Day 16 25th November 2006 - Start of the Inca Trail - km 82 to Yunkachumpa

So this is it the main event what we really came to Peru for, a 4 day 45km trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu. Leaving early we headed for the start of the trail in Piskakuchu, what is know as km 82. So called as this is 82km by train from Cusco. The record for the 45km from km 82 to Macchu Picchu is 3 1/2 hours, set by one of the porters in the Inca Trail Marathon. I think I shall settle for 3 1/2 days.

To carry all of our equipment we have a team of 11 porters, a lead porter, a chef and a chef´s assistant. With 8 of us including our crazy guide Nancy the party of 21 set off into the hills. The trail is regulated to only 500 people per day, 200 of which are tourists the rest guides and porters. Being out of season there were only a few other groups setting off, out of season equals the rainy season. I had every confidence in my 2 Sol Poncho.

Heading through the checkpoint we had to get our passports stamped, much more interesting than all the boring US Immigration stamps my passport is filled with.

After the first 10km we came to a checkpoint over looking the valley where the porters had to present their backpacks to be weighed, they are only allowed to carry 25kg each. This park official had what I would consider one of the best office views in the world, overlooking the valley we had just climbed up through. This sort of office view puts into perspective all the pathetic arguments, I have seen managers at my various employers enter into, in order to try and get a window overlooking the car park.

As we trekked further up the trail the route was lined with small farms, many of the animals running wild, with the kids using the animals pens as their play pens. Compared to Peru I think we are a little too soft in the UK when it comes to letting the kids play in the mud.

A run in with a llama was long overdue and a boisterous pig took on the role this time trying to get the better of my rucksack (which was full of sweets and chocolate that Shelley had brought along)

And for everything else there´s mastercard, well they also accepted visa

After 5 hours of trekking and 15km later we arrived at our first camp site, fully set up by the porters who with their 25kg back packs vs our 5kg ones had run on ahead to set everything up and prepare dinner. The view from the tent was amazing, exhausted and well fed we were in bed by 8:30 as the Sun went down

Highlights: The amazing scenery and camping in the Andes