Tuesday - Day 1 on the Inca Trail
We chose Llama Path to do the Inca Trail with, primarily because of their good reputation for sustainability and excellent treatment of their porters - and we were soon to see how all the other companies treated their porters :-(
After our early morning pick-up we were driven to Ollaytatambo for breakfast. There are 8 of us in the group - a couple and another bloke from America, three Aussie lads and us. We arrived in Ollaytatambo just after 7am and had brekkie at a small restaurant. Then it was back on the bus for the 45min drive to KM82 where we start our trek.
The porters (13 of them) loaded their packs, and we got all our gear sorted, then we were off to check into the trail. We had to show our passports at the control point and they had to match the number we had given when we had booked - but Marcus (one of the Aussie lads) had bought his Irish passport, but booked with his Aussie passport - so we had a delay of about 45 mins while he tried to get it sorted. Finally they decided to let him go, and we started on the track.
The track we walked was developed by the Incas to as a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu, and many parts of the track still have the original stone steps and pavers. Day 1 was our hardest day - 8 hours of tramping and a climb to 3,800m. After 1.5hrs we stopped to have a look at our first Inca site which was down in the valley from where we were, but the terraces and living quarters were clearly visible - this site is still being excavated by Archaeologists.
Then it was off to our lunch stop at Camp 1B. When we got to lunch the porters had set up the kitchen and dining tents and had everything ready to go. The food we have had on this trek has been the best we have had in South America so far. For lunch we had three courses and four courses for dinner. For example for lunch we had 1/2 an avocado and salad, vegetable soup, and pasta with tomato and mushroom sauces.
Along the first part of the track there were little villages growing maize and potatoes and they had stalls selling drinks to trampers. After lunch we only passed through one more village and then we left civilisation behind. At this point the track also got really steep, with lots of steps. We finally got into camp at 1750 after having climbed 800m to 3,800m. After everyone had arrived at camp we had "Happy Hour" - which was popcorn, milo, crackers and jam - we had Happy Hour each night when we got into camp before dinner. Again dinner was fabulous food - salad, soup, rice, veges and stuffed rolled trout with sauce and apple and dulche deleche sauce for dessert - YUM!
Our guide´s name is Casiano, and he is a fab bloke. He speaks Quechua (Native Indian - which is used to communicate with all the porters), Spanish and very good English. He is very knowledgeable and proud of Incan culture (as he is part Incan). He was very interested to know more about NZ, so we told him about some of the birds, and showed him where we lived etc.
We headed off to bed about 2145, as we had to be up at 0600 the next morning . I am so glad we made it up to this camp site (1C) on the first day, as it means we only have a steep 400m climb (to Dead Women´s Pass) in the morning instead of having to face an 800m climb first thing. We were one of only 3 groups at this campsite, so that means that at least another 17 groups have a big climb ahead of them on the 2nd day.
So that was Day 1 - you´ll all have to wait until later in the week for further installments!
Photos
1/ Michelle at the start of the trail
2/ Qanabamba ruin
3/ Unfortunate porters from another treking company
2 comments:
It seems ages since I've written anything. My legs are aching at the thought of your Day 1 Inca Trail - my 50 min run each day kinda pales into insignificance!! Glad that the food is keeping you happy, a hungry Michelle is almost as bad as a tired one, eh Andrew!! So where's the photo of the necklace you bought??
Not much news this end. Had txt from Arwyn 2dae. They're bac in Sydney, on their way home, seem to have had a good time. Rally Wairarapa for us this w/end.It's raining here at the mo, so hopefully it'll blow over b4 the timing crew chicks get soaked. Nic is coming with us, as HB crew short of people. Oh yes and Sarah has a rabbit - don't ask!!!!
Poppa Goat says hi. You'll have worked out by now which of us is writing this time (at least I don't make sarcastic comments, well not too many).
Bruce and Issy have been following your trip. Bruce keeps asking if you've done such and such or been there. I mean ..... how should I know, just cos he knows the place inside out. I'll just have to give him your itinerary (which I keep forgetting to do).
Luv u. Till next time xxxx
Wow, you've been busy since I was last on your blog site. I feel bad cos I haven't had the chance to catch up since the beginning of the week. Been away for work, my laptop had a nrevous breakdown (wouldn't work off-line) and then it was off to Rally Wairarapa. Like you, up at 4.30 yesterday morning to get to the first stage (but hold on, the Chief Steward stayed in bed and then had a leisurely breakfast at 8am - some thing just aren't fair). Did 2 stages yesterday and 2 more today. Steve had two hearings so needless to say we didn't get home till 11pm. A 20 hr day yesterday and an 18 hr one today, so far.
Nic spent the nite in hospital on Tuesday, had an IV put in and drugs. She's not been very well so it didn't surprise me. They've got permission to try the next new drug, so we'll see what that does
All your travels sound so cool - can't wait to see the photos. You're nearly halfway through your holiday though. In some ways the time is going fast, but it does seem ages since I took you to the airport.
Anyway my darlings, bed is calling as it's back to work tomorrow. Keep enjoying yourselves and we'll catch up again tomorrow night.
Luv Steve and Mum xxxxxxxxx
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