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Part of the 23,000 kilometers (approximately 14,000 miles) of roads built by
the Incas in South America, this is Peru's most famous trekking route and
possibly one of the most spectacular in the Americas. Every year; some
25,000 hikers from around the world walk along the extraordinary 43
kilometers of this stone-paved road built by the Incas leading to the
unassailable citadel of
Machu Picchu located in the depth of the Cusco jungle. The journey
starts in the village of Qorihuayrachina, at kilometer 88 of the Cusco -
Quillabamba railway and takes three or four days of strenuous walking. The
route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems
that range from the high Andean plain to the cloud forest. Travelers will
cross two high altitude passes (the highest being Warmiwañuska at 4,200
m.a.s.l.) to culminate the hike with a magical entrance to Machu Picchu
through the Inti Punko or Gateway of the Sun. |
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One of the main attractions along the route is the web of ancient
settlements built in granite rock by the Incas like Wiñay Wayna and
Phuyupatamarca immersed in an overpowering natural scenery. Hundreds of
species of orchids, multicolored birds and dreamlike landscapes provide the
ideal backstage for a route that every hiker should walk at least once.
Description of the rout
Based on a 4 days -3 nights tour.
The total distance of the trail is approximately 39.6 Km. and begins at
Km.88 at a place called Q'oriwayrachina. To begin the trail, you must cross
the Kusichaca bridge, (an important Inca bridge which using Inca techniques,
has been built with steel cables which allow visitors to cross the Urubamba
River). Then you head over to the left bank through a Eucalyptus grove and ,
start the day calmly.
Almost immediately, you will come across the archaeological complexes of
Q'ente, Pulpituyoc, Kusichaca and Patallaca. From this last spot, follow the
trail along the left side of the Kusichaca River in the area with the same
name where you will not only see the bridge but also you will find tombs,
aqueducts, terraces. roads and a canyon. Continue until you reach the small
peasant village of Wayllabamba and Inca aqueducts. It takes around four
hours to cover the 9 Km up to this spot. One can camp here for the first
night, but for comfort we recommend staying in Llullucha 1.6 Km further on.
The second day is more difficult as the hiker will have to climb up to 4,200
meters, crossing the Warmiwañusqa pass, the first and the highest. If you
suffer from "soroche" (altitude sickness) it is best not to stop and descend
quickly to the valley of the Pakaymayu River, where you can camp. This spot
is 7 Km away and an approximate eight-hour walk.
The third day is the longest but most interesting. You will be able to visit
impressive archaeological complexes such as Runkuraqay, the second pass, at
3,800 meters above sea level. This is a walled complex with interior niches
that perhaps was a small place for rest, guardpost and worship place. After
crossing the second pass, descend to Yanacocha (the black lagoon), to then
climb up a path with stone steps until you reach another cluster of
buildings which attracts the attention of visitors. This spot is called
Sayaqmarka a pre Hispanic complex with narrow streets, buildings erected on
different levels; shrines, patios, canals and a protecting outer wall. At
the top of the buttress one can see many constructions which lead one to
suppose they once were a temple and an astronomic observatory which had a
permanent supply of water and excellent food storehouses.
Sayaqmarka is a place filled with mystery and enchantment. The approximate
distance to Runkuraqay is 5 Km, which takes 2 hours. This complex lies at
3,600 meters above sea level. There are excellent paths and a tunnel through
this complex. We recommend you camp near the Phuyupatamarca ruins or 3 Km
further on at the Wiñay Wayna Visitors Center, where one can buy food and
drinks or use the bathrooms. The Phuyupatamarca ruins are better preserved
than those seen before now.
It has a solid base built down to several meters in some cases. The Wiñay
Wayna ruins were given the name possibly because of the abundance of a
beautiful type of orchid which flowers nearly year-round in the whole area.
The Peruvian government and the Viking Fund signed an agreement in 1940 to
investigate the area, and sent the Wenner Gren expedition led by Professor
Paul Fejos. But despite the expedition, there is no precise information
about the specific function of six groups of dwellings near Machu Picchu.
They are divided up into four well-defined sectors which are: the
agricultural sector with many terraces, the religious sector, the fountain
sector and the residential sector where the houses are located.
On the fourth day, which starts around 8 A.M., the walker arrives at Machu
Picchu at around 11 A.M. after 8 Km of hiking through the jungle. Follow the
signaled route and drink some water at the Wiñay Wayna Visitors Center. The
path is clearly marked but try to avoid getting too close to the cliff
edge.
It is forbidden to camp in Inti Punko. Leave your equipment at the control
gate and enjoy getting to know the most important monument in this part of ;
the continent. You have time to walk around Machu Picchu until
mid-after-noon. Check train timetables to return to Cusco.
If you plan to stay in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), the
distance from the station of Puente Ruinas to Machu Picchu is 2 Km. It takes
around 20 minutes to walk down a narrow path which runs parallel to the
train line.
We recommend you check for trains before walking the path.
Climate and Environment
The climate is relatively mild all year- round, with heavy rains from November
to March, and dry and hot weather from April to October, which is a
recommendable time to visit. The annual minimal temperature runs from 8° to
11.2°C. In the months of June, July and August the temperature can often fall
below zero.
The annual maximum temperature varies from 20.4° to 26.6°C. The terrain is
fairly jagged, with many gullies and streams fed by glaciers which eventually
pour into the Urubamba river, which crosses the area forming a deep valley which
runs through the granite base of Vilcabamba for more than 40 km through a
variety of eco-systems.
Landscape
The natural surroundings are impressive and the balance achieved between nature
and Inca architecture is striking.
The Vilcabamba mountain range boasts peaks higher than 6,000 meters such as
Salcantay and Huamantay among others. The blend of mountains, jungles and
valleys create a fantasy world where the spectacular dawn and sunset are
shrouded in mystery.
Fauna
This is abundant and varied. The existence of species in danger of extinction
such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos omatus), the Cock-of-the-Rocks (Rupicola
peruviana), the dwarf deer (Pudu mephistopheles), etc. was one of the
reasons why the government decided to declare it a Conservation Unit.
The park includes species like the puma, Andean fox,
river otter, Taruka (Huemul deer), wildcat, ferret, etc. There are birds like
the Cara Cara, hummingbird, torrent duck, parrot, wild turkey, and many other
colorful smaller birds. There are also reptiles like the Jergon Bothrops and the
coral micrurus snake (lethal for its venom), lizards, frogs, and numerous Andean
and jungle fauna which inhabit the Sanctuary. This abundant wildlife makes the
Sanctuary ideal for tourists and researchers who wish to watch or study the
animals.
Flora
The large natural areas are filled with a variety of forest species which vary
according to the habitat. The forest vegetation is represented by trees such as
cedar, romerillo or intimpa, laurel, etc. There are also species like Ocotea,
Pedocarpus, Guarea, Weinmania, Clusia, Cedropia, Cinchena, Eritrina or Pisonay,
and Ilex among others. The decorative plants have made the Sanctuary famous.
Experts have identified more than 90 species of orchids, and many species of
begonias and puya cacti. Most of the area is covered by herbaceous, shrub like
and arboreal plants. The varied conditions have created an ideal environment for
the growth of diverse plant life that runs from thick jungle like the cloud
forest to the sparsely covered mountain tops.
Archaeology
Apart from everything that has been mentioned, there is also the Incas
cultural heritage. The Inca Trail which was well built, crosses dense forests
and deep canyons. There are 18 archaeological complexes dotted along the trail
which can be seen in all their splendor. These are made up of housing,
irrigation canals, agricultural terracing, walls and shrines, which are
irrefutable proof of the existence of important human settlements.
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