Why Is the Inca Trail So Famous?

You may be wondering: What’s the big deal about the Inca Trail? We’ll explain.

The Inca Trail is recognized worldwide for its history and connection to the Inca Empire. It’s a network of roads built by the Incas and was used to transport goods throughout their extensive empire. In the past, these roads stretched across Colombia, western Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, central Chile, and northern Argentina.

What was the Inca Trail used for?

Besides allowing for rapid mobilization of the Inca armies, the Inca Trail was a safe way for the Incas to cross mountains and jungle within their empire, Tahuantinsuyo.

 

Who used the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail, or Qhapaq Ñan, is composed of a network of roads of varying quality and size. Some stretches of the trail are between 6 and 8 meters wide, while the more mountainous sections are only a meter wide and extremely steep. Llamas were used as the main means of transportation for the merchants and Inca armies. Chasquis, or Inca messengers, were also frequent users of the Inca Trail. They would travel long stretches to deliver messages entirely on foot.

 

The Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The trek to Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham somewhere between the years 1913 and 1915. This particular stretch of the Inca Trail was a pilgrimage route of the Incas to the citadel of Machu Picchu in the 15th century. It was not used for commercial purposes since there were other simpler routes used to transport goods. The purpose of this route was strictly religious in nature. Pilgrims would honor the mountains as they went, including La Verónica and Wakaywilka.

Reasons Why the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Is So Famous:

1. The entire trek to Machu Picchu is along an Inca Trail. No other trek can claim this.
2. The trek finishes at Inti Punku, or Puerta del Sol, offering you an incomparable view of Machu Picchu at dawn.
3. Each day of the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu includes a visit to an ancient Inca complex or ruins.

Conclusion

The Inca Trail is world famous for its great history and mysticism that surround this ancient Inca footpath. Additionally, its diverse landscapes of snow-capped peaks and misty cloud forest make for an unparalleled experience in Peru, one you must live for yourself on your next trip to Peru. If you’d like to know prices for the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, please contact us.