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Day 2 on the Inca Trail. We were walking through the lush woodland before reaching the highest point at Dead Womans Pass, but at this point we were really enjoying the walking, and not realising how tough it was going to get.
Peru laws require that all Inca trail treks are guided. I went with Peru Treks, a group noted for their ethical treatment of porters. There were 22 porters (incl. guides) for our group of 15.
It's five star camping, really. These guys break down your tent and cook you breakfast, then pack it all up and sprint down the trail after you...literally. On downhill portions it was more common to see a porter running--upwards of 50lbs on his back--than walking.
Every once in a while one from our group would slow down long enough to have a quick conversation. One of my favorite parts of being on the trail was hearing the about life in the Sacred Valley from a native's perspective, even if at this point my speaking opportunities were found between breathless gasps. The younger porters (19 was our group's youngest, 57 our oldest) were brave enough to practice their English or voice their ambitions to one day go to school for a tourism degree become a guide.