Day 1 Inka Trail - KM 82

Leaving bright and somewhat early from
Ollantaytambo, our team heads for KM 82, the starting point for all trekkers taking the authentic Inka Trail to Machu Picchu. Somehow, I expected more at this starting point. I'm not sure why: if I expected brighter colours, more Peruvian's selling items, etc., but upon arrival my thought was, "this is kilometre 82?".

But the fact is, you've come and gone from this pivotal number within a few minutes, and are off and upwards into the Andes.

Day 1 consists of 10km of gentle trails. The day begins with a mainly flat trek, our guide stopping along the way to tell us how to chew on coco leaves, and to tell us bits of pieces of his ancestor's past, until about the last hour or so, when we gently climbs upwards until we reach camp. This is a great way to start off the trek, as the team has a chance to get to know one another, and take our time.

Upon arrival, around 4pm, we find that our porter's are already there, and all tents and other gear is set up for us. This way we can quickly change into some warmer clothes, as the mountains cool down quite noticeably around this hour. We are then called for tea and cookies, and our dinner also arrives shortly.

Tomorrow, however, we are to wake at 6:00am, therefore it's a pretty early night for most. We're tired from our first 10km, and all anxious to get a good night's sleep for what's to come...