Considered one of the most beautiful and suggestive routes in the world, the Inca Trail of Machu Picchu is a mix of history and nature, discovering one of the greatest and most important pre-Columbian civilizations, the Incas.
An unrepeatable journey, among archaeological finds, ruins, and extraordinary Andean environments, including the rainforest and the alpine tundra of Peru.
The breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountain peaks will accompany you along the entire route, for a total of 45 kilometers. The journey starts from Cuzco, a Peruvian town of 300,000 inhabitants declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, to arrive, four days later, at the Sun Gate where you can admire one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World,” the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
But the residence of the Incas is only the majestic finale of a wonderful journey as a whole. After Cuzco, in fact, you will stop in the small village of Wayllambaba, then set off again towards the Pacaymayo camp, located at 3600 meters altitude. The trail continues and upon reaching Winaywayna, the penultimate stage, you can admire another beautiful Inca archaeological site built on a hill overlooking the Urubamba river.
The route just described is the one called “Classic,” but it is only one of many trails that can be taken to reach Machu Picchu. There are indeed two others called “Mollepata Trail” and “One Day.” Whether you choose the Classic or the Mollepata, it makes no difference; both will give you an unforgettable experience.
Points of Interest:
- Abra Runkurakav: it is a small oval-shaped archaeological complex that was probably used as an observation tower overlooking the Pacamayo valley.
- Sayacmarca: the ruins of Sayamarca are a splendid semicircular architectural complex where you can admire ancient liturgical fountains.
- Phuyupatamarca: the Phuyupatamarca archaeological complex is one of the best-preserved ones. You can admire some buildings of rare beauty and several liturgical fountains.
- Winaywayna: another wonderful architectural complex built on a hill overlooking the Urubamba river.
- Machu Picchu: words are neither enough nor adequate to describe one of the seven wonders of the world, namely the Inca archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
Information Sheet:
- Country: Peru
- Reference website Inca Trail
- Length in kilometers: 45
- GPX: n.a.
- KMZ: n.a.
