Back on Inca´s times, there was no other transportation than legs to travel along the immensity of the great Tawantinsuyu, the Inca´s Empire territory. By doing so, they showed the total respect for nature of their ancient, wise culture. They´ve never needed huge and sophisticated electric inventions, nor satellites, to expand over one of the wildest geographies of the planet, even in the great times of Inca Pachacutec, in which period the Empire reached its maximum expansion, from Colombia to Chile, using only the Inca Trail.

Some hundreds of years later a polluted and sick world, full of dirty machines, is claiming for us to return to the ways of the past civilizations like the Inca´s, caring about the environment that we´ll inherit to our children.

The Inca Trail, one of the wonders of Machu Picchu, is your chance to meet this call. It was part of the complex communication system of the Incas, used for everything; from carrying food and news, to stones and war. It was made respecting the different shapes of the terrain and the ecological characteristics of the regions. The rule was to adapt the constructions of the Inca Trail to nature, not nature to the Inca Trail.

It crosses every single forest, every stream of the Sanctuary, every mountain of Machu Picchu. The Inca trail marks the limits of natural regions, borders the cliffs and carries the smell of the Machu Picchu´s beautiful orchids in its vessels. This path of history was the granitic ground over which one of the most amazing human cultures grew, sparkling a thousand years of wisdom and knowledge to the four cardinals points of the continent.

The Inca trail interconnected every Inca site of the empire. No matter what ruin you are visiting, on Machu Picchu and near the Sacred Valley, there will always be a branch of the Inca trail near it.

In every stage of this Inca trail there were checkpoints called Tambos, allegedly used as military or food stores, but also as resting places. This allowed them to accumulate resources for further colonization. This happened at Inca Huayna Capac´s period, a time of intense colonization. Huayna Capac intensified the growing of the Inca trail particularly to crack the increasing outbreak of rebellions on the Empire´s borders. This explains the nearly 20 thousands kilometers of extension that the Capac Ñan, the whole empire net of roads, reached on that time. The Inca trail is a living reminder of that colossal achievement.

According to the topography, the Inca trail included stone ladders to climb a hill, rope bridges to cross the streams or stone carpets for heavy weights and troops. They could vary from a five meters width on the lower valleys, to just one meter on the tallest mountains, or even as narrow as a pair of feet.

Many sites evolved like small rituals places, exciting their imagination to create fantastic works of art, trying to please the nobility and Inti (the Sun), their God. Incredible constructions made on solid rock still rise their precise geometry to the skies all over the Inca trail.

Today, this amazing legacy is visited and traveled by hundreds of modern enthusiastic adventurers; free souls eager to be in close contact with nature. The only machines that they bring with them to the Inca trail are those that fit into their backpack.

These groups are integrated specially by birdwatchers, trekkers and biologists; but also by all kind of people trying to get away from the stress of modern living. They are fully aware of the extreme difficulties of the Inca trail routes. But being part of this mystic need of natural joy, away from artificial entertainment, is stronger than anything.

There are two basic routes of the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu. One designed for amateurs, and the other for experts. The difference lies on the extension and the difficulty of the terrain of the route. Though the Inca trail route from km 88 to Machu Picchu is the favorite and easiest of all, there are many more routes that could last from one to seven days, or even more. At some points, the Inca trail could reach five thousands meters, dropping to two thousands only three kilometers later. This altitude variation is as drastic as the weather´s.

By taking any of the routes, you will have the opportunity of a full natural experience. Right from the beginning, an infinite series of ruins, terraces, walls, aqueducts and bridges will appear at every turning of the Inca trail. Hundreds of birds will display their colorful and noisy spectrum. This wild show of life will delight the observers, specially if you are a bird watcher.

Spending the night is another attraction of this tours. There are some camp sites on the Inca trail, were the trekkers could rest, relaxing with the sound of the Urubamba river. When the night falls, a crystal clear sky unveils millions of stars for the joy of the observers, down on earth; just like it did for the Incas, many years ago. It´s time to light a fire singing around, or sharing the mysterious silence of the forest; dark, almost invisible.

But all roads lead to Rome. No matter what route to choose, Machu Picchu will be there welcoming you at the final stop of the Inca trail. Your final resting place, where all kinds of wonders will vanish any trace of fatigue away.

That´s how you will become part of the blessed people that rediscovered nature in Machu Picchu; those that got the clues to rebuild a civilization in harmony with the environment. Those clues will stay with you, guiding your life in a trail full of stones, teaching your spirit how to integrate it in your way, instead of kicking it out of your sight. Then, a first learning may have begun in Machu Picchu´s Inca Trails.

Take a trip to Machu Picchu; you´ll get the journey of your life.
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