VILCABAMBA TO MACHU PICCHU 6D/5N

DAY 1 - CUSCO TO HUANCACALLE

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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.

Start Height: 3000 masl / 9842.52 ft. Max Height: 3080 masl / 10104.99 ft. Approximate Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs Day Distance: 6 Km / 3,7 Ml Meals: L, D. Snacks

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DAY 2 - HUANCACALLE TO RAK'ACHACA

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An early start and a hot, full-filling breakfast awaits us this morning in preparation for our first day of trekking. We set off towards our high pass Asuntina 3915masl up through lush jungle vegetation pathways learning about the flora and fauna from our guide and heading higher and colder as we trek! Crossing Asuntina we have a great perspective of our glorious surroundings with high glacial peaks visible on the horizon before descending towards our campsite at Rak'achaca 3570masl. Today is a remarkable day for photography with a real sense of remote trekking, getting away from it all in captivating surroundings. Our team will have forged ahead to prepare a hearty dinner. We will rest, dine and get an early night ready for tomorrows encounter with 3 high passes! Start Height: 3000 masl / 9842.52 ft. Max Height: 3915 masl / 11712 ft. Approximate Walking time: 7 - 8 hrs Meals: L, D. Snacks

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DAY 3 - RAK'ACHACA - MUT’UYPATA

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Good Morning! After a lovely breakfast we head out, ready and fit for today’s altitude challenge and in anticipation of the splendid mountain views we are going to have from our first pass of Yanacocha (3.320m/10.900ft), then from our next pass Tullu Tacanca (3.340m/10.950ft) and finally from our last pass Abra Mujun (3.340m/10.950ft). The difficulty of the route is well worth the effort. The fabulous sense of isolation and vastness allows us quiet reflection on the majesty of our location. We will arrive to camp with a feeling of great satisfaction and achievement for what we have accomplished and witnessed along our journey. Start Height: 3000 masl / 9842.52 ft. Max Height: 3.340m / 10.950 ft Approximate Walking time: 10 - 11 hrs Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

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DAY 4 - MUTUYPATA - COLA DE MONO

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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.

Start Height: 3.340 m / 10.950 ft Max Height: 3.340 m / 10.950 ft Approximate Walking time: 5 hrs Meals: B, L, D. Snacks Accommodation: Cola de Mono

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DAY 5 - ZIPLINE AND LLACTAPATA HIKE TO AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

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In the morning a car will transfer us to Lucmabamba where the hike to Llactapata starts. This is a tough 3 hours up hill, from the top we will have our first glimpse of Machu Picchu and a delicious box lunch at the top before the next 2 hours descent to the hydroelectric station. Depending on the time, we can take an easy walk along the train lines (around 2 hours) walking into the town of Aguas Calientes or we can take the train. On arrival at Aguas Calientes, we will check in to our hotel and freshen up. Meeting up again to enjoy our well deserved celebratory dinner then ready for an early nights rest for our next expedition and final trek day, visiting Machu Picchu!! Start Height: 2062 masl / 6765 ft Max Height: 2450 masl / 8038 ft Approximate Walking time: 5 hrs Day Distance: 18 km / 11.2 ml Meals: B, L, D. Snacks Accommodation: Hatun Inti Classic or Similar

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DAY 6 - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR

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Good Morning! Rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day we have the option to relax this the morning or have a wander round the town. Today we will lunch early in one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive to the Citadel in good time for our full afternoon tour. Accompanied by our guide, we take a 25 minute bus ride to the sanctuary of Machupicchu (2400m / 7874ft). Our guide will lead us in a tour of exploration and discovery of the many curious corners within this enigmatic Citadel. Our guided tour will have an average duration of 2 hours. Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu If you feel like you could take on another uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the famous mountain of Huayna Picchu this morning, pre afternoon tour. It is important to mention that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance. Please confirm that you want to make this climb at the time of making your booking with us. The trail consists of many steep narrow steps (not recommended for people who suffer vertigo), the height of the mountain is 2700m / 8858ft (the climb is 300 m.) We will climb Huayna Picchu at 10am. The route is around 3 hours round trip. We will then exit Machu Picchu citadel and have our lunch at Sanctuary Lodge just outside the entrance to the Citadel. After lunch we re-enter the citadel at 2pm for our guided tour of the citadel itself. As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we bus back down to Aguas Calientes. We then have a charming train journey back to Ollantaytambo and time to reflect on, quite possibly, one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to your hotel. Meals: L, D. Snacks

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SERVICES INCLUDED

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Briefing one day before the trek. Collection from your hotel in the morning of the trek departure. 3 nutritious meals per day (vegetarian options available). Drinking water along the trek. Bilingual guide (Assistant Guide for groups over 6 passengers). Chef (assistant chef for larger groups). Quadruple tents to be used by two people, allowing more comfort and more space to store backpacks. Mules (for equipment and personal items) and muleteers. Inflatable mattresses. Sleeping liner and pillow. Saddled horse in case of emergencies or if you are making very little progress (this horse is with the group at all times). First aid kit and oxygen bottle. Kitchen tent and dining tent with camp tables and chairs. Toilet tent. Duffel bags (up to 7Kg/15lbs per person). These are provided by your guide at your briefing. Train tickets to Aguas Calientes. 1 Night accommodation at Cola de Mono Train Tickets to Aguas Calientes from Hidroelectric train station 1 Night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a quality 3* hotel. If you wish to upgrade hotel please ask for options. Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa. Dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes. Entrance to Machu Picchu Train ticket to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco or the Valley.

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SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

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Breakfast on the first morning. Dinner on the last night. Entrance to the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or Santa Teresa. Zip Line at Cola de Mono. Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain. (USD60 extra) Sleeping bag. If you don’t want to bring your own, you can hire this from us. Tips for guides and field staff.

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DISCOUNTS

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These discounts are not cumulative ​ Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Please be aware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid). Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings) Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 8 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

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THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS TREK (DEMANDING)

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The maximum height can go up to 4600 msl. The average hiking time is 10 - 12 hours (with a few days up to 10 hours) per day. On the routes high passes of over 4,600 m are traversed, steep and difficult terrain is common, with altitude differences of up to 1,000 m. Daily hikes cover 10 -15 km. These tours are for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers in good physical condition. Appropriate altitude tolerance is required.

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