The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Choisir la variante 3 jours de marche (depuis km 88)

The Inca Trail is Peru's most popular trekking route, running for more than 40km and reaching 4,200 m.a.s.l. at its highest point, the Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman's Pass. The stone-paved trail, discovered in 1960, crosses through an impressive range of natural landscapes and eco-systems, from thick tropical jungle to the bear, unwelcoming rocks of the Andean mountains. All in all it's probably the most beautiful walk in South America. Photo Courtesy: PromPerú The Trail takes three to four days of tough hiking, and can be commenced at Chillca (Kilometre 76 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway) or, most frequently, at Qorihuayrachina, Kilometre 88 of the railway. The first day is relatively easy, and includes along the route the Inca ruins of Cusichaca, Q'ente, Pulpituyoc, and Llaqtapata, a site used for crop production remained well preserved. From the Cusichaca bridge, the Trail follows an undulating path across bare slopes and through eucalyptus forests. After a 4-hour walk, the trail reaches the village of Wayllabamba. The second day is the hardest of all. The ascent from Wayllabamba becomes increasingly steep, as the trail follows original Inca stonework that climbs uphill, ending just short of the actual Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman's pass, at 4,200 m.a.s.l. The crossing of the Dead Woman's pass opens day three, after camping in the Pacaymayo valley. The Trail descends into the valley beyond and heads to a second, lower, pass to the restored site of Runkuraqay, a small Inca watch post. After the second pass is the site of Sayaqmarka, perched atop a sheer cliff. From here one can see the start of the massive Amazon rainforest, stretching to Brazil. After Sayaqmarka the Trail continues through thick cloud forest and jungle, filled with tropical flowers and colourful orchids. Reaching a third and final pass at Phuyupatmarka, one gets a first glimpse of Machu Picchu mountain, roughly 13 km away. The final day is another easy day, mostly descending into the valleys and passing through more colourful jungle and cloud forest before reaching Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or Gateway of the Sun. Although Machu Picchu is the highlight of the Inca Trail, it is not the only thing of note. Numerous other Inca sites, stunning views, wildlife and colourful flora fill the whole Trail. During the high season, from June to August, you should book well in advance -at least 3 months-, as the number of trek permits issued is limited to 500 per day (including tour guides and porters). Probably the best period for the Trial is between May and October, when the weather is driest. Usually, the climate is Rainy during summer (in the Southern Hemisphere, from December to March). Sunny from May-September. Maximum temperatures reach 27° C, but rarely drop below 11° C. The Inca Trail is part of the more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas across South America. It features some tough hiking, including several hours above 3,500 m.a.s.l. (the Trail's highest point stands at 4,200 m.a.s.l.), so you should spend at least 48 hours in Cusco acclimatising before the ascend. Otherwise, Acute Mountain sickness (altitude sickness) could make your first few days pretty uncomfortable. The forests abound in hundreds of species of orchids, brightly-colored birds and dream-like landscapes, the ideal complement to this indispensable hikers' route.