2 October 2025 : Inca Trail Day 2
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The second day, and first full day, on the trail started with a wake up at around 4:45 am with a cup of hot coca tea and a bowl of hot water for basic washing. This is the longest day's walking on the trail and includes crossing the two highest passes.
First we had to pack our belongings and sleeping gear away in either the duffel bags for the porters to collect or in our own daypacks to carry with us.
Once we were clear the porters could start collapsing and packing the tents.
We had an excellent buffet breakfast in the dining tent.
Seed bars and passion fruit were provided for us to take as snacks for along the trail.
The path continued through the trees and up the mountains.
I'm not sure where the dog came from - it wasn't with us.
The weather was changeable with brief rain showers and sometimes the mist/cloud would close in.
Ascending on foot at this altitude made for an exhausting experience. At times it was a matter of just focusing on putting one foot in front of another while trying to convince myself that whatever the next visible high point was must be the turning point to descend.
Eventually we did reach Warmiwañusqa ("Dead Woman's Pass"), the highest pass on the trail at around 4,200 metres or 13,800 feet above sea level (900 metres higher than our starting point for the day).
Beyond Warmiwañusqa the path descended again.
Leading us to Pacamayu ("Hidden River") Valley about 3,600 meters or 11,800 feet above sea level.
Then upwards to the ruin of Runqurakay, a tambo where it's believed the travellers in Incan times could stop for food and rest.
And further again to Runqurakay pass, about 4,000 metres or 13,100 feet above sea level.
Leading to a further descent.
The quality of the path varied along the three day journey, at times a dirt track or sparsely stoned especially in the early stages where it is suggested that following defeat by the Spanish the Incans destroyed the path to protect the way to Machu Picchu - today though it was mostly a well constructed path showing the Incas mastery of stonework and at times was effectively the top of an Incan wall.
The path took us to the ruins of the Inca Village of Sayaqmarka. Unfortunately by this time the weather had closed in - it started raining more heavily and visibility was poor.
Then on to our campsite for the night at Chaquicocha ("Dry Lake") - about 3,600 metres or 11,800 feet above sea level.
The evening meal was accompanied with decorative though makeshift lanterns over which we roasted marshmallows.
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