Part of the 23,000 kilometers of roads built by the Incas in South America. It is the most famous route for hiking in Cusco and possibly the most spectacular in America. Each year, more than 25,000 adventurers from around the world walk along the 43 kilometers of this cobblestone road built by the Incas that leads to the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu located deep in the jungle of Cusco. The trip begins in the town of Pisqacucho, at kilometer 82 of the railway line of Cusco – Aguas Calientes and is 4 days of intense walking. The route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems that goes from the puna to the cloud forest. Travelers will cross two high altitude passes (Warmiwañuska at 4,200 m.s.) to complete the walk with a magical entrance to Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or Sun Gate.
One of the main attractions along the route is the ancient settlement network built by the Incas such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca immersed in a natural setting. Hundreds of varieties of orchids, multicolored birds, and dreamy landscapes provide the ideal setting for a route that an adventurer should ever walk in his life The climate is relatively mild around the whole year, with heavy rains from November to March, dry and warm weather from April to October, which is the recommended time to visit.
The minimum annual temperature ranges from 8 ° to 11.2 ° C. In the months of June, July and August the temperature can often fall below zero.
The annual maximum temperature varies from 20.4 ° to 26.6 °. The terrain is quite irregular, with several ravines and streams fed by the glaciers that eventually pour into the Urubamba River, which crosses the area forming a deep valley.
The mountains of Vilcabamba have wide and high peaks that reach up to 6,000 meters as well as Salkantay and Humantay among others.
The mixture of mountains, jungles and valleys create a fantastic world where the sunrise and the sunset are wrapped in a mystery.
If you want to visit this Inca Citadel we have the trek for you: Inca Trail Classic, Short Inca Trail, Inca Trail Imperial. ===> INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Summary
Some information about the route:
The road passes through archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna. The end of the road is the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol). That was the main gate in the time of the Incas. The scenery there is incredible. In most cases, after traveling the Inca Trail, you will return to the city of Cusco by train. Some tourists decide to relax in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes to return to Cusco the next day.
More information about the Inca Trail permits:
- It is allowed to do the Inca trail in the company of a tourist guide. The purchase of the ticket is in an authorized travel agency.
- The agencies are in charge of reserving the entrance tickets for you and everything necessary to carry out the walk.
- Tickets must be reserved 5 or 6 months in advance. Permits are limited to 500 people per day.
- Among the 500 people who do the Inca Trail, cooks, porters and guides are included. So there are only 200 tourists who can enter Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail.
Other Alternatives to get to Machu Picchu:
- The Salkantay Trek is one of the alternative routes to Machu Picchu, it crosses the famous Salkantay snowy mountain as well as landscapes of the jungle.
- Choquequirao to Machu Picchu is an 8 or 9 day trek that connects Cusco with the 2 most beautiful Inca archaeological centers in Cusco.
- Lares Trek is a hike that takes you through landscapes of snowy mountains until you arrive at Machu Picchu. There are several variants of this route.
- Inca jungle in this route you will do various activities such as riding a bike, canoeing, and hiking until you reach Machu Picchu
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