What Is The Inca Trail?

  Exactly what is the Inca Trail, and why is it so popular nowadays?

Almost everyone (travelers and non-travellers) have heard of the Inca Trail before. This sacred route has become one of the most popular experiences to do in Peru, given you can walk the very same path that the ancient Inca used to along their pilgrimages to the site of Machu Picchu.

In this guide we’ll take a comprehensive look at what the Inca Trail is, including why it is so important. We’ll also look at the history of this route, including how it is being safely maintained for tourism today.

What Is The Inca Trail?

Quick Answer: The Inca Trail is a 42 km route that was once used by the Inca civilization.

It starts within the Andean mountains, passing high jungle and eventually ending up at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

Whilst historically important, nowadays it’s an extremely popular activity to experience, where many tourists visit annually to relive this classic route.

Famed for its variety of ancient archaeological ruins, along the Inca Trail we will also see sweeping jungle panoramas as well as the towering Andean peaks from above.

Why Was The Inca Trail So Important To The Inca Civilisation?

Firstly it’s important to know that this stretch of Inca Trail that we refer to (the hike from Cusco) is actually part of a much larger network of ancient trails.

The true Inca Trail is a highly extensive network of paths that actually span over 23,000km, connecting as far north as Colombia as well as south down to Argentina. It allowed the commercial transport of goods between sites, as well as animals and people too.

In terms of the Inca Trail route from Cusco to Machu Picchu, it was not actually necessary from a trade point of view. It was used more for spiritual purposes by both the Inca and the Emperor, allowing them to connect with the mountains around them during their journeys.

What The Inca Trail Is Used For Today

Fast-forward several hundreds of years, and the Inca civilization has since entirely disappeared from the region. 

However their sacred paths still remain, and have become a notorious route for avid hikers and adventure tourists alike.

The 42 km route to Machu Picchu is open for organized hiking, where travelers can see epic sceneries whilst appreciating the various ancient archaeological ruins along the way. It’s also the perfect way to also learn about Andean culture, and have what is one of the most memorable hikes possible here in Peru.

Interesting Facts About The Inca Trail

Here we’ll take a look at some of the most interesting facts about the Inca Trail.

• There is a limit of 500 permits per day for those who want to take on the Inca Trail. This prevents over-tourism and damage to these breathtaking paths, and also ensures a more authentic experience for everyone too!

• On average, the altitudes of this route are around 3000m above sea-level. The highest point of the trek is known as the Dead Woman’s Pass (Abra Warmiwañusca in the native Quechua language), which has a total altitude of 4215m.

• The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February, where necessary maintenance and repairs are carried out along the route. This month is also known for its wilder and wetter weather too, where events like landslides are more common.
• Given how popular the Inca Trail can get, it’s a good idea to pre-book your spot as far as 6 months in advance to avoid missing out.

Still want to learn more? Be sure to read our article on these fascinating facts about the Inca Trail.

What Is The Inca Trail?

And that’s all for this guide on what the Inca Trail is.

One of the most popular hiking treks on the planet, the Inca Trail is known both for its stunning scenery as well as its ancient history. Once relied upon as an important passage by the Inca, this legendary route is still used to this day by adventure hikers. There are also many once-inhabited ancient sites that can be seen along the path, which have been preserved in almost-perfect condition.

Are you wondering which Inca Trail hike is best for you? If you didn’t know, there are various flexible options which suit different availability and budgets. Be sure to find out more about the short 2 Day Trek, the classic 4 Day Trek as well as the memorable 5 Day Trek.