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This incredible
journey should be listed high on the list of things to see in South
America. The entire Incan experience in and around Cusco is fascinating
and seems as endless as the Inca Trail is long. It spans from
the north of Ecuador to the mid-section of Chile. The Inca Empire
was huge and ruled the entire area, 2500 miles. The history and
occurrences are quite complex. After harsh Spanish conquest in
the 1500s the empire fell, but the ruins that remain today are a symbol
of how detailed, yet peaceful the Incans were. The center of the
empire was Cusco, with its strong headquarters at Machu Picchu.
This feature is dedicated to hiking
The Inca Trail from kilometer 88 to Machu Picchu. Entire books
have been devoted to the Incan Empire and Machu Picchu; however,
we have chose to provide the highlights of the trail.
Frequently asked Questions about the
Trail:
DO I NEED A GUIDE?
YES, RULES ARE NOW ENFORCED THAT YOU MUST HAVE A GUIDE
TO DO THE TRAIL.
Day 1 about an hour into the Trail
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
THE ENTRANCE FEE IS $25 US FOR STUDENTS/SENIORS AND $50
FOR ALL OTHERS. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR STUDENT ID TO GET A $25
TICKET. IF YOU HIRE A GUIDE, AND HAVE A COMPANY MAKE ALL THREE
MEALS DAILY, AS WELL AS SET UP YOUR CAMP, EXPECT TO PAY BETWEEN $50
AND $100. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT MAKING ANY RESERVATIONS OVER
THE PHONE OR THE INTERNET, AS SOME COMPANIES OVERCHARGE.
HOW LONG IS THE TRAIL?
THE TRAIL IS 43 KILOMETERS OR ABOUT 25 MILES
HOW DIFFICULT IS HIKING THE TRAIL/WHAT
THINGS CAN I DO TO PREPARE?
MOST PEOPLE DO THE TRIP WITH A GUIDE SERVICE IN
FOUR DAYS. IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT IN TWO DAYS. AT THE BEGINNING,
THE ELEVATION IS ABOUT 7500FT, THEN THERE ARE THREE MOUNTAIN PASSES
ALL OVER 11,000 FEET. THE TOTAL VERTICAL GAIN AT THE END OF THE
TRIP IS 14,000FT. THE FIRST PASS IS THE TOUGHEST AT 12,600 FT
AND A STEEP HIKE. THE SECOND PASS IS SHORTER ONLY AT 11,800 FEET,
BUT IS VERY STEEP AND INVOLVES STAIRS THAT WERE MADE FOR THE INCANS,
WHICH MEANS THEY ARE UNUSUALLY STEEP AND DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE.
THE THIRD PASS, AT 10,800 FT, IS A COMFORTABLE UP HILL HIKE.
WHAT MAKES THE TRAIL DIFFICULT IS THE DURATION OF SOME OF THE HIKES,
A PLETHORA OF FOOT BY FOOT BOULDERS, AND THE STEEPNESS IN BOTH ASCENTS
AND DESCENTS. IF ATTEMPTING DO IT IN TWO DAYS, PLAN TO HIKE WELL
OVER TEN HOURS WITH A PACK. IF CHOOSING THE FOUR DAY GUIDED ADVENTURE,
THERE WILL BE EASIER PACES, AND THE HIKING WILL BE NO MORE THAN SIX
HOURS A DAY WHICH IS PRETTY COMFORTABLE.
EVEN IF A PERSON LIVES AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ARE ACCUSTOMED
TO HIKING FOR LONGER DURATIONS, THEY WILL BE CHALLENGED. IF A
PERSON IS COMING FROM SEA LEVEL, THEN THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IS TO ACCLIMATE ONESELF. IF ORDER TO
TRAIN FOR THIS HIKE, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO SPEND TIME CLIMBING STAIRS
AND DOING WALL SITS AT THEIR MOST EXTREME LEVEL. THIS IS NO MUSEUM
TOUR. MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE.
WHAT KIND OF GEAR DO I NEED?
YOU NEED THE BASICS: TENT, SLEEPING BAG, AND MATTRESS.
RAIN GEAR IS A MUST, BUG REPELLENT IS ALSO A MUST. FOOD, WATER PURIFICATION
TABLETS, CLOTHES. TRAVEL LIGHT, BUT BRING WARM CLOTHES AND
EXTRA SOCKS TO CHANGE IN TO. THE NIGHTS CAN BE COOL AND IT CAN
RAIN QUICKLY DURING THE DAY.
Your view on the 1st morning
ARE
THERE PORTERS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE?
YES, PORTERS CAN BE HIRED ALONG THE TRAIL, MANY
WILL OFTEN SOLICIT THE TRAVELER. THEY RUN FROM 30/S TO 70/S.
HOW MANY DAYS DOES IT TAKE?
THIS QUESTION IS BETTER ANSWERED IN HOURS.
THE TRAIL WILL TAKE YOU NO MORE THAN 20 HOURS HIKING. THE WAY
IT IS PLANNED IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WE COMPLETED IT IN
15 HOURS.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
The First pass at 12,600 feet.
