Inca Trail - Day 3

Thursday 3rd April
Again we were up at 0600, but at least we only had a short. mostly downhill walk today. It was still pretty misty and drizzly when we left camp and it didn´t improve much until we were nearly at our last campsite.

Casiano - outr tour guide, gave Aaron (the slow dude) a 30 min head start, expecting that we would catch him up by the first camp site. Our group had a slight drama with Sarah (the only other chick) needing some oxygen at the bottom of the first climb, as we think she is probably developing bronchitis and with the cold and damp, she was struggling to breathe. So the rest of us carried on to the camp (expecting to see Aaron, but not finding him) and waited for Casiano under the shelter of the eaves of the caretakers hut. After about 30mins Casiano, Sarah and Kieran finally showed up and we continued on to the first Inca site for the day (again, expecting to see Aaron long the way - but still no sign of him). By this point Casiano was starting to get worried about Aaron, so he ran ahead to find him. He finally caught up with him at the second Inca site. Apparently one of Casiano´s guide buddies saw Aaron waiting and told him what happened with Sarah and told Aaron to tag along with his group, so in the end all was good, but he did have us a bit worried for a while.

The last 40mins into camp was steep switchbacks, so by the time we got there we were well and truly ready for a rest - and the weather had cleared! So we got some great views down and along the valley. MP is tantalising close, but we can´t see it as it is around the other side of the mountain from where we are. So are a nice restful afternoon, watching all the other groups trail in after what had been a LONG walk for most of them, we took a short walk to the most spectacular Inca Site we have seen so far - Wiñay Huayana. Lots of very cool terraces, and a mostly intact village. After that we went to the bar for a quick beer or two (yes - there is a BAR at this camp!), and then back for our final dinner.

After dinner we had a little ceremony with the porters etc and handed over their tips and sang a few songs. Then it was off to bed for an early night as we had to be up at 0340 to begin the last day of our trek.