Andean Path Travel is a Peruvian Travel Company that caters to world´s travelers that want to step off the beaten truck, embrace the unexpected and immerse in the authentic and extraordinary of alive culture of peru, history and nature. Our staff people have the ideal balance of passion, attitude, and intuition.
1. THE SALKANTAY TREK
The classic Inca trail 4 days route is renowned for the diversity of its topography and its ecosystem. However, the wide range offered by the Salkantay trek is even more impressive. Mount Salkantay, peaking at 6,343 meters above sea level, was one of the most sacred peaks of the Inca religion. Today it is still revered in the traditional Andean religion. This assisted mule hike crosses the magnificent Mollepata Valley and the Salkantay at an altitude of over 4,500 meters. Once in these cool heights, the path descends to a tropical cloud forest and joins an old Inca road which was part of the Inca road system network, which linked the ends of the empire. This artery leads to the recently discovered ruins of Llactapata. That much, you can contemplate the valley over an area of several kilometers and have an exceptional side view of the Machu Picchu complex. The path descends the hill and ends at a small station, where a shuttle regularly runs along the Urubamba river to reach Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Related Post: Rainbow Mountains in Peru: A Tour Review
2. TREK OF LARES
The sacred valley, crossed each year by hundreds of thousands of travelers on board the trains that connect Cuzco to Machu Picchu, is legitimately renowned for its beauty. It is also slightly crowded. However, the Lares valley extends beyond the gigantic snow-covered peaks that mark the northern limit of the sacred valley. In this place, for centuries, life has run its course without being disturbed. Indigenous women in traditional Andean dresses plant potatoes by hand, raise herds of llamas and alpacas, and weave, as previous generations did. These peasants and artisans may be the only people you will meet for several days. Generally, this hike starts in the small town of Lares, known for its hot spring, and crosses several villages. Along the way, breathtaking views of Mount Veronica, 5,495 meters high, and several high altitude lakes. The route ends in the historic ruins of Ollantaytambo, and from there the train journey to Machu Picchu takes only 90 minutes.
Related Post: What are the ways to get Inca trail to Machu?
3. THE INCA PATH IN A DAY
The usual Inca Trail trek lasts four days, although it is best to do it in five. Travelers pressed for time who want to see two of the most beautiful sites of the famous hike can opt for its truncated version, which begins at kilometer 104 of the Machu Picchu railway. We climb a hill for three hours to the Winay Wayna, a spectacular site of stone ruins and curved terraced crops hanging from a steep ridge that overlooks the Urubamba river. Hikers then have a choice. They can either walk to Machu Picchu on the same day, or spend the night on the road in order to enter the sacred city at dawn through the gate of the sun, this striking entrance that offers users of the Inca Trail their first overview of the site.
Related Post: Inca Trail: What you need to know about the hike to Machu Picchu
4. THE PATH OF VILCABAMBA
This walk lasts a week and spans nearly 110 kilometers. Sensitive souls refrain. It begins in the city of Cachora with a two-day hike through the canyon of the Apurimac river, a depth of one and a half kilometers, to reach the isolated ruins of Choquequirao ("cradle of gold" in Quechua) , which have become famous in recent years due to their resemblance to Machu Picchu. Then, the path continues, in places on the old stone roads built by the Incas, and crosses the cordillera of Vilcabamba, sparsely populated, which has not changed since the first exploration of Hiram Bingham, a century ago. Hikers crisscross a mountain range, cross rivers and valleys, and enter some of the most diverse Peruvian biozones: an arid bush, a lush cloud forest, and the puna, a high altitude meadow. The trek ends near Machu Picchu, accessible a few minutes on foot or by train.
5. THE HIKING-LODGE
This new route is intended for those who wish to hike the way of the ancient Andean explorers: walk during the day and sleep each night in clean sheets after a few cocktails and a gourmet meal. You also have to be prepared to pay for the privilege of staying overnight in the four fully equipped lodges that dot the path. The trip is similar to the Salkantay trek and offers breathtaking views of the sacred peaks and their glaciers, with the difference that it emphasizes comfort rather than physical exercise. The trail reaches an altitude of 4,500 meters before descending into a lush valley where bananas and coffee grow. Lodges near Machu Picchu and a private guided tour of the site are generally included in the price of the package.
6. THE CHASKI TREK (OR CACHICATA)
The various posts of the vast Inca empire were connected by messengers who moved on foot, called chaski. According to the accounts, they ran so fast that the emperor could eat fresh fish caught in the Pacific Ocean for his dinner in Cuzco, 300 kilometers from the coast. This high altitude path follows certain paths borrowed by these runners and crosses little visited Inca sites, canals, and quarries, where we can see directly how the Incas drew the stones used in their construction projects. Most versions of the Chaski path include a stop at the spectacular falls called Perolniyoc and its ruins. The trail ends at Ollantaytambo, where hikers can visit one of the best known Inca sites, before hopping on the train to Machu Picchu.
