Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca heritage that has survived the test of time

The Incas are known worldwide for the citadel of Machu Picchu. Besides its beauty, the archaeological site is the best example of architectural knowledge had by the ancient Peruvians.

Like the citadel, Qhapaq Ñam is another important Inca vestige that just turned one year after having been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is the road network which used to connect all the Tahuantinsuyo, from Colombia to Argentina, passing through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile.

But the importance of these roads lies not only in its history but what it represents for Peru, even to this day. “Some of the roads are still used even today by the surrounding communities. It is a heritage that is kept alive and allows us to connect these villages,” explains Giancarlo Marcone, general coordinator of the Qhapaq Ñam Project.

Marcone emphasizes the role of these pathways in the relationship between our past and present. “Often the traditional story is told as a break between the Andean, the colony and who we are today. But there are aspects such as the Qhapaq Ñam where there is no such break, as we continue to grow over the same past and represents the unity of such diversity.”

While the most well known ways of this great network of roads are found in Cusco, there are other sections that represent an enormous tourist potential for the country. For example, the route that passes by Lake Titicaca in Puno or the section between Vilcashuamán and Pisco. Even close to Lima you can see part of this road coming from the central highlands and culminated in the archaeological site of Pachacamac.

Of the sixty thousand kilometers that make up the Qhapaq Ñam, nearly half run through Peruvian territory. They are about 23 kilometers of roads we have in Peru including the most important point, Cusco. And even now these routes are preferred by trekkers and backpackers, the plan of the Qhapaq Ñan Project. according Marcone, is to recover those alternative ways to attract more visitors and assist the development of local communities through tourism.

Tours to Inca Trail:

- Inca Trail Classic

- Inca Trail Discovery

Source: Peru This Week

Machu Picchu is reforested with Queuña trees

Reforestation is important to avoid soil erosion and other impacts of the nature, that is why more than 2000 hectares of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu have been reforested with the plantation of Queuña trees.

All this process of planting has been in charge to the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP) and the foresters of the area. The project has already been executed, and it happened thanks to the support achieved by the management of Machu Picchu and the company of energy Electro Sur Este.

The reforestation initiative was created in order to protect the areas affected by the excessive shepherding and the forest fires in the area. This effort will allow a regeneration of the plant surface.

The aim of the project is to protect the biodiversity that makes Machu Picchu as one of the most important protected areas of Peru.

The work of reforestation was carried out in Toccopujio's community, to this labor the Huayllabamba's community joined by planting more trees.

The initiative includes an environmental education program, to raise awareness about the importance of protected natural areas, and the care of trees which is just begging to grow.

This program is being promoted also by the government, the people and the private sector.

Visit Machu Picchu and its surroundings with the next tours:

• Machu Picchu Tours
• Inca Trail Tours
• Alternatives Inca Trails Tours

Inca Trail to close for works next month

The Inca Trail leading to the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu will be closed through February to undertake cleaning, conservation and maintenance works along the 42 kilometers of stone path built by the Incas some 500 years ago, reconfirmed officials from the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu.

The measure, to be implemented by 60 experts and technicians from the Cusco's Regional Directorate of Culture through the Ollantaytambo district to the Inca citadel, will be achieved under the regulations of the Red de Caminos Inca (Inca Trail Network).

The restoration works include treatments in camping zones, compaction, assessment of the rainwater drainage system in affected zones, reforestation, as well as the preservation of 18 monuments and archaeological sites.

The growing vegetation will be cut, and maintenance works will be carried out in Machu Picchu terraces and sanitary areas.

This legendary road winds through Peru's Andes Mountains and along the path of the ancient royal highway. More than 75,000 people make the trek each year to get to Machu Picchu the way the ancient Inca did—on foot.

Visit Machu Picchu with the following link:

- Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu

Source: Andina

Three alternative treks than the Inca Trail

The famous of the Inca Trail is worldwide. However, there are other wonderful routes to the magnificent Machu Picchu. Here you will find three alternative treks to challenge the height and yourself.

1.-The Salkantay Trek:

The Salkantay Trek, less known than the Inca Trail, but equally significant in religiousness, in its peak people stop to offer to Pachamama or the mother earth. The mount Salkantay, named one of the “Top 25 Treks in the world" for the National Geographic, became very popular because it has no space limitations nor permissions as the Inca Trail. Be part of Mollepata's village to walk across Cusco and the Cloud Forest, where it is possible to see wonderful landscapes.

2.-Lares Route:

Another great alternative trek is Lares. With great views of high lakes and valleys. As appreciated as Salkantay, this route has less-crowded of people than the previous one. Deep located in the mountain of Urubamba, hiking Lares will allow us to live through the meaning of the Inca history and the tradition of their people. The trek lasts approximately 2 or 3 days. Started in Lares, a town with hot springs ending in Ollantaytambo.

3.-Cachicata:

The difficulty of this route increases with regard to the previous ones. It takes 3 to 5 days to explore. On this trek appears the most impressive waterfalls and Inca ruins. It is said that the Inca Quarries of Cachicata served to carve almost perfect big rocks that can be found in the Inca fortresses.

Travel to the Inca Trail with these tours: http://www.inkanatura.com/en/inca-trail-tours 

New app helps hikers explore Inca Trail in Cusco

Hikers coming to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, one of the most popular tough treks on earth, can now download a new app named Camino Inca before heading out on their journey.

Users will be able to access virtual maps on their smart phones or tablets, a useful tool for those attempting the steep climbs and descents to the renowned Sun-Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.

There are several maps available in the app inducing, among others, the 4-day Traditional Trail, as well as the Salkantay and Choquequirao treks, which take 5 and 8 days, respectively.

Once downloaded, the maps can be viewed at any time without the need to be connected to the internet.

Travelers can also find information about archaeological sites, description of local birds and a photo gallery.

The Hi-Tec Camino Inca, available free of charge on iOS or Android, was created by the photographer Walter West.

Tours to Inca Trail:  Inca Trail Classic 4D/ 3N - all camping

Source: Andina

Trekking From Lodge to Lodge in the Mountains of Peru

As I sat in the spa sipping a pisco sour, I looked down the valley to the huge, snow covered monolith at the end. Mt. Salkantay, the highest peak in the region, would loom over us for the next two days as we worked our way up and over the pass that bears its name. I could barely make out the trail as it snaked down the valley. It didn't look so tough, I thought, then reminded myself that was only the beginning.

At 15,213 feet, Salkantay Pass would be the highest I had ever been without the aid of an airplane or mind-altering substances. That we would start from an elevation of 12,690 feet and head steadily up from there didn't make me feel any better. But that was tomorrow. Right now I had a hot, churning spa to melt into and a pisco sour to drink.

About 175,000 travelers arrived via Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2014

Nearly 175,000 tourists, national and foreign, made their way to the grounds of Machu Picchu by taking the Inca Trail, according to the National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State (SERNANP).

Out of a total of 2.6 million tourists who visited Cusco in 2014, 175,000 decided to take the ancient path weaving through jungle and Andes ecosystems, paved by the Incas themselves.