INCA TRAIL

INCA TRAIL Day 1 (12km): Travellers are collected early from their hotels and travel
by bus, through the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for
the 3½ hour scenic trip to kilometre 82 (the start of the trail).
Hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up
from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hillfort of
Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy
bridge'). It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river.
[Note most tour operators now commence the trek at Km82 as this is as far as it is
possible to go when travelling by bus along the Vilcanota valley. If travelling by train from
Cusco you can get off a little further along the valley at Km88. There is, in fact, very little
difference to the total length of the trail whether you start at Km82 or Km88 since the
trails join approximately midway between the two.]

For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the village of
Wayllabamba (3,000m). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain'. Most tour groups spend
the first night here although there are prettier campsites a little further on.
INCA TRAIL Day 2 (11km): Climbing up from Wayllabamba for about 3 hours through
steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a
meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and
highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m.
During this part of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching
sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate
having completed the most difficult section of the trail.
The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left
side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo
(3,600m). There are toilet facilities here.

INCA TRAIL Day 3 (16km): From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the
ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking
the Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second
pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail
of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps
from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is
particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep
precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a
superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and
describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No
one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.

You have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca
dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary
travelers on their way to Machu Picchu.
From then on the path descends into magnificent cloudforest full of orchids, hanging
mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the
rock, on the way.

The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). The view from the pass offers
excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,271m) and Veronica
(5,750m). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin
so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of
stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water.
Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins
(the far end from the baths) you descend a thousand or so steps. Be careful with your
knees which will feel the strain by the end of the day.
After about an hour of walking through cloudforest you may just be able to see the tin
roof of the Trekkers Hostal at Wiñay Wayna, although it probably won't be for another 2
hours until you arrive.

The Trekkers Hostal certainly isn't considered one of Peru's best-looking hotels. It is also
usually crowded and cramped, but it is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu,
hence it's always full. There is, however, a restaurant where you can purchase food, drinks
and even a well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilets. Trekkers on the
Classic 4-day trek will camp here. The dormitory beds in the hostal used to be used by
trekkers doing the shorter Inca Trail trek but trekkers now have to continue directly to
Machu Picchu and spend the night at Aguas Calientes. There are plans to demolish the
hostal in 2005 which, most people will agree, will be a great improvement.

A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The
name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which
grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive
location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10
baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship
of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the
trail to Machu Picchu.

INCA TRAIL Day 4 (6km): The trail from the hostal to Machu Picchu is clearly marked
and takes about 1½ hours. Most people attempt to wake up at 4.30am so that they can
leave Wiñay Wayna by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts
getting light by 6am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The
trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost
vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly
the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for
all.

http://www.inka-trail.net/
<a href="http://www.inka-trail.net/"> Inca Trail</a>

<a href="http://www.inka-trail.net/"> Inca Trail</a>

Day 1 (12km): Travellers are collected early from their hotels and travel by bus, through
the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, for the 3½ hour
scenic trip to kilometre 82 (the start of the trail).
Hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up
from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hillfort of
Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusichaca ('happy
bridge'). It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river.
[Note most tour operators now commence the trek at Km82 as this is as far as it is
possible to go when travelling by bus along the Vilcanota valley. If travelling by train from
Cusco you can get off a little further along the valley at Km88. There is, in fact, very little
difference to the total length of the trail whether you start at Km82 or Km88 since the
trails join approximately midway between the two.]

For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the river up to the village of
Wayllabamba (3,000m). The name in Quechua means 'grassy plain'. Most tour groups spend
the first night here although there are prettier campsites a little further on.

<a href="http://www.inka-trail.net/"> Inca Trail</a>

Day 2 (11km): Climbing up from Wayllabamba for about 3 hours through steepening
woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a meadow known
as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1½ hours climb to the first and highest pass of
the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. During this part of
the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer
to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the
most difficult section of the trail.
The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left
side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo
(3,600m). There are toilet facilities here.

<a href="http://www.inka-trail.net/"> Inca Trail</a>

Day 3 (16km): From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of
Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the
Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second
pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail
of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps
from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is
particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep
precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a
superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and
describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No
one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.

You have to backtrack a little to rejoin the trail as it passes Conchamarca, a small Inca
dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary
travelers on their way to Machu Picchu.
From then on the path descends into magnificent cloudforest full of orchids, hanging
mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the
rock, on the way.

The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). The view from the pass offers
excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,271m) and Veronica
(5,750m). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin
so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of
stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water.
Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins
(the far end from the baths) you descend a thousand or so steps. Be careful with your
knees which will feel the strain by the end of the day.
After about an hour of walking through cloudforest you may just be able to see the tin
roof of the Trekkers Hostal at Wiñay Wayna, although it probably won't be for another 2
hours until you arrive.

The Trekkers Hostal certainly isn't considered one of Peru's best-looking hotels. It is also
usually crowded and cramped, but it is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu,
hence it's always full. There is, however, a restaurant where you can purchase food, drinks
and even a well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilets. Trekkers on the
Classic 4-day trek will camp here. The dormitory beds in the hostal used to be used by
trekkers doing the shorter Inca Trail trek but trekkers now have to continue directly to
Machu Picchu and spend the night at Aguas Calientes. There are plans to demolish the
hostal in 2005 which, most people will agree, will be a great improvement.

A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The
name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which
grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive
location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10
baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship
of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the
trail to Machu Picchu.

<a href="http://www.inka-trail.net/"> Inca Trail</a>

Day 4 (6km): The trail from the hostal to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about
1½ hours. Most people attempt to wake up at 4.30am so that they can leave Wiñay Wayna
by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 6am and
the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a
mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50
steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu
Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all.

http://www.inka-trail.net/