Vilcabamba Treks to Machupicchu
Vilcabamba Treks to Machupicchu takes you right off the beaten path to the area of Cusco where the Incas made their last stand. Following the Spanish conquest the Inca withdrew far in to the jungle from where they continued to resist the occupation.
Vilcabamba was the last Inca city and this trek takes you to some of the last domains of this once great empire. With beautiful scenery, Inca sites and a wide variety of flora and fauna the Vilcabamba Trek is a great option if you don’t find a spot for the classic inca trail to Machupicchu.
The Vilcabamba trek to Machu Picchu is a hidden treasure that has yet to be heavily impacted by tourism. The trail is remote, very beautiful and super quiet. Trekkers get to pass through snow-capped mountains on a number of original and well-preserved Inca trails.
The trek is typically completed on a 6-days itinerary, starting the first day with a coffee where you will see a lot of plantations of coffee, banana, orange, mango, etc.
Finally the hiking over the mountains for 4 days looking some beautiful glaciers, lakes and inca sites
Vilcabamba Treks to Machupicchu - Itinerary 6 days
CUSCO-SANTA MARIA (Coffee Tour)- HUANCACALLE
For your Coffee tour in the Jungle the pick up time from your hotel is going to be around 5:00am, after 4 hours approximately enjoying beautiful places along our driving we will arrive to Huayopata.
Arrival at the local farm, where a member of the family will give you the grand tour. They will explain to you the work that is performed on the farm, and show you the range of products that are harvested to support their family. Here, you will also be able to taste the available fruit in season! This locally-owned and run farm is a small one that pertains to a cooperative organization in accordance with fair trade practices, therefore, it has been granted organic certification. During this initial tour of the larger farm and coffee plantation, you will come to truly appreciate all of the hard work and stages that go into preparing a hot coffee!
Lunch on the farm! (Locally prepared family-style dishes). If you would like to try a local specialty meal, guinea pig, for example, we can coordinate with the family ahead of time and pay them directly upon arrival. Additionally, please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions.
Interactive demonstration on roasting and grinding the coffee beans, where you will have the opportunity to taste fresh coffee with different ingredients, as well as prepare your own cup of hot coffee.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Camping (double occupancy tents )
- Maximum Altitude:3,800m/12,426 ft
- Minimum Altitude:3,350 m/10,954 ft
- Approximate Driving Time:6-7 hours
HUANCACALLE-HASUTINA PASS-RACACHACA
Around Huancacalle town there are two archaeological sites Vitcos Rosaspata (3080m) and Nusta Hispana (3050m) that we will visit along our way and your guide is going to explaint to you everything about those places this is going to take 2 hours approx.. After that we will hike up to Pacchac following a forgotten inca trail towards the Azutina Pass (3900msnm) we will hike up for 4 hours aprox from Ñusta Hispana to our lunch place (Pacchac). After our lunch we will continue hiking to the Asutina Pass for 1 hour after that our trail is going down to our second campsite Racachaca (3570 msnm) for 4 hours approx.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Camping (double occupancy tents )
- Maximum Altitude:3,800m/12,426 ft
- Minimum Altitude:3,350 m/10,954 ft
- Distance Travelled:15 km approx
- Approximate Walking Time: 8-9 hours
RACACHACA – LAGUNA LAZUNA – RACACHACA
After our breakfast we will start our hike to the Lazuna lake for 4 hours approx. where we will enjoy a beautiful landscape with the snow-capped mountain, after enjoying the views of the lake we will have another 2 hours extra of hiking until we reach the snow-capped mountain of Lazuna where we will enjoy the splendor of the snow-capped mountain and where we will have a small snack (box lunch) enjoying the view of that beautiful place, after touring and enjoying the place we will go down the same trail to Raccachaca where is going to be our campsite.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Camping (double occupancy tents )
