Tour Vilcabamba - Machu Picchu 5D/4N
After the conquest by the Spaniards, Manco Inca and his successors dominated the Vilcabamba region. It included several centers and settlements built in honor of the last dynasty of the Incas: Manco Inca, Sayri Tupac, Titu Cusi Yupanqui and Tupac Amaru I. According to the customs and traditions of other pre-Inca cultures, a neo-imperial state was created to preserve all knowledge in religion and astronomy. Vilcabamba is located northwest of Cusco, in the province of La Convención, in the eastern cordillera of the Andes.
This tour to the ruins of Machu Picchu beginning with Vilcabamba has a chain of snow-capped peaks and high jungle mountains with constant climatic changes. The region is bounded by two very deep canyons, the Apurímac Canyon on the left and the Willcamayu Canyon on the right. The running of the rivers still cultivates one of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes of fast current.
Día 1: Cusco – Chaullay – Vilcabamba (Huancacalle)
Our trip starts early in the morning by bus. First, we will go to the northwestern opening of Cusco and pass the ancestral villages of Chinchero (3760m / 12336f) and Ollantaytambo (2850m / 9350f), located in one of the most fertile regions to grow corn. Then, the road will take us to the highest point of the trip: the Malaga Pass (4315m / 14157f). During the descent through the Amaybamba Valley we will enjoy the exceptional view of snowy peaks and cloud forests. Then we will pass Chaullay (1200m / 3937f) and we will go to Huancacalle (3000m / 9843f). Here we will spend the night in an indoor hotel.
Día 2: Vilcabamba – Rosaspata – Abra Pumachaca – Inkawas – Racachaca
On this day we will visit the archaeological sites of Vitcos Rosaspata (3080m / 10105f) Ñustahispana (3050m / 10007f). In addition, our hike leads through beautiful vegetation through the mountain pass of Azutina (3900m / 12795f) Pumachaca (4000m / 13123f). Our camp will be in the community of Racachaca (3700m / 12139f).
Día 3: Racachaca – Hatun Pampa – Laccococha
During this day some curious Andeans will welcome us cordially, tell us about their customs and traditions. Later we will cross three abras (high points) known as Yanacocha (4420m / 14501f), Tullu Tacana (4500m / 14436f) and Mojon (4500m / 14763f), where an exceptional view of the snowy peaks of Salkantay (6264m / 20551f) could be obtained. . After lunch we will descend to Laccococha (3600m / 11811f), the place where we will spend the night in a camp.
Día 4: Laccocoha – Mutuy Pata – Yanatile – hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Our day will start early in the morning with a good breakfast and an exceptional view of the mountains. While passing the forest of Mutuypata (3250m / 10663f) we can enjoy a rich flora of the region (variety of orchids and other beautiful plants, we will also see coffee and fruit plantations). In the small town of Yanatile (2000m / 6562f) we will take a transport and go to the Hidroelectrica Station, where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. There we will have accommodation in a hotel.
Día 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 a.m. and we will go to Machu Picchu (2400m / 7874f) by tourist bus. We’re going to get to the citadel around 6:00 in the morning. After a guided tour of the archaeological zone, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (2750m / 9022f) on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train, either at 2:55 p.m. or 6:45 p.m. Until then you will have time to have lunch in one of the restaurants. You can also take a relaxing bath in the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, ending this Machu Picchu ruins tour- Vilcabamba.
Includes
- Private transportation from the hotel to Huancacalle.
- Transportation from Yanatile to Santa Teresa.
- Transportation from Santa Teresa to Hidroelectrica Station. Tourist train from the Hidroelectrica Station to Aguas Calientes.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (2 ways).
- Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and to Cusco by bus.
- Hostal in Huancacalle Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu, Continental or similar).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
- High quality camping equipment (we use professional tents, Doite, Model Kailas 3, light / 4.5kgs extra and Doite, Himalaya Model, light / additional 4.5kgs, both for 2 people) Mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, tent of hygienic service).
- Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks vegetarian option).
- Cook and assistant. Muleteers and mules, throughout our camp passenger personal equipment (up to 9 kg)
- Emergency horse.
- First aid kit and oxygen balloon.
Does not Includes
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
- Sleeping bag (If you do not have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting one from us).
Recommendations
- Backpack with rain coat.
- Sleeping bag. Warm and cold weather clothing like a waterproof jacket.
- Rain pants light pants. Trekking shoes
- Slippers or sandals (for showers and thermal baths).
- Wool or synthetic socks and a sweater. T-shirts with short and long sleeves.
- Rain poncho and a hat. Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, alcoholic disinfectant gel, water bottle and sterilization tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
- Camera (wrapped in plastic bag).
- Flashlight and batteries.
- Some snacks such as chocolate bars and nuts.
- Original passport and the ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
- Since the weather can be very cold and humid, your clothes – once wet – will not dry out at night. So bring some clothes to change.