Can you imagine traveling for five days the same way the Incas did more than 500 years ago? And, while doing the walk, enjoying an incredible landscape, as well as flora and fauna of the area?
The Inca Trail or Qhapaq Ñan is one of the most traveled paths for adventure lovers who want to know Machu Picchu. However, it remains a mystery to many.
For this reason, in Terra Explorer we want to invite you to discover the origin and development of Qhapaq Ñan, an incredible route for those who wish to trek in Cusco.
Join us to discover this trail to visit Machu Picchu!
It´s a network of trails that connected the immerse territory of the Inca Empire, known as Tahuatinsuyo. Its expansion extends over more than 30 000 km, joining countries such as Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador. However, Peru conserves more than 37% of the total length of the trail declared by UNESCO.
The Incas used it mainly as an excellent communication system, which allowed them to dominate new territories, assimilate contemporary cultures, and manage resources from different ecosystems.
In addition to the aspects mentioned above, the Inca Trails served to:
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In general, the climate of the area is mild throughout the year. The month of June being the coldest and August the most tempered and stable.
If you want to practice trekking on the Inca Trail, it is necessary to wear the correct implements such as sportswear, sunscreen, cap, flashlight, hiking shoes, and what you can never miss in this type of tours: water.
Due to the terrain and climate present, depending on the season in which you decide to travel, it is essential to be in a good physical condition that allows you to make the walk without problems.
During the first day, we head to kilometer 82 of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, specifically, to the community of Piscaycucho, starting point of the trek. Here, the Terra Explorer guide team will be waiting for us to start the tour.
Thanks to the impressive beauty of the área, you can appreciate landscapes such as the Urubamba valley, the Urubamba snowy mountain, the Llactapacta viewpoint, and the Huayllabamba valley. In this last one, you will have the opportunity to camp in a town with the same name that was built based on an ancient Inca settlement.
On the second day, you will cross the Uncas forest (native Andean tree) and the dwarf forest (Midget Forest) until you reach the top of the Inca Trail: the Warmihuyñuska pass (4200 mt), an arid high Andean puna. Then, in the descent, in the cloud forest, you’ll observe various types of endemic birds until you reach the area of Pacaymayo, where the camp will be established.
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On the third day, the trail will continue through the cloud forest to the ruins of Sallacmarca in the middle of ferns, bromeliads, and orchids. Also, it is the perfect habitat for birds such as hummingbirds, and if you are fortunate, you will appreciate the spectacled bear. This day ends in a camp with an impressive view of the Urubamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges.
On the penultimate day, we will be able to appreciate one of the most spectacular sunrises in the Andes, as well as a 360º panoramic view of the surrounding mountain ranges, including the massive Pumasillo and the imposing snowy Salkantay..
On a path covered with tropical vegetation, we will reach Intipunku (the door of the sun), where we will have the first view of Machu Picchu. Here begins the descent to the town of Aguas Calientes.
On the last day, you will appreciate in detail the beauty of the citadel of Machu Picchu. Also, you will have a guided visit, as well as free time to explore it on your own. And, for all adventurers, there is the possibility of climbing to the summit of Huaynapicchu, from where you can see Machu Picchu from a different angle.
Now that you know more about the Qhapaq Ñan, would you be willing t olive such an amazing adventure? In Terra Explorer, we have several itineraries made for you.If you want to be part of our adventures and get to know Peru authentically and spectacularly, get in touch with us, and we will help you design the trip of your dreams!
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
