|
Machu Picchu (“old mountain” in Quechua, the ancient language of
the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in
the middle of the cloud forest. It was both a centre of worship and astronomic
observatory as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler
Pachacútec. It is split into two major areas: the agricultural zone, made up of
terracing and food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector,
with temples, squares and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary
degree of perfection. Stone staircases and canals are found throughout this
unique archaeological site. Over the citadel looms Huayna Picchu (“young
mountain” in Quechua), which can be climbed up a steep stone-paved trail.
Located in the tropical rainforest of the departments of Cuzco and Madre de Dios,
the Manu National Park is Peru’s greatest natural reserve, both for the number
of species that it harbours as well as the diversity of eco-systems to be found
there. The reserve covers the entire watershed of the Manu River, running across
an extraordinary range of altitudes, running from 4,300 metres in the high
Andean plain down to 200 metres in the Amazon Basin. The area is home to dozens
of tribes Amahuaca, Huachipaire, Machiguenga, Piro, Yora and Yaminahua as well
as others that have yet to make contact with the outside world. The park is also
a haven for more than 20,000 plant varieties, 1,200 butterfly species, 1,000
bird species and 200 species of mammals.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru’s most popular trekking route and
possibly one of the most spectacular walks in the Americas. It forms part of the
more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas across South America. Each year,
some 25,000 hikers from all over the world walk the 43 km stone-paved trail,
built by the Incas to get to the impregnable citadel of Machu Picchu, deep in
the Cuzco cloud forest. The trail sets out from Qorihuayrachina, at Kilometer 88
of the Cuzco - Machupicchu railway, and takes three to four days of tough
hiking. The route runs through an impressive range of altitudes, where climates
and eco-systems range from the high Andean plain down to the cloud forests. The
trail climbs up through two highland passes (the higher of the two, Warmiwañuska,
lies at 4,200 m) before reaching Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or Gateway
of the Sun. One of the attractions of the trail is that it winds past carved
granite Inca settlements (Wiñay Wayna, Phuyupatamarca), and is surrounded by
breath-taking natural scenery. The forests abound in hundreds of species of
orchids, brightly-coloured birds and dream-like landscapes, the ideal complement
to this indispensable hikers’ route.
We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail well
in advance. In the low season (Oct-Mar) at least 6-8 weeks. For the months of
May and September 10 weeks in advance and for the peak months of June, July and
August a minimum of 10-14 weeks in advance. If you don’t make a reservation we
won’t be able to buy your trek permits. Once we have confirmed your reservation
we are unable to change the date of trek departure and prohibited to change the
name or passport number on the permit.
Peru Trekking, Inca and Natural
History -
Cordillera Blanca Trek, Inca Trail, Auzengate
Trek, Manu National Park Adventure, Cusco Cultural Program
Rediscover Machu Picchu -
Interesting information about the Lost City Of The Incas, which lies deep in the
Andes in Peru.
 
Prices
for - Peru Trekking and Adventures
|
