Inca Trail Day 1

The famous Inca Trail

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was built primarily in the 15th century, during the reign of Emperor Pachacuti, who is credited with constructing most of the Inca road network, including the trails leading to Machu Picchu; considered a pilgrimage route to the sacred site. For this reason, many Inca ruins scatter the way, as shelter and agricultural and administrative centers were needed along. It was also used by running messengers that relayed along to transmit oral messages to the Macchu Picchu, as the Inca are not believed to have had a written system.

Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). The Inca built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later, at the time of the Spanish conquest.

The Inca Trail is now strictly controlled and only 500 persons, including porters and guides are allowed on it at the same time. It is not permitted to hike it on your own. I chose the Alpaca Company and was very impressed by the professionalism.
I was fully prepared for a very touristy expedition, so made sure to pack a book and some patience in my day pack, but I genuinely enjoyed the experience.

Day 1: Cusco - Piskacucho Km 82 - Llactapata- Ayapata
Departure by bus from Cusco around 4:30 and stop on the way (close to Ollantaytambo) for a gourmet breakfast (scrambled eggs, delicious fresh fruits,…).
The Inca Trail start with a passport control at Km 82 (as we are now 82 km from Cusco). Then we hiked mostly flat in the valley, stopping on the way to admire the first Inca ruin. The day is very hot, we must pass a second control (passport control, but also each porter is weighed, to ensure they are not carrying more than 25 (!) kg. They are the true heroes of the Inca Trail, running with these heavy packs, setting tents and helping cooking.
At the camp, our guide Abel (helped from Valentin) presented us our porter and cook team, explaining that they work in groups, coming from the same village. For each tourist, there are 2 porters.
We get our very comfortable tents ( I am sharing with Kaytlin, from Canada) and a mind blowing buffet for dinner.
It is an early night, as tomorrow will be departure at 5:45 for our longest hike day.Read more