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Those who wish to
experience the thrill of tracing the route
of a road that 500 years ago led to the city
of the gods – Machu Picchu – should remember
that this is a journey that should be made
as a reverent pilgrimage as the Incas
understood it to be. The Incas understood
the interdependence of man and nature, the
works of man and the gods, and this unique
region is now a Historical Sanctuary.
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Of course, a minimum
level of fitness is required, coupled with
an immense desire to reach the mountain tops
in order to contemplate the magnificent
concert of sacred peaks watched over
occasionally by majestic condors.
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The trek requires four days
of moderately difficult walking, through
lush vegetation, along stone pathways, steep
series of steps leading to high passes at
over 4200 metres above sea level, or viewing
points at 3950 and 3650 metres, from where
you will be able to observe the peak
believed to protect the Machu Picchu
Historical Sanctuary: Salkantay (6271 metres
above sea level).
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The trail leads the walker
through cloud forest and sub-Alpine
landscapes, a well as high altitude
grasslands, to the habitats of spectacled
bears, the cock of the rock and many other
species of wild fauna and flora.
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Along the way travellers may
visit many important archaeological sites:
Huillca Raccay, Patallacta, Runcuracay,
Sayac Marca, Concha Marca, Phuyupatamarca,
Wiñay Wayna, Intipata, Intipunku and the
great Machu Picchu itself, all of them are
testimony to the level of development
achieved by the ancient Inca culture.
