Getting to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail (1)

“Inka Trail” (1)

Description

The Inca Trail is a walk that starts from the legendary 82 km, near Ollantaytambo, includes a path along which you can find different ecoregions, altitude, temperature range and unforgettable panoramas that will make your visit an unforgettable experience, the path that ends in Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas) is composed of various parts such as staircases cut in stone, wooden bridges to cross small rivers, tunnels through huge boulders, real engineering work together a great knowledge of architecture and beautiful scenery make the Inca Trail, a fascinating and unforgettable adventure.
It runs from what used to be the paths used by the Incas to communicate different cities of his empire. Of the various alternatives available, the most common is the 4 days.

The spectacular Inca Trail

(Source: http://www.camino-inca.com/trek/maps.php?lg=es)

History

The Inca Trail was a route of pilgrimage to Machu Picchu by the Inca king himself in the fifteenth century. He had a commercial purpose, as there were other more simple ways to transport goods, people burning and Machu Picchu. The purpose of the Inca Trail was religious and ceremonial rituals that included a pilgrimage to honor the mountains and glaciers on the route, such as Veronica or Wakaywilka.

Wakaywilka Mountain

Vailability entry to the Inca Trail

Currently the Management Unit of Machu Picchu (UGM) let passengers can enter only with travel agents who are authorized to operate the Inca Trail since they themselves are responsible for organizing the tour and the necessary procedures for entering Way Inca and Machu Picchu.
The UGM has ordered the entry of 500 people per day to the Inca Trail, ie they can only enter an average of 200 tourists, so we recommend you make reservations 2 months in advance. In high season it is advisable to 3 months in advance.
The high season begins between the months of May through September.


To check availability of spaces for entry to the Inca Trail can see the following link: http://www.discovercusco.com/cuzco-cusco/camino_inca/disponibilidad_de_espacios_del_camino_inca.htm


Location

The Inca Trail begins 82 kilometers from Cusco to Machu Picchu road and the journey is 42 miles.


Landscapes

The scenery and landscapes also change along the walk. In the first two days, the landscape is the presence of Andean type with rugged mountains, glaciers, forests and streams. In contrast, the third day the tropical vegetation is looking more like a tropical forest. Along the way you can see llamas, hummingbirds, hawks, lizards and sometimes deer.

Weather

The climate varies along the path. During the day is usually sunny and dry in the first two days and humid in the third and fourth. At night, the first two camps are usually cold, but the third camp is mild. The rainy season begins in late November and lasts until March. While this adds more difficulty to walk, it is also true that landscapes are benefited by the rains.
The more humid season runs from January to April, when roads are often closed by landslides or flooding.

The best months to visit Machu Picchu are from April to October.

The Inca Trail is sometimes cloudy.

Sometimes the going gets tough

Alturas

Wayllabamba: 3.000 meters above sea level
Pacaymayu: 3.500 meters above sea level
Wiñay wayna: 2.650 meters above sea level
Machu Picchu: 2.400 meters above sea level

Travel Precautions

Because you are visiting Andean areas, do not forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness (altitude sickness). Be sure to drink tea or coca leaf tea hot when it gets to the point, the first day move slowly and eat lightly.


Age recommended for traveling the Inca Trail

The best time for the weather to make Inca Trail runs from April to August, but the disadvantage is the price, the high concentration of visitors, but the rest of the year is also possible to do this hike. February has been established in a period of close to tourist use, for reasons of natural recovery of the Inka road network.


Alternatives to the Inca Trail tour

The first and longest is 8 to 7 days which is quite difficult, moreover, that the height can exceed 4.500 meters.
The second option is more popular as tourists, lasts 4 days and 3 nights and has a route of 42 kilometers.
The third is the shortest only takes 2 days and 1 night, being quite simple and cheap travel required.


Description of the most popular route (four days)

For the more adventurous, and time to invest, this is the most spectacular trek in the Americas.
Forty-three miles of trails, paved in stone, leading to the Citadel and take about four days to complete.
There is a long way considering that the Incas built some 14,000 miles of roads across their empire.

The journey begins in Qorihuayrachina, mile 88 of the Cusco-Quillabamba rail.
Following the mountain path on the left bank of the Urubamba river - at 3,281 meters above sea level - through the ancient Inca settlement:

• Patallacta
• Huayllabamba or Wayllabamba.
• Runquraqay or Runkurakay
• Sayacmarca
• Phuyu Pata Marca
• Huiñay Huayna or Huayna Wuiñay

First Day:

Kusichaca starts across the bridge over the river Urubamba. Crosses Q'ente archaeological sites, Pulpituyoc, Kusichaca and Patallacta, arriving at the town of Wayllabamba.
You can camp here or stay overnight in Wiñaywayna.

Archaeological Site Patallacta

Archaeological Site Patallacta

Wiñaywayna Archaeological Complex

Second Day:

Ascend to 4,200 meters, crossing the highest pass: Warmiwañusca.
Pay attention to the symptoms of Soroche (altitude sickness or altitude sickness), the altitude sickness. If this happens, quickly descends into the valley of Pacaymayu camping.

Ascent to the Open of Warmihuañusca

Ascent to the Open of Warmihuañusca

Third Day:

You will cross Runquraqay impressive archaeological sites, through the Lake Yanacocha, Sayacmarca ascend up to 3,600 meters above sea level.
You can camp near Pata Marca Phuyu or Huiñay Huayna.

Yanacocha Lake

Archaeological Site Runquraqay

Archaeological Site Runquraqay

Sayaqmarca Archaeological Complex

Sayaqmarca Archaeological Complex

 Fourth Day:

Arrive to Machu Picchu in the morning.
You can not camp in Intipunko although you can spend the night in Aguas Calientes or take the train back to Cusco.

Arriving at Machu Picchu by the Inca Trail.

Machu Picchu seen from Intipunku

Sources:

http://www.discovercusco.com/cuzco-cusco/camino-inca/camino-inca-Machu Picchu.htm
http://www.moon.com/maps
http://trotamundo-omar.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?orderby=updated
http://www.hotels-cusco-peru-machupicchu.com/camino-inca-machu-picchu.htm
http://www.camino-inca.com/trek/maps.php?lg=es
http://inkatrail010.blogspot.com/2010/04/inka-trail.html
http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/cusco.html
http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/machu-picchu-sp.html
http://urpiviajesperu.com/imagenes/caminoinca.jpg
http://www.peru-explorer.com/images/inca_trail.jpg
http://www.inka-trail.com/espanol/camino_inca.htm
http://www.inka-trail.com/espanol/preguntas_frequentes_faq.htm
http://www.incatrail-peru.com/inka-trail/spanish/#
http://www.inkatrailtomachupicchu.com/inkatraildescription_Esp.html
http://www.turismoinkaiko.net/peru-turismo/peru-turismo-interes/cusco-camino-inca-dia-2.html
http://www.aputours.com/fotos_del_camino_inca.php
http://www.inkathani.com/galeria/camino_inca/Camino_inca008.jpg
http://contrastesoperador.com/contenidos/2010/07/15/Editorial_3056.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_4HIukhoh0

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