If we haven't answered your question below, leave a comment and we will respond within 24 hours. The Valley below Abu en route to Matuypata (before the seriously muddy section), Day 4: Matuypata to Yantile and then car to Hydroelectric Station. La Convención province in which Vilcabamba is located is extremely rugged, occupying the north-eastern slopes of the Andes and sloping down to the Amazon Basin. It is one of the toughest treks to Machu Picchu. https://www.britannica.com/place/Vilcabamba. We are big fans of the Vilcabamba trek but should point out that it is one of the more challenging trails to Machu Picchu. The Vilcabamba is home to some of the most important and most famous of Peru’s ancient Andean sites, including the glorious mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. We do not recommend doing the Vilcabamba during the wet season (October-April) as rain and foggy weather is common, and obstructs the incredible views along the trail. Highlights: This is one of the more “off the beaten path” trips to Machu Picchu that many people ask us about. There are only 400 Huyuana Picchu climbing permits a day and only two climbing times (7am and 10am) so make sure to secure your place early (i.e. Inca Jungle TrekHikers on the Inca Jungle Trek cycle from the top of the Abra Malaga Pass all the way to Santa Maria – a 60km windy and downhill route – where they overnight before trekking south to Santa Theresa. The Sixpac Manco Hostel at the end of Huancacalle Town, Day 2: Huancacalle to Racachaca (10-12 hours). However, after the expansion of the Inca empire, these territories became part of the growing Tahuantinsuyo empire. The cheapest way to get from Vilcabamba (Station) to Machu Picchu costs only $168, and the quickest way takes just 18½ hours. On the way you will pass through high temperature jungle, before reaching coffee and fruit plantations that characterise this part of the trail. Day 4 begins with a gradual 4-5 hour descent to the village of Yanatile (note: as of 2014/15 a road is being constructed from the Hydroelectric Station to Yantile which interrupts the trail). The climb takes about 1 hour to ascend and less time to descend (if you are unfit the climb could take you up to 2 hours). The trail is remote, very beautiful and super quiet. Its Quechua name is Wakay Willca, which means “Sacred Tears”. The one below is from the Trailblazer Guidebook, mentioned in our library, and recommend as the leading guidebook for alternative Machu Picchu treks. There is a consensus among archaeologists that Pachacutec ordered the construction of the royal estate for himself, most likely after a successful military campaign. Learn more about Machu Picchu. Because he found no significant finding, he returned to Machu Picchu, which he believed ‘the lost city of the Incas’. This is the peak time on the Classic Inca Trail, but on the Vilcabamba you will be lucky to see more a handful of trekkers (bliss!!). Surprised? Vilcabamba and Machu Picchu After the conquest by the Spanish, Manco Inca and his successors dominated the region of Vilcabamba. If you would like an exact quote from our recommended tour operator click Get a Quote. or Curious? This entire section between Cusco and Huancacalle takes between 8-9 hours driving. There are a number of tough ascents and descents that require a good level of fitness, and trekking days are long and tiresome. Trekkers are transported from Cusco to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will likely stop for a brief rest before continuing up and over the impressive Abra Malaga Pass at 4,316m / 14,160ft. He cited evidence from his 1912 excavations at Machu Picchu, which were sponsored by Yale University and the National Geographic Society, in his…, In 1964 he discovered Vilcabamba, the secret mountain stronghold where the Incas hid from Spanish conquerors in the 16th century. Construction appears to date from two great Inca rulers, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438–1471) and Túpac Inca Yupanqui (1472–1493). Choquequirao Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 10 Days, is a 15 th and 16 th century Inca settlement nestled among the mountains of the spectacular Vilcabamba range. Please feel free to share this page with friends and family, link to it from your blog or give us a shout out on your social media page! The Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the less common route options, so you can expect to use quiet trails with few fellow tourists. We have reviewed a number of travel insurance providers. The trail is remote, very beautiful and super quiet. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. It is a trek where history meets wilderness. Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu is an off the beaten track trek. The Vilcabamba trek allows you a visit to the famous Machu Picchu Most itineraries of this trek follow and stop at the same places as explained above. Vilcabamba Trek to Espiritu Pampa 7D / 6N, Following the Inca trail towards the Vilcabamba mountain range, the Incas, lead by Manco Inca II, saught refuge from the eastern invasion of this area.The resistance lasted approximately 40 years, with the fall of the Inca Empire taking place in 1572. Tours generally start very early, around 4am. This is the ultimate Machu Picchu Alternative trek. Days: 5, not including Machu Picchu visit Difficulty: Moderate to advanced – like all treks in the Andes (the steepest mountains in the world) good physical condition is required. This route is ideal for trekkers who have already seen Machu Picchu and are looking for a challenging adventure to Choquequirao, the site of another well-preserved Inca site. Most operators will require you to carry sufficient travel insurance for your trek. Though Machu Picchu is considered to be a "royal" estate, surprisingly, it would not have been passed down in the line of successi… Insurance for your trek to Machu Picchu is a must. It combines the Vilcabamba and Choquequirao trek (the green line above) as well as the Espiritu Pampa (another Inca archelogical site) – seen as the light blue line above Huancacalle on the map above. We recommend reading our detailed guide on acclimatisation and altitude sickness. Clues from early chronicles of the Incas were scanty.…, Bingham had been seeking Vilcabamba (Vilcapampa), the “lost city of the Incas,” from which the last Inca rulers led a rebellion against Spanish rule until 1572. However, one variation may occur on day 1, if trekkers choose to camp near the ruins of Vitcos, which makes the … We recommend bookmarking this page for future reference. As most trails to Machu Picchu go over high 4,000m passes, you will need to make sure your insurance covers you for high altitude hiking (up to 6,000m). Rome2rio makes travelling from Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu easy. On this page you will find all the information you need to prepare for an amazing Vilcabamba trek experience, including a detailed overview on all route and itinerary options for the trek. You will also find useful information on acclimatisation and altitude sickness, guidance on what to pack and when to book your trek, information on tour operators and other frequently asked questions. Machu Picchu is believed (by Richard L. Burger) to be built starting 1450–1460. 11-12 days trekking). But we hear very little about Vilcabamba, or "Vilcabamba the old" or "Vilcabamba la vieza". well before you arrive in Peru). The modern name is Espiritu Pampa. Veronica is the highest peak in the Cordillera Urubamba range. Just North of Ollantaytambo you can see Mount Veronica (5,860m) which sits adjacent to the Abra Malaga Pass (4,316m). Before Machu Picchu was built, this area was inhabited by neighboring populations such as the ayllus of Vilcabamba and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will need to be physically fit and mentally strong to enjoy this trek fully. Machu Picchu, site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles from Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. Vilcabamba is amazing trek, where the path takes you directly to the last capital of the Incas, therefore combines with visit of another important Inca city Machu Picchu, the wonder of the world, which is spectacular trek for adventurers that love to explore the majestic Andes mountains without crowds, especially enjoying the organic food. In 1911, the American explorer Hiram Bingham (in his search for Vilcabamba), arrived at Espiritu Pampa where he conducted some superficial studies. This is one of our signature treks. Contact Us Today! The route takes between 7 or 8 days to complete. Right at the end of the town is a hostel where you can get a bed for 15 Soles, however, it is likely that your tour company would have already organised sleeping or camping arrangements. All Rights Reserved, Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu (An Off-The-Beaten Path Experience), guide on acclimatisation and altitude sickness, Machu Picchu Airport to be Built Despite Protests, How Many Tourists Visit Machu Picchu Annually, Training For Machu Picchu – How To Be Perfectly Prepared For Your Hike. From Cusco visitors or trekkers to Machu Picchu have two options: 1) either spend a few days (minimum 2) acclimatising in Cusco, or descend immediately to Ollantaytambo, a quaint town 60km northwest of Cusco in the Sacred Valley (2,792 meters) to acclimatise. Navigate parenthood with the help of the Raising Curious Learners podcast. With our 9 day 8 night trek through Choquequirao Vilcabamba, you will hike the well-preserved Inka trails and see the last stronghold of the Inca after the Spanish took over Cusco. Choquequirao often termed as “the sacred sister of Machu Picchu” is an Incan settlement that was built around the 15th and 16th century. Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights, This trek will allow you to see the amazing combination of important Inca ruins and diverse natural scenery. Most operators provide a 2-3 hour guided tour of the city before allowing you to explore the ruins on your own. It wasn’t until after his death in the 1950s that the real Vilcabamba was discovered further west of Machu Picchu citadel. For explorers, Choquequirao Vilcabamba trek is a fantastic opportunity to get a more exclusive view of the cultural and natural highlights of Peru. From here you will descend to the third and final pass, Abra Mujun (4,100m / 13,450ft). On this five days trek from Cusco, you will be visiting the two prominent sites of Inca. Plan for hot afternoons and cool to cold nights, with the possibility of encountering some rain all-year-round. Use the Calculator below to get a travel insurance quote for your trek. Day 1: Cusco to Abra Malaga and then onto Huancacalle (8 hour drive, and potentially 2 hour hike). You will be able to experience hiking along traditional Inca roads, ruins and tropical glaciers. Trekkers get to pass through snow-capped mountains on a number of original and well-preserved Inca trails. BOOK ONLINE. The route typically traverses South to North, from Cachora to Espiritu Pampa and onto Chaunquiri (approx. Find all the transport options for your trip from Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu right here. Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In 1965 Savoy took credit for the original discovery of the site he named Gran…. Funny thing is that Machu Picchu may not be discovered, if there were no Vilcabamba! Find the travel option that best suits you. It is one of the toughest treks to Machu Picchu. Pro Tip This is also one of the toughest treks to Machu Picchu, so we particularly recommend this, if you are looking for a culturally-packed, scenically beautiful physical challenge without any tourists in sight! The packing list for a Vilcabamba trek is almost identical to an Inca Trail packing list. An enthralling 10 Days experience awaits you on Choquequirao Vilcabamba trek to Machu Picchu. …main objective was to find Vilcabamba (Vilcapampa), which was the “lost city of the Incas,” the secret mountain stronghold used during the 16th-century rebellion against Spanish rule. Do you have any other questions about the Vilcabamba trail, or do you want to add your experience to this article, please leave a comment below, we welcome questions and constructive feedback. From here you will drive along the Rio Vilcabamba through Chaullay and onto Huancacalle in the Northeast. The terrain includes snow-covered mountains, forest, lowland jungle, and rivers running through deep canyons. From here you will descend along an original Inca trail to the small village of Pillaukasa (3,860m / 12,664ft) and onto the campsite at Racachaca (3,570m / 11,712 ft). Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu (often referred to as Machu Picchu town). Access and transportation within the area was difficult and would hinder Spanish efforts to destroy the last outposts of the Inca Empire. You can find out more about the Inca Jungle Trek here. This was a hidden capital to … Day Three Starting time: 5:00 am Travel: Trekking all day. It offers an experience of lifetime. The trek is typically completed on a 5-day itinerary, although there are variations, particularly on the route out to the trailhead. Note: if you would like to spend more time at Machu Picchu you will need to request this when you book your trip as securing an additional night in Aguas Calientes and a permit for an additional day in the citadel is very tough to do at the last minute. This image was taken from the other side of the Sacred Valley, near Abra Malaga Pass. Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu, This is a trek like none other, taking you to the last Inca city, Vilcabamba.As you hike off the beaten path, through a unique route to Machu Picchu passing the beautiful forest to the remote villages of Huancacalle and Racachaca. As an Amazon Associate, Machu Picchu Trek earns from qualifying purchases. From here trekkers are transported by vehicle to Quillabamba where most overnight and then take a bus to the Hydroelectric Station via Santa Theresa, and onto Aguas Calientes. I know you heard about Machu Picchu, Actually whenever we talk about Inca or Peru or Ancient civilization, Machu Picchu comes first. The trail then descends to Yanococha Lake before continuing up to the second pass, Tullu Tacanca (4,500m / 14,760ft). To Aguas Calientes, the same place navigate parenthood with the possibility of encountering some all-year-round... 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