- Maximum Altitude:3,800m/12,426 ft
- Minimum Altitude:3,350 m/10,954 ft
- Distance Travelled:12 km approx
- Approximate Walking Time: 8-9 hours
RACACHACA-PUMACCASA-ABRA MOJON-MUTUYPATA
The group starts to ascend at 7:00 am from Racachaca to Pumaccasa pass, where we can see Yanacocha Lagoon. After 20 minutes of walking we’ll arrive at Pumaccasa pass. The snow-covered peak of Pumacillo and
Soyroccocha lagoon offer great and wonderful vistas here. We’ll descend to Soyrococha lagoon to enjoy lunch and continue on to Mojon Pass, the highest pass in our trek. We’ll see the snowy peaks of Verónica and Salkantay and also the Huayna Picchu. The group will descend for almost 4 hours until Mutuypata, where we’ll find the third campsite.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Camping (double occupancy tents )
- Maximum Altitude:3,800m/12,426 ft
- Minimum Altitude:3,350 m/10,954 ft
- Distance Travelled:16 km approx
- Approximate Walking Time:6-7 hours
MUTUYPATA-YANATILE-SANTA TERESA-AGUAS CALIENTES
We leave from Mutuypata at 7:00 am, descending to the end of the route where our van is going to wait for us then we will drive to Yanatile town for 40 minutes approx.. Along the way, we can enjoy the hot waters on the edge of the Sacsara River, and we can also see the flora and fauna that surround the spectacular Yanatile Valley. We will still driving from Yanatile to Santa Teresa town(it’s around 40 minutes by bus). We will stop there for few minutes to buy water or some snack after that we will drive from Santa teresa to Hidroeléctrica for 30 minutes approx. Where we have lunch. Afterwards, we’ll continue hikking to Aguas Calientes for 3 hours, where we’ll spend the night in a nice hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Maximum Altitude:3,800m/12,426 ft
- Minimum Altitude:1,800 m/5,954 ft
- Distance Walking:2 km approx then driving
- Approximate Walking Time:4-5 hours
MACHUPICCHU-CUSCO
Early in the morning the group will take the first bus to Machu Picchu, arriving there after 25 minutes. The group will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours and then free time to enjoy the citadel. Around 1:00 pm we’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have time for lunch. After that, you will take the train back to Cusco, where our representative will be waiting for you at the train station. Transfer to the hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation:Not Included,
- Maximum Altitude:2,700 m / 8,856 ft
- Minimum Altitude:2,400 m / 7,872 ft
How Difficult Is The Vilcabamba Treks to Machupicchu?
We are a huge fan of the Vilcabamba treks. Even so, We should point out that it is one of the more challenging hikes to Machu Picchu. There are several tough ascents and descents that require a good level of fitness.
The route is approximately 50-60km / 30- 38 miles long. The trekking days are long and tiresome and there are some serious mountain passes to conquer. To successfully complete the Vilcabamba trek, you need to be in extremely good physical shape.
What is The Highest Point On The Vilcabamba Treks?
Tullutaccana is the highest pass on the Vilcabamba Trek. It sits at 4,500m / 14,760ft) above sea level.
Yanacocha is the second-highest pass on this trail. It is not much lower than Tullu Taccana at 4,450m / 14, 501 ft above sea level.
Can You Do Vilcabamba Trek Without A Guide?
As previously mentioned, Vilcabamba is a challenging trek. You should only consider this hike if you are fit and have some experience on multi-day treks.
Previous trekking experience is twice as important if you are wanting to hike Vilcabamba unguided.
If you are considering hiking Vilcabamba unguided, you need to know the following:
- No permit is required to hike the Vilcabamba trek.
- You can reach Chaullay or Huancacalle (the starting point) by public transport. Private transfers are also available but a lot more expensive.
- There are no designated campsites. There are some towns along the way where you can find accommodation.
- You will be able to buy food in some towns along the way. However, you should pack some snacks and lightweight meals to play it safe.