On the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 0

On our first night in Cusco, we were given a briefing by our local guides, Santiago and Guillermo.  They both went through different parts of the hike, what to expect, what to bring, etc.  Santiago has been a guide for 23 years and has done this hike 732 times!  I am so glad he was our guide.

First, we were to leave most of our luggage at the hotel in Cusco.  We were told to bring only essential things for the 4 days on the hike.  We were each given a duffel bag to put some of our stuff; together with a sleeping bag, not to exceed 5 kg.  The porters will carry this duffel bag.  Each porter carries about 25 kg each.  On top of that we are to bring a day pack that we will carry ourselves; things we need while on the trail.

On this day we were to spend the night in the town of Ollantaytambo.  On the way there from Cusco, we stopped at various places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  First, we visited an animal farm where we were shown the difference between llamas and alpaca.  Then to a tourist shop that sells all kinds of touristic souvenirs.  We also saw some amazing sceneries.  Santiago also explained some of the crops that were grown by the Incas and present-day residents of the valley.

An Alpaca

Santiago explaining the crops that are grown in the area

A view of the valley from up high

Another view of the beautiful valley

Locals selling all kinds of souvenirs

More Souvenirs

We also climbed up to some of the Inca ruins in the Ollantaytambo Archaeological National Park, with a beautiful view of the valley.

Entrance to the park

A view of the ruins

A view of town through one of the doors

Above the ruin looking down at the valley

We stayed at a hotel called Tika Wagi Ollanta in town.  It is a nice, small clean hotel, about a 5-minute walk from the town square.  We had a little time to explore the town but it was very small.  Most tourists take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aqua Caliente, the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu.  From there, they take a bus up to Machu Picchu.

Another view of the ruin

The Incas were very skilled in irrigation

Two sisters posing in town

A statue in the town square

One of the streets in Ollantaytambo

Tomorrow we begin our real hike on the Inca Trail.