Peru Holidays: Vilcabamba Expedition

From the time of the Conquest until 1572, the remnants of the Inca civilization inhabited what is now the zone of Vilcabamba; region of mountains and jungles between The Urubamba and Apurimac rivers. In 1539, TITO CUSI YUPANQUI abandoned the first capital of this region at Vitcos after his father MANCO INCA death in favor of a more secure site deeper in the jungle. This new capital, called Vilcabamba (in chronicles Vilcabamba the Old), was finally taken and sacked by the Spanish in 1572, depopulated, and left to the jungle. By the turn of this century, its location was forgotten and its existence was open to question. So far as is known, the first non-Indian to visit the site, now called Espiritu Pampa (Plain of Ghosts) was Hiram Bingham, the American discoverer of Machupicchu and Vitcos. He paid a brief visit in 1911, found few ruins due to the thick vegetation, and declared the site unimportant. He believed that at Machupicchu, the Old Vilcabamba had finally been found. In 1994, Gene Savoy, another American, retraced Bingham's route to Espiritu Pampa on the theory that Bingham must have overlooked something there. Careful study of the Spanish records of the fall of Vilcabamba had led Savoy to reject Bingham's thesis since Machupicchu failed almost totally to conform with the Spaniards' descriptions of the city and its site. Espiritu Pampa fit the latter perfectly, if only substantial ruins could be found there. Today the essence of Vilcabamba remains unchanged. A strange mixture of quiet beauty and shrouded mystery everywhere, the countryside is strewn with evidence of the once powerful Inca. How much more lies hidden amongst the misty crags or smothered in the dark forest, no one knows. This simple fact continues to attract the adventurous as irresistibly as gold once lured the Conquistadors. The countryside is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. The Inca trail passes wonderful and picturesque little farms scattered along the route. In this country of cold nights and hot days, we follow the large and narrow valley of Consevidayoj (confluence with several side canyons) and go down into the jungle visiting Espiritu Pampa or Vilcabamba the Old and see for ourselves the various sites as described by Bingham and more especially, Savoy.
Detailed itinerary of 8 to 12 days is available

Day 1: Quillabamba
From Cusco, an 8 hours car truck drive following a dusty road from Ollantaytambo to Quillabamba where we have a small hotel. (L)

Day 2: Huancacalle Vitcos / Yuraq Rumi
4 hours car truck drive to Huancacalle village where we Camp. In the afternoon a short hike we'll reach Yuraq Rumi shrine which is a big carved boulder discovered by Bingham in 1,9911. Where Manco Inca and Tito Cusi Yupanqui used to do big ceremonies to their gods, also we will visit Vitcos ruins. (B L D)

Day 3: Vilcabamba Qollpaqasa pass
Now we have the chance to follow the trail of the last Incas of Vilcabamba, Bingham, Savoy and other pioneers, the first day of hiking ( moderate) is going to take us to the head of the Vilcabamba river an reach Qollpaqasa pass at 12,400 ft. (the highest point in our trip), the country side is incredible beautiful and peaceful the Andes are lush and green which snow visible only in the glaciers above 18,000 ft. Camp. (B L D)

Day 4: To Vista Alegre
From the pass an easy trail take us through potato fields, fences and stone paved Inca trail visible in most of the route, today all the way is down hill following the Consevidayoq river into the creeks, an occasional bird or monkey chattering high above is the only sound in our ears, we can also see a great diversity of flora of cloud forest. Camp near Vista Alegre.(B L D).

Day 5: Espiritu Pampa
Today is an easy walk going by the Consevidayoj river side reaching Vilcabamba the Old late in the afternoon and see for ourselves the various sites described by Hiram Bingham and Gene Savoy. Overnight in Camp (B L D).

Day 6: Espiritu Pampa
We will walk through this marvelous place exploring the many Inca building almost completely covered with vines and lush tropical growth, temples and old palaces all beneath a green canopy of tall trees a hundred feet overhead. As far as we go we will see that there are many more buildings, a complete city lost in the forest for hundred of years. In this lost city Tito Cusi Yupanqui the sun on Manco Inca had lived for several years after the Spaniards conquest around 1570, the whole are was considered by the catholic church as the University of the Idolatry, in fact Vilcabamba was the last capital of the last Incas where Tupac Amaru the youngest brother of Tito Cusi Yupanqui was captured and murder on 1572. Overnight in Camp (B L D).

Day 7: Chiwangiri
Six to seven hours walk across different terrains going to our last camp where a vehicle will take us to Quillabamba on the next day. Overnight in Camp (B L D).

Day 8: Quillabamba
Ten long hours by truck on the dusty road to the tropical town of Quillabamba, take a shower at the hotel, taking cool drinks, share your adventure and get ready to depart next day. Hotel in Quillabamba. (B L).

Day 9: To Ollantaytambo or Cusco
5 hours bus Ollantaytambo or 7 hours to Cusco, (B )

NOTE: Why not join the classic Inca trail a take a full day tour to Machupicchu by train (please enquire for price) Rated: Moderate/Strenuous

Participants carry a maximum weight of 12 kg/25 lb.

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 1649	$ 1170	$ 911	$ 114
EUR	€ 1369	€ 971	€ 756	€ 95
GBP	£ 923	£ 655	£ 510	£ 64

(*) Price last updated on 07 June 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(***) Discount for larger groups

Included in price:
Land transportation cost, all meals indicated on the itinerary (B= Continental breakfast, L= Lunch or Box Lunch, D= Dinner), vegetarian meals provided on request, tours and transfers listed in private vehicle with English-speaking local guide and entrance fees, first class camping equipment, first aid kit, mules, accommodation at selected economy class hotel with private bathroom, standard, superior and deluxe class available upon request.

Not included:
Meals not stated in itinerary, domestic flights Cusco/Lima/Cusco, airport tax, items of personal nature, sleeping bag, tips, beverages.

Vilcabamba Trekking Expedition

The last Capital of the Incas

Peru