Inca trail

'El camino del Inca' in Spanish!

The way of the Inca is the most traditional excursion of Peru. If you are amateur of trek, made it is really pretty for it. But you are warned: there is world!

The price are very variable according to supply and of. We paid 180 $ by people for 4 days of walk very included (transport, lodging, meal and import duty on the site of Macchu Pichu). With the km 88 of the railway Cuzco-Quillabamba, the train of the tourists who go directly to Machu Picchu made a halt become famous for all those which dream of trekking and of excursion in the Andes. It is from there that share famous 'the Way of the INCA', excursion four days which leads to the mysterious lost city of Incas, while crossing imposing landscapes, by an old marked out road of vestiges and remarkable archeological sites.

It is Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu which it first, recognized the existence of this Inca road during its explorations of 1911 and 1915.

- Llactapata-

After having crossed a suspension bridge which crosses Rio Urubamba (2300 m of altitude) and marks the beginning of the 'Inca trail', one discovers, on the line, this site which east is one of widest Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu. Its vast terraces, leave think that Llactapata was a city dedicated to agriculture.

The way goes up then the course of Rio Kusichaca to the village of Huayllabamba (3400 m of alt.) at the disseminated houses, of which some preserved bases incas. To South-west, moves a dubious track leading the andinists towards the buttresses of the nevado Salcantay, one of the highest tops of the Andes Centrales (6270 m).

From Huayllabamba the painful rise until Warmiwañuska starts, to 4150 m of altitude. The way goes down again then to the narrow valley of Rio Pacamayo, then goes up towards a second collar.

- Runkuracay-

Perched on a rocky outcrop from where it dominates the vacuum, this small circular whole with the paces of fortress had to act of 'tambo' (inn) and as station of guet. The site is imposing and offers splendid sights. It is halfway located rise towards the second collar, known under the name of Runkuracay Pass (3500m).

- Sayaqmarka-

Perched at the top of a headland to 3700 m of altitude, it is connected to the Way of the INCA by a path which forks on the left and is transformed soon into long staircases, outcome in a principal place. True small city, this site is a labyrinth of lanes, small squares, terraces, houses, channels and fountains.

A group of enclosures occupies the western zone of Sayaqmarka, surrounded by vertiginous chasms. One discovers there sumptuous sights on the collar of Runkuracay.

The 'Inca Tunnel'

After Sayaqmarka, in direction of the third collar, the way passes under this famous tunnel, length of a score of meters, dug at the time of the incas. The interior is narrow, obscure and passably muddy during the rain season. After this one, the way crosses a forest and goes up towards the third collar.

Phuyupatamarka

This archaeological group is drawn up along famous 'the Inca trail' between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. The name of 'Phuyupatamarka', literally 'the city above the clouds' is well deserved, because because of its altitude (3650 m), it is often above those. Formerly important city, it very whole is located on a hill, protected well by the folds from the cordillera from Vilcabamba.

This view-point, one also has a superb point of view on the snow-covered slopes of the peak Salcantay (6270 m of alt.), among other tops, while in contrebas the steepsided valley of Rio Urubamba takes shape. Intipunktu: the door of entry with Machu Picchu.

Intipunktu, or 'Carries Sun' marks the arrival in the crowned city of Machu Picchu. At this place (2700 m), one discovers finally the goal of the voyage in all his extent and all his splendour. In the medium, the stair-carpet passes.

On the other hand the way is terribly attended because of its notoriety. If you required a trek less attended in the area, inform you in one of the many agencies of trek of Cuzco.