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 trail. Starts off at a nice pace, not to steep, following the river, which is the wildest river I have ever seen. We start to hit more hilly terrain but my knees cope with no trouble at all! Stopping off quite a lot, we take photos of the views and the various Incan sites along the way. We eventually reach the campsite and the porters have everything set up and ready for us, tents, dining tent
and the chef is busy cooking. Hats off to the chef, with just a hot stove he made some great grub!