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highlight: all of it! getting off the beaten track, visiting breathtaking puncuyoc, followed by a beautiful (and downhill walk) to the jungle ruins of Espiritu Pampa.

description: We have named this trip "In the footsteps of Explorers" because you will be truly following in the footsteps of modern day explorer Vincent Lee. With a small deviation it follows the classic Espiritu Pampa trek route.

When we took this rou te, our campesino guide at first told us it was completely impossible. He later revised his description, saying that he had taken Inca ruins expert and explorer Vincent Lee on this route some months earlier.

Our trip takes us to the little known ruin of Puncuyoc and then crosses through true wilderness to the Inca Trail that leads to the last capital of the Incas, Espirtu Pampa. Feel the thrill of exploration as you arrive at the wonderfully constructed stone steps that lead to Espirtu Pampa, once the home of Tupac Amaru II.

location: departs from huancacalle (approx.12 hours from cusco), returns from kiteni, (approx. 12 hours from cusco)

duration: 9 days/ 8 nights (with some options)

level:  easy/ moderate

adventure rating: very adventurous trekking - you will see few other visitors on this route.

top link: Read the story of modern day explorer Gary Zieglers Expedition to Puncuyoc The sun settles silently behind the glistening snow peaks of the western Vilcabamba range as I study my mud stained notes from the day's exploration. We have just completed four intensive days of investigating the high puna summits and cloud forested slopes of the Puncuyoc range...

departs: any day with two people.

Full itinerary & Inclusions

Prices

full itinerary & inclusions Espirtu Pampa trek

Day 1: 8.00am Departure from Cusco by public bus to Quillabamba (Arrival approximately 4.30pm.) Accommodation: Hostal Quillabamba

Day 2: 10.00am Departure from Quillabamba to the region of Vilcabamba by public bus. Arrival in the village of Huancacalle 2.00pm, and visit the archaelogical sites of Rosaspatas Vitcos. Accommodation: Hostal Huancacalle

Day 3: 6:00am. Take taxi or local transport to the village of Yupanqa. Begin the hike from Yupanqa toward an unforgettable site of the Incas, Puncuyoc. Arrive at campsite at head of Rio Upamayo approximately 3pm. Accommodation: Camping

Day 4: 7:00am Depart campsite for Puncuyoc. At around 10:00am the group wiill arrive in the archaelogical ruins. After a visit to the ruins, descend to campsite where you will have lunch. Head off cross country.

Day 5: departure from campsite and hike cross country through wild and uninhabited landscapes until you reach the stones of the Inca trail. Continue to Vista Alegre, which will take us 8 hours of walking. We will cross bridges and we will even see some inca trails, here we will stay for the night (1,550 meters above sea level.).

Day 6: We will hike from Vista Alegre to Concevidayoc (8 hours of hiking). We will cross Inca trails and will have the opportunity to s ee the Tunki bird, which is family of "gallito de las rocas". In Concevidayoc we will overnight (1,420 meters above sea level.)

Day 7: From Concevidayoc we will hike in 3 hours to EspirituPampa. Here we can admire the remains of the archeological site Espiritu Pampa the last Inca Capital. We will camp at Espirtu Pampa and spend most of the day there. (1,200 meters above sea level). This place is
still covered by vegetation, just a small part has been cleaned by INC.

Day 8: After breakfast we will hike from Espiritu Pampa to Chuanquiri, which will take us around 5 hours. We will enjoy a lot of different landscapes and a huge diversity of flora and fauna in this tropical area, which is located at 800 meters above sea level. The lunch will be in Chuanquiri. Afterwards we will go by car to the seven Tinajas (6 hours of travelling) where we will stay for the night.

Day 9: After visiting the Siete Tinajas we will visit Quillabamba, a high jungle town. We will then take the bus back to Cusco, an eight hour journey.
*this tour can be shortened by approximately two days if you take night buses in place of Day One and Day nine. *

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• This is an adventurous trip. You should be sure to bring an open mind, flexibility and a sense of humor. Most of all you should be prepared to go with the flow.
• This region is not frequently visited by tourists, therefore tourist infrastructure is limited. This tour incorporates public transport, and use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that things change, or may not go to plan. This is all part of the adventure!
• If required, riding horses or horses to carry luggage can be arranged at a reasonable daily rate.

Included

• Transport to Huancacalle and return fares from Chuanquiri to Cusco
• While camping, 3 good and nutritious meals per day made by
  experienced cook. Optional meals for vegetarians. Some traditional
  restaurant menus as specified.
• Camping equipment includes tents, mattresses, and kitchen equipment.
  Accommodation in hostals as specified in itinerary.
• Oxygen
• English/Spanish speaking Guide
• Cook & assistant
• Muleteer and mules for camping and kitchen equipment while hiking.
• One "riding horse" for emergencies.
• First-Aid kit.
• Accommodation in Quillabamba night one (if chose not to go by night bus)
• Entries to Vitcos Rosaspata, Espiritu Pampa
  

What is not included?

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day) If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $8US per day.
• Bus down from Machu Picchu - cost $6US. We give you the option to hike if you wish.

You should bring:

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
• Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
• Binoculars (if you have them)
  

optional extras We can hire the following.

• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5deg. ($4.00 per day)
• Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -10deg. ($6.00 per day)
• Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($1.00 per day)
• Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) ($5.00 per day)
• Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
• Mule - $9.00 per day Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5-10kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra mule .

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.