Km 82, entrance to the Inka Trail, Peru. 2009-11-04.

Nikon D700, 50mm f/5.6.

The first day is advertised as the easy day. The group was total 16 travelers, age 20 - 40, 6 couples and 4 independent travelers. We got picked up at our hotels around 6 to go to Ollantantambo. Ollantanambo is some one and a half hours drive from Cusco. Here we had breakfast before continuing to the km 82 entry point. On the way to km 82, the clutch broke. The driver tried to keep going only for the worse as when the bus finally broke we were on a one-way dirt track to the entry point. Luckily, a local took us the last 5 km on his cattle truck.

We started later than planned and set of with a fast pace after passing the check point and crossing the river. After about an hours trek, we arrived at the first ruins, Huillca Raccay, at the confluence of the Cusichaca with the Urubamba river. It started to rain, get windy and cold. After another hours walk we reached the lunch spot where we had trouts for lunch. It was another two hours to the camp site near Wayllabamba. By the time we arrived shortly before dark, we were all soaked and tired. The porters had setup the tents and there was time for a siesta before dinner.

It was much harder than I had expected, we had few breaks, the pace was fast and noone stopped even for a short break to catch breath. It made everyone walk faster being affraid of getting left behind. If this was the easy day, then I don't know what to expect for tomorrow.