Ecuador Travel

Inca Trail in Ecuador

Inca Trail in Ecuador

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Overview

The Inca Trail in Ecuador is not as well known as its Peruvian counterpart, but in many ways this is a good thing, as it is a path much less traveled, though equally beautiful and more remote. Inca Trails covered much of Ecuador, and ran from Quito down beyond Santiago in Chile to the south of the continent. You’ll see no remnants of stone along the road, but the climax of the hike is when the visitor reaches Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important Inca ruin.

The hike can be done in two days, though it is more comfortable in three. Along the way, hikers will enjoy getting many glimpses into what Ecuadorian rural life is really all about. The hike passes through a couple of small villages where people live pretty much as they have for many centuries. Travelers should not expect much in the way of services in these villages, though the locals may be able to provide a school building for shelter overnight and might be able to provide a basic meal for a small fee.

The hike itself covers roughly 38 kilometers and spans an altitude range of about 3100 meters up to 4300 meters. The hike is best walked between June and December when it tends to be drier. The hike heads out from Achupallas along a choice of different paths. The trail is not always obvious to find, so it is recommended to hire a guide to lead the way, but also to hire mules to carry belongings and equipment, such as tents and cooking ware. The hike passes by cliffs, glacial valleys, lakes, alongside a river and through extensive paramo grass land. It also passes by some Inca foundations. There are marshy areas that are better avoided by hiking up to slightly higher ground. It is also best to avoid these areas for camping on the way. At points the trail can be quite steep. Overall the hike is moderately challenging, and is probably best not attempted by those who are not in reasonable shape.

On arrival at Ingapirca, visitors can enjoy the unique Inca brickwork that was used to build the main structure. The ruins were excavated in the late 1960s. This is the best example of Inca architecture in the country. There is a Temple of the Sun that is the main structure and this was surrounded by some store houses and homes. It costs $4 to visit the ruins.

Highlights

Ingapirca – recognized as the most important Inca ruin in Ecuador, Ingapirca is the end goal of the Inca Trail hike. While not as grandiose as some of its counterparts in nearby countries, Ingapirca still allows visitors to get a good understanding of Inca life and some excellent views of the famous Inca stonework that exists here. There are a couple of interesting artisan stalls here for those who want to purchase a souvenir or gift.

Achupallas – this local village is the starting point of the hike. Hikers can enjoy chilling out and people watching here before their hike starts, while waiting for mules to be loaded up with their tents and other equipment for the next few days. Little children play in the streets, while other local rural goes by slowly. With pretty little stone walls and traditionally built housing, this village is a not-to-be-missed gem.

Hiking – the Inca Trail hike allows travelers the chance to hike through pristine páramo landscapes, lush and verdant valleys and over steep hills. The countryside along the way is spectacularly beautiful, formed through past glacial activity. There are some steep parts to the hike, but overall the hike is not too challenging. The hike takes three or four days, depending on physical fitness, and there usually are not many other travelers to be seen, making this hike even more special.

Camping – along the route of the Inca Trail, it is sometimes possible to stay in indigenous villages, but most commonly, camping is the main form of accommodation. Camping out in this wilderness, miles from any major urban centers is an experience that brings the visitor closer to nature. Campers should not forget warm clothing—it can get very cold at night and when the hike starts in the early morning each day.

Indigenous villages and local life – hiking Ecuador’s answer to the Inca Trail allows the traveler to observe indigenous life at its most authentic. Along the way, hikers may see shepherds herding large flocks of sheep or goats across the trails, cowboys trying to reign in aggressive bulls with lassos, or indigenous folk in ponchos simply going about their daily lives. Sometimes there are opportunities to stay in local villages along the way.

Photography – with outstandingly beautiful scenery, Inca ruins and local life at its most traditional all along the route, travelers should not forget their camera when taking this hike, or when taking a trip to Ingapirca. Opportunities for photography in this area are particularly unusual and different for the expert photographer, or even the complete novice. It is difficult to take bad photographs here.

Getting there

To get there, travelers should first head to the Quitumbe bus terminal to the south of Quito. This is accessible either by taking a taxi directly to the terminal, a journey of half an hour at a cost of $10 or so, or alternatively taking the Trolebus to its final stop and alighting for the terminal. The cost of this route is $0.25. Allow an hour on the Trole.

From the southern terminal, a bus can be taken in the direction of Alausí. This is five or six hours south of Quito. The bus will head there via Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba, before finally arriving in Alausí. The journey will cost approximately $6-8. Sometimes passengers will need to change bus in Riobamba to continue the journey to Alausí.

From Alausí, the hiker needs to get to Achupallas, a small village that is approximately an hour away by road. It is possible to hire transportation for this in Alausí. This will cost between $5 and $8 per person for the trip. Alternatively, travelers can take a bus from Alausí to La Moya, which is 10 kilometers from Alausí. From here it is a further 12 kilometers to Achupallas. From La Moya it is possible to get a ride to Achupallas.