INCA TRAIL HUAYANAY TO MACHU PICCHU: 4D3N

DAY 1 – Cusco, Chilca to Ascashcocha pampa

We begin by climbing out of the Cusco Valley and crossing a highland plateau, driving for about 90 minutes while covering less than 50 kilometers on the road to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stops are at scenic lookouts with spectacular views of the Urubamba Mountain Range, whose summits loom almost 3000 meters above us. These offer spectacular opportunities for panoramic shots of the impressive eastern Andes. This plateau, known as the plateau of Chinchero, comes to an abrupt end at what is actually the south rim, or left margin, of the Grand Canyon of the Urubamba, which flows east to west at this point, several thousand meters below.

The road descends to the Urubamba River Valley floor. Along this stretch of valley there is a succession of villages, some of which were once impressive Inca urban centers. We stop for pictures and a tour of Ollantaytambo, which is like a living museum, boasting some of the most impressive and massive Inca masonry in its archaeological ruins. We continue driving on a gravel road until the trail-head village of Chilca where we meet our field staff and camp hands. The wranglers strap our gear on the llamas and pack horses to carry for part of the way to Machu Picchu. When we reach the Inca Royal Roads, porters will carry the supplies because pack animals are forbidden.

There will be good opportunities to catch glimpses of Andean wildlife as we gradually make our way up through the different Inter-Andean valleys all the way to the beginning of the Andean ‘Puna’ grassland ecosystem. We are likely to see different Hummingbirds, like the Giant Hummingbird and the Sparkling Violet-ear, and finches like the Rufus Collared Sparrow, also native plants like Chillca, Bacharis Peruviana, the Kiswar, Buddleia Longifolio, and the Colle, Buddleia Coriacea. Arriving at camp in the afternoon we partake of tea and hot drinks. In the evening and at night the stargazing will be fantastic! L, D.

DAY 2 – Ancashcocha to Paucarcancha

Today we’re up early and set off after a hearty breakfast to climb to the top of the Pass of Ancashcocha, “Blue Lake Pass” at 14,800 feet above sea level, passing through diverse vegetation zones. We can see different bromeliads, epiphytes such as the Puya Densiflora bromeliad and the tall Andean feather grass called Stipa Ichu. There is a wonderful view of Ancashcocha Lake, at 12,000 feet, the snow-capped peak of Huayanay, and The Mountain of the Five Peaks, at 19,000 feet.

Here we have lunch, and take photos of the Urubamba Range and the awesome Mt. Salkantay, which at 21,000 feet, is the highest and largest of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Descending from these highlands, we follow an original Inca path passing a well-built Tambo rest station and they also served as military stations, store houses, granaries, and terraces for farming, all connected by Inca roads. Construction included existing rock, the small valley itself, and the mountain. . Leading away from Ollantaytambo was an important Inca Road leading to Tarawasi, an administrative center on the Apurimac watershed.We set up camp in full view of the Huayanay Glacier field, at 11,800 feet. The nighttime sky is breathtaking. B, L, D.

DAY 3 – Paucarcancha to llactapata

There is a beautiful day ahead of us as we continue our descent from Huayanay inter andean valley to llactapata valley floor. We cross more inter-Andean valleys and in the ecosystem of scrub bush vegetation, we may see Great Thrush, Turdus Fuscater, Long Tailed Sylph, Aglaiocercus Kingi, and Aplomado Falcon, Falcon Femoralis. We also traverse sections of original Andean forest, characterized by arboreal species like the Huaranhuay, Tecoma Stans, and the Chachacomo, Escallonia Resinosa.

Reaching 10,000 feet, we find the finely constructed Inca Tambo, a resting place, outpost and military checkpoint of Paucar Cancha valley, overseeing the confluence of two torrential rivers and three different Inca roads. From here we can see the administrative site of Llactapata, away across the valley and canyon. It will take about 2 hours more to reach Llactapata for lunch there at 9000 feet, a significant, recently restored and multi sectored Inca complex.

Beautiful buildings were built at llactapata that were occupied by royalty, nobility and important people and their entourages. These were religious retreats, plazas, ceremonial places, astronomical observatories and they also served as military stations, store houses, granaries, and terraces for farming, all connected by Inca roads. Construction included existing rock, the small valley itself, and the mountain. Fine masonry and well carved, well-polished stonework, all assembled without mortar. The work was done by laborers from elsewhere who used rumps, rollers, and manpower.

After having lunch there, we hike down past other smaller Inca sites into the gorge of the Urubamba River. Adding to our daily dose of archaeology, we set up camp close to Inca ruins, have hot drinks and Dinner.Close and Nestled deep in cloud forest valley, sheltered from the rushing Urubamba River, if weather permits, we will enjoy awesome star-gazing after dark.

DAY 4 – Llactapata to Machu picchu(train)

Early this morning, we hike a short distance to the railway line where we board the train bound for Machu Picchu. After the dramatic train ride, we go to Machu Picchu for an in-depth tour, exploration and explanations of the archaeological site.

Original discover by Agustin Lizarraga a Peruvian local from Cusco who inhabit a farm and explorer who discover Machu picchu in 1902.Nine years after Hiram Bingham rediscover Machu picchu in 1911.

Machu Picchu is situated at the beginning, or “eye brow”, of the cloud forest. This allowed access to different altitudes, each with unique ecological conditions. The crops found at Machu Picchu include different varieties of corn, chilies, quinoa, tomatoes, trees, potatoes, suggesting that this was a good place to acclimate and domesticate species from the high and low jungles that later would be successfully introduced into the hanging valleys and elsewhere.

This small valley was suitable for the building of temples and astronomical observatories,palaces,plazas, streets, utilitarian and functional buildings,

ceremonial places, granaries, store houses and terraces for agriculture, Inca roads.

By analysis of soil, seeds, wood, and bones, Carbon Dating situates Incas in the area during the mid-1400s to mid-1500s. Machu Picchu was built by the Inca number 9 who named it “Pachacutek” or “Cusi Yupanqui”. Throughout the site, there is fine masonry and beautiful stonework, all of which is done without mortar. Construction used outside sources for laborers and two large granite quarries nearby. It is believed that the site was occupied by royalty and dignitaries, and that it was visited by the Inca and his entourage or royal court. Even though it was never quite completed, local scholars and historians believe that within a mere 100 years Machu Picchu was built, inhabited, and abandoned.

Several roads connect to bring pilgrims and essential supplies to Machu Picchu, the site of temples and astronomical observatories dedicated to the sun, moon, stars, the universe, the mother earht “Pachamama” and the creator “Wiracocha”.

There is the opportunity to climb one of the mountains shrouding Machu Picchu original Inca stone work steps in the trails with spectacular views of the citadel.Also along the trail find birds like wrens and finches,hummingbird and orchids along the way such as the forever young “Wiñay Wayna” or Epidrendum Secundum. After lunch, we might take an easy 90-minute hike, very bountiful in flora and fauna to Intipunku, or “the Gateway of the Sun”, to admire a different perspective of Machu Picchu. Here there are still more species of birdlife and plants we may not have seen on our journey as yet. This area typically has Inca wrens, more orchids, both epiphytic and terrestrial.

To appreciate the spiritual majesty of the area, look around and see several other Inca Roads, with their ashlar stairways vanishing away into the forest.Late afternoon we catch that famous train to Cusco, arriving about 8:30 pm.