The Inca Trail (also known as Camino Inca or Camino Inka) is almost undoubtedly the most famous trekking adventure in South America. When we refer to the “Inca Trail” we are really only referring to the last 43 km (26 miles) that lead up to what is commonly known as The Lost City of the Incas (Machu Picchu), which was discovered on July 24th, 1911 by Hiram Bingham (exactly one hundred years ago).
Although the Inca road system is immense, the principal north-south axis was known as the Camino Real (Royal Road) which spread some 5,200 km (3,200 miles) from Quito, Ecuador in the north down to Tucuman, Argentina in the south. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary itself was off the beaten path and served as a royal estate populated by the ruling Inca and several hundred servants. The Sanctuary required frequent transportation of provisions from Cuzco and other parts of the Inca empire.
A maximum of 500 people, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.
Today, the Inca Trail consists of three overlapping trails:
- Mollepata (or Salkantay) Trail – Difficulty: moderate-difficult; duration: 6-7 days
- Classic Trail - Difficulty: moderate; duration: 3-5 days
- Sacred Trail – Difficulty: easy-moderate; duration: 2 days
More details to air shortly …
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