Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu constitutes the most famous and well-preserved way of all the inka trails. Before starting the trek, at the entrance of the Inca Trail that will lead us to Machu Picchu, we try to see beyond the trees, the mountains, and the dense mist that accompanies us in this chilling morning, concentrated in the endeavour of the days to come.
Last night's briefing, previous to the journey, tried to instruct us about the difficulties of the path and what we will encounter, but it achieved to give us a fainted idea only of what we really will find. If we are lucky, we may hear the distant footsteps of the Chasquis (Inca's messengers) trapped in time; if we are lucky, we may see magnificent sunsets over the ancient Inca ruins, or a clear dawn at the outskirts of Machu Picchu. Connoisseurs say that the sacred trail builds the temper of the hikers. Each turn, each precipice, each obstacle is drew on their soul. If we are lucky, we may discover a new part within ourselves as walkers of legendary routes.
It is necessary to have four days like minimum to cross it. The geography of the Way Inca is rough and allows to contemplate landscapes of great beauty that they include imposing snowed, exuberantes forests and leafy forests. The water abounds in the gorges, that are prote'ge'es of the fort wind, own characteristic of the height passages.
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Location
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is part of an extensive Inca road system, over 23000 kilometres long. These roads went across the coast and the Andean heights, including some reaching the mountains close to the forest. With them, the Incas sought to keep connected all the regions of the Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire), which occupied part of the current territories of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, reaching down to the centre of Chile and the north of Argentina.
Weather
The weather in this region is divided basically into two seasons. The rainy season is fromanovember to March. During this time, mostly on February, the Inca Trail remains closed, as much for the frequent landslides or huaycos, as for the maintenance works. The dry season is from May to September with sunny days mostly, whilst the nights can be pretty much colder.
Itinerary
First day
The trail, built with large paving stones on a very uneven terrain, includes several flights of steps, some more difficult than the others due to the geography of the place. Besides, we will walk through tunnels dug on the rock, or wooden bridges to cross small streams, woods of clouds and mountains. While going further, the Salkantay and the Humantay snow-capped mountains will look after your journey. A day before the tour, travellers are briefed on the necessary information and recommendations to undertake the hike.
The walk starts very early in the morning. A bus will take you up to Piscapucho, at the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the cities of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. Crossing the bridge of the Urubamba River is where the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu truly begins. On the left side, a eucalyptus wood is crossed until arriving to the archaeological remains of Llactapata (People of the Heights). This place has a great number of andenes - cultivation terraces resembling a gigantic flight of steps - which probably were used to feed other cities, and tambos (storage places) for the Inca Trail. This urban sector has more than one hundred structures.
Second day
The second day safes the hardest stage of the journey for trekkers. Travellers will have to climb up to the Warmiwañusca (Where the Woman Dies) mountain pass, at 4200 metres of altitude. The hike turns hard due to the steep slope leading to the pass. You can appreciate a changing of sceneries along the way, going from the lukewarm valleys to the desolated and cold plains of the puna (highlands). A descend towards the valley of the Pacaymayu river begins at the mountain pass; there you will find a campsite and a public restroom. The time of the hike up to this point is of about six or seven hours.
The third day
The third day is considered to take the longest walk. Even though the route presents no difficulties like the previous day, the extension of the journey is longer. A second mountain pass needs to be surmounted; there you can appreciate the impressive archaeological remains of Runkuracay (Ovoid Building), located at 3800 metres of altitude. It is an Inca tambo, with a semicircular shape. This shape is explained by the strong winds blowing in the are
The quarter and last day
Then you will find the first tunnel of the road, 20 metres long and inclined, with steps carved in the proper rock. There is an ascension towards the third and last mountain pass of the route after crossing the tunnel. The Citadel of Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds), where the homonymous mountain pass stands, is one of the most original compounds of the Inca Trail with no doubt. The scenery is surrounded by a wood of clouds. This town is characteristic for its large number of andenes and for its ceremonial fountains with fresh water.
The trail begins a steep descent close to the pass of Phuyupatamarca, going downwards through the heavy steps of a spiral stairway and crossing a second tunnel. The path continues following the course of the Urubamba River, until arriving to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young).