THE ANDEAN SUMMER STARTS IN APRIL AND
RUNS TO SEPTEMBER. WE RECOMMEND THE SHOULDER SEASONS.
HOW DO I GET FROM CUSCO TO THE START
OF THE INCA TRAIL?
IT IS VERY EASY TO FIND A BUS THAT DELIVERS THE TRAVELER
HERE.
IT ONLY COSTS ABOUT 5/s
The second pass in the distance as
well as the trail. Runkurakay ruin greets you at the
Second Pass.
Runkurakay was a watch tower that sat
very close to the top of the Second Pass and looked down over the Paqaymayu
canyon. The only opening is both the entrance and exit which faces
exact north. This tower was also used as a clock for people traveling
the trail to predict how much more time they had to travel the remaining
road either towards Cusco or to Machu Picchu.
Picture taken during the misty clouds
that often move through this secondary mountain point, known as Sayamarka.
Sayaqmarka, "Raised over a high
place", (Pueblo Erguido) is an amazingly positioned archaeological
site facing down the steep terrain before pass three. It is a
beautiful labyrinth of streets and during its time had fountains visible
from the distance. It faces down the valley and toward the third
Pass.
Phuyupatamarka, looking strong, and
lush as you pass over the 3rd Pass.
IS IT COLD ALONG THE TRAIL?
IT IS A HIGH ALTITUDE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE PASSES AND
CAN GET CHILLY AT NIGHT. DURING THE DAY, IT IS NICE, AND SOME
CAN WEAR SHORTS
DO I HAVE TO HIKE THE ENTIRE INCA
TRAIL TO SEE MACHU PICCHU AND THE SURROUNDING RUINS?
NO, IT IS VERY EASY TO CATCH A BUS, AND THEN THE TRAIN
TO AGUAS CALIENTES, AND DO THE TRAIL BACKWARDS. WE RAN INTO MANY
PEOPLE WHO DID THIS. FEES ARE ALL THE SAME, AND THE HIKE IS LIMITED
TO ONLY ABOUT THREE HOURS OF STEEP HILLS AT ONLY 8,000FT.
Machu Picchu.
This
is the view as the trail from the long Inca road comes to a sharp halt.
The Pointed Rock directly in back is EXACT North. Machu Picchu
has many features about it. It is a large timepiece.
Keeping track of months, days, hours, minutes, demonstrating the
precise showmanship of the Inca culture and a great piece of history.
Machu Picchu, a small city, had temples, look out towers, places devoted
to the sun, places for the moon, secret passages, and was a key marketplace.
The entire area is bordered on three sides as the river forms a 'U'
turn around it. This was used as both transportation and protection.
However, The Incas were a very peaceful culture and would rather swallow
their pride than pull out their weapon.
WHERE DOES THE TRAIL END?
THE TRAIL DOESN'T REALLY END, BUT STOPS
FOR THE TRAVELER AT MACHU PICCHU AND THE SURROUNDING TEMPLES.
ONCE THERE, IT IS AN HOUR WALK DOWN TO THE TOWN OF AGUAS CALIENTES.
(Black and White) The town
of Aguas Calientes facing west towards Machu Picchu
WHAT IS THE TOWN OF AGUAS CALIENTES
LIKE?
IT IS NICE AND CATERS TO GRINGOS. HOWEVER,
SOME OF THE LOCALS DO NOT LIKE TOURISTS BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFICULT ATTITUDE
AND UNWILLINGNESS TO PAY SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE PRICES FOR A MEAL.
WHAT ARE THE HOT SPRINGS LIKE?
THE HOT SPRINGS ARE A GREAT RELIEF AFTER A LONG
HIKE, THEY ARE HOT, BUT NOT THE HOTTEST. THEY ARE REASONABLY CLEAN,
AND ARE ESSENTIALLY TWO LARGE SWIMMING POOLS. BEER IS ALLOWED.
A
gang hanging out at Rupi Wasi. A big nocturnal visitor to the Rupi Wasi.
Once reaching Aguas Calientes there
are many places to eat and stay. This town lives from tourism
so be generous for they are nice and helpful people.
HOW DO I GET BACK TO CUSCO?
THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION OUT OF AGUAS CALIENTES IS BY
TRAIN. FOR THE BACKPACKER AT 6 AM, THE TRAIN COSTS $10 U.S., AND
IT RUNS QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE TRAIN THEN TAKES YOU TO A SECTION
IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE BUSSES GO TO CUSCO. THE BUS COSTS 5 SOLES
AND RUN ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN KNOWING A TRAIN IS ARRIVING
There is much information to be
gathered about the Inca Trail and its history and explorers are still
discovering things. Learning about their culture is extensive
and quite a treat to being on the Trail. It is an impressive show
to South America.
*Feature written and photographed
by Phillips, May 2001. All information regarding the ruins and
their names was given to us by the officials of the Inca trail starting
at kilometer 88. Regulations were provided to us by our certified
guides. All information regarding distance, altitude and time
was experienced first hand by Phillips. There is much more detailed
information regarding Machu Picchu out there.
© 2000 Globetrotteradventures.com Inc
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