Day 2 - 23rd April 06 (Wayllanamba to Pacaymayu)

After an early breakfast, we were introduced to all our porters. There were seven of them though we were informed before the commencement of our trek in Cusco that with the last-minute and costly inclusion of two porters to carry our excess luggage, there would be nine of them.

We started today's trek at 7.30am full of optimism even with the knowledge that we had ahead of us the toughest route to the highest point in the Inca Trail.

It was a steep ascent all the way to the first and highest of the mountain pass between Llactapata and Machu Picchu named Warmiwanuisca or more popularly named as "Dead Woman's Pass" at elevation 4,200m.

The journey to the Pass was pleasant though tough. We reached the top in about four hours with a brief stop for a snag on the way.

At the top	View from the top

The descent was equally steep. A short distance down the pass we passed the first tunnel, under and between giant boulders.

We finally arrived at our campsite at Pacaymayu (3,500m).

Steep descent	The first cave

Camp at Pacaymayu