schmaler_Banner_1680_370-1-2

Amazing road and street network in Peru

The Inca Trail

The term “Inca Trail” refers to the approximately 25,000 km to 30,000 km (15,500 – 18,500 miles) network of roads built by the Incas over a period of 100 years. The main and side streets connected all strategically important locations of the empire like a spider web. 

From Cusco to Machu Picchu

When people nowadays talk about the Inca Trail (Spanish “camino del Inka”) they often refer to one of the most famous roads of South America, namely the path from Cusco (the former capital of the Incas) to Machu Picchu.

Juan Núñez del Prado once talked about how he covered this route as a fit man in his forties, along with his indigenous friend Mariano Apaza, and how it took them three whole days because Juan was so slow – by himself, Don Mariano mastered the same distance in one day.

Since the Andean indians still live under similar conditions to those that prevailed during the time of the Incan empire, they have special techniques that help them to quickly cover long distances under these difficult conditions. The big problem for Juan on the Inca Trail was not his heavy baggage but rather the 2,000 meter (6,500 ft) difference in altitude that had to be overcome: from about 1,500 m (4,900 ft) up to about 3,500 m (11,500 ft).

Walking the Inca Trail

Ivan Núñez del Prado also reported that he often walked the Inca Trail in his twenties with friends as well as with groups from around the world. At one time, he was in such good shape that he was able to keep up with the native Indians when carrying the luggage and equipment of the people.

Those who participate in one of the spiritual journeys in Peru offered by Inka World, will see many parts of the Inca Trail, explore a small segment of this network themselves and be able to marvel at its beauty.