Hidden from the world until 1911 this Inca refuge in the mountains is breath-taking in every sense. Trekkers can choose the hard way up, via the Inca Trail; others may opt for the Train, of all the popular treks in South America, the three to five-day Inca Trail is the one that must travelers want to do. The adventure begins with a four hour train ride along the Urubamba River, a region known to the Incas as the Sacred Valley. Legions of early-rising campesinos, loading and unloading their marketable goods at every station along the way, crowd together in what begins to look more like a cattle car than a passenger train. At Qorihuayrachina, Kilometer 88, the train pauses briefly, allowing hikers to disembark. Here at the trailhead, a footbridge temporarily separates the trekker from a rich history dating back more than 400 years. (If you want to avoid several days of arduous trekking, the train leaving from Cuzco also stops at Chalcabamba, Kilometer 104, 8 km (5 miles) from the Lost City, and you can get off there, but you will miss out on some stunning scenery.)
The first 11 km (7 miles) meander through easy terrain of dusty scrub bushes, low-lying hills, and fow rustic huts. Conserve your strength in this stretch, because it will soon get tougher. The first barrier is the Warmiwañusqu Pass. Beyond lies a wealth of Inca ruins, but struggling to the top of this 4,000-meter (13,000-ft) pass is no small challenge. Laboring up the seemingly endless trail, the hiker soon identifies with its name. In English it translator literally as “Dead Woman’s” pass.
From here, Inca history begins to unfold. The small guard-post of Runkuraqay, overlooking the valley and often shrouded in mist in the morning, is the first reward offered by the Inca Trail. Farther along, the more elaborately-constructed site of Sayajmarka (Dominant Town) perches atop a narrow cliff. The fine stonework for which the Incas were justly famous is apparent here. Snaking along the valley below is an incredible “paved highway” made of neatly-fitted stone, masterfully constructed by a culture the Spanish conquistadors considered uncivilized.

Stunning ruins
As the trek progresses, the archeological sites become more complex. Puyapatamarka (Cloud-Level Town) is fascinating for its circular walls and the finely engineered aqueduct system which still provides spring water to the ancient ceremonial baths. Below, the trail offers another yet delights to the trekker. Hugh steps, a virtual stone stairway almost a half mile in length, load down into high jungle vegetation where wild orchids and other exotic flowers bloom. Curiously, this section of the trail lay undiscovered until 1984. Until then, a modern footpath connected this interrupted section of the Inca highway. Tenaciously clinging to the side of a stoop ravine is the last set of ruins, and the must stunning. Huiñay Huayna presents an unbelievable picture when first seen in the distance. The ability of the Incas to construct something so complex in an area so vertical defies

1 Day KM 88-WAYLLABAMBA Early morning transfer to Km 88 where you will join whith the guide and quechua porters; from this point will begin the Inca Trail. From Chillca you hike along the banks of the turbulent Urubamba river, magnificent views to Mt. Veronica (19350 ft). All camp gear is carried by the porters leaving you free for walk with a light pack, camp in the terrace at the hamlet of Wayllabamba. Lunch and dinner.

2 Day WAYLLABAMBA-LLULLUCHAPAMPA Breakfast at the camp. The day begins climbing through magical Polypepis forest the to high camp at Llulluchapampa (11800 ft). This is one of the demanding days as you gain altitude where the first pass is reached at 13750 ft. offering East views to the Huayanay Peak and West in to the rugged Vilcanota range. Descend to Runqurakay where the camp is set. Lunch and dinner.