Day five, head to the Inca trail, May 25th, 2022

We rose early around 6 a.m. and headed to breakfast at our hotel. We met up with a couple from Long Beach CA, Austin, and Candace. Ayul had introduced them briefly a few days prior and let us know that they would be part of our Inca trail group. We would also have a gentleman from Phoenix, Dave who would join us.
We each packed our green duffle with a change of clothes and other items not needed in our daypack. We also had a shared duffel amongst the four of us that we put fresh clothes for the Machu Picchu Village hotel that would be forwarded to the hotel in advance. Our extra luggage was stored at Hotel Pakaritampu in Ollantaytambo. We could pick this up after the train ride back to Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley. After the plan was sorted out, we all loaded up in the van to head toward the trailhead and checkpoint. At the trailhead we were introduced to our team of porters. They totaled 15 and included a head cook, assistant cook, logistical manager, and bathroom attendant. All were local men who spoke Quechua. I was impressed with their professional uniforms, pleasantness, and professionalism in their appointed roles. Our porters neatly weighed and arranged our green duffels then packed up and headed to their checkpoint. At the porter’s checkpoint bags are again weighed and are not to exceed 20kg per porter. The weights are also used as a comparison at subsequent checkpoints. I am told that this is to ensure that all that is packed in is packed back out. As for us hikers, Ayul lined us up and advised us to have our passports in hand. The passport must match the person and match the permit with the correct dates of entry. We all went through the checkpoint without much issue. We then entered a building that provided some education on the wildlife we may encounter during our trek. This included a full-sized Andean bear; it did not look like Paddington to me! After our nature education we proceeded to the Inca Trail, took some photos then crossed a small suspension bridge over the Urubamba River. The trail looks straight up from here, but that is what we signed up for. Over the next few hours, we have a pleasant hike, every 30 minutes or so we have an opportunity to stop, use the bathroom, and get a snack from the local village people. We encounter several active communities where Quechua people live and are glad to have the opportunity to use the well-maintained pay bathrooms along the way.  The small fee of one sol is worth it! The many villages have snacks for sale for hikers and Chicha (corn) beer for the porters. Chicha beer is a favorite drink of the locals, it has a low ABV (around 3%) and provides the energy the porters need to carry our campsite gear. We are told that the porters run on Chicha beer and Coca leaves. Whatever it is they are amazing. Around 4 p.m. we reach our campsite. The porters are already there cheering for us as we enter with everything set-up for camp. We all drop our packs on a clean tarp then take a seat in a comfortable chair. Warm, wet towels are brought to each of us to wash our face and hands. Then tea service is available to relax while dinner is prepared. After teatime, I gathered my duffel and daypack, went to my tent, and got changed for dinner/bed. Ayul told us that we must keep everything zipped in the tent, including shoes due to the tarantulas that live in this area. Tarantulas have been known to like the dark warmth of hiking shoes. That was all I needed to hear; I did not want any surprise friends in the morning. Dinner was delicious! Carrot soup followed by sliced center cut port with veggies and rice. For dessert we had purple corn pudding, it was amazing! After dinner, we had more tea and then off to bed around 8pm. The sky was clear, the southern cross as well as the Milky Way covered us, struck with awe. A perfect first day. I slept well.