For thousands of years, South American civilizations developed themselves apart from the rest of the world. The last of these peoples were the Incas, who extended over the territories of Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, basically placing its political center in Peru. As the Romans did, the Incas produced monumental stone buildings, as well as the most extensive network of paved roads to link the farthest corners of their vast Empire. Many of them recently rediscovered and cleared such as the Inca Trail, where the modern man may admire the best example of those routes, trodden by the first invaders who were shocked and couldn´t help but praise every inch of these ancient trails.
The Inca Trail is one of those that after overcoming high snow-covered peaks, sneaks down into the strip of jungle, where access grows difficult by the minute, and it is right there where the Sacred City of Machupicchu rests.
The 39 km Inca Trail between Piscacucho (km82) and the City of Machupicchu is the most reknown route in South America, which belongs to the Historical Sanctuary of Machupicchu, situated within the District of Cusco in Urubamba province. It is one of the Conservation Areas created by the Peruvian Government in 1981 for further conservation and protection purposes.In 1997, Román Tinta - a Cuscan athlete- , won the marathon competition on the Inca Trail, establishing a record of 3 hours, 34 minutes and 20 seconds from Km 88 up to Machupicchu, covering a 33 km distance.
Many tourists from all over the world come to Peru not only to visit Machu Picchu, but also to hike on the Inca Trails, perhaps the most famous hike in South America. On one hand, they are attracted by the challenge posed by the trail; on the other hand, the beauty of the scenery, the impressive ruins and above all, the mystery that awaits at the end of the trail.
There are three options to get to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. The first and longest lasts for 7-8 days, being also the most difficult and it goes over 4 500m asl. The second is the most common, 4 days and 3 nights and covers only 42 km. The third and shortest option only takes 2 days and 1 night, what makes it simpler and less demanding. Since the second option is the most popular, we´ll herein explain it in detail.
1st Day: Km. 82 - Wayllabamba Camp
The day begins very early, generally pick-up time is from 6.30 to 7am at the hotels. After a 3-hour busride and a 1-hour break in the town of Urubamba to get supplies, the bus arrives at Km 82 on the route to Machu Picchu. Every tourist has to register here at the checkpoint in order to start the trekking. From here only 42 km over mountains, Andean valleys, rivers and tropical forets stretch between you and Machu Picchu.
The first stretch up the camp at Miskay, a lunch stop, is basically flat with easy ascents and takes barely 1 hour to cover. The trek goes on after lunch by descending and ascending a canyon. Later on, from the top of the hill, the ruins of Llactapata citadel come into view. The trails winds down to enter the valley of the Kusichaca river, from where a light climb gets you to the camp at Wayllabamba. Up to this point, it´s a 2-3 hour hike since after lunch. The camp lies 3 000 m high and it´s cold at night. After dinner and before going to sleep, it´s a good chance to look at the stars. In clear nights, it´s possible to see most of the Milky Way, some constellations like Orion´s Belt and if lucky a shooting star.
2nd Day: From Wayllabamba Camp to Paqaymayo Camp
Wake-up call rings at 6am for breakfast and packing. The second day is considered by far the most difficult, due ti the 1 200 m ascend to the highest point on the trail, the Warmiwañusca pass or "Dead Woman´s Pass" at 4 200 m. Such stretch ususlly takes from 4 to 5 hours. Once there, it´s recommended to take a break and wear thick clothes, for it´s generally cold. If you hire a carrier to transport your bags, don´t forget to bring a thick jacket and long pants fro this pass.
Once through, the trails goes down for 2 hours to the next camp. However, some groups take lunch in midway to have a break and others do it at the camp in Paqaymayo, where we stay overnight. This way, almost the whole afternoon is devoted to rest.Important Notice: It´s possible to hire the services of carriers to take stuff to the pass or the camp itself. I suggest doing so, if you are not sure of being able to cope with heights and the long hike. It´s more important to enjoy it than to suffer it. Meke arrangements with your guide and pay directly to the carrier. The price is generally US 10 or s/ 35 (local money).
3rd Day: From Paqaymayo Camp to Wiñaywayna Camp
This is the most interesting day, besides being the longest. It begins with a 1 and a half hour ascend to the Runkurakay pass, located at 3 950 m. There´s a stop at an ancient Inca checkpoint on the way, as well as at a lagoon where deer often drink from. After this pass the trail basically goes down. Other four ruins lie along th way to be visited: the first is Sayacmarca, that during Inca days was also a checkpoint for the trails leading into Machu Picchu. The hikes continues on to Phuyupatamarca, where groups do lunch and visits the ruins here. From this moment the ascend is pretty steep and difficult, for it mainly consists of steps. Finally, we make it to the ruins at Intipata, a complex of terraces built halfway a mountain slope, covered by dense vegetation. The trail leads to the camp at Wiñaywayna which offers rest, a shower and a cold beer. Once installed, we could visit the ruins of Wiñaywayna, similar to those of Intipata, but way more impressive.
4th day: From Wiñaywayna Camp to Machu Picchu
This starts earlier than normal, since 5:30am is the time to put ourselves on the way towards Machu Picchu. The flashlights will come in handy, it´s still dark at this hour and the trail is rather narrow. In one and a half hours, we arive at Inti Punku or "The Door to the Sun", from where it´s possible to admire for the first time the majestic Inca city of Machu Picchu. From here it´s only 30 minutes to the ruins. What do you need on the Inca Trail?
To begin with, it´s obligatory to hire a professional guide or book a package tour to the Trail. These tours provide tents, matresses, as well as food. The only extra things you need to take is your rucksack for your personal stuff, flashlight and sleeping bag. The plastic poncho or a raincoat is a key piece during the months from November to March. It´s possible to buy bottled water in the first two days, but for the tird day it´s necessary to purify water and here´s when purifying pills or iodine come in.As far as clothes are concerned, hikking boots, long pants, T-shirts, jackets, gloves and cap are recommended. Not to forget sunblock and insect repellant, especially during the wet season.
Location:
The Inca Trails begins at Km 82 from Cusco City on the way to Machu Picchu. It covers a 39 km distance.
Climate:
climate is rather varied along the trek. During the day, it´s generally sunny and dry (first two days), but a bit humid on the third and fourth days. At night, it´s cold at the first two camps, but it changes to temperate at the third camp. The wet season starts by the end of November and goes through to March. This will meke trekking more difficult but the landscapes benefit from the rain.
Landscapes:
scenery and landscapes gradually change along the trail. The landscape reflects Andean features like steep snow-topped mountains, forests and creeks during the first two days. In turn, vegetation goes more tropical on the third day, ressembling a rain forest. Llamas , hawks, lizards and an occasional deer may be seen along the hike.History: The Inca Trail served as a pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu, trekked by the Inca King himself in the 15th century. It wasn´t intended for commercial purposes, since there were other easier trails to carry products, llamas and people to Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inca Trail was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to worship the mountains along the route, like those of Verónica and Wakaywilka.
Services:
The camps are located outdoors, accomodation relies on tents and not any sort of traditional building. Still they count on hygenic toilets. Hot showers are only available at the last camp. Qualified personnel in the checkpoints at every camp provide security and assistance in case of accidents and medical emergencies. This is a wonderful trail that treasures for you the opportunity of a lifetime to get to know and enjoy the marvels of ancient engineering that the Incas bulilt in close harmony with the surrounding nature. Trekking on the Inca Trail is to fulfill the dream of reaching Machupicchu in a different way that will allow you to find yourself, and being able to see the city from the Door to the Sun will make you experience an otherworldly sensation.
