Places you can visit on the Inca Trail

The famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the principal attractions of Peru. Known locally as the ‘Camino Inca’, it consists of a network of ancient Inca paths that lead to the lost city of the Inca’s through the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The ‘Classic 4-day Inca Trail‘ is considered to be 1 of the 10 best hikes in the world, and is a 43 km (26 mile) route starting from the check point at Kilometre 82. In this blog we will provide you with a list of all the famous Inca sites you will visit throughout the 4 day adventure.

1. Patallacta

After crossing the checkpoint at KM82, you will arrive at the first archaeological site of the trail, Patallacta or Llactapata. Although the site can be seen from afar, it is only accesible through hiking the Inca Trail, and is located 5km from the start of the Classic 4 day Inca Trail. The name means ‘High Town’ in Quechua, a name that is shares with the original Quechua name of Machu Picchu. It is situated at an altitude of 2,840 m / 8,136 ft, on a flat surface to the right of the Urubamba River.

The complex of Patallacta was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1912 and once served as a large agricultural and urban center, and was an important checkpoint for travellers along the original Inca trail.

2. Runkurakay

Hikers of the Inca Trail will visit the archaeological site of Runkuracay on day 3. The complex is located at an altitude of 3,750 m / 12,303 ft and shares its name with the Runkurakay pass, a summit that will be reached after you have visited the ruins. Its semicircular structure is made of slate stone and gray granite, which gives it a peculiar nature compared to the other archaeological sites along the Inca Trail. During the period of the Incas, this site was once an important resting place for the Chasquis, the Inca messengers or couriers, that facilitated their ancient ‘postal service’.

3. Sayacmarca

After descending down the Runkurakay pass on day 3, you will reach the Sayaqmarka ruins. The name means ‘Inaccessible Town’ in Quechua due to its location on the edge of a steep precipice at an altitude of 3,600 m / 11,811 ft. Sayacmarca was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1915, who referred to it as Cedro bamba due to the plain of cedar trees that surrounded it.

This complex was once an urban center where approximately 200 people lived. It is believed to have been the home of celestial scholars as well as an astronomical observatory.

4. Phuyupatamarca

Like Sayacmarca, the agricultural stepped terraces that make up the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca are situated on the edge of a steep precipice at an altitude of 3,665 m / 12,024 ft. The name means ‘city above the clouds’ in Quechua, due to its location atop a high cloud mountain which provides a stunning panoramic view of the Urubamba Valley below.

The complex consists of fifteen magnificent stone constructions including, two plazas, six ceremonial baths, bridges, stairs, observation platforms and water channels fed by an underground river that irrigates water for the ceremonial baths. It is believed that Phuyupatamarca was once home to up to a hundred residents including ancient Inca priests who purified themselves in the ceremonial baths to perform worship rituals for Mother Earth (Pachamama), the sacred mountains (Apus), and the elements of nature such as the Sun, the Moon, and the water.

5. Wiñayhuayna

Wiñayhuayna is one of the most famous archaeological sites that can be found inside the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. It is visited on day 3 of the 4-day Inca Trail, and is usually the place where you will take camp for the final night. The name means Forever Young in Quechua and is inspired by the beautiful orchids that surround the site. It is situated upon the steep slopes of a hillside at an altitude of 2,650 m / 8,694 ft, surrounded by tropical mountains and impressive stone constructions which give it a resemblance to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

The complex was built by the Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century and comprises of 40 levels of agricultural stepped terraces divided into an upper and lower sector. Each sector is made up of lithic granite buildings and agricultural terraces which are connected to each other by a long staircase and a water fountain.

6. Intipata

Intipata or Paucarcancha is one of the lesser-known archaeological sites found on the Inca Trail. It is located at an altitude of 2,840 m / 9318 ft, between the archaeological sites of Wiñayhuayna and Intipunku. Its name means ‘Terrace of the sun’ in Quechua and was once a breeding ground for potatoes, corn, goose, quinoa and even the famous coca leaf.

Due to its location on top of a mountain, Intipata also served as an important control and surveillance post, due to its spectacular view of the entire Urubamba Valley and Vilcanota River.

7. Inti Punku

The final site of the Inca Trail is the famous Inti Punku Sun Gate. Due to its strategical location, Inti Punku once served as the entrance gate to Machu Picchu, where the wardens would welcome noble guests and elite visitors to the Inca citadel. It is situated an altitude of 2,720 m / 8,923 ft, almost 300 meters above the lost city of the Inca’s. Aswell as offering one of the most stunning views of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu from above, the sacred site is also famed for framing the sunrise within its door during the winter solstice in June.