Code : XA-13
Road : Closed
Altitude : 1850 - 4500meters
High Season : May to November
Duration : 07 days and 06 nights
The last Inca-capital was established in the Vilcabamba-area or the region of the Antis, which was the most inaccessible area because of the warrior tribes who were living there at that time. The Vilcabamba territory is situated in the north-west area of Cusco, in the province of Convención . It's a very large region in the eastern part of the Andes with large chains of snow-peaks as well as high jungle with different constant changes of climate. It's delimited by two of the deepest canons in the world; the Apurimac Cañon that runs through it on the left-side, and the Wilcamayu Cañon on the right-side. Both canons have wild mountain rivers running through and sculpting one of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes in our Andean region.
This territory has a multitude of micro-climates… The landscapes from the highest snow-peaks more than 6000 meters above sea level onto high Andean plateaus down to never-ending cloud-forests or high jungle.
This region had been dominated by Manco Inca after the occidental invasion and contains different settlings with constructions of holy centers. Those centers were built previously and had a complex net of Inca trails that amplified the presence of Manco Inca, Sayre Tupaj, Titu Cusi Yupanqui and Tupac Amaru I. They were decided to create a state Neo Inca, aiming to preserve all knowledge, religion and astronomy as was they're habit as well as traditions from the ancient Inca society.
The trek to Vilcabamba is a perfect mixture of ecotourism and Inca history and architecture… An unforgettable experience will lead you from the entrances of the jungle through breathtaking landscapes back to the incredible city of Machu Picchu .
Machu Picchu remains a breathtaking experience, not only because it was a spiritual, astronomic and agricultural center but because it's one of the largest, most beautiful and best preserved Inca-capitals and the only-one that has been untouched by occidental populations. The site whispers of mysterious secrets and lost knowledge for all those who are interested to listen. The city seems to float in the air and hide inside the clouds. The Machu Picchu-visit is perfect combination of pre-Columbian science and religion, a passionate history, beautiful sightseeing and a relaxing experience.
PROGRAM
1 st Day - Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Malaga Pass - Chaullay - Vilcabamba (3350 - 2850 - 4315 - 1200 - 3000meters)
Early in the morning we'll leave the hotel to take a transport that will bring us to the north-west part of Cusco (3350m). On the way we'll have the chance to see the village of Chinchero (3760m) with Andean traditions and skills left over by our ancestors as well in textile as in hectares of cultivated agriculture. Just a few minutes from there you'll see the richest corn area named the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a very gentle climate all year long and an altitude level between 2800 and 2900meters. We'll have a brief stop in Ollantaytambo (2850m) from where we'll continue our transport up to the highest part of this journey, called Abra Malaga (4315m). From there we'll go down with an excellent view over the Cloud Forest and High Jungle halfway the Amaybamba Valley until we get at the lowest part of our trip at the village of Chaullay (1200m). Here we'll change road halfway the Vilcabamba Valley , going up for the next 3 hours until the village of Huancacalle (3000m).
Our travel time will be about 9 hours in a moderated to cold climate with some mosquitoes.
2 nd Day - Vilcabamba - Vitcos Rosaspata - Abra Puma chaca o Azutina - Inka Wasi (3000 - 3080 - 4000 - 3600meters)
Today we'll visit some important archeological centers such as Vitcos Rosapata (3080m), Ñustahispana (3050m) and recent excavations that can be found in this area. The Inca Trail has remained in an excellent shape and can be seen clearly through the vegetation. It has never been restored yet and is the only road up to communities such as Pumachaca (3150m). We'll hike the passes of Pumachaca (4000m) and Azutina (3900m) before going down halfway the valley to our campsite called Inca Wasi (3600m).
We'll be hiking about 7 hours in a gentle to cold climate with mosquitoes.
3 rd Day - Inka Wasi - Racachaca -Hatún Pampa (3600 - 3700 - 4000meters)
During today's hike we'll be seeing parts again of the original Inca Trail that leads to the village of Racachaca (3700m). Also we'll have some magnificent views over the Lazuna snow-peak (5470m) that is situated in this region.
In the Racachaca-population are generally very warm-hearted people who hang on to their traditions and habits passed on to them from generation to generation by their Andean ancestors.
Our campsite for the night will be Hatún Pampa (4000m).
We'll be hiking about 5 hours in a cold climate.
4 th Day - Hatún Pampa - Abra Yana cocha - Soyro cocha - Abra Mojón - Mutuy pata (3800 - 4420 - 4400 - 4500 - 3250meters)
This will be the toughest part of this trek because there are the higher altitudes such as the Yanacocha-pass (4420m), Tullu tacana-pass (4500m) and Mojon (4500); we have to hike up to. From this point we'll have an excellent view over the Salkantay-snow-peak (6264m) as well as over the Machu Picchu-mountain that is located in the Vilcabamba mountain-chain.
We'll hike down on a slow pace, watching out because it's slippery of humidity. We'll arrive to another lake called Laco Cocha (3600m) after what we'll soon be entering the cloud-forest of Mutuy pata (3250m) where we'll camp for the night.
Our trekking-time will be about 9 hours in a climate that goes from cold to warm with mosquitoes.
5 th Day - Mutuy pata - Yanatile - Santa Teresa (3250 - 2100 - 1850meters)
Halfway the Mutuy pata-valley, where we'll come upon a large amount of flora and fauna, we'll be following the river Sacsarayoc at its course. After a while we'll find the Inca Trail again that we will follow down to the village of Yanatile (2100m). From there we'll go down in a truck to the district of Santa Teresa (1850m) where we'll have time to relax in the thermal baths with medicinal powers and where we'll spend the night in a familial hostel.
Our trekking-time will be about 5 hours in a warm climate with mosquitoes.
6 th Day - Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes (1850 - 1950 - 2050meters)
In the morning we'll be hiking upwards, following the river Willcamayu until we come upon a typical transport of this area, the cable-car, that will allow us to cross the river safely. During this hike you'll be able to appreciate as well the falls of Mayumbamba as the sight of Machu Picchu-mountain with different Inca Trails. The Hydro-Electrical station (1950m) will be the place to take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the tourist town beneath the ruins of Machu Picchu where we'll spend the night in a hotel.
Our trekking-time will be about 4 hours in a warm climate with mosquitoes.
7 th Day - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco (2050 - 2400 - 3350meters)
The sunrise over Machu Picchu is a breathtaking sight. Therefore, after an early rise and breakfast, we'll take the first bus up to the ruins (2400m), at 6 ‘o clock. After enjoying the sight and taking pictures of an almost empty Machu Picchu we'll have a guided tour with a professional Machu Picchu-guide. After this tour that will last for about two hours you'll have plenty of time to wonder around the ruins by yourself…And for the bravest among us there is always the ascension to Huayna Picchu or the nearby Temple of the Moon. We'll all meet afterwards to go down to Aguas Calientes (2050m) where we'll take our train back to Cusco .
The climate in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is rather warm and humid with mosquitoes.
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