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Inca
Trail: History
The Inca Trail, or Qhapaq Nan, is an extensive
network of trails that connected the four districts, called
suyos, of the Incan empire, Tahuantinsuyo. Built during
the short period between 1438 and 1533 when Tahuantinsuyo
was the dominant empire in pre-Columbian America, the trails
were built at high altitudes to accommodate the local pack
animal, the llama. The phrase "Inca Trail" often refers
to the most world-renowned section of the Qhapaq Ñan that
leads to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu itself was far off the beaten path and
served as a royal estate populated by the ruling Inca and
several hundred servants. It required regular infusions of goods
and services from Cusco and other parts of the empire.
This is evidenced by the fact that there are no large government
storage facilities at the site. A 1997 study concluded that the
site's agricultural potential would not have been sufficient to
support residents, even on a seasonal basisRelay messengers, or
chasqui stationed at intervals of 6 to 9 kilometres (3.7 to 5.6
mi), carried both messages and objects such as fresh marine fish
for the rulers in the sierra. Messages consisted of knotted-cord
records known as quipu along with a spoken message. Chasquis
could cover an estimated 250 kilometres (160 mi) per day. trails
were used almost exclusively by people walking, sometimes
accompanied by pack animals, usually the llama.
During the whole year, thousands of travelers from the whole
planet set off the path of the Inca Trail from the Cusco to
have an access to the Peruvian highlands, and to the millenary
mysteries that the stones of Machu Picchu still
encloses.
Along the trail it can be found different fortifications in a
relatively good state,, which domain visually all the valleys.
The trekking starts in the village of Cori-huayra-china (quechua:
Quri Wayrachina, winding`s gold ), Cusco-Quillabamba
railway, and it tooks three or four days of walking getting at
Machu Piccu. On the treail, which goes through
impressing cliffs with weathers and ecosystems so varied like
the Andean highplateau and the cloud forest. It must be exceled
two big passages (the highest of them, the Huarmi Huañusca,
of 4.200 M.A.S.L.), also known as the Dead Woman Pass), and
ends in the enrering to Machu Picchu through the Inti
Puncu or the Sun`s Door".
On
the road you`ll find a network of settlements built in graved
granite all along the way as for instance, the Huiñay Huayna
and the Puyupatamarca, immersed in a natural scenary.
As
an ideal complement you`ll find an exuberant nature,
with peculiar landscapes, hundreds of orchid species and
colorful birds.
Various means were used to bridge water courses. Rafts were used
to cross wide meandering rivers. Bridges built of stone or
floating reeds were used in marshy highlands. Inca rope bridges
provided access across narrow valleys. A bridge across the
Apurimac River, west of Cusco, spanned a distance of
45 meters. Ravines were sometimes crossed by hanging baskets, or
oroya, which could span distances of over 50 meters. Bridges
were sometimes built in pairs.[13]
There were at least 1,000 and perhaps 2,000 way stations or
tambos, placed at even intervals along the trails. These
structures were intended to lodge and provision itinerant state
personnel. Another structure found along Inca Trail at
precise interval is called qolqa or qollqa. These structures
were closer together and held clothing, weapons, and various
types of food.
Spanish chroniclers frequently described lengthy journeys made
by the Inca ruler, carried on a litter, and surrounded by
thousands of soldiers and retainers, to various parts of his
empire.
Various means were used to bridge water courses. Rafts were used
to cross wide meandering rivers. Bridges built of stone or
floating reeds were used in marshy highlands. Inca rope
bridges provided access across narrow valleys. A bridge across
the Apurimac River, west of Cusco, spanned a distance of
45 meters. Ravines were sometimes crossed by hanging baskets.
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