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 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 metres (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 metres (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 spectacular way to see the Andes. The mythi snow peak Ausangate (21,000 ft) is a spiritual protector of the Andean people; this Unique Mountain provides you with the incredible view of the Vilcanota mountain range which also part of the Andes. Enjoy nature, explore the ecosystems find fauna and native flora and get in the spiritual world of the people and them ancestor; the Incas.
Day number one:
This day we get early after breakfast we drive south of Cusco, passing beautiful villages and interandean valleys; after a few pictures and lunch we arrive to the small village of Tinqui.After getting equipment and horses for cargo; we hike for hour and half until a beautiful spot where we will camp at grass land area. Camp. (L,D)
Day number two:
This day we begin hiking through some flats with the incredible view of the Ausangate peak (Heist Mountain in the department of Cusco). In between a stop to enjoy a small hot springs for lunch. Afternoon hike to camp. At night fair place and view of the milky way with the Inca constellations. Lunch. (B,L,D)
Day number three:
This day we hike early in order hike our first pass called Arapa pass at (16,000 ft ) where we will have a bird view of deferent’s lagoon specially the lake called Puca cocha (red lake)and lake Wiracocha after lunch with the spectacular view we go down to our camp for some birding and exploration of flora and fauna. Camp. (B,L,D)
Day number four:
This day begins with a salutation of the sun depending weather condition we try to see sun rise in the Andes to received the Mythic Inti (Sun God). After delicious break we hike for a while to ascend our second pass calls Apuchata (16 200 ft) With the view of the Ausangate cocha below which the source of many river in the east side of the continental divine ;we hike to Palomani pass at 17000 ft ;after pictures we go down to our camp. Camp. (B,L,D)
Day number five:
This day begins with some breakfast out (depending weather condition.) after that we begin hike trough a winding stream; we reach a small valley called Viscacha valley (Andean rabbit type) after seeing a small village called Campa, view of some snow caps called Tres Picos and Puka punta we reach the third pass called (Qomer cocha). After a great view of the several lakes and some Vicuñas we going down for a while to our camp. Camp. (B,L,D)
Day number six:
After a good breakfast and stretching we go down though different Andean valley looking for some Bird life likes Andean flicker and wrens. After lunch with the presence of some herds of Alpaca and Llamas we arrive to the small village of Tinqui where we will over night and have a little celebration with some wine and our Andean Pachamanca and some Andean music. Camp. (B,L,D)
Day number seven:
This day after saying good byel to the mountains and porter we get our group pictures and we get on the road to go back to Cusco (capital of the Inca Empire); we will arrive late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Recommendation: this a good hike request people with some experience or regular to good physical condition.
Included
Sleeping bag.
Tents and Inflatable mattresses (all seasons).
Meals.
Equipment and gear.
Transportation.
Tents.
Bus.
Horses.
Porters.
Tours.
Tickets.
Guides.
First aid.
Radio communication.
What to bring
This is a list will help you to decide what to bring in your trip under the conditions during the year.
Inflatable mattresses or the foam kind.
Flashlight couple (hear, hangs).
Sun block, insect rerelease.
A good size hut.
Small toals (any kind hygienic and cotton).
Rain gear (pants and jackets) Except for July and August.
Couple pair of socks.
One pants for the night plus one for the hike (zipper off).
Sandals (rivers).
Short hiking shoes or regular boots (check the season).
A good book.
Binoculars (pair) Depending the season and activity.
Good pair of glasses and Bandana for any case.
Bathing suit.
A bottle of water (min 1 liter per person).
Under wear long its is possible.
Couple under wear (upper and lower).
Camera, plenny pictures.
Passport (couple copies).
Long and short shirt (dark colors depending the place and the activity).
A good jacket.
Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:
Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com
Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938
