THE INCA TRAIL

Since 2001, the Peruvian government requires that all who hike the Inca Trail do so
with an official guide. As such, Inca Trail tours are the only way to go. In the past, it
was possible to pick up the trail whenever and wherever you wanted to. However, over
time, trash became an issue, and the overall impact on the historic “road” was leaving it
distastefully altered in spots.

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of those travel delights that is hard to sum
up in words. It’s the kind of experience that even the most seasoned of travelers would
brag about. Once a sacred Inca footpath through the Andes Mountains, the Inca Trail is
today a World Heritage Site, and it is undoubtedly the most popular and famous hiking
trail in all of South America. If you are heading to southern Peru and thinking about
hiking the Inca Trail, it’s a good idea to first acclimatize yourself to the altitude. You
can do this by spending a few days in Cusco, or in Sacred Valley towns like
ollantaytambo and pisaq.

THE INCA TRAIL

The Inca Trail Empire was the most sophisticated culture in the “New World”. By
force of “divine right” and with a mastery of engineering, agriculture, economic,
and most importantly, administrative skills, the Incas united warring tribes
throughout the Andes under a common language and single religion, creating one
of the most fabulous of ancient empires – the Tawantinsuyo.

At its height, the Inca Trail Empire had an extensive network of roads running the
length and breadth of the Andes; more than 2,500 miles. These stone-paved trails
connected the highland valleys with the coast. After the conquest, some of these
paths were used as roads and continue with this function till this day; the modern
Pan-American Highway and other routes leading eastward into the Andes are good
examples. In the highlands, some of these trails are still in their original condition
and are used by local farmers to reach their fields. Others have been forgotten and
reclaimed by the jungle.

http://www.sapadventures.com/

Hidden under the dense foliage of highland jungle and forgotten by the Incas
themselves, Machu Picchu (meaning “old peak” in Quechua - native language of the
Incas) escaped the conquistadors and eluded even treasure hunters until eventually
Hiram Bingham brought the "Lost City of the Incas" to the world's attention in
1911.
Further exploration uncovered an ancient highway, a royal road that connected
Machu Picchu to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire.
The Inca Trail is a magnificent, well preserved Inca Trail route which connects
Machupicchu with what once were other regions of the Inca Empire, and today it is
one of the world’s most popular treks. This four-day walk goes from the highlands
of 4,200mts and down through the cloud forests to finally arrive at Machu Picchu -
2,380mts.
Packed with striking views of the high sierra and dense jungle, the trail varies in
altitude constantly and offers endless breathtaking changes in panoramic views and
sceneries. After crossing two high passes, towards the end of the trail, one arrives
at Intipunku (“The Sun Gate”) for the first view of Machu Picchu spread below; a
sight that will forever remain etched in the memory.
Come hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on an adventure tour with your friends
and family, then climb to the top of Mount Wayna Picchu for an unparalled view of
the Historical Sanctuary of machu Picchu itself, the neighboring town of Aguas
Calientes and the Sacred Valley. The four day Inca Trail tour includes a one day visit
to the unforgettable ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly unforgettable experience!

Inca Trail ITINERARY

DAY 01.- We pick you up from your hotel at 5.40am and take you to Cusco train
station. We travel by train on a very picturesque route for 2 and a half hours until
we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. From here, we have a walk of
approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young')
(2680m/8792ft). You will have joined the path in time to see the most impressive
site on the whole Inca Trail!! (after Machupicchu).
We will then continue on to 'Inti Punku' (The Sun gate) from where you will have
your first dramatic and unforgettable panoramic view of Machu Picchu. We will walk
down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Without yet entering
Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to the town of Aguas
Calientes, leaving the visit to Machu Picchu for the next day. We will have a
delicious dinner and rest at a comfortable tourist hostel.

