The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu offers stunning mountain scenery blended with lush forests and ruins along its 26 mile route. Though somewhat strenuous, reaching the final destination of Machu Picchu makes the journey worthwhile. The Incas constructed a vast network of trails connecting their empire, including the special 46km Inca Trail, which remained hidden for centuries and was rediscovered in 1915. Highlights of the trail include ruins like Patallacta and Runkurakay, breathtaking views at the Dead Woman's Pass, and arriving at the iconic Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.

1. A Journey Along the Inca Trail
Some people travel to reach a destination. Others savor the journey itself. The Inca trail satisfies both
preferences. As one of the most acclaimed treks in South America its 26 miles blend alluring mountain
scenery with lush cloud-forests, subtropical jungle terrain and an awe-inspiring mix of Inca paving
stones, ruins and tunnels. Although somewhat strenuous, Machu Picchu, the final destination of the
trek, makes it well worth the effort.
A Brief History of The Inca Trail
Mystery shrouds much of the history of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but that's part of what makes it
so interesting. Your guides will tell you the known facts of Inca history, but these details will feed your
imagination, and inspire speculation about the unknown. The Incas constructed a sophisticated
network of almost 40,000 thousand kilometers of trails.
These pathways connected the dots between the corners of their colossal empire, which stretched from
Quito in Ecuador down to Santiago in Chile and east to Mendoza in Argentina. Cusco housed the
epicenter of the Inca empire, and its people took on the task of building the trails. One, very special
46km stretch forms the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This remote, rough terrain lies off the main pathway,
which explains why Machu Picchu remained hidden for close to four centuries.
In fact, neither the Spanish Conquistadors nor the colonial powers knew of its existence. As if by
miracle, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu still existed and was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1915.
Historians believe that it was the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. A diversity of sites between
Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu contain further evidence of the religious, spiritual and ritualistic
nature of the trail.
Inca Trail Highlights
The Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo
Your journey begins with a drive through the Sacred Valley, a stretch of small villages and ancient ruins.
The trip continues with a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo, a former retreat for Inca royalty and nobility.
Ollantaytambo was also the location of the Inca final battles against the Spanish conquerors.
The Patallacta Ruins
When Hiram Bingham came to Peru in 1911, he and his team headed down the Urubamba Valley, and
discovered a major Inca site. They named it Patallacta which means "the ruins of an Inca castle."
Patallacta sits on a stone-paved Inca highway, between the Cusco and Machu Picchu. Incan leader
Manco Inca Yupanqui burned Patallacta, in order to discourage Spanish pursuit.
The Dead Woman's Pass
Resembling a dead woman lying supine, and located at the highest and most challenging point of the
trek, the Dead Woman's Trail provides superb views of the Salkantay and Veronika mountains.
Runkuracay
Hiram Bingham discovered Runkurakay in 1915. Although he thought it was a fortress, Dr. Paul Fejos,
who conducted later investigations, argued that it was a tambo, or resting place for travelers. The
building once contained sleeping areas for the couriers and stable facilities for their animals.
The Sun Gate
The site of the Sun Gates, also called the Intipunku, indicates that you have reached Machu Picchu.
Two stones, perched at a narrow passage in the crevice of the mountain, form the Sun Gates. Go in the
early morning, and watch the sun shine through the portal.
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