Vilcabamba – Machu Picchu 5D/4N

DAY 1: CUSCO – MALAGA PASS – HUANCACALLE – PILLAUPATA

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am in our private vehicle for the drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping for breakfast in the village of Ollantaytambo. From here, we will drive up to Malaga Pass, from where there are panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From the pass, we will head to the small village of Chaullay, where our vehicle will turn on to a road leading to the town of Quillabamba (1050 meters / 3445 feet) and the village of Huancavalle. Our destination is Huancavalle (1700 meters / 5575 feet). We will arrive at around 1:00 pm, and after lunch we will visit the archaeological sites of Vitcos, Rosaspata, and Ñustahispana (White Rock) in the company of our guide. In the afternoon we will follow a section of original Inca highway for about an hour, as far as our campsite at Pillaupata, where we will spend the night.

DAY 2: PILLAUPATA – ASUTINA PASS – RACACHACA – HATUNPAMPA

After breakfast we will continue our hike, enjoying the local flora and fauna along the way. As we head up to Asutina Pass (3915 meters / 12,840 feet) we will have commanding views of the entire area, with vistas stretching for many miles in all directions. Continuing on to Pillaukasa, we will have more gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. Our route will take us past the clear waters of fast flowing streams. We will camp for the night at Racachaca or Hatunpampa, depending on the progress the group has made during the day.

DAY 3: HATUNPAMPA – YANACOCHA PASS – MUTUYPATA

From Hatunpampa we will ascend for around three hours to Yanacocha Pass (4420 meters / 14,497 feet), from where we will descend before climbing once more as far as Tullutacana (3340 meters / 10,955 feet). Continuing on our way, we will descend and ascend again, until we reach the third pass at Mujun (3340 meters / 10,955 feet). This section of the trek will take us around 2 hours. Although this is a difficult day’s trekking, crossing three passes, we will be rewarded with fine scenery, passing lakes and mountains and experiencing varied landscapes. We will reach our campsite at Mutuypata late in the day, with time still to relax and take in the wonderful scenery surrounding our camp.

DAY 4: MUTUYPATA – YANATILE – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

Heading down into the jungle, we will find ourselves in a landscape inhabited by many plants, butterflies and birds as we make our way to the village of Yanatile. From Yanatile, we will continue in our private vehicle as far as the hydroelectric station, where we will stop for lunch before continuing. A 2½ hour walk along the train tracks will take us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. We will spend the night in local accommodation, with private bathrooms and breakfast included. Our evening in Aguas Calientes will give us the chance to enjoy a good meal together and celebrate and discuss the magnificent experiences of the preceding days.

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Today we will finally visit the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu (2453 meters 8045 feet). Our plan is to leave the hotel at around 5:30 am for the fifteen minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, so we can be among the first visitors to reach the ruins, but we can set off a little later on if you are too tired. Your guide will allow some flexibility in this regard, after discussion with the group the night before. We will spend the day visiting what has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak amid spectacular scenery. During a guided tour of the site the guide will talk about historical and cultural aspects of this lost city. There will also be time, for those who opt to do so, to climb Huayna Picchu mountain, overlooking Machu Picchu and providing unmatched views of the entire Inca city (this option must be booked in advance). Our visit to Machu Picchu will begin shortly after sunrise, and in the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will head back to Cusco by road in our private transport.

NOTES ON THE ITINERARY

• The times given on this itinerary are approximate.
• Hiking times depend on how the group progresses.
• The trip offers plenty of adventure.

INFORMATION

• For complete information, please send us an email.
• We will have a meeting at your hotel before leaving to give you complete trek details and to answer any questions.

Available discount these discount are not cumulative.

• Students: US$ 29 students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid
• Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
• Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport

DEPARTURE DATE

• Copy required for all bookings

Departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to November

What is included?

• Pre trek briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure
• Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
• Entry fee to Vilcabamba and Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu $15 extra)
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people)
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks
• Basic foam mattress
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
• Toilet tent
• Toilet paper, packin &pack out
• Meals (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes) Salads, if served, are washed in boiled wáter
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person)
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes
• Lunch on the last day is included
• 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic hotel
• One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead

What is not included?

• Dinner on the last night
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US $16 per personal applies Breakfast on the first morning
• Entrance to the thermal springs.
• Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.

What we recommend that your bring:

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs
• Cash in soles and/or US$
• Original passport
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)

Prices 2024

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Optional Extras

• Sleeping back $5 per day
• Walking Pole $2 per day
• Inflatable Mattress $5 per day.

How to make a booking

If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.

• Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
• Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
• In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
• Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.

In case you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, please contact us, we will be very glad to assist you. Your request will be answered by return mail