Inca Trail Trekking – 4 Days

The Inca Trail follows a surviving portion of the communication network of the Inca Empire, which once extended over 5,000 km, from Quito to Talca in southern Chile.

The Qhapaq Ñan (Royal Road) allowed the Inca to control his Empire and move troops from the capital, Cusco. Along these sometimes paved routes, inns, guard posts, and bridges can still be seen today…

Located at altitudes ranging from 800 to 5,000 meters, this monumental road—up to 20 meters wide—connected inhabited areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones, as well as places of worship. The chasquis, foot messengers, were thus able, thanks to an extremely efficient relay system, to transmit information at a remarkable speed.

The section of the Qhapaq Ñan covered over these four days allows visitors to grasp the scale of the Incas’ achievements during their Empire, despite the significant destruction carried out by Spanish conquistadors, who reused the stones to build modern structures.

We will end our journey in the province of Cañar, at the foot of the Inca religious center of Ingapirca, the most important in Ecuador.

Itinerary :

Day 1: Riobamba – Achupallas

Departure at 8:00 a.m. from Quito or at 10:00 a.m. from Baños or Riobamba toward the village of Achupallas, located in southern Ecuador on the Western Cordillera. En route, visit of the town of Alausí. Lunch during the journey. Arrival in Achupallas early in the afternoon. Meeting with the muleteers, loading of equipment, and a hike of approximately 4 hours to reach the first campsite in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in tents.
L – D

Hiking time: 4 hours
Terrain: dirt and stone trails, with sometimes muddy sections
Elevation: from 3,600 m to 4,000 m; campsite at 3,300 m

Day 2: Inca Trail – Achupallas – Tres Cruces

Breakfast. We will begin our hike by passing between two mountains, Callana Pucara and Mapahuina, following the banks of the Cadrul River and using the Inca Trail to reach the Tres Cruces Lagoon. Picnic during the hike. Second campsite at 3,900 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
B – L (picnic) – D

Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Terrain: dirt and stone trails, with sometimes muddy sections
Elevation gain: +600 m

Day 3: Inca Trail – Tres Cruces – Paredones

Breakfast. Hike reaching 4,200 m at a place known as Arista de Killa Lona, then descent toward Lake Culebrillas at 3,700 m. Spectacular remains of the Inca Trail, especially upon arrival at Espíndola. Stop at the ruins of Paredones. Picnic during the hike. Third campsite at 3,700 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
B – L (picnic) – D

Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Terrain: dirt and stone trails, with sometimes muddy sections
Elevation: +300 m / –500 m

Day 4: Inca Trail – Paredones – San José de Ingapirca

Breakfast. In the morning, hike to Ingapirca, where we will visit the site of the same name, a religious center of great importance in Inca history. End of the program in Ingapirca late in the morning. You may take a local bus from Ingapirca to reach Cuenca or return with your guide to Riobamba or Baños.
For a return to Quito, please contact us.

Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Terrain: dirt and stone trails, with sometimes muddy sections
Elevation: +300 m / –500 m