Inca Trail Adventure Tours
The Inca road system was the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The network was based on two north-south roads, with numerous branches. The best known portion of the road system is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The eastern route ran high in the puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than 20 routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the mountains and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 16,000 ft above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 25,000 mi of roadway and provided access to over 1,200,000 sq mi of territory.
Situated between 1,600 to 2,600 ft above sea level, this monumental road, which could reach 66 ft in width, connected populated areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones, as well as ceremonial centers and sacred spaces.
These roads provided easy, reliable, and quick routes for the Empire’s civilian and military communications, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were imperial soldiers, porters, and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges. Although the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction, and appearance, for the most part they varied between about 3.3 to 13 ft in width.
Much of the system was the result of the Incas claiming exclusive right over numerous traditional routes, some of which had been built centuries earlier. Many new sections were built or upgraded substantially: through Chile’s Atacama desert, and along the western margin of Lake Titicaca, serve as two examples.
Customize Your Dream Adventure
We are here to help craft tailor-made adventures for individuals, couples, families, and groups of explorers.
Peruvian Panorama
Want to truly see it all? Do it on this fast-paced, all-encompassing Peru trip, with the Amazon, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Ballestas Islands.
From $9750 Per Person
Vigorous
Mountain Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu
This deluxe lodge-based trek rounds out our active Machu Picchu menu. Compared to the well-known Inca Trail, the hiking offers similar challenges and the scenery is equally breathtaking, but there are fewer trekkers enroute and the comforts in the evenings are luxurious.
From $4795 Per Person
Demanding
Active in the Andes
Combine hiking, biking, rafting, cross-cultural engagement and archaeological discovery in one fantastic, seamless itinerary. This is great for energetic explorers and families with teens, too.
From $4870 Per Person
Challenging
Hiking Sacred Inca Paths
Trek in the less visited and uncrowded Lares region of the Sacred Urubamba Valley north of Cusco. Stay in comfortable lodges and enjoy Machu Picchu plus experience personal encounters with traditional weavers, roving herds of alpacas and llamas, and authentic Quechua village life.
From $4850 Per Person
Vigorous
Sacred Valley Week
Focus on the heart of the ancient Inca Empire while based in comfortable ecolodges. Visit little-known sites and hike ancient off-the-beaten-path trails. An astounding week!
From $3195 Per Person
Active
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Choose this as the best supported, guided, paced, and accommodated trip available for hiking the full traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From $3990 Per Person
Demanding
