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adventure treks >
vilcabamba to machu picchu trek
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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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Crossing the Cordillera Vilcabamba - Full Itinerary & inclusions from Vilcabamba to Machu picchu trek DAY ONE: 1pm we pick you up to your hotel and transfer you to a public taxi to Quillabamba. 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. You then begin to descend towards the high jungle, with its different smells and plants. We arrive in Quillabamba at about 7pm where you will be transferred to a 2 star hotel. We will have dinner in a typical Quillabamba restaurant.
DAY TWO: After breakfast in your hotel, from Quillabamba we take another
bus or taxi- usually departs at 8am - over winding back roads to Huancacalle,
where we will arrive around lunchtime. (approx 4 hours travel)
After lunch, we will have a guided visit of the archaeological sites of
Vitcos-Rosaspata and the Ñustahispana (or White Rock). From there
we will hike for approximately 3 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 FOUR: We climb today above altitudes more than 4000 metres/ 13120 feet, and pass over consecutive passes that are often snow covered, especially in winter. We pass by high alpine lakes and appreciate deep cavernous valleys. We begin to descend late in the afternoon after crossing the Pumacasa Pass and can appreciate the different levels of the mountains and admire the flora and fauna. This is the most difficult day of the hike. Hiking time 8 -9 hours. Accommodation: Camping Mutuypata. 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 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. *You have the option of taking the train from the Hydro-Electric station to Aguas Calientes for $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 guide. 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 5 nights you can leave at 7pm of "Day One" as listed in the itinerary. NIGHT ONE: 7.00 pm Pickup from your hotel. You should eat dinner early.
For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!
What
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optional extras We can hire the following.
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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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prices 2008 Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu trek
price notes:
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
For organisational reasons, we require a minimum of one week to organise your booking, prior to departure. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. 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 - 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. |
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