Segment Kintama-Tawis and Segment Patacancha-Huacahuasi

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Segment Kintama-Tawis

   The Inca built a road network that stretched some thirty thousand kilometres along the Andes, from southern Colombia to central Chile, and much of it still exists as stone paths, staircases and causeways through the mountains. The Qhapaq Ñan, as it is called, was listed by UNESCO in 2014 as a set of segments across six countries. The Kintama-Tawis segment lies in the mountains north of the Sacred Valley of Cusco, in the high country between the valley and the cloud forests that descend toward the Amazon and the Manú national park.

   Read the complete Segment Kintama-Tawis write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Segment Kintama-Tawis is where the day begins. Next is Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka.

2. 2. Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka

   North-east of Cusco, the Andes begin their great fall towards the Amazon. Somewhere in the high grassland between Paucartambo and the edge of the cloud forest, the segment of Inca road between Paucarpata and Ichuka crosses the puna, a land of tussock grass, cold lakes and rocky ridges at well over 3,500 metres. It is part of the Qhapaq Ñan, and the rides that pass here link it with the Manú National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth, which stretches from these heights down into lowland rainforest.

   Read the complete Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka comes up about 138 km into the recorded legs. Next is Segment Patacancha-Huacahuasi.

3. 3. Segment Patacancha-Huacahuasi

   Above Ollantaytambo, where the Sacred Valley of the Incas narrows, a side valley climbs north toward the high passes of the Urubamba range, following the Patacancha river. The segment between Patacancha and Huacahuasi is part of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca road system, and it crosses some of the most beautiful country in the Cusco region: steep slopes covered with potato fields and terraces, small villages of stone and adobe houses, herds of llamas and alpacas grazing in high pastures, and snow-capped peaks above. The communities of this area, like Patacancha and Huacahuasi, are known for their weaving, with intricate designs and bright colours, and the women's traditional dress is among the most striking in the Andes.

   Read the complete Segment Patacancha-Huacahuasi write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 253 km into the recorded legs you reach Segment Patacancha-Huacahuasi. Next is back through Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka.

4. 4. back through Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Segment Paucarpata-Ichuka, late in the day. Next is Segment Kintama-Tawis.

5. 5. Segment Kintama-Tawis

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Segment Kintama-Tawis write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Segment Kintama-Tawis. That is the ride.