VILCABAMBA TO MACHU PICCHU 6D/5N
This is a wonderful trek to get you off the beaten track and experience some of the best hiking in the Andes with regards high altitude passes, scenic biodiversity and phenomenal glacial landscapes. Starting in a lush, tropical coffee and cocoa growing environment, we’ll visit the farms then it’s on to an Inca stronghold, mountainous peaks, finishing with a zipline and a visit to Machu Picchu, this expedition really has it all!
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 - CUSCO TO HUANCACALLE
Setting out early, today is spent enroute in our comfortable, private transport to our remote trek start point crossing over in to La Convencion, a neighbouring province of Cusco. The scenery is amazing as we travel Northwest, steadily climbing up to the high pass of Abra Malaga at 4650masl. We then descend into the lower, warmer, much greener tropical growing region of Vilcabamba, or Willkapampa (sacred plain) in Quechua. There will be stops along the way to visit coffee farms, coca farms, cacao farms and have our picnic.
The on-foot part of our journey begins at Huancacalle. Here we have a trek loop to see the fabulously unique and historically thought-provoking White Rock or Ñusta Hispana at the Vitcos Inca site, considered to be the last stronghold of the Incas.
After a fascinating day arriving to this incredible area, we head to camp where our trek team will have set up our tents and created a delicious dinner, fuel for our challenging trek day tomorrow.
DAY 2 - HUANCACALLE TO RAK'ACHACA
DAY 3 - RAK'ACHACA - MUT’UYPATA
DAY 4 - MUTUYPATA - COLA DE MONO
Our final trek day and it’s all downhill from here! This morning we head to Yanatile village, as we walk, we will be happily reacquainted with the warmer climate and beautiful lush green valleys of Cusco’s lower elevations. We will pass fruit and coffee bean plantations and may even come across local colibris (hummingbirds) as we trek through this bountiful environment.
Our private transport will meet us at Yanatile to drive us on to Santa Teresa, Cola de Mono.
We will have descended to c.2085m and after lunch we take a car for 45 minutes to the Canopy Cola de Mono where we will spend the night. The adrenalin junkies amongst us can choose to do the zipline this afternoon or tomorrow in the morning in Cola de Mono.
DAY 5 - ZIPLINE AND LLACTAPATA HIKE TO AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN
DAY 6 - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR
The sights were unforgettable. Incredible microclimates with endless kinds of flora and fauna, butterflies, waterfalls, wild strawberries, racing clouds, tree canopies. Thousands of years old aqueducts and. ancient Incan ruins, meeting local people along the way. We were awed by the numerous valleys, towering mountain ranges, glaciers, and our summit views. On our 1st night of camp, our bright view of the milky-way galaxy was incredible. We loved touring the coffee plantation, zip-lining and very much enjoyed the hot springs on our 3rd day. Our camping tents were perfectly comfortable. Our train ride on Peru Rail and accommodations in Cola de Mono and Aguas Calientes were also very nice. Machu Picchu and its history was unreal and climbing Huayna Picchu was totally worth it!
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Laura M
DAY 1 - CUSCO TO HUANCACALLE
Setting out early, today is spent enroute in our comfortable, private transport to our remote trek start point crossing over in to La Convencion, a neighbouring province of Cusco. The scenery is amazing as we travel Northwest, steadily climbing up to the high pass of Abra Malaga at 4650masl. We then descend into the lower, warmer, much greener tropical growing region of Vilcabamba, or Willkapampa (sacred plain) in Quechua. There will be stops along the way to visit coffee farms, coca farms, cacao farms and have our picnic.
The on-foot part of our journey begins at Huancacalle. Here we have a trek loop to see the fabulously unique and historically thought-provoking White Rock or Ñusta Hispana at the Vitcos Inca site, considered to be the last stronghold of the Incas.
After a fascinating day arriving to this incredible area, we head to camp where our trek team will have set up our tents and created a delicious dinner, fuel for our challenging trek day tomorrow.
DAY 2 - HUANCACALLE TO RAK'ACHACA
DAY 3 - RAK'ACHACA - MUT’UYPATA
DAY 4 - MUTUYPATA - COLA DE MONO
Our final trek day and it’s all downhill from here! This morning we head to Yanatile village, as we walk, we will be happily reacquainted with the warmer climate and beautiful lush green valleys of Cusco’s lower elevations. We will pass fruit and coffee bean plantations and may even come across local colibris (hummingbirds) as we trek through this bountiful environment.
Our private transport will meet us at Yanatile to drive us on to Santa Teresa, Cola de Mono.
We will have descended to c.2085m and after lunch we take a car for 45 minutes to the Canopy Cola de Mono where we will spend the night. The adrenalin junkies amongst us can choose to do the zipline this afternoon or tomorrow in the morning in Cola de Mono.
DAY 5 - ZIPLINE AND LLACTAPATA HIKE TO AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN
DAY 6 - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR
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At Quechua Treks we aim to provide bespoke itineraries suited to each adventurer down to the last detail, we want to create your dream experience. Together, we can customize our itineraries with additional activities ranging from a variety of ‘adrenaline pumping’, ‘culture vulture’ or ‘relax and unwind’ options to best fit your needs throughout your tour. Check out our ideas for inspiration and let us know what captures your imagination!
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