Inca Trail to Machu Picchu draws biggest hike crowds in Peru. You spot major Inca remains along, get initial look at Machu Picchu from sun door. Short on days or no want for 4 day slog? Short Inca path grabs main parts. What they are here, to see if suits.
Hike begins km104 control point. Waterfall first. Chance to pause, munch, dip in bottom pool maybe. Then Chachabamba, probably water worship with channels baths. On to Winay Wayna, path’s top ruin.
- Guide tells theories. Like farming for area, terraces show.
- Then sun door, ancient Machu Picchu entry. First glimpse, views strike.
- Down to guard house. Prime for Machu Picchu shots.
Why take short Inca path?
Time short for multi day but itch for Inca path vibe. Spot on fix. Final segment only, but packs best ruin Winay Wayna. Visit Machu Picchu through sun door too.
Classic sells out lots, short often has spots.
Main spots on short Inca path.
Spot the 5 big ones. Nature wonderful, Andes mountains huge. Linger each, hit guide with history questions.
Winay Wayna.
Hands down, path’s most standout Inca place. Built around late 1400s. Agreement on Pachacutec, famed Inca ruler, behind it.
Archeologists figure varied roles. Terraces, digs suggest big farm output, store for empire. Close to Machu Picchu, perhaps last chill before finish. Approximately 20 structures: living spots, store sheds, fountains, baths. Highlight Inca build skills, layout. Guide dives in with full past rundown.
Fact neat: Legend says woman Winay Wayna became orchid by gods, beauty forever.
Chachabamba Inca Site.
Opening stop, Chachabamba remains. Typical Inca enigma. Roles guessed. Popular: water rites, water elements abound.
- Another: Pilgrim rest before Machu Picchu. Body cleanse. Trail watch good. 2021 finds with drones lasers: stone ways, 2 big patios, 14 baths jungle hid. Still under.
- Classic Inca builds. Roofs ichu straw likely. Fertile valley spot, landscape sights.
- Doubt if all theories hold, but fascinating.
Guard house.
At Machu Picchu setup, guard house eyed two ways in: classic Inca path sun door, Vilcabamba trail. Sun door path famous? Guard house Machu Picchu famous. Pics all you can, lifetime maybe once.
Sun Gate (Inti Punku ).
Inca days, sun door chief Machu Picchu access. Soldiers guarded strict, in out control. Path end, crucial. Machu Picchu first view spot. Stays with you. Photos tons.
Inca path hike lets sun door visit.
Flora fauna in Machu Picchu.
People volume hides larger critters rare. Birds various, plant kinds many. Luck hits, see bright red cock-of-the-rock.
Fauna.
- Cock of the rock: Red vibrant, jungle usual. Peru bird national.
- Spectacled bear: Andean bear, hard spot, face patterns.
- Puma: Called mountain lion too, home in continent mountains.
- Andean condor: Inca holy, dead spirits to other world.
Not sure bears appear often, trekkers whisper sightings though.
Flora.
- Orchids: Andean bloom colors designs, species wide in cloud forest Andes.
- Queñual: Bush tall to 20 meters, 14 types Peru. See day one.
- Schinus mole: Bush medium 8 meters, heal properties claimed. Andes most planted.
- Puya: Large plant slow, flower tower big, 150 years approximate to bloom.
- Hikers chat about orchid hunts fun.
