Inca Trail - Cusco to Ayapata - Blog

By: BW Admin (1/8/2022)

Date: 11/14/2017 - 11/15/2017

This blog is part of the trip: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Just like the Incas only mas lento

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The first day of the trek started pretty early, the group met at a plaza in Cusco to catch the bus to the start of the trail around 4:30am. The distance to get there is around 2.5 hours. We made several stops on the way though and everyone pretty much slept in between.

The first stop was about 20 minutes in to pick up the rest of the team and to see the porter residence that llama path built for their staff. They also gave us a quick overview of the residence and the lengths they have gone to to improve the lives of the porters which is admirable. The second stop was about an hour and a half in for breakfast, which also had a market to buy last minute snacks.

If you can get past the early rising the hiking on the first day is actually relatively easy. For the initial stretch you walk along a river and through some small villages. There is some up and down but the variations are mostly gradual. About 4-5 hours in we stopped for a delicious lunch the staff had prepared, full course meal. After lunch it is about two more hours to the Ayapata campsite. The final stretch seemed to be the steepest of the day. The total elevation gain this day is around 1600m, there are restrooms available along the way.

Inca Trail - Cusco to Ayapata - Photos

by: BW Admin (1/8/2022)

(click images to view full size)

This is where the bus dropped us off at the start of the trek, porters unloading gear.

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Right about now this guy is beginning to regret letting me talk him into this...

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Obligatory group photo under the sign at the start of the trail

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Easy terrain on the first day, this is still near the start

The trail meanders through some small villages in the early going

Porters hauling up our gear. This is where we stopped for our first break, they of course barreled through and kept right on going. A round of applause for these guys.

We had to cede right of way to oncoming traffic in a few spots

Small river crossing, we came across these from time to time

Another rest stop

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More easy going terrain

Right about now this guy is REALLY beginning to regret letting me talk him into this...

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This is the small village where we stopped for lunch on the first day. The building in the back had seating where we waited for them to prepare the meal and wash up. Judging by the fist this is when this guy officially completely regretted letting me talk him into this...

Another crossing right before camp

Group shot with the flag at camp. There was a vendor there selling drinks, I did notice a few sideways glances from the guides when everyone in the group pretty much tackled one another trying to be first in line for a beer.

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The trail got a bit steeper after the lunch stop, a cold one sure did hit the spot after the hike.

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Inca Trail - Cusco to Ayapata - Videos

by: BW Admin (1/8/2022)

River crossing at the beginning of the trail

This is early on day one hiking along the river and passing through small villages. The terrain is mostly flat with gradual ups and downs until after lunch.

This is early on day one hiking along the river

The porters doing all of the work

Trail obstacles!

Washing up before lunch

A nice stream crossing early on day one, followed by uphill...

This is another shot of easy going day one trekking

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