Marvel At The Ruins Of Machu Picchu
There are many reasons people give for choosing holidays to Peru. For some, it’s the superb cuisine in cities like Lima and Cusco; for others it might be the superb colonial architecture of places like Arequipa, or the wonders of the Amazon rainforest. But for many, the Peru holidays which really set the pulse racing are those which offer a chance to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu…
Walking Boots At The Ready
Even if you’re not a regular walker, and even if normally the prospect of high-altitude trekking wouldn’t fill you with joy, the idea of Peru holidays trekking through the magical Andes mountains to find the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu somehow seem to overcome even the most strenuous objectors! In fact, the ‘classic’ Inca Trail route has proved so popular in recent years that the Peruvian government has had to restrict the numbers allowed on the Trail to protect the delicate ecosystem around the route.
The Route
The classic route starts with a short train ride from Cusco (the former Inca capital) along the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba. The Incas saw the River Urubamba as a reflection on earth of the Milky Way they saw in the sky, and the whole area is dotted with Inca temples and fortresses. You leave the train at km82 of the railway and meet your team of guides and porters, who will be with you throughout the trek. The porters carry all the camping gear, food and water for the 4-day trek, and it’s important to make sure you book with a reputable Peru holiday company who treats the porters well. Some companies also provide extra porters to carry your personal gear during the trek, although some people prefer to carry things themselves. The porters also setup and strike camp every day so all you have to do is concentrate on the fantastic views! The terrain varies during the four days but at various points you can see snow-capped mountains, lush forests, cliff-hugging terraces and, of course, many Inca ruins as well.
The physical high-point of trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the 4,200m pass of Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass, from where you have some stunning views across the neighbouring mountain ranges. However, most people’s favourite memory is at the very end of the trek, where on the final morning you arrive at the Sun Gate of Intipunku – the original entrance-way to Machu Picchu – where all your exertions pay off with a breathtaking view of the sun rising over the ruins of Machu Picchu below you. It’s a sight that is hard to exaggerate and is, without doubt, the highlight of most people’s holidays in Peru.
Unforgettable Views
After some time to catch your breath, you generally then have a guided tour of the site and then plenty of free time to explore by yourself. One option which many people don’t know about is the possibility of climbing up the neighbouring mountain of Huayna Picchu, which is right next to Machu Picchu itself. Although after trekking the Inca Trail for four days you might think climbing a mountain would be the last thing on your mind, it only takes around an hour, and it gives you a unique view back across Machu Picchu – a totally different viewpoint to the one most people get – and it’s well worth doing.
Many people also choose to stay overnight in the small town, called Aguas Calientes, which lies at the foot of the mountain. Shuttle buses run back and forth between the town and Machu Picchu itself, and staying overnight gives you an extra chance to revisit the site the next day. Whether or not you choose to do this, you will end up by catching a train back to Cusco, where a wide range of bars and restaurants makes celebrating the success of your Inca Trail trek a very pleasant way of ending your Peru holidays!
Dan Clarke works for Real Peru Holidays, the UK’s specialist in tailormade holidays in Peru. If you need expert advice on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a tip on Cusco’s best restaurants, or where to find the best boutique hotels, then you just have to ask!