Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Ancient path in Sacred Valley, Peru
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a hiking route through the mountains in the Cusco Department of Peru, linking several archaeological sites over roughly 26 miles (42 kilometers). The route crosses different vegetation zones and ends at the entrance to the historic site of Machu Picchu.
The network of stone paths was built in the 15th century as part of a larger system connecting regions across the Inca Empire. The route served to transport goods and messages between the highlands and the valleys.
Stone stairways and carved pathways show how travelers once moved through these mountains at different altitudes and climates. Today, hikers pass rest stations and small ruins that once served as supply points and shelters for those crossing the terrain.
Permits for the route are limited to 500 people per day, including guides and porters, so booking several months ahead is recommended. The hike usually takes four days and requires good physical condition for the steep climbs.
At over 13,800 feet (4,200 meters) at Dead Woman's Pass, the landscape shifts from alpine grassland to dense cloud forest within a few miles. Temperature can swing between morning frost and humid warmth in the valleys on the same day.
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