Description
Book SynopsisGuidebook to hiking and mountain biking in the Sacred Valley of Peru, including the Inca Trail. 40 routes (7 to Machu Picchu) visiting all major Incan sites discovered from Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Vilcabamba and in the remote region around Mount Ausangate. The routes are graded for difficulty, and most routes can be done on foot or by mountainbike and timings are given for each, as well as advice on whether it is preferable to undertake a particular route with a local guide or trekking agency, in the less well-known areas. The guidebook includes practical information on getting to and around the area, how to make the most out of any trip as well as plenty of background detail on the Incan history and places of interest explored on the routes. The Andes are the second highest mountain range in the world, after the Himalaya, but they have the most spectacular range of altitude - from 6000m down to just above sea level - making for some thrilling MTB descents on ancient Incan roads. The area also has a spectacular collection of ancient Incan sites, with new sites yet to be uncovered, and is still farmed by the direct descendants of the Incas, often seen in their colourful traditional dress in the local villages.
Table of ContentsMap key Overview maps Preface Introduction The story of the Incas The Sacred Valley History in the making Don't miss… Exploring by bike or on foot Centres and bases Getting there Getting around When to go Accommodation Food Health matters Safety Language Money Communications Trekking Mountain biking What to take Hazards and annoyances Cultural impact Maps and waymarking Using this guide 1 Tourist Trails to Machu Picchu Route 1 Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu Route 2 The Classic Inca Trail 2 Around Cusco Route 3 To Calca via H'uchuy Cusco Route 4 The back way to Ollantaytambo Route 5 To Urubamba via ‘44' Route 6 Urquillos Canyon 3 Around Urubamba Route 7 Salt Mines of Maras and Moray Route 8 Moray to Paucarbamba Route 9 Abra Azulcocha to Calca Route 10 Calca to Lares Route 11 Chicón summit Route 12 To Lares via the Pumahuanka valley 4 Around Ollantaytambo Route 13 Pumamarca Route 14 Choquechaca Route 15 To Lares via Abra Wakawasi Route 16 To Lares via Patacancha Route 17 The Weaver's Trek Route 18 Inca Raccay and Q'orimarca Route 19 Ñaupa Iglesia (Pachar Caves) Route 20 Las Canterras quarries and Inti Punku Route 21 The Veronica glacier Route 22 Patacancha valley Route 23 To Quillabamba via Abra Yanamayu Route 24 To Quillabamba via Abra Malaga Route 25 To Ivochote and Pongo de Manique Route 26 Machu Picchu ‘back door' route Route 27 To Huayllabamba and the start of the Inca Trail Route 28 Ollantaytambo to Soraypampa via Salkantay 5 South and West of Machu Picchu Route 29 Mollepata to Huayllabamba Route 30 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Salkantay Route 31 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Hydroelectric Route 32 Choquequirao from Cachora Route 33 Inca Wasi from Yupanqua Route 34 Huancancalle to Choquequirao Route 35 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama Route 36 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Abra Mojón Route 37 Mollepata to Choquequirao Route 38 Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba) 6 Ausangate Route 39 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Ausangate Route 40 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Puca Punta Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Glossary of Spanish and Quechan words Appendix C Useful contacts Appendix D Further reading
