5 Stages in a mystical trekking to Machu Picchu: the Inca Trail

Of all the paths that link to Machu Picchu, the most popular is the one we present to you: the Inca Trail.

Although he is not the only one. The Andes mountain range is crossed by many routes drawn by the Incas that connect this and other areas with each other, and you can do it during 9 days visiting Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

He Inca Trail, which connects Cusco with Machu Picchu, has 43 kilometers in which an amazing mix of elements occur. Paved paths, stone steps, tunnels and ruins flanked by incredible subtropical forests and surrounded by wonderful mountains.

Nattule proposes five stages to reach this dream destination, carrying out one of the ecotourism proposals most famous in America:

1. Llactapata, between two rivers

Tour the Inca Trail It means embarking on an adventure that begins long before reaching the starting point.

The first thing you should decide is the most suitable date for visit Machu Picchu. Doing it between April and October is recommended because it coincides with the dry season. However, these are the months with the most visitors and only 500 people are allowed to walk the path a day. It is important to book at least half a year in advance if you want to visit it at this time.

Once you arrive in Cusco you have to take a bus or train that will take you to Ollantaytambo. Although it is advisable that you stay in Cusco a couple of days before to acclimatize to the altitude and thus avoid the soroche or altitude sickness.  

Ollantaytambo stands on the banks of the Urubamba River, between two large Inca ruins, and is a perfect example of the architecture of this ancient civilization. There you can buy the last necessary provisions before starting the journey at the so-called “kilometer 82”, where you will have to go through a checkpoint.

Train tracks next to the Urubamba River

After crossing a suspension bridge, you will continue parallel to the river, passing through forests of giant cacti and endemic bushes until you reach Miskay, 3 kilometers away. There begins the first of the many slopes that you will have to overcome. As a reward, the ruins of Llactapata await you, the gateway to the Cusichaca River Valley.

The path along this river is dotted with striking flowers, such as fuchsias and bromeliads. You will also enjoy some spectacular landscapes of the Vilcanota mountain range, with its impressive Verónica peak, on the other side of the river. You will end the day in the farming town of Wayllabamba, a small village that, although it does not have hot water or electricity, will be the perfect point to establish an improvised camp.

Ancient city of Llactapata

2. Dead Woman's Passage

After passing Wayllabamba you will have to face the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. A steep 9-kilometer ascent begins here to the first mountain pass, the Warmiwañusca. Also known as the Dead Woman's Pass, it is 4,200 meters high.

Acclimatization is essential to resist the lack of oxygen at this stage. If you want to travel to Peru having a slight idea of what awaits you beforehand, you can board beforehand in Spain the 3 great peaks of Sierra Nevada.  

In Machu Picchu, furthermore, your effort will be rewarded by the exceptional nature that surrounds you. In the humid forests, vegetation abounds and orchids are distributed everywhere. You will be accompanied by the sound of a hidden waterfall and birds, such as the omnipresent hummingbirds. Additionally, these forests are the habitat of the solitary spectacled bear. or Andean bear, very difficult to see.

In the highest areas, the jungle transforms into puna, a typical high mountain ecosystem characterized by little vegetation. Only bushes such as ichu are abundant, which serves as food for llamas and vicuñas.

Llama in the high mountains © Jasper Amsing

In 2 or 3 hours you will arrive at Llulluchapampa, a valley with wonderful views all around. A good lunch and a short rest will be necessary to face the Warmiwañusca pass with energy, in the highest part of the mountain. You will reach it in a few hundred more meters.

Chewing coca leaves while climbing, as the locals do, will help counteract the effects of soroche. The journey along this pass will take you another couple of hours of climbing stone steps. With a little luck, it is possible to spot birds of prey or even the great Andean condor on the surrounding peaks.

Once you have passed this pass, the path leads you to the Pacaymayo valley. The descent is tough and your knees may feel sore after the climb, so take it easy. The views from this valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks are spectacular. Pacaymayo is a frequent camping spot, so you will have more amenities than in Wayllabamba.

