The document provides a map and description of the classic 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. It details what hikers can expect to see and do each day, including climbing over mountain passes, visiting Inca ruins along the way, and camping at designated sites. The final day involves hiking to the Sun Gate for views of Machu Picchu, then exploring the ruins before taking a train back to Cusco from the town below. Booking the trek far in advance is recommended due to its popularity.
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The Inca Trail is a dream of many; the hike is one of the most famous in South
America. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is a small part of a network
of trails and roads built by the Inca around 500 years ago and are said to
cover around 23000 to 45000 kilometers in total.
Here we will give you an ideal of
the trail with our Inca Trail Map, but
first a brief history of the trail.
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The trail connected the Tahuantinsuyo Empire with roads from Colombia and
Ecuador in the north, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil in the south and
varied in width. One interesting fact is that the Inca built the trails with the
llama in mind; the roads especially in the highland regions have many steps,
which the llama is well adept.
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The trails were made to be used for a variety of reasons including trade,
efficient transport and for war and were expanded greatly by the Inca Huayna
Capac who added around 16000 kilometers to the network. One historian
describes that Capac wanted the expansion to make it easier for his armies to
crush any rebellions that might have arisen.
1915, Bingham and his team
uncovered much of the overgrown
trail and today some of the trail is
still being restored. Thousands of
tourists hike the trail every year so
you will need to book your ticket
early.
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Fast forward, a few hundred years to 1911 and American Explorer Hiram
Bingham while searching for another legendary city came across Machu
Picchu with the help of a local farm boy. Between the years of 1913 and
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The Classic Inca Trail is four days and three-night trek and you will need to
make your Inca Trail booking early. In high season, the trek can sell out a year
in advance so keep that in mind when thinking about your booking. The best
time to do the trail is in the dry season which is from May to September but this
is also high season and there may not be Inca Trail availability.
Day 1. You will be picked up early
and travel through the Sacred
Valley to the starting point of the
trail at KM82, passing the towns
Chinchero, Urubamba and
Ollantaytambo. Once you have
reached the start of the trail, ready
yourself,
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What to expect day to day on the Inca Trail, so let us give you a map and some
idea of the trail and the sites that you will see each day.
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you will set off across the Rio Vilcanota and start your climb. Before long, the
Urubamba Mountain range will come into view and you will see Mount
Veronica. Passing a small village you will see an Inca site called Patallaqta,
which was also discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The ruin is thought to
have been used to supply food for Machu Picchu.
Continue along another 8kms to the village of Wayllapampa which will be the
first campsite for the night, here you see other trekkers joining from other treks
like Salkantay and is the last spot pack animals are allowed.
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Day 2. Today you will hike around
12kms so it is important to have a
good breakfast, the distance my not
seem that far but Day 2 is the
hardest of the trekking days. After
an hour of walking you will cross a
bridge at the Huayruro River, here
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there is a campsite, toilets if you need them. From the bridge, the trail starts to
steepen. You will pass through a cloud forest and a small village at around
hour three. From this point, you will need to climb to Warmwanusca Pass, or
Dead Women´s Pass, which is 4200meters above sea level. This is the
highest point on the trail.
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After you recover from the climb, there is a descent of 2kms to the campsite of
the second night, which is located at Pacamayo. Enjoy dinner that was made
by campfire by your camp chef.
Day 3. After trekking for an hour, you
will arrive at the ruins of Runkuracay,
which was a watchtower over the
Pacamayo valley. Travel another
hour and reach the Runkuracy Pass,
which is at 4000 meters.
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From here starts the beautifully paved trails and stairs, next arrive at the second
pass at Sayacmarca another ruin with more stone staircases, the purpose for
Sayacmarca is still unknown. Climbing up to the third pass through an original
Inca tunnel, once you reach the top of the pass, the views on a clear day are
spectacular.
One of the most impressive ruins on the Inca Trail, besides Machu Picchu is
Phuyupatamarca, which means The City above the Clouds, was used for
spiritual or ritual purposes. From here, prepare yourself for a hard descent of
1000 stairs;
take you time, as this can be hard on your knees. Another 3 hours of walking
before your reach Winay Wayna, the campsite for the last night. Near the site
are Inca baths that were used to cleanse before reaching Machu Picchu.
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Day 4. An early start for the 2-hour trek to the Sun Gate. Be aware that it is still
dark at this point so you will need a torch. The trail is through a cloud forest
before you reach at set or stone steps, 50 in total, but when you reach the top,
you will get your first view of Machu Picchu.
Take your time and enjoy the view and take many photos from here. Next walk
down to Machu Picchu, your guide will give you a tour of Machu Picchu where
you will learn about the ruin and its many different sectors. Take some free time
to explore on your own.
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Later in the day, travel down by bus to
the town below Machu Picchu, Aguas
Calientes where you can have a meal
and buy some souvenirs before
catching your train back to Cusco. We
hope you enjoyed our Inca Trail Map
and remember book early to avoid
disappointment.
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What are you waiting for a trip to Peru and
Machu Picchu will live in your memory
forever.
Machu Travel Peru