ROYAL INCA TRAIL (3 DAYS - 2 NIGHTS)
Magestic path to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

We recommend two days predeparture to aclimate. We have the city tour of Cusco Inca arqueological sites. Also the sacred valley of the Incas full day tour

The Inca road system was the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The network was based on two north-south roads, with numerous branches. The best known portion of the road system is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Main routeS: The eastern route ran high in the puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru (The capital of the Inca Empire) to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the mountains and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 kilometres (25,000 mi) of roadway and provided access to over 3,000,000 square kilometres (1,200,000 sq mi) of territory.

Situated between 500 to 800 meters (1,600 to 2,600 ft) above sea level, this monumental road, which could reach 20 metres (66 ft) in width, connected populated areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones as well as ceremonial centers and sacred spaces. These roads provided easy, reliable and quick routes for the Empire's civilian and military communications, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were imperial soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges. Although the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about 1 to 4 meters (3.3 to 13 ft) in width.

Much of the system was the result of the Incas claiming exclusive right over numerous traditional routes, some of which had been built centuries earlier. Many new sections were built or upgraded substantially: through Chile's Atacama desert, and along the western margin of Lake Titicaca, serve as two examples. The Qhapaq Ñan (English: Great Inca Road, or Main Andean Road, and meaning "the beautiful road") constituted the principal north-south highway of the Inca Empire traveling 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) along the spine of the Andes.

The Qhapaq Ñan unified this immense and heterogeneous empire through a well-organized political system of power. It allowed the Inca to control his Empire and to send troops as needed from the capital, Cusco.

The most important Inca road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 kilometres (3,200 mi)). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m (16,000 ft). El Camino de la Costa, the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.

Itinerary
This is a unique way to see Machu Picchu. Enjoy the Andes mountain range, hike with us through de different ecosystems and find ancient Inca archaeological sites along the way. Enjoy the cloud forest and have an incredible view of the ancient path of the Incas to Machu Picchu.

Day one:CUSCO, PISCAYCUCHO, kilometer 100
Pickup early morning in Cusco city followed by a two and a half hour drive north east to the sacred valley, where we will pass through several villages and archaeological sites. After that we arrive at the start of our trail in Piscaycucho village (2570mts). The trail begins following the gorge of the Urubamba River with incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain range. In this section of the trail we will see some bromeliads and Spanish muss. Also some of the Andean scrub bush vegetation with bushes like the Chilca (bacharis peruviana) and some Molle (Schinus molle) and Tara (Caesalpina spinosa) tress used for medicinal purposes in the area.  After 2 hours we visit a beautiful archaeological site called Patacllacta (alt.2740mts) for some explorations of this administrative place called Tambo. After that we continue hiking seeing different archaeological sites along the way with the opportunity to see different times of bromeliads and orchest as well some Pisonay (Erythrina edulis and Erythrina furcata) trees called Coral tree. In this trail also we will see part of the original stone path of the Incas, where we will see different species of wrens and finches. As well some humming birds and Tanagers. Later we stop to have lunch near the river. After a good break and a bath we continue hiking the royal Inca Road through the forest for about to 6 hours covering a distance of 18 kilometers through a flat trail with some ups and downs looking for wildlife for the rest of the afternoon until reaching our camp near Chachabamba (alt 2100), where we will camp near the river for a good bath and a good rest. (B, L, D)

Day two: CHACHABAMBA, WIÑAYHUYNA, MACHU PICCHU
After a good breakfast we will continue for 1 hours and 4 kilometers to begin the exploration of the Inca remains of Chachabamba surround by the amazing views of the canyon and the cloud forest After we begin hiking up from kilometers 104 for two hours from Chachabamba (2100mts) to the archaeological site of Wiñay huayna (2710mts), where we will visit the Inca remains and have our picnic lunch. Finishing the visit we continue to Machu Picchu through the cloud forest for about 2 hours looking some flora and fauna of the beginning of the cloud forest with the opportunity to see some orchest like Wiñay huayna(forever young, epidendrum secundum)and bromeliads like Maguey(Furcraea andina)and probably some species of wrens and humming birds. Following a light lunch we will have our first view of Machu Picchu from the mountains at the Sun gate. After some great views, we begin hiking down where we will stop in the overlook platform place to take pictures and an introduction about the Inca city. Today we will hike for 12 kilometers approximate in the cloud forest and in the original Inca trail. Later we will go down by bus (25 minutes) to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will visit the hot springs; after that we will have dinner in town and hotel overnight (B, L, D)

Day three: MACHU PICCHU
This day we go up to Machu Picchu (2450mts) by bus to begin a tour for two hours; after that we will have the chance to hike one of the mountains like Huayna Picchu or the mountain Machu picchu for (2 to 3 hours) with some beautiful flora and fauna of the cloud forest; and then time to relax until we go down for late lunch. There will be time to visit the market and take the train back to Cusco. (B, L,)

Note: This trail good for beginners and some experience.
Note: We can recommend some good hotels.

Included

Sleeping bag.

Mattresses

Tents.

Hotels.

Camping equipments, Lunch tent, portable toilet

Transportation in and out

Meals

Bus.

Porters.

Train.

Tours, treks

Admission Tickets.

Guides (historical natural)

First aid, bottle of oxygen ·  Radio communication.

What to bring
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:

Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).

Sun Block; Insect Repellent.

Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).

Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.

A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.

One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).

Sandals for River use (Teva types).

Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).

Reading material.

Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).

Bathing Suit.

Water Bottle (I liter capacity).

Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.

A bandana for neck protection.

A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).

Camera and plenty of film.

Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).

At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).

And your regular medium to high altitude outer trekking clothes (Anorak-Wind Breaker, Pile or Down Jacket, Wool Hat, Gloves).

Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:

Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com

Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938