Inca Trail DAY 02

We have breakfast and then take the first bus (6am) up to Machu Picchu. A
walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your professional English speaking
guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have
energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (the famous peak in the background of
most images of Machu Picchu) - 2720m/8890ft. (It takes about 45 minutes to reach
the top.)
You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot)
for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves
between 5.30pm and 9:30pm depending on Peru Rail allocations.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. This option is very
popular as it allows more time to explore Machu Picchu and you can also go to the
thermal springs in the town - a real treat after finishing the trail!!!

http://www.sapadventures.com/

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[url=http://www.sapadventures.com/] Inca Trail [/url]

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<a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a>

Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco Hotels, Amazon Travel

THE <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a>

The <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> Empire was the most
sophisticated culture in the “New World”. By force of “divine right” and with a mastery of
engineering, agriculture, economic, and most importantly, administrative skills, the Incas
united warring tribes throughout the Andes under a common language and single religion,
creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires – the Tawantinsuyo.

At its height, the <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> Empire had an
extensive network of roads running the length and breadth of the Andes; more than 2,500
miles. These stone-paved trails connected the highland valleys with the coast. After the
conquest, some of these paths were used as roads and continue with this function till this day;
the modern Pan-American Highway and other routes leading eastward into the Andes are
good examples. In the highlands, some of these trails are still in their original condition and are
used by local farmers to reach their fields. Others have been forgotten and reclaimed by the
jungle.

Hidden under the dense foliage of highland jungle and forgotten by the Incas themselves,
Machu Picchu (meaning “old peak” in Quechua - native language of the Incas) escaped the
conquistadors and eluded even treasure hunters until eventually Hiram Bingham brought the
"Lost City of the Incas" to the world's attention in 1911.

Further exploration uncovered an ancient highway, a royal road that connected Machu Picchu
to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire.

The <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> is a magnificent, well

preserved <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> route which connects
Machupicchu with what once were other regions of the Inca Empire, and today it is one of the
world’s most popular treks.

This four-day walk goes from the highlands of 4,200mts and down through the cloud forests to
finally arrive at Machu Picchu - 2,380mts.

Packed with striking views of the high sierra and dense jungle, the trail varies in altitude
constantly and offers endless breathtaking changes in panoramic views and sceneries. After
crossing two high passes, towards the end of the trail, one arrives at Intipunku (“The Sun
Gate”) for the first view of Machu Picchu spread below; a sight that will forever remain etched
in the memory.

Come hike the <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> to Machu Picchu
on an adventure tour with your friends and family, then climb to the top of Mount Wayna
Picchu for an unparalled view of the Historical Sanctuary of machu Picchu itself, the
neighboring town of Aguas Calientes and the Sacred Valley. The four day <a
href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> tour includes a one day visit to the
unforgettable ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly unforgettable experience!

<a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> ITINERARY

<a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> DAY 01.- We pick you up from your
hotel at 5.40am and take you to Cusco train station. We travel by train on a very picturesque
route for 2 and a half hours until we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. From
here, we have a walk of approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever
Young') (2680m/8792ft). You will have joined the path in time to see the most impressive site
on the whole <a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a>!! (after
Machupicchu).

We will then continue on to 'Inti Punku' (The Sun gate) from where you will have your first
dramatic and unforgettable panoramic view of Machu Picchu. We will walk down the last part
of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Without yet entering Machu Picchu, we will take a
side path off the trail to go down to the town of Aguas Calientes, leaving the visit to Machu
Picchu for the next day. We will have a delicious dinner and rest at a comfortable tourist
hostel.

<a href="http://www.sapadventures.com/"> Inca Trail </a> DAY 02

We have breakfast and then take the first bus (6am) up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2 hours) is given by your professional English speaking guide and after this you
can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy you can also climb Huayna
Picchu (the famous peak in the background of most images of Machu Picchu) - 2720m/8890ft.
(It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.)

You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and
to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves between 5.30pm and
9:30pm depending on Peru Rail allocations.

If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. This option is very popular as it
allows more time to explore Machu Picchu and you can also go to the thermal springs in the
town - a real treat after finishing the trail!!!

http://www.sapadventures.com/