Ecuador Camino de Inca Trek

The Camino de Inca in Ecuador was created over 500 years ago and was used by messengers to communicate between outposts and capitals in the Incan Empire.  The three-day trek takes you over the high-altitude paramo wetlands of Sangay National Park towards the Incan ruins of Ingapirka, close to Cuenca.

Also called the Ecuadorian Inca Trail, this challenging trek follows the ancient trail for 3 days, past many lakes and lagoons, and outposts of the Incan Empire, until we arrive at the Incan Ruins of Inga Pirca.

This is a challenging trek, with the highest point being 4,800 meters (15,748 ft) on the peak of a mountain overlooking three lagoons.

While the Ingapirka Inca Trail, in Ecuador, is not as famous as its southern extension, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it was actually more important during the last days of the Inca empire.

The Ecuadorian Inca Trail once connected the Incan empire’s northern capital Quito with the city at its heart, Cuzco in Peru.

Therefore, It was used to move trade and messengers as well as large marching armies during the civil war that broke out between the two Incan princes, Huáscar in Quito and Atahualpa in Cuzco.

Later, the Spanish called it the Camino Real (Royal Road) during their conquest of the Incan empire in the years after the Incan civil war.

Centuries later still, Commander Sucre, the Ecuadorian independence leader, led his troops over this Incan highway to fight the Spanish royalists, and the giant mounds of stones on the mountain pass mark the cemetery where hundreds of Commander Sucre’s troops were buried.

The Ingapirka Inca Trail is one of Ecuador´s best trekking destinations and experiences, as it is a mix of an archeological and educational destination as well as nature and outdoor experience with outstanding views.

Costs for organized trips:

• Minimum 2 people $475 per person
• 3-5 people $400 per person
• 6 + or groups $375 per person

Are you traveling alone? try finding one of our confirmed groups in our partner site Click here