Runcuracay (Runkurakay)

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Runcuracay "Egg Hut" along the Inca Trail

Runcuracay, the "Egg Hut" is a small round-shape building located near the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu, kilometers away from the nearest road. It is near the pass with the same name, located at just under 4.000 m.

You might find different variations for the name of this Inca site: Runcuracay (the Spanish variant), Runkurakay (the Quechuan variant) and Runkuracay (quite often used mix of the previous 2), pronunciation is identical.

Specialists suppose it was a post house by the Inca Trail or an Inca tambo. The chasquis probably stopped here on their run to carry messages to distant corners of the Inca Empire.

If you want to admire this building, you have to take a hike the Inca Trail and therefore you have to apply for a trip package with a travel agency. The road and atmospherical conditions can be exhausting if you're not a sporty person used to hiking above 3.000 meters.

The surrounding mountains are steep and close to the site, very beautiful, especially when the sun sets.

If you've already seen Machu Picchu's riches or Sacsayhuamán's gigantic stones, then Runcuracay's architecture won't impress you too much. But if you're passionate about the Inca wonders of construction and are "itching for a hike" on the Inca Trail, then go for it! Runcuracay is is one of the most unusual single structures in the Andes. Also, its round shape makes it one of its kind.