Its name comes from the typical orchids of the place, which embellish the area along the year with their live colours. This is probably the most attractive citadel of the Inca Trail, and the last urban centre before Machu Picchu. It was built on a steep slope on the left bank of the Urubamba River. It has four main sectors: the urban sector, which is located in the lower part with more than 20 buildings; the sector of the Ritual Fountains; the sector of the Farming Terraces; and the sector of the tower. This building has the finest architecture of the compound; hence it is supposed to have served as a religious or royal precinct. The walk must have taken about seven hours up to here.
Recomemndations
- UGM rules oblige you to contract the services of a registered travel agency or registered official guide to enter the Inca Trail. There are no exceptions to this rule and transgression will result in expulsion from the area and the loss of any payments made for permits etc.
- This rule was established in order to safeguard the historical patrimony and the eco-system on the Inca Trail. It also regulates the number of visitors that may enter the area on a daily basis, as well as the minimum time required on the trail.
- We recommend that you contract the services of an agency that offers complete packages with all services included, i.e. equipment, food, cooks, porters, guides, entrance fees and reservations. All these costs are specified in the packages offered by the different agencies, which sometimes may seem high in comparison with only contracting an official guide, but many times the guide services do not include all costs.
- Included in the agency package is the entrance ticket to the Inca Trail as well as the entrance to the Machu Picchu ruins themselves.
- The best season to visit the Inca Trail is from May through October. The rest of the year there are less visitors due to the harsher climate with heavy rains and some parts of the trail may become very slippery and dangerous.
- The Machu Picchu administration charges per person for trail maintenance (ticket which includes the right of entrance to the Sanctuary). There are toilet facilities and a shelter at Wiñay Wayna, where the visitor can also see some of the most spectacular sets of cultivation terraces in all Peru.
Hire porters
- You can also find them in the villages of Chilca and Wayllabamba. They are generally from the high parts of Ollantaytambo, from the farmer communities of Willoq and Patankancha.
- These natives generally wear their colourful folk costumes and are very popular with the travellers.
- It is important to make clear that the caravans are organised in accordance with the number of travellers and for each tourist there are two porters: one that carries the food for the four day planned trip, and the other carries tents and sleeping bags.
- Once on the trail there is no assistance to be hired and thus it is important to make the necessary contacts beforehand.
- The whole trail is well marked and you will meet many other travellers along the road. You will also enjoy a variety of awesome views and microclimates that should catch the fancy of even the most exiguous traveller.
- The campsites will change according to your progress, but we advise to set aside four days for the trip.
- Do not forget to tip the guide, the cook and especially the porters.
What to bring
The traveller should limit the weight of his belongings he wishes to carry with him in order to be comfortable during the trek. If he decides to use the services of a travel agency, they will make sure he is supplied with the equipment that he needs. The agencies will supply all the required equipment, except sleeping bags. It is necessary that you bring the following:
Clothing
- At least two changes of winter clothing, as well as a pair of shorts and T-shirts to use during the day.
- At nighttime you will need a woollen cap, a woollen scarf, knitted woollen socks, warm gloves, a warm sweater and a thick down jacket, as well as a raincoat in case it rains.
- Broken-in hiking boots, sneakers or similar.
- Long-legged pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- T-shirts.
- Sweaters and a thick jacket.
- A raincoat during the wet or rainy period.
- Gloves, scarf, woollen socks and a hat or cap.
Foodstuffs
- Food: Non-perishable, easy-to-carry and easy to cook.
- Canteen or bottled water.
- Chocolate, sweets, dried fruits.
- Some alcoholic drink for the cold dawns (the trail is crossed by many small streams, we recommend to bring water-purifying tablets).
- Gas camping stove.
- Cooking-pots, plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons and garbage bags.
Gear and other stuff
- Insect repellent and sun screen crème
- Backpack or light carrying bag.
- Sleeping bag.
- Light or hard foam mattresses.
- Tent.
- Torches or flashlights with spare batteries and bulbs.
Personal hygiene articles
- Soap.
- Shampoo.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Towel.
- Lip chap-sticks.
- Medicine for altitude sickness and stomach problems.
- UV coated sunglasses.
We recommend
- To drink a lot of liquid on the trail.
- Not forget to bring a copy of your passport.
References
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