May 6-9 

Some may have intuited that we were not doing this trek on our own. In fact you are not allowed to. 

I wanted to do a separate post to honour our porters who made the whole experience as magical, and less arduous, as it was. 

Their strength, skill, humour and kindness was incredible. Fortunately Thea was alert enough to write down their names when we were introduced. 

Thus I can list them here 

Victor
Renato
Sergio
Mitchel
Alfredo
Edison
Heraldo
Ricardo
Amilka
Joel
Miguel
Washington
Sixto

Here they are introducing themselves.

It was they who each carried 20kg for us on the trail. It was they who clapped us in greeting when we arrived at lunch or camp. It was they who had our tents set up each evening. And then packed them up each morning. It was they who served us tea and delicious lunch and dinner. It was they who endeavoured to keep us as dry as possible on that third day. It was they who woke us with camp coffee each morning. 

When no-one else wanted to continue on to Winaywayna, Amilka the waiter offered to lead me there. 

But it was only Sixto who carried the greatly appreciated porta-potty. 

Victor the chef was a wizard. Not only did he feed us deliciously but on the third day, at lunch, in the rain, he managed to construct a cake for Adrian’s birthday.  

And then there was the popcorn!!

It became a “code” of the trail to yell out “Porter” to those ahead and step aside as they went scooting past, even loaded down as they were. 

And if they flew past us going up hill then their speed down the hills was unbelievable. Even in the wet! 

On the second evening, Nadia in our group came up with the inspired idea that we should serve them tea (and the popcorn!) instead of them serving us. 

Much joy and hilarity ensued.

We were told that many of them used the photos of this event as their phone screensavers. 

Thea did ask our guide, Wilson, if there was a race run on the Inca Trail (as it is just over marathon length). The answer was “Yes” and the record is 3 hours and 23 minutes. 

It is no surprise that a local porter holds it. 

Amazing individuals. 

A privilege to be in their care.