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adventure treks >
vilcabamba to machu picchu trek | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism... |
on this truly spectacular and special hike - the vilcabamba to machu picchu trek- enjoy a wealth of flora, fauna, snow peaks, impressive valleys while at the same time visiting the last refuge of the Incas – Vilcabamba and it's archaelogical sites. After we leave the charming village of Huancacalle, we trek along some excellent examples of the Qhapaq Ñan – or royal roads of the Incas before heading off into “unknown territory”. We cross three consecutive passes, often covered in snow before descending to the wonderfully warm jungle. Crossing a great mountain chain, we finally arrive at Machu Picchu. This custom designed itinerary was the first of its kind when Apus Peru started to offer it in 2005. the vilcabamba trek is one of the hidden treasures in peru! please note: this trek used to be titled the "crossing the cordillera trek" we now use that name for the grande traverse of the vilcabamba range - crossing the cordillera vilcabamba (choquequirao to espirtu pampa in 15 days)
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Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu trek - Full Itinerary & inclusions DAY ONE: 5am We pick you up in your hotel, in private transport. You pass through the pretty Sacred Valley before beginning to climb to the Abra de Malaga - a very spectacular and very windy road! Often the pass (4300 m) is snow covered. At Chaullay you divert from the route to Quillabamba and head towards Huancacalle. You should arrive at Huancacalle by 1pm, and after lunch you will have a guided tour of f the archaeological sites of Vitcos-Rosaspata and the Ñustahispana (or White Rock). From there we will hike for approximately2 hours, walking on an impressive Inca trail that was part of the Qhapaq Ñan (Network of Inca Trails that criss crossed the Inca Empire). DAY THREE : After passing Racachaca we will climb again to Hatun Pampa (3860m) where we will have lunch. From Hatun Pampa we will climb for 2.5 hours to Yanococha Pass before (3320m) before descending steeply to Yanacocha lake and then climbing to the second pass of the day at Tullu Tacanca (3340m) and then onto the well known, and third pass of the day Abra Mujun (3340m) another 2 hours of hiking.This is a difficult days trekking with many changes in altitude, but also beautiful high alpine lakes and snowcapped mountains. This is the most difficult day of the hike. DAY FOUR: From Abra Mujun, we pass by S'aqra Cocha and descend to LacoCocha about 2.5 hours of hiking further. From LacoCocha to Mutuypata is a further hour. Hiking time 5-6 hours. Accommodation: Camping Mutuypata or a little further below DAY FIVE: After breakfast, our hike is all downhill as we enter once again the high jungle, and already the climate is temperate. We pass by a canyon filled with roaring water and continue by coffee, fruit and granadilla plantations, before arriving at the village of Yanatile (approx 4-5 hours walking). From there, we will take transport to the Hydro-Electric station, where we will have lunch. We will then walk for two and a half hours following the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes. A ticket on the train from the Hydro-Electric station to Aguas Calientes is included, this train departs at approx 4pm. ( $8 per person).Hiking time: 7-8 hours . It is recommended to bath in the famous medicinal baths when you arrive in Aguas Calientes. Accommodation: Basic Hostel Aguas Calientes DAY SIX: Breakfast included at hotel. Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in price) so that you can appreciate sunrise from the Watchman's Hut (or Inti Punku if you get up very early). You will then have a three hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guie. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. This hike takes about 1 hour to climb, and less to descend and offers awesome views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding terrain. Please note that you need to start climbing Huayna Picchu by 12 noon. Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. Its a 1-2 hour walk back to the village of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can take the bus ($7 - not included). We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive approximately 4 hours after your train's departure from Aguas Calientes.
Itinerary Notes If you wish to do this tour in 5 days and 4 nights, it is possible with a very early start from Cusco (ie 4am) and private transport, as opposed to public taxis. budget on paying approximately $50 per person extra for this 'expreso' service, depending on the number of people in your group.
For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!
What
is not included?
You
should bring:
optional extras We can hire the following.
prices 2010 Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu trek. Note: Itinerary for 2010 is different than for 2009, allowing less challenging distances each day.
How much in your currency? Currency Converter by OANDA.com, The Currency Site. Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative): To make a booking:
For organisational reasons, we require a minimum of one week to organise your booking, prior to departure.
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= I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it. Rosalia de Castro
Plaza de Armas, Quillabamba
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ALL NEW : scans of recent trip reports. Click on the link to view the pdf. After you have viewed it, click on back to return to this page. 14 july 2009 reports/ 10 June 09 reports 22 August 08 report 1/ 22 August 08 report 2/ 27 July 08 report 1/ 29 August 08 report 1/
_____________________ How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 8 How would you rate your guide? 9 How were your meals? 7 What did you think of the route? (Cordillera Vilcabamba) Tough but well spread per day and very rewarding. Rainy season made the trip less enjoyable. What was the highlight of your trip? Reaching the summit of the 2nd pass (highest point) and viewing the enormous ground covered behind us. USA, March 2008 _____________________ How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 9 Was really hard - not "difficult" by regular standards but "difficult" by Machu Picchu rainy season standards. How would you rate your guide? 9 (Felix) How were your meals? 6 What did you think of the route? (Cordillera Vilcabamba) Very difficult in the rains. Some great views. The part with no path was a little frustrating. The passes were great. What was the highlight of your trip? The selva/jungle was great fun. Any other comments : Felix and Ruben were great. Nick, USA, March 2008, Email: nbarr@sas.upenn.edu _____________________ How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 10 How would you rate your guide? 10 (Eulogio) How were your meals? 7 What was the highlight of your trip? sliding down all the slush and the rocks on the third day (second part of the day after lunch from 4500m). we were supposed to do it in 3 hours, we did it in 1.3o hours. Any other comments : I think I am coming back! Venka, India, August 2007 _____________________ How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 9 How would you rate your guide? 8 (Eulogio) Great trip. Guide is very knowledgeable about local plants and animals, and friendly. How were your meals? 10 Victoriano was an amazing cook. What did you think of the route? Great route, very diverse. I highly recommend it, just make sure you are in good shape. What was the highlight of your trip? Experiencing such a wide part of Peru from the jungle to the high altitude tundra. Any other comments : Good company, good service. I recommend it to all. I would totally book with them again. Chris, USA, September 2007 _____________________ Route Crossing the Cordillera Vilcabamba How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 9 How would you rate your guide? 9 Awesome trip! Very well done! The meals were great, the trek epic and the guide very good. What did you think of the route? Awesome! Great views, very difficult day 2. Enjoyed the contrast of mountains and jungle. What was the highlight of your trip? Chris getting altitude sickness. The views. Ben, USA, September 2007 _____________________ We
absolutely loved the trek, and we both think your hike is spot on. We
didn´t come across a single other tourist on the hike and we really
felt that we got off the beaten track. Horhay (sp?) the chef did a fantastic
job and we were quite overwhelmed at the level of food we were served.
We were expecting sandwiches and fruit for lunch but got 3 course meals
on top of the mountain. |
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APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism... 366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au © A.Svenson 2005-2010. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru. |
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