Machu Picchu: discover a new Inka Trail and a tunnel hidden for 500 years.

A new section of the Inka Trail has been recently discovered by researchers at the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu. It is an impressive archaeological discovery, in which there is an immense tunnel through the rock that remained hidden for more than 500 years.

As indicated by the Decentralized Direction of Culture of Cusco, the new section of road leads to the area of Wayraqtambo, or Tambo de los Vientos, located on the back of the mountain where the citadel of Machu Picchu stands. This is between the archaeological sites of Wiñay Huayna and Intipata, which form part of the present Inca Trail.

The section that was discovered is one and a half kilometers long with a width varying between 1.20 and 1.40 meters, depending on the topography of the terrain. It is completely covered with vegetation, although some sections have already been cleared.

Among the most important discovery is a tunnel five meters long, located at more than 2,700 meters in elevation. This tunnel demonstrates the highest level of Inka engineering.

According to experts, at some point in the past the main Inka trail collapsed by the fall of huge stones. Then the Inka people had no choice but to pierce the rock until it opened a tunnel that allowed the passage again. After more than 500 years of existence this road must be restored and made known because of its important patrimonial value