Sat 7 April – Inca Trail, 3rd day

A big day was needed given we were 3 km short of our intended 2nd night camp. Half an hour in (just after 8), we had climbed to 3.76km and reached the Runkurakay ruins, one of the many sites, particularly archaelogical, that are scattered along the trek and provide welcome mental breaks.

By 9:20 we reached the second pass (elevation 3.9km), Sayaqmarka by 10:45 (3.6km up), and lunch at Chaquicocha at 11:40 (3.5km, 29km down, 16 to go).

Shortly after lunch we passed through the first Inca Tunnel. These tunnels sit in the side of cliffs. Going through, I swear I heard a familiar beep or two; fair to say I’ll be filthy if I see that one appear on the Citylink bill.

The terrain changed to the jungle after lunch, leading up to the Third Pass which we reached just after 2 (3.65km elevation; 32km distance). Just the other side of this pass were the ruins of Phuyupatamarka. The afternoon trek was all downhill, which was very tough on already worn knees. Despite the delays experienced yesterday, we were able to reach our scheduled 3rd night camp of Winay Wayna just before 6. This is the traditional last night spot, which includes a hostel-like building where you can drink and, for 5 soles, grab a “hot” shower. I say “hot” as it couldn´t have been any colder. Not even Leigh Colbert walking back into Catland for the first time after he left invoked such a feeling of cold as this.

We said goodbye to the hard working porters tonight with a very ordinary singalong. Lucky we’d already handed them their tip because it was pretty disappointing; not that we (the hikers) were any better. We eventually hit the sack just before 10am in preparation for a rough 4am wake up call, for the final morning’s work.