Trailblazer Guide Books

Worth watching out for.
 - John Cleare

 

 

Fully rewalked, revised and rewritten 4th edition with a NEW history of the Incas by Hugh Thomson, acclaimed author of The White Rock – An Exploration of the Inca Heartland (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)

 

Lost to the jungle for centuries, Machu Picchu was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham 100 years ago.  It's now probably the most famous sight in South America – and justifiably so.  Perched high above the river on a knife-edge ridge, the ruins are truly spectacular.  The best way to reach them is on foot, following parts of the original paved Inca Trail over passes of 4200m (13,500ft) .

 

This guide includes hiking options from two days to three weeks with 40 detailed hiking maps showing walking times, camping places and all points of interest.

It is the only guide to have:

• really in-depth information on all the ruins, not just Machu Picchu, eg the ruins around Cusco, as well as major sites such as Choquequirao, all the Inca Trail sites, Vitcos, Espiritu Pampa etc. 

• great detail about the longer link routes connecting Cachora/Choquequirao to Machu Picchu (one of the best multi-day trips in the Andes) and Cachora/Choquequirao to Huancacalle or even Espiritu Pampa (the longest route in the region).  These are less busy and less regulated than the Inca Trail.

Coupled with in-depth chapters on Lima and Cusco it really is a one-stop solution for people interested in visiting the area and the breadth of additional history, archaeology and cultural information will ensure that you have the best, broadest experience when actually there.

• Machu Picchu – Lost City of the Incas and one of the world''s greatest sights

• The Inca Trail, the Vilcabamba Trail, the Choquequirao Trail, the Santa Teresa Trail and hikes around Cusco and the Urubamba Valley – ten hikes from two days to two weeks with 50 detailed route maps showing walking times, camping places and all points of interest. Best known is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which follows part of the old Inca highway over passes of 4200m (13,705ft). Also included in the Vilcabamba Trail, a fascinating four-day hike to the ruins at Espiritu Pampa, last Inca capital; the trek to Choquequirao and the trail to Santa Teresa.
• Two challenging new treks are included in this 4th edition: linking the Vilcamamba Trail to the Choquequirao Trail and the Choquequirao Trail to the Santa Teresa Trail.
• Lima – street plans, what to see, where to stay and getting to Cusco
• Cusco – where to stay, where to eat, and what to see in the ancient Inca capital
• Practical information – planning your trip and getting to Peru
• History of the Incas – plus ground plans of 14 Inca ruins; written by an expert on Inca history, Hugh Thomson
• Green hiking – how to minimize your impact on a fragile region
• Languages – Spanish and Quechua
• 70 maps and street plans

June 2012 NEWS

Plans for cable-car to Inca city

Plans have been revealed to open a cable-car route to the ruined Inca city of Choquequirao.  Regarded by many as the original 'lost city' of the Incas, Choquequirao was the first fabled set of ruins to be uncovered.  Set high on a ridge spur around 1750m/ 5740ft above the Apurimic River and surrounded by sheer, snow-capped peaks it is an awe-inspiring destination.   Until now the ruined city has only been accessible to those willing to take the two-day hike from Cusco that includes very stiff descents and gruelling climbs. 

An eco-tourism consortium will conduct a pre-investment study in the hopes of attracting beneficiaries to the project.  The new four kilometre cable-car would allow 3,000 visitors a day to visit the site which would help to relieve some of the pressure on popular Machu Picchu.