Machupicchu was connected with the city of Cusco and the rest of the Inca empire by amazing trails, specifically designed for the use of the Inkas in a perfect harmony with the flora and fauna of the area. It has to be said that they had an absolutely wonderful knowledge of architecture and construction. Throughout the whole trail you can locate some shelters surrounded by gorgeous country sites and great views, some of the trails lead you to a few archeologycal rests.  The Inca Trail to Machupicchu is known as the most famous and tough hiking circuit all over South America, because of the conjuntion of different elements that it offers to its visitors.

Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is approximately 32 km long . Starts at Km 88, off the railway line.  It passes several archeological ruins along the route. At the same time, it crosses 9 different ecological areas which are located between 2000 and 6000 metres above the sea level.The trail is occupied by  more than 400 species of orchids, begonias, trees and bushes such as the Queña (Polylepis racemosa), the Pisonay (Eritrina falcata),the Muña (Minthostachys glabrecens) and some more. 

It also hosts a huge fauna.  Many of the 400 birds registered in the sanctuary can be found in the forests, like the Rocky Cock (Rupícola peruviana) and the Mountain Turkey ( Penelope montagnii). Along the rivers, the "river duck" (Merganetta armata) can be found , the majesctic cóndor (vultur gryphus)  can be seen flying over this unique area.  The cucarachero inka (Thryothorus eisenmanni) is the representative bird of this area. 

 At the present time the Inca trail uses three routes; and they all start in the following order:

The first starts at km 82nd in Chilca, this is the furthest you can go by bus. It goes for 4 days and three nights. This is the longest and the best.

The second starts at km 88th, where you usually get by train and it joins the one before after a couple of kilometres.

The third starts on km 104th, you must take the train to get to this one, it is a small walk that goes for two days usually or can be done in even one day depending on the pace of the walkers. 

The three of them are a worth-to-take adventure , this experience is once in a lifetime and it is really espectacular from the begginning to the end, we definately recommend you to take a journey that will stay in your mind forever.

Panoramic view of the Urubamba valley - Inca Trail

>> WEATHER: It is relatively mild through  the entire year, fairly rainy from November to March and dry-warm around April and October, this is the best time of the year to do it.  The average temperature per year rises from 20.4 ºC to 26.6ºC.

>> TERRITORY: The geographic area is surrounded and based over a few gorges and creeks which born on the Icy Mountains and end up on the Urubamba River. It is known as a tough hike,  there are plenty of hills, steps and deep valleys to climb up and down. However it is worth to experience.

>> COUNTRYSIDE: The natural scenery is impressive due to the the noticeable equilibrium between nature and the the Inka architecture, including the area of Vilcabamba which has mountains over 6000 metres above the sea level, such as Salkantay and Humantay among others. The presence of jungles and valleys combined with the sunsets and sunrises will delight you on your visit.

>> INKA TRAIL RECOMMENDATIONS: 

* The flora and fauna are protected by the governement and the International Association of Protection of the Animals and Plants; so do not attempt to disturb them.

* Use only the marked trails, do not try to make short cuts.

* Camp only on the designated areas , respect the archaeological sites and restricted areas. 

* Rubbish should be put in plastic bags and disposed at the end of your visit.

* Camp fires  are dangerous, they are not allowed unless they are small and only  used for cooking. 

* In case of an emergency try to reach the nearest check point. 

>>NECESSARY EQUIPMENT:  Tent, sleeping bag, torch, gas cooker, plastic ponchos, matches, a saucepan, water (there are a few creeks along the trail so purification tablets are recommended), light-weight shoes and boots, a hat, a set of clothes, a pocket knife, spoons and food.  If you are travelling with a tour company it is their responsability to provide the necessary equipment and meals. 

>> HOT SPRINGS: 800 meters east of the town of Aguas Calients are sulphorous hot springs, with a temperature around the 38 ºC a 46 ºC , which emerges from the rocky ground.  The heated swimming pools provide the basic structure for their use.

>> DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE: The total length of the Inca Trail in approximately 43 km, leaving form Q`oriwayrachina,known as Km. 88; this is where the trail starts. To start the journey you cross the hanging bridge Kusicancha, then keep to the left by the forest of eucaliptus trees.  The journey starts calmly.  You will arrive at Wayllabamba and later at Llullucha where it is recommended to camp. 

The second day is the toughest, you have to climb 4200 meters to the top of Warmiwañusqa (the highest point).  If anyone suffers from "zoroche" or altittude sickness, the best thing to do is to go on as quickly as possible until you reach the valley of the Pacamayo river which is lower and where the next camp site is located.

The third day is the longest, but the most interesting as you can visit some espectacular sites such as Runkuracay, Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatamarca and  Wiñayhuayna, where the last camp site is located.( you can also find a little hostal)

The fourth day is the best part of the whole trail, very early in the morning you must start your walk to Inti Punko or Door of the Sun , where you will be able to see the most amazing sunrise ever; finally you can start descending to the fabulous citadel of Machupicchu. 

>> DESCRIPTION OF THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES ALONG THE INCA TRAIL:

QORIHUAYRACHINA: This word refeers to the place where the sun blows, you can observe a huge range of andenes or cultivating stairs , and up on the top of it you can find a few constructions of houses. There is a bridge located at 2498 above the sea level which you can use to find your way in this ruins.

LLACTAPATA: This word points out the place on top of the hill, it offers a good view of acueducts installed to irrigate the andenes and there is a plaza which was used for  the community work,  this place was mainly used for religious ceremonies. It is located at 2600 m.a.s.l.

WAYLLABAMBA: It can be translated as beautiful place, located on a valley at 3000 m.a.s.l.

RUNKURAKAY: It gets this name thanks to its semicircular shape, it has only one entrance for seven different rooms, this shape is offered for the strong wind that blows in this place.It is located at 3700 a.s.l..

SAYACMARCA: It is well known as the resting place,there are approximately about 25 rooms , four water supplies and the main attraction are the acueducts made out of mud and stones with a mixture of sand. It is located at 3580 m.a.s.l.

PHUYUPATAMARCA: It can be translated as city upon the clouds, shows a work of 21 stairs and ten of them are absolutely amazing for their decorations. It has 6 rooms with their own views and 6 water supplies. It is located at 3530 m.a.s.l.

WIÑAYWAYNA: It is translated as Young Forever, this name is also given to one of the varieties of orchids that exists in this area. It has 16 rooms, according to the number of water supplies, there's even two-story-rooms. It is located at 2644 m.a.s.l.

Wiñaywayna

INTIPUNKU: or Door of the Sun, it is usually used as a check point. It is a great place to get wonderful pictures of Machupicchu.

 

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Useful Tips Machupicchu	Useful Tips Inca Trail

Inka Trail Machupicchu, Machupicchu was connected with the city of Cusco and the rest of the Inca empire by amazing trails. Peru