First day of the trek today! We were picked up at 6 to head to kilometre 82 where the trek was to begin. We met the rest of our group on the bus, 3 Germans, 2 19 year old girls and a 38 year old man. They all seemed nice! After arriving at the start point we sorted out our things and were given our walking poles and duffle bag to put our things for the porters to carry in. The porters are amazing and each complete the trail carrying massive bags on their backs with up to 35kg in each!
Today was 'training day' and was mostly flat with only a small climb which eased us into the trail. After around two hours walking we reached the place for lunch. Here the porters had set up a mini gazebo with a table (and tablecloth!) and chairs for us to eat our lunch. We were served avocado as a starter, followed by soup and garlic bread and then a rice and meat dish. I think it's safe to say we won't starve! It was amazing how they managed to cool a meal like that using only a camping stove!
After a short rest we were off again and along the way saw our first inca site. This was really cool and was bizarre to think that there once was a big town in what now is really the middle of nowhere! Continuing further to the campsite we came across a house with a plastic bag flat type thing outside it. The guide told us that this was where they sold Chicha and that the colour of the plastic bag was an indicator as to whether the woman selling it was married or single!
We arrived at the campsite around 430pm and the porters had set up all our tents for us. They provided us with a bowl of hot water each to have a wash with and then we relaxed for a bit. The camp site had some spectacular views of the mountains, it was so quiet and despite knowing there was lots of other groups camps close by you would have thought we were the only people out there!
We then had 'happy hour' which was tea/hot chocolate and biscuits! This was shortly followed by dinner (by which point I was really full anyway!) this was another 3 course meal. By the end of dinner we were all feeling very tired and headed straight for bed ready for the hardest day and our 530am wake up tomorrow!