Our first day in the Andean highlands was spent acclimatising by driving round the sacred valley and learning about the Quecha culture, aka the Incan civilization. We climbed the hills out of town to enjoy the views of Cusco next to the Cristo Blanco. We were welcomed by the locals as we visited Ccaccacollo weaving community, learnt traditional pottery and building techniques and enjoyed a gourmet lunch at Parwa community restaurant (all supported by G adventures).

 

In the early evening, we climbed the steep path out of Ollantaytambo village to see our first Incan ruins: some storehouse ruins where grain and guinea pigs were housed. Then we checked into Inka Paridise hotel to pack our 3kg bags and get a good nights' kip before we began the Inca Trail trek the next morning.