Peru Attractions

Venue: Cuzco    When: Daily

The Inca Trail is an ancient roadway that winds through the Peruvian mountains high above the Urubamba River, following a route leading to the "lost" city of Machu Picchu.

The closest large town to the Inca Trail is Cuzco, the old imperial Inca capital. From there, trains take visitors to the start of the trail, which takes four days to complete. Take the local train to Kilometre 88.

From the first campsite, the trail eventually climbs steeply towards the first pass, the Abra de Huarmihuanusca at 4050 metres, where it can be cold and windy. From there a steep descent leads to the valley of the Pacamayo River and the second campsite near the Runkuracay ruins. There are superb views down the valley.

After the second pass, the Abra de Runkuracay, the trail changes from a dirt path to a narrow stone roadway, the beginning of the real Inca Trail. The stones of the roadway were laid by the Quechua people during the time of the Inca Empire. The trail leads to a larger Inca ruin, Sayacmarca, built on a promontory of rock overlooking the trail. Beyond the third pass is the Inca ruin, Phuyupatamarca. The trail then spirals down a series of steps, descending steeply to Huinay Huayna, another Inca ruin. A campsite and a visitor centre are nearby.

The final section is an easy hike, leading to Intipunku, the Gateway of the Sun, and awe-inspiring views of Machu Picchu, yet another stunning and mysterious reminder of the Incas' incredible talent for construction.

Please note: the Inca Trail is extremely popular - it may be a good idea to book in advance. The trail is also closed during the month of February for maintenance.