Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us a short distance downstream to the start of the Inca Trail. There we check in before crossing a swingbridge over the Urubamba River and hiking downstream rising a high hill to look over the Pallacta ruins before descending a side river up the Salkantay River where we stop for lunch. From there we follow a small river upstream into the mountains to our first camping ground at Yunkachimpa.
Today's Journey
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View of the fortified ruins of Ollantaytambo in the early morning before we depart to start hiking the Inca Trail. |
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Posing at the start of the Inca Trail ready to start trekking for four days. |
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Fortunately we are supported by porters who carry our tents, food and other supplies for us. They walk ahead of us setting up for lunch, and later setting up the campsite before we arrive. |
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Hiking above the Urubamba River through mountain farmland. Although we are hiking downstream, the track rises. |
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View back along the valley and the track quite a long way below us as we continue ascending in the thin air. |
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We eventually reach the top of the long rise with a spectacular view down to the ruins of Pallacta at the junction where the Cusichaca River flows into the Urubamba River. |
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After resting above Pallacta, we descend into the valley of the Cusichaca River, descending to a small wooden bridge crossing to a small village where we stop for lunch. |
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Following lunch, we continue upstream to Wayllabamba Camp where we pass a checkpoint before turning to follow the Rio Llullucha upstream along this valley towards the saddle at the top. |
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Crossing a wooden bridge over the Rio Wayruru before rounding the spur to back above Rio Llullucha where we stop at Camparmento do Atapata for the night. |
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I have successfully made the first day's hiking to the camping ground at 3600 metres above sea level. The porters have already set up all our tents and are cooking dinner so we just need to settle in and relax whilst they do all the work. |
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