One of the most famous treks in the world, the Inca Trail presents you with culture, nature and history thanks to its rich Incan past. The 45 km journey- which combines mountain scenery, subtropical jungle and Inca paving stones, tunnels and ruins - can be walked in 4 days. We begin our trek in the Sacred Valley which gives a day to gently acclimatise to the altitude. Here your guide will give you a tour of the ruins of Ollantaytambo. The following day you begin the Inca Trail at 82km. (2650m)
The trail was built some 500 years ago by the Incan civilisation and leads to the sacred Incan city of Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Over 400 species of orchid have been discovered in the area and the landscape is rich in wildlife, from hummingbirds to the majestic Andean condor and the shy spectacled bear.
Early morning on the fourth day you finally reach your destination - Machu Picchu and although it sounds a cliché, seeing the great city in the clouds is truly a humbling experience.
The historical Inca Trail is indeed so enticing that places on the trek are limited to a maximum of 500 people per day. Therefore, it is essential that you book at least 5 months in advance. It is also important to remember that the trail is always closed for the month of February for maintenance. To really enjoy this trek it helps if you are of a reasonable fitness level. With heights ranging from 2000m - 4200m this is by no means a walk in the park, but will be a rewarding experience for any hillwalker. |
