Inca Trail Day One: Patallacta/Llactapata Ruins

Patallacta is the first real site you come to on the trail, though a couple of others are visible earlier. With its incredible visible terraces, the town was primarily an agricultural colony providing food to other towns along the inca highway, and a probably pit stop along the road as well. The town is guarded by a hill top fortress, and perhaps at its peak supported some 5,000 people. The site and part of Inca trail here was burned to prevent the Spanish from discovering Machu Pichu and the full trail, and thus the Spanish never did. It was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.