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!

Lima is a massive city and for most of the year it is very foggy, look down the road 2 blocks and you'll see a wall of fog in most directions, very strange! Having found out that my bag and guitar didn't make the journey from Piura, we spoke to the manager of the bus company and arranged to pick my stuff up the following morning, a few hours before our flight to Cusco! We booked into Loki hostel which is a well known chain and had a relaxed Sunday. Up early in t...

Piura.... not a lot to say! Arrived at 6am and had to wait until 7pm for the bus to Lima, matt had his bag stolen in the morning from right under his nose so we didn't really enjoy this place! Only good thing was the bus, we paid an extra £10 for super cama, cama means bed and it was a very luxurious bus. The seats went flat and we had our own Tv and headphones, plus a waitress bringing us meals and drinks!! Slept like a baby for the first time on a bus! Arriv...