Inca Road to Ingapirca

The Incas ruled what is now Ecuador for a mere 50 years or so, yet they achieved so much. They had conquered the country by 1500, having defeated the Canari inhabitants around Cuenca in the 1490s. They were themselves overwhelmed by the Spanish in 1533.

The Canaris had been a loose federation of tribes in the south for hundreds of years, and had bitterly resisted the Incas and later allied themselves with the Spanish invaders against the Incas. Their capital in what is now Cuenca became the site of the Incas' new northern capital.

The Incas quickly built a complex of sites and roads across their new territory, including a remarkable complex at Incapirca, which had for perhaps 500 years been a Canari site. Incapira is a fascinating testament to the Incas' dynamism and sophistication (despite being illiterate). It is the finest surviving Inca site in Ecuador. (See our Inca Trails [link] page for more information.)

This trail follows a stretch of the Inca road system (from Quito to Cuenca to Cuzco), approaching Incapirca in 3 days. There are some preserved paved sections of Inca road, but much of the way you will be on a 'normal' track on the course of the old road, even if not visibly so.

You will be in high, remote country for most of the way, with lovely vegetation, Inca remains and (often) superb views to enjoy as you progress.

Start at Achupallas (at 3,350m), some 25km above dramatically sited Alausi on the Panamerican Highway (get there by 4WD/truck, possibly by bus).

There are various ways you can break up the journey, but here is the most commonly used version:

Day 1: Achupallas to Laguna Las Tres Cruces: a long, steady climb up a valley, from 3,350m to 4,250m. Fine scenery throughout and you will pass an Inca site. High-level (following the original road) or valley-bottom options. 5-7 hours.

Day 2: Laguna Las Tres Cruces to Paredones: climb to the high Cuchilla de Tres Cruces ridge at 4,400m, then, after a fine but in places exposed ridge with stunning views, descend to Paradones, a substantial Inca administrative centre, at 3,980m. You will encounter some well-preserved original Inca road, and cross a bridge on Inca foundations. 5 hours or less, so time to enjoy the superb area.

Day 3: Paredones to Incapirca: traverse high paramo, then descend through fields and isolated houses to Incapirca, a slightly bathetic finale: a reasonable-sized site with shops and carpark nearby, sitting on a low hilltop near a town, rather than the thrilling dawn arrival at vast Machu Picchu in all its remote mountainous glory. (Peru's Inca Trail this is not.)

You will need to camp and bring your own food, so come properly prepared. Beware of campsite thievery. Hiring a guide and horses would both add a lot to your knowledge and safety, and, at this altitude, to your pleasure unless you are thoroughly acclimatized.

You can walk a day on this trail, from Laguna Culebrias (accessible by 4WD/truck from El Tambo) to San Jose, some 9.8 km, crossing a pass at 4,080m. Inspect Paredones, enjoy some stunning landscape, sniff the tang of the trails.

While a popular hike, this is tough walking in remote mountains with uncertain weather, where altitude can cause problems. Come fully prepared, including proper acclimatization.

ANYONE GOT ANY GOOD PHOTOS? WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO POST THEM!