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Inca Trail Informations

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the symbol for excellence of the Inca Civilization, as much for us as for the international visitor. The real trail, that the pilgrams and authority figures of the empire took to this Sacred City was the "Inca Trail". If you choose to go on the Inca Trail, you will not be disappointed.

The Inca Trail to the city of Machu Picchu includes a passage of more than 23 kilometers throughout which different eco-regions, altitudes, and a variety of temperatures can be found and unforgettable panoramic views that will make your visit an unforgettable one, the route to Machu Picchu (lost city of the Incas) is made up of cobblestone steps, wooden bridges to cross small rivers, tunnels going through gigantic rocks, ingenious works together with a great knowledge of architecture and beautiful landscapes, makes up the Inca Trail, a fascinating and unforgettable adventure.

What time of year is it recommended to trek the Inca Trail?

The best time to trek the Inca Trail is during our dry season, that is to say, between June and September, this is also considered to be the high season, therefore the prices and costs will be higher, between the months of October and May it rains frequently which often affects the tourist on his trek, in the month of February it is not permitted to trek the Inca Trail since the organization in charge of its conservation (INRENA, INC.) close the trail for restoration.

History of the Inca Trail.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Empire, called the Tawantinsuyu, extended from present Ecuador to present Chile; its capital was Cusco, which means Navel of the World (the Inca World). The Incas were, according to the Spaniards of the 16th century , the best organized society of the world. This empire had a perfectly organized gigantic infrastructure. Their means of communication also were well organized, thanks to the access roads of the messengers (Chasquis) who crossed the territory,to transmit information or deliver merchandise. Like an anecdote, we could say for example that the Inca in Cusco (in the middle of the Andes) could have eaten fresh fish every day, 3 hours after having fished it from the sea; whereas it took the Spaniards 2 weeks for them to go from the coast to the capital of the empire, Cusco. The " Descendant of the Sol" deserved that at least!

The existence of Machu Picchu is still subject to controversies. Would it have been a place of residence for the Incas or a place of refuge? A fort or why not the famous "El Dorado"? But the truth is that its access from the capital was also very well implemented,to use the famous Inca Trail, one of the most extraordinary treks that the tourist can take to get to see the majesty of Machupicchu.

What is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is part of an extensive Inca Trail system, of more than 23,000 kilometers, that integrated the empire of the Tawantinsuyo (four regions), that covered southern Columbia, the west of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and ending at the center of Chile and north of Argentina. These trails were mainly around the coast and mountains, but in some cases they reached the nieghbouring tropical mountains of the jungle, which is the case of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, that begins in the capital of the Inca Empire.

The trip through this Andean highway is really a fascinating and unforgettable experience. The Inca Trail, with several sections of stairs,made from big cobblestones, has tunnels dug into the stone and wooden bridges to cross the small rivers that run through the valleys, cloudforests and mountains, in accordance with the advance of the trail revealing all the archaeological places that leads the trekker to be able to observe the intellectuality and the religiousness of the places and the impressive contrast between nature and the knowledge of the Inca.

KeyWord Reference:

Inca Trail, Inka Trail, Incatrail, Machu Picchu, Machupicchu, Machu-picchu

Andean Life Tour Operator

Main Office N° 1 : Calle Santa Teresa 381, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Office N° 2 : Calle Plateros 372, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
(Both ones located just half block from the main square of Cusco City)
Fax Telephone: 00-51-84-261269
Emergency Mobil Phone: 00-51-84-9673544

Licensed Inca Trail tour operator, specialists in trekking in the Andes (Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and other treks)
©Andean Life 1999 - 2005. All material within this web site is original work and subject to national and international copyright laws and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

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