This was my first day in Vilcabamba.  What an incredible place!  The surrounding views are stunning and the whole Vilcabamba vibe is one of relaxation.  I am staying about 2km outside of the small town.  Which means my legs are getting a good workout.  There is a system of great trails into the mountainside and valleys.  Many of them start a short walk from where I am staying.  I gave a trail a try this morning.  I had a great time.  The weather was really nice, maybe even a bit hot.  The start of the trail passed through a few houses on the way to a creek.  I was confronted by an angry chicken who brutally and ferociously attacked me.  Hahaha.  Maybe it wasn't so brutal nor ferocious but I am glad that I was wearing long pants.  Along the way I say a view birds, tons of butterflies, and about a 3 foot long snake (again, glad I was wearing pants hahaha).  The snake was on the side of the trail and slithered away quickly when he heard me coming.  The views were spectacular.  Leave it to me to become a bit lost (even with the help of a good map).  The beautiful thing is that the trails are self-guided and well mapped out.  This was one of the easier trails, so I'm looking forward to see what I can get into on the harder ones.  I think my schedule over the next three days will be the following:  eat breakfast, hike for 3-6 hours, read in the hammock and repeat


My legs are already a bit sore.  I've realized that it is time to get back into shape.  Here are some pics:

View of Vilcabamba and the surrounding mountains from my hostel. Some bearded man in front of Mandango Mountain. Jereminthiums haha.