Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu: Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Huancacalle (L, D)

Today is a long ride from Cusco (where we’ll pick you up from your hotel), as we pass the Vilcabamba Cordillera, your guide will explain the history of the area and how this was the route the Spanish army took when they pursued the Incas to their ultimate defeat at Vitcos. Gaze out the window at the changing scenery while listening to the history lessons and antidotes from your guide as you pass by local plantations and villages and enjoy the countryside. There will be a few breaks along the way at minor Inca archaeological sites so you can stretch your legs and explore, before continuing on your way to the campsite at Huancacalle.

Day 2: Huancacalle – Choquetacarpu (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll meet your horseman and horses as we begin the trek by heading to the nearby Ñusta hispana (White Rock), one of the most sacred of the Inca shrines. We’ll continue on towards Cerro Rosapata and the ruins of Vitcos, the last refuge of the Inca’s, where they were defeated in 1572, signaling the end of the Incan empire. Vitcos is a fascinating place that isn’t often visited due to it’s distance from Cusco. After leaving the ruins, you’ll ascend a valley to our campground at Choquetacarpu pass.

Day 3: Choquetacarpu – Quelcamachay (B, L, D)

Rising early, we’ll ascend an well preserved Incan stone road up to another pass before breaking for lunch. Then we’ll cross the pass and descend a spectacular valley that is surrounded by towering granite pinnacles – This was the route used by the Incas to connect the main outposts of their Vilcabamba kingdom. We’ll traverse this ancient trail till we reach our camp among huge granite boulders at place called Quelcamachay (cave of the drawings) below the massive glaciers of Nevada Pumasillo, (19.900ft), which means the Puma claw in Quechuan, the ancient language of the Incas.

Day 4: Quelcamachay – Yanama (B, L, D)

Taking a last look at Quelcamachay, we’ll start to traverse the valley and cross a high ridge towards the Yanama Valley, descending to small village of Chungana. We’ll pass several small forgotten farms, and cultural remnants of the distant past. The Quechuan people here live much as their Inca ancestors did, using their hands, planting potatoes with a digging stick, and following a rugged Andean existence made tolerable with the use of coca leaves and corn beer. We’ll continue on downhill towards the Yanama River to our camp site on the outskirts of Yanama.

Day 5: Yanama – Totora (B, L, D)

We will continue our ascent up the Vilcabamba mountain range – It will be a lengthy hike to reach the Llamocca pass – with panoramic views of the Salkantay and Humantay glacier peaks along the way. Continuing on, we will head to our campsite at the outskirts of the town of Totora.

Day 6: Totora – Colcapampa – La Playa (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, we’ll start the day with a downhill hike to Colcapampa village, where our trail merges with the Salkantay trail. Perhaps you’ll meet some new friends and can swap travel stories as we enjoy lunch in the village and say goodbye to our horses as they are no longer needed. As we continue on, the landscape will transition from cloud forest to rain forest and you will see waterfalls and increased wildlife and vegetation. If you are interested and time allows, we can visit some local coffee and passion fruit plantations along this route.

Day 7: La Playa – Santa Teresa – Aguas Calientes (B, L)

Today is our last hiking day – We will climb uphill and merge with a section of the original Inca trail; while enjoying the wild orchids, scenic wildlife and vegetation that abounds on this section of the trek. After stopping at Llactapata, a site the Inca’s used to observe the sunrise during the winter solstice, we’ll soon catch a glimpse of Machu Picchu as we descend towards the river and ultimately a train station where we can walk the tracks to Aguas Calientes. This is the closest access point to Machu Picchu, where you will overnight in a hotel and can enjoy a hot shower.

Day 8: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)

If you want to see the sunrise from the sun gate (weather and your entrance ticket time permitting), we’ll get up early and make our way to the overlook so you see the citadel of Machu Picchu materialize on the horizon! Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will give you a tour of the complex. After the tour, if you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu peak or the Machu Picchu mountain (both optional) we will make our way to the respective gates. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll still have additional time to explore Machu Picchu. Your guide will let you know when you need to be back so you can catch your transfers to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu: Included

• Pre-departure briefing at your hotel the night before your trek.
• Fluent English/Spanish guide that is very knowledgeable of the surrounding region and its customs.
• Private transfer from and to your hotel.
• All train and bus fares.
• Camping equipment, dining tents with tables and chairs, where you enjoy delicious meals, camping tents to sleep.  (We will provide a list of items you should bring when you book).
• Porters who will carry the gear & cook
• Pack animals: Horses for carrying camping equipment and your personal items.
• Portable toilet
• You have a daily meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks are not included at the dinner, only water. Lunch may be a box lunch depending on the schedule.
• Entrance fee to Inca trail and Machu Picchu.
• Sleeping Thermarest, but sleeping bag you need to bring with you or you can rent it from us.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu and Vilvabamba
• Overnight lodging in Aguas Calientes at 3 star hotel.

• Our rent prices for equipments;
  • Sleeping bag 35 $
    Walking Sticks 24 $

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu: Not Included

• Meals which are not referenced in the itinerary.
• Alcohol drinks
• Sleeping bag
• Travel Insurance
• Tips for your guide are not included and are optional

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu: Pricing

Pricing is primarily dependent on how many people are in your group. The amounts listed below are general rates so you can get an idea of how much things cost. These rates may go up or down based on a few different things (we’ve listed some common items below). When you reach out to request a booking, we will give you a specific rate quote at that time.

1-2: $2120

3-4: $1749

4-6: $1135

7-8: $1009

9+: $969

We recommend to take

• Original passport (International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Sleeping bag suitable for temperature of trip
• Day backpack for things needed during the day
• Comfortable walking boots
• Rain Gear: poncho/a good rain jacket for wet season
• Canteen or camel back
• Warm jacket for cool evenings
• Woolen sweater or fleece
• Trousers, one waterproof of one normal
• Shorts
• T-shirts or light cotton shirts
• Hat with brim
• Walking pool
• Flash light/head torch (the campsite has its own light but you will need this in your tent
• Personal medications
• Insect repellent
• Sun screen
• Binoculars, camera and film
• Extra money for drinks, tips, souvenirs etc (soles or dollars)
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries
• Travel insurance is essential
• Plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes.