Bright and early we were awoken from our partial slumber on the bus at 6am arriving in Cusco. A short minibus journey took us from the bus station to our hotel where our rooms were not quite ready.

After registering, we left our bags behind as Eli took us on a quick tour of the town starting at the main square, Plaza de Armas around the corner. He showed us the Basilica before pointing out the 12 pointed rock, a very famous stone in a very famous Inca-built wall where all pieces slot together like a jigsaw without the need for mortar. We were aso shown the Puma, again a famous rock in the wall before going for breakfast. We were told by Eli anything on the menu was good and he wasn't wrong!

Eli then took us down Avenida El Sol, the main street with, at one end, the Inka market selling everything to do with handicrafts and souvenirs.

We then returned to the room, which was now ready, where we were able to finally freshen up properly after our night bus.

We then went out to explore Cusco on our own. After a general mooch around we popped into a museum all about chocolate, very interesting!! We also visited a number of the souvenir markets which abound in tourist-friendly Cusco, taking a break in a small park after doing so.

We also visited the central market where there was a local feel. Here we had some lunch, lomo saltado and salchipapas. After food Kirsty bought some turquoise fingerless gloves from a nearby stall (within the market) before we visited more markets in San Francisco square. We returned home exhausted after all our walking but very impressed with how pretty Cusco is.

At 7pm we met our Inca Trail guide, David who explained to us the content of the four days trek and what we needed to bring for the trip which starts on Monday. Afterwards we ate out as a whole group at a relaxed lounge bar.

A good night's sleep followed after which we indulged in the included breakfast - the only ones in the dining room - before returning to the room to pack two different bags: one for our trek (which was to weigh up to 6kg - the hotel providing the scales) and the other for our homestay.

We popped out to the supermarket for some last minute supplies before taking a seat at a cafe watching the world go by, before returning to the hotel and waiting for our lift at 12.