sites and then the monster climb up rocky steps in the rain, bought a poncho halfway up to keep most of myself dry. We eventually get to the top which is busy with other groups as well and wait for the rest of our group. Next we have to walk down hundreds of wet steps to get down to the next campsite. Some of the steps are...

We have an early start and take the minivan down some dirt roads to the official start of the Inca Trail. We meet the porters and assistant guide, 22 of them for the 16 of us. They carry all bags, tents, food, tables and chairs... everything! The law says they can only carry 30kg max but some used to carry 80kgs back in the day!!! They all wear their locally made sandals, impressive people. We have a group photo under the starting sign and head out onto the trai...

We all jump in the minivan and head out in our trip, the first day is spent driving to the start of the official trail, stopping off at various mountain villages, ruins and beauty spots. At a local village we are shown how they make the different colours for the popular local rugs, jumpers, hats, socks and everything else! They spin wool from sheep, for instance, using a type of spindle which they hang from their hand, literally all day, the women are all talking...

First day we check into the hotel in Cusco and get to relax, we meet the rest of the group in the evening and also the leader, Rojer, or Roger/Rog to us English, his ancesters were Inca people and he seems very passionate and knowledgable. Early night for the 7am start...

We have one day before the Inca Trail officially starts so we book into another Loki hostel and attempt the Monday night quiz, didn't do too well but it's the taking part that counts right? Drinks were cheap anyway!