{"id":28016,"date":"2018-07-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=28016&preview=true&preview_id=28016"},"modified":"2024-09-18T16:17:25","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T06:17:25","slug":"inca-trail-archaeological-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/inca-trail-archaeological-sites\/","title":{"rendered":"7 ancient ruins you\u2019ll get to see hiking the epic Inca Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hiking the ancient trade highway of the Inca empire, you\u2019ll witness what\u2019s left of a civilisation that ruled as the backbone of the Andes for nearly a century.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most travellers hike the Inca Trail<\/a>\u00a0to see Machu Picchu (and that\u2019s a good enough reason on its own). But what you may not know is the Inca Trail is dotted with significant archaeological sites \u2013 accessible by only those hiking it. Here are some of the ruins you\u2019ll visit along the way.<\/p>\n

1. Llactapata<\/h3>\n

The anticipation is over and day one of hiking begins. Starting over the grasslands, you can ease into the pace and take in the open mountain views you\u2019ve been waiting for. Seeing the first set of ruins along the trail, Llactapata (meaning \u2018high town\u2019) sets the scene, with its lined terraces and housing structures dating to the 16th century.<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a>

There are plenty of photo opportunities along the trail. Image by Patrick ONeil.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

EXPLORE INTREPID\u2019S RANGE OF SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES TO MACHU PICCHU NOW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Runkurakay<\/h3>\n

Having made it up and over Dead Woman\u2019s Pass at 4215 m (go you!) the day before \u2013 on the third day into the hike, you\u2019ll make your way up Runkurakay Pass. Here is where you\u2019ll come across the semi-circular shape of the Runkurakay ruins. Being an ancient trade route used by the Incas, it\u2019s suggested the site was used as a rest station for messengers.<\/p>\n

3. Sayacmarca<\/h3>\n

Trailing down from the second pass on day three you\u2019ll fix your eyes on Sayacmarca. The site is believed to be the ruins of an ancient village and is a known sacred area that was part of the Inca empire \u2013 the name means \u2018place you can\u2019t enter\u2019.<\/p>\n

RELATED: WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"two<\/a>

There are old steps and walls everywhere you turn. Image by Patrick ONeil.<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Phuyupatamarca<\/h3>\n

The day continues visiting more impressive ruins. Following the site of Sayacmarca, you\u2019ll find yourself arriving at Phuyupatamarca \u2013 meaning \u2018town in the clouds\u2019 in Quechua.<\/p>\n

5. Winayhuayna<\/h3>\n

On the fourth and final day, Winayhuayna packs a punch overlooking the Urubamba River, lined with upper and lower terraces and well-preserved stone remnants of houses. It also marks the last set of ruins on the fourth day before reaching the site of Machu Picchu.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, STORIES, OFFERS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Inti Punku<\/h3>\n

After an early start, you\u2019ll make your way to Inti Punku. Better known to travellers for its translation \u2013 the Sun Gate \u2013 marking the entrance to the site of Machu Picchu. Experts suggest it was used as a security checkpoint to the city. Here\u2019s where you\u2019ll be given truly impressive views overlooking the ancient citadel.<\/p>\n

7. Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n
\"couple<\/a>

The view you have been waiting for! Image by Martin Ruffo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The moment you\u2019ve been waiting for. Machu Picchu needs no introduction and at this point, you\u2019ll probably be out of breath anyway \u2013 no words needed to describe this magnificent place. Arriving early, before the crowds set in, you\u2019ll find yourself feeling very lucky to witness such a wonder.<\/p>\n

Ready for your South American adventure? Intrepid has a range of small group adventures that will take you there.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hero image by Patrick O’Neil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hiking the Inca Trail is a once in a lifetime experience. We\u2019ve covered all the ancient ruins you can expect to see.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16072,"featured_media":28247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[455],"tags":[57,468,37],"class_list":["post-28016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-inca-trail","tag-machu-picchu","tag-peru","ipf_region-peru"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n7 Sites On The Inca Trail | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hiking the Inca Trail is a magnificent way to take in the Andes scenery, following an ancient route used by the Incas leading to Machu Picchu. 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