The Inca trail
Trekking to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, with its spectacular mountain-top location in the Andes, is one of the world’s most iconic hikes. Machu Picchu was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and is classed a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
The Inca Trail begins from the old capital of Cuzco and passes through the lush green Sacred Valley, the ruins of Ollantaytambo and on to the forgotten city of Machu Picchu, at 2,500 metres. En routes you’ll witness spectacular scenery, lush cloudforest, sub-tropical jungle and fascinating Inca ruins. The trek ascends over Dead Woman’s Pass which, at 4,200 metres, is the highest point on the Inca Trail, and poses the greatest risk of altitude sickness particularly if you did not spend enough time in Cusco prior to the trek getting acclimatised. However the trail quickly descends from Dead Woman’s Pass to reach 3,600 metres the same afternoon.