Vilcabamba Trek Peru to Machu Picchu is an amazing adventure, where the trail takes you directly to the last capital of the Incas. This combines a visit to another important Inca city Vilcabamba Espíritu pampa. With Machu Picchu.
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.
Hiking with Happy Gringo Tours you are going with the best local tour operator, check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!
Please note that this Machu Picchu trek involves hiking through many high mountain passes. We highly recommend you to acclimate in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness.
We highly recommend planning your Vilcabamba Trail during the dry season between March and November.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0900 AM
We will leave Cusco at 9:00 am. We will be driving you through the Sacred valley of Incas to Ollantaytambo. Here we stop for lunch. After lunch, we will continue to Pantiacolla pass, along the journey we get to see amazing views.
We will pass through different microclimates and Inca ruins before we get to Santa Maria village. From here, it is an hour to the first campsite Huancacalle Quechua village, basically today everything is by bus.
At Huancacalle, we will be touring the archaeological sites of Vitcos, Rosaspata and Ñutsahispana – the White rock which was sacred to the Inca Empire.
Leaving our campsite at Huancacalle we will set out to 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 Espiritu Pampa.
Our guide will show you 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.
We will be leaving from the campsite quite early in the morning. We will cross three high passes, the highest of which have fantastic views of snow-capped peaks throughout the day.
The third day hike of the Vilcabamba trail can be quite exhausting. We will be spending 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 until 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 an uphill hike which takes 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 at the next camping place Mutuy Pata in the middle of the high jungle.
This is the easiest day of the trek. We will begin with a hike to the village of Yanatile. On our way, we will see many varieties of flora and fauna. We will then reach Santa Teresa.
The village is home to the famous hot springs Cocalmayo. Here you enjoy the relaxing hot springs. Then we will take a bus to Hydroelectric station.
From here you will have the option to hike along the railway tracks for three hours. This is the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu.
At Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room.
Early in the morning, we will be taking a bus to Machu Picchu citadel. It will be a 30 minutes drive up the hill. Our guide will assist you in clearing the security control and entering the citadel.
Once inside the citadel, you will be rewarded with a spectacular sight of the citadel while the clouds clearing by and the golden rays of the sun shimmering on the walls of Machu Picchu.
We will be giving you a two hours guided tour. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or hike to Machu Picchu mountains, our guide will be directing you to the trail head.
Alternatively, you can hike to Sun gate or Intipunku. This is the entrance to the citadel for those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After the tour of Machu Picchu, you will be taking a bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here we will be serving lunch at a local restaurant. At around 04:00 PM, we will be taking a train back to Ollantaytambo.
Our representative will be meeting you on arrival and will be transferring you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be returning to Cusco by 09:30 PM.
