DAY 1: Km 82 to Huallabamba

On Saturday, September 30th
We departed from the hotel in Cusco at 7 a.m. and went on to Urubamba where we had a brief break at Ollanyaytambo. We went on to Km 82 of the railroad (Chillca) to begin our journey(video_1). We passed a small village on the trail (video_2) and then Llactapatta, the Inca agricultural complex (video_3) , and arrived to our camp site at Huallabamba (video_4). The tour was provided by the Inti Kuntur e.i.r.l. The detailed map of Inca trail can be viewed here. The orange line in the map below indicates the distance that we walked on the first day-hiking trip.

Inca_Trail_1.mpg

This was taken while we were taking a short break at Ollanyaytambo and then began our hiking at Km 82. The Song, "Campanitas de Punyaro" is by Los Bermanos Roque.

Inca_Trail_2.mpg

This was taken when we were passing the first control point till we approach to the village. Song, "Kuyashka Warmico" is by Los Bermanos Roque.

Inca_Trail_3.mpg

This was taken after we left the village and then approaching to the first archiological site, Llactapata. Song, "Humahuaqueno" by Los Bermanos Roque.

ITVC4.mpg

This was taken after the lunch till we got to the campsite to stay over night. Song, "Condor Pasa" is by Los Barmanos Roque.

A little note

To trek along the classical inca trail, it has been required to be guided by the local travel agencies. We assembled our team: the seven of us (including a Dutch couple and Heather from Arizona); Larry, a cook; eleven porters; and Natalia, the English-speaking guide. Here on the picture, we arrived at the starting point and poters were unloading our backpacks from the ban. On the contrast to our finest and expensive trekking boots, our porters were almost barefooted (they wear the one similar to our flip-flop), carries the backpack twice or three times heavier than ours and walk much faster, they were always a few miles ahead of us.

Our fist day's trek was only slightly uphill along a dirt road.

We came across with a small village and find many goats and dogs along the road.


Along the way, Natalia paused and taught us the name of plants, the styles of inca or pre-inca architectures, and life of the indigenous peole.

Before sundown, we arrived at the camping site where we were going to sleep. The porters had already set up our tents, were washing the vegetables as cooking our dinners.

Before our dinner, we bought some cold beers from the local girl, who were selling drinks in the cold water basket at the campsite. Looking at the mountains, enjoyed the cusquana time.