Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu (6 Days)

We leave Cusco at 9:00 am on the way to Ollantaytambo, where we stop for lunch, then we continue to Pantiacolla pass, along the journey we get to see amazing views, pass through different microclimates and Inca ruins before to get Santa Maria village which is an hour left to arrive the first campsite Huancacalle Quechua village, basically today everything is by bus (No hiking on day 1)

Leaving our campsite at Huancacalle we will set out for the high pass. Then the path winds its way up through lush vegetation for about 3 and a half hours during which you’ll get to learn about Vilcabamba, many native plants and orchids that thrive in this area, from this pass we’ll begin our descent to our campsite at Rakachaca following original Inca pathways. The scenery today is spectacular, with fantastic views of high snow capped peaks, crystal clear streams and lush vegetation all around it is a spectacular day through and through

Today once again has amazing sceneries. As we carry on towards Machu Picchu we cross three high passes, the highest of which is have fantastic views of snow-capped peaks throughout the day. Hiking today can be quite taxing “it’s definitely the hardest day of the trek” as we spend long periods at high altitude and have several passes to cross, however with such spectacular views it is easy to lose yourself in the moment so you hardly notice how tired you are to you lie down at the end of the day.

After breakfast we will visit a traditional family house to know the lifestyle of the andean community, today we have uphill hike which take us over three passes approx 4 hours to the lunch place. On the way we will see amazing views, lakes, Condors and we will be able to appreciate the Machu Picchu mountain in front of us. After lunch we have nearly five hours to arrive the next camping place Mutuy Pata in the middle of the high jungle.

The easiest day of the trek, after breakfast we hike the whole morning gradually all the way down by the middle of the high jungle to arrive the lunch spot, which is in Santa Teresa the famous hot springs Cocalmayo, where you enjoy the relaxing hot springs. Then we take bus to Hydroelectric station to take the train to Aguas Calientes, in order to spend the last night in a hotel.

The most important of the hike, we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu the lost citadel of the Incas. We have 2 hour guided tour of the city, during this walking tour we will visit the most important temples of Machu Picchu. After the tour you will have free time to explore by your own. Then you have to take bus to Aguas Calientes town in order to take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you carry on by bus to Cusco