Inca Trail - Day 3
-=[ DAY NINE- Sun 18th June ]=-
Compared to yesterday, the third day if walking was easy. It was a fairly gradual uphill with spectacular views of the Andean ranges, over Phuyapatamarka Pass at 3800m and down to the impressive Phuyapatamarka ruins.
A knee-shattering 1200m descent down to 2600m got us to Wiñaywayna camp - the last camp before Machu Picchu. Since we were a camp or two in front of most other groups we arrived at lunch whilst other trekkers we arriving in dribs and drabs until sunset.
Being close to civilisation again, Wiñaywayna has a hospital, restaurant, bar and hot showers. I skipped the shower, electing to wait until back in the hotel, but Darren, Bob and myself couldn’t help but down a couple of out-of-date Cusquenas.
-=[ OUR PORTERS ]=-
This evening we were re-introduced to our porters, and presented them with their envelope of tips. It was nice to hear what each of them was carrying as well as what their assigned duties were - from carrying our duffel bags to the 9kg gas bottle and stove. From preparing fabulous meals to ensuring we had a bowl of warm water when we woke up in the morning. They all did an absolutely fantastic job.
And somehow our chef Carlos managed to produce a meal that we were talking about the previous day. From spaghetti bolognaise to lomo soltado and even jelly!.
