The Inca Empire was a powerful civilization that united tribes in the Andes mountains through a common language and religion. They built an extensive network of stone roads over 2,500 miles long to connect coastal areas to the highlands. Some of these Inca trails are still used today by local farmers or form the basis for modern roads. One such trail is the Inca Trail, a well-preserved 4-day walk that connects the lost city of Machu Picchu to Cusco through varying landscapes like high altitude passes and cloud forests, culminating in views of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

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INCA TRAIL:The Inca Empire was the most sophisticated culture in the “New World”. By force of “divine right” and with a mastery of engineering, agriculture, economic, and most importantly, administrative skills, the Incas united warring tribes throughout the Andes under a common language and single religion, creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires – the Tawantinsuyo. At its height, the Inca Empire had an extensive network of roads running the length and breadth of the Andes; more than 2,500 miles. These stone-paved inca trail connected the highland valleys with the coast. After the conquest, some of these paths were used as roads and continue with this function till this day; the modern Pan-American Highway and other routes leading eastward into the Andes are good examples.( HYPERLINK quot;
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inca trail) In the highlands, some of these trails are still in their original condition and are used by local farmers to reach their fields. Others have been forgotten and reclaimed by the jungle.Hidden under the dense foliage of highland jungle and forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu (meaning “old peak” in Quechua - native language of the Incas) escaped the conquistadors and eluded even treasure hunters until eventually Hiram Bingham brought the quot;
Lost City of the Incasquot;
to the world's attention in 1911. Inca trailFurther exploration uncovered an ancient highway, a royal road that connected Machu Picchu to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire.The Inca Trail is a magnificent, well preserved Inca route which connects Machupicchu with what once were other regions of the Inca Empire, and today it is one of the world’s most popular treks. This four-day walk goes from the highlands of 4,200mts and down through the cloud forests to finally arrive at Machu Picchu - 2,380mts. Inca trailPacked with striking views of the high sierra and dense jungle, the trail varies in altitude constantly and offers endless breathtaking changes in panoramic views and sceneries. After crossing two high passes, towards the end of the trail, one arrives at Intipunku (“The Sun Gate”) for the first view of Machu<br />http://www.sapadventures.com/<br />