Descending the Warmiwañusca Pass

3. The secrets of the Inca empire

Just after Pacaymayo the ascent to the Runkurakay pass begins. An hour later, halfway down the road, you will find the ruins that once served as a temple and observation post. The journey continues between two small lagoons where Andean seagulls sometimes gather. From the top of the pass, the view of the valley, the temple and the forest make up an unforgettable picture.

Views from the road on the third day © Richard and Tracy | @travelgasms

You have to go down. On the descent you will cross a deep tropical forest full of colorful orchids, birds and butterflies that flutter around you. After Lake Chaquacha you will go to the ruins of Sayacmarca. This circular fortress was divided into two areas: a residential area and a temple. An ingenious work of channeling brought water from the nearby river to the houses and ceremonial baths.

The Inca Trail next to Lake Chaquacha

The road continues attached to the mountain. The Incas built their road by filling in the gaps left in the rock, thus correcting the unevenness typical of the Andean orography. Even the tunnels are an example of seamlessly integrated architecture in the environment. After crossing one of them you will get the first view of the ruins of the city of Phuyupatamarca, one of the best preserved.

By stone steps you will go down to Wiñaywayna, the largest archaeological site to date, which includes the ruins of temples, houses and ceremonial baths.

Arrival at the Sayacmarca fortress © Jasper Amsing

4. Intipunku: gateway to Machu Picchu

Just like the best dessert is a good after-dinner meal, the best thing about camping is the sunrise. The one that gives you the sunrise over the Andes is spectacular. You can enjoy it while you take the path to Intipunku, which you will start very early.

After Wiñaywayna you have to continue ascending along a stone path for approximately an hour until you reach Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun. The name is not coincidental. Every June 24, coinciding with the winter solstice, the sun's rays pass through the door and hit the right wall of the temple.

View back from Intipunku © Jasper Amsing

Your goal is now very close. From Intipunku you will have magnificent views of the citadel of Machu Picchu, from which you are only 1.5 kilometers away. The ruins are located between the peaks Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, 2,490 meters above sea level.

Both the complex and the territory surrounding it are part of the Choquequirao Regional Conservation Area, which ensures the protection of several endangered species as well as various Inca constructions.

You have finished the legendary trek to Machu Picchu. Have you been left wanting more? Since you are in Peru, be sure to visit the Amazon rainforest, don't miss this also legendary 3-day Amazon tour

The Inca city of Machu Picchu

5. The Way of Hiram Bingham

Once you have visited Machu Picchu you have to go to Aguas Calientes, since it is impossible to spend the night in the complex. This town is the only access for tourists who do not dare to explore the Inca Trail. From there you can go up to the sanctuary both on foot and by bus.

To get to Aguas Calientes you must descend a road known as the Camino de Hiram Bingham which runs in a zigzag across Mount Machu Picchu. You will cross forests full of orchids. The descent offers incredible views, but you must be careful because it is the same route that the buses take that go up and down from Aguas Calientes.

Hot Waters

There are 6 kilometers of descent until you reach Bridge Ruins, at the base of the mountain. You must cross the bridge and continue walking along the Urubamba River to reach Aguas Calientes, about 2 kilometers away.

Aguas Calientes is a tourist town, which was born during the construction of the railway line. railway that connects Cusco with Machu Picchu. For this reason, it is full of shops, restaurants and hotels. At its train station you can buy your return ticket to Cusco. Fauna is also present in the town. As you walk you can see hummingbirds or chinchillas.  

800 meters from the town there are some thermal baths which they say have medicinal properties. It is the perfect option to recover after your adventure.

Aguas Calientes-Cusco Railway © Jasper Amsing

The roads leading to Rome are now strewn with radars. The one that leads to Machu Picchu from Cusco must be traveled slowly to enjoy its postcard landscapes. Tour the Inca Trail It's almost stopping time. An hour on the Cavaliers court does not pass as slowly as it does in a chess game. If you want to live fast, do kick boxing, but if you want calm, drop by Peru