The Cordillera de Vilcabamba is a mountain range that contains different historical and natural attractions of relevant importance in the development of the Andean civilization.
The walk that we propose is one of the most remote that we have walked. It is necessary to consider that this mountain range served as refuge to the last rebellious Incas to the invasion; being led by Manco Inca II around forty years.
Geography, flora, fauna and a rich history, lead us to an adventure in a remote region of the southern Andes that will motivate us to reach the legendary Machu Picchu, the highest expression of the high degree of civilization achieved by the Andean man, represented by the ethnic group of the Incas.
Day 1: Cusco – Casapata
We leave early in the morning, taking the road to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas. Passing the village of Ollantaytambo, we will go to the Abra Málaga where, crossing it, we will descend from the Puna to the Selva Alta. In this ecological floor, the main activity is agriculture, highlighting products such as tea, coca, coffee, cocoa, and fruit trees; having an opportunity to see their crops.
Our first stop is the archaeological site of Huamanmarca, where we highlight a Usnu or ritual site and an enclosure with four double-jamb doors directed towards the four cardinal points.
Continue to the town of Santa María, where we will rest for a few minutes, then continue to Huancacalle, populated center where we will leave the motorized transport. The journey is long; but the reward is the solitude that we will enjoy, because the tourist activity is not very developed by this zone. Here we will find the muleteers and animals that will accompany us during the trek. We had lunch.
After a short break, we will begin our trek to visit the Vilcabamba Archaeological Park, Rosaspata-Vitcos sector, which includes a visit to the renowned Ñusta Hispana. In this place of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba it is speculated that there is the tomb of Manco Inka II, the rebel leader to the invasion. We will also observe the famous White Stone.
At sunset we will arrive at Casapata, which will be our camp, where we will enjoy dinner and rest, Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 02: Casapata – Hatumpampa
We leave early in the morning, going up by the Pumachaka river ravine to the sector of Chupana, the source of this river. Here we will find segments of the Inka Trail which we will follow. We can observe local flora, which is used as a dye for your textiles.
We walk through ecological Quechua, Suni and Puna flats. Arriving at the Abra Pillaujasa, we can see at a short distance the Abra Jasutina, in the middle of an Andean landscape as for a postcard.
We start the way down to the Raccachaka river valley and following its upstream course, we arrive at Hatunpampa, campsite where we will have a beautiful view of the Tuytubamba mountain.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 03: Hatumpampa – Nogalpampa
We take the path up to the Yanacocha pass, finding a forest of tall native trees (Qeuña and Kiswar) above 4500 meters above sea level. Once in the open, we will enjoy the view of the Yanacocha lagoon, to start our way to the Abra Mojon, the last height of our route. The Soyroqocha lagoon is another beautiful stop on our journey. The landscape of Puna reminds us how far we are from civilization.
We go down the Mutuypata ravine, where we will have lunch, and after a break we will continue to the valley of the Saqsarayoq river to cross it and access Nogalpampa, campsite.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 04: Nogalpampa – Aguas Calientes
Very early in the morning, we restart the path of descent in the middle of a spectacular native forest, towards the town of Yanatile. Here we take our transport to the train station at Hidroeléctrica, where we will board the car that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes. Accommodation at the hotel and overnight.
Meals: breakfast
Day 05: Machu Picchu – Cusco
At dawn, we will take a bus that will take us to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, where we will have the opportunity to climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu, there the view is spectacular; Inti Punku and the archaeological complex itself. The duration of the
visit will be in accordance with the schedule of the train back to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we are waiting for transportation to the city of Cusco.
Included
- Private transportation Cusco-Soraypampa
- Guided service Spanish / English
- Sleeping bag per person (-10ºC), mummy shape (our sleeping bags are cleaned after each use)
- Sheets for sleeping bags
- Pillow
- Inflatable mattress
- Cook and assistant
- Kitchen equipment
- Snacks
- Daily tea service
- Kitchen equipment and kitchenware, including chairs and tables
- Tent kitchen, dining room, bathroom
- Food service (3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner)
- Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
- Two-person tents (capacity for 3 people, used as doubles, 4 stations), simple tents available
- Carrier service
- Sumpter service
- Horse saddle and muleteer (for every 6 passengers, a saddle horse is carried)
- First aid kit
- Oxygen
- Hydroelectric Train – Aguas Calientes
- Entrance to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu
- Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
- Train Aguas Calientes -Ollantaytambo
- Private transport Ollanta-Cusco
Not included:
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Non-detailed meals
- Optional baksheesh for field staff
- Extra expenses
Recommendations:
- Water resistant trekking shoes and sandals
- Warm clothes (thermal interior, fleece, feathers, hat, gloves, socks)
- Waterproof clothing (poncho)
- Synthetic or cotton clothes (tights, trousers, shorts, polo shirts)
- Hat, sunglasses
- Sunscreen cream, insect repellent cream
- Nalgene type water containers
- Basic medicine first aid kit
- Walking sticks
- Swimwear and towel
- Personal hygiene implements
- Personal snacks
- Prior acclimatization in the city of Cusco, at least 2 days and enjoy good health.
- DNI / Passport (original)
