+51 973 250 586 info@treksincusco.com
+51 973 250 586 info@treksincusco.com

Espiritu Pampa Vilcabamba Trek (7 Days) 2021

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Tour Details

Go back in history on this seven days Espiritu Pampa Vilcabamba Trek. This is one of the unique experiences. You will be trekking on the un-trekked wilderness to the last capital of Incas. Vilcabamba in Quechua means “The Sacred Plain”. It was then re-named as Espiritu Pampa, which means “Plain of the Spirits”.

After winning the battle of Ollantaytambo in 1537, Manco Inca was certain about a subsequent major attack from Spanish troops. He moved to Victos Rosaspata and then to Vilcabamba. In 1539, he declared Vilcabamba as the capital of the Neo-Inca state. It continued to be their capital until 1572, when the Spanish invaded and conquered it. Vilcabamba, the lost city of Incas was abandoned after the Spanish conquest.

On this seven days Vilcabamba Espiritu Pampa Trek, you will be trekking through some remote Andean villages. Locals here, have preserved their traditions. They still continue to converse in Quechua. You will also be visiting some renowned archeological sites like, Victos Rosaspata and Ñusta Hispana (a giant white rock). A section of the Espiritu Pampa Vilcabamba Trek will also take you through Qhapaq Ñan, the royal Incan roadway.

Why Treks In Cusco?

We specialise in outdoor adventure experience and historic treks in Peru. All our guides are locals with an extensive knowledge about history and culture. We maintain an optimum safety standards on all our treks. Our guides are trained on first aid and usage of oxygen cans.

Cumulate your Espritu Pampa Vilcabamba Trek with a visit to Machu Picchu. Check out our Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu.

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

0400 AM

Price Includes

  • 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
  • Return private transport to Cusco at the end of the trip (from Phinaya)
  • 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. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Therma-rest)
  • Toilet tent
  • Toilet paper, pack-in &pack out
  • One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
  • 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
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Price Excludes

  • Breakfast on the first morning.
  • Dinner on the last night.
  • 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.
  • Any Private Expenses

Recommended To Carry

  • 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
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. You can buy them in Cusco for USD 1.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
  • 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. * This is a particularly cold trek, you should make sure you have a lot of very warm clothes.
  • Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
  • Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • 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.
  • We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
  • Small towel or sarong
  • Cash – sufficient for snacks and souvenirs.
  • Original passport
  • Walking sticks or poles
  • Sleeping Bag suitable for – 15deg
Itinerary

Day 1Cusco – Abra Malaga – Santa María – Huancacalle

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco early in the morning. Then in our private vehicle we will drive you to Santa Maria. We will be driving along the Sacred Valley of Incas to Abra Malaga Pass(4300 metres | 14108 ft.). Here we will stop for sometime so you can enjoy the panoramic sight of the valley below the Andes from here. We will then drive down the hill to the high jungle region. This nestles in the southern part of the Andes. Along the way, we will be crossing plenty of coffee farms. As we will reach Santa Maria, we will have a brief stop. 

Then we will continue our drive through Chullay on the Quillabamba Highway to Huancalle. It is at (2995 metres | 9826 ft). We will stop here for lunch. 

After lunch, we will trek to Victos – Rosaspata. This is a prominent site. Manco Inca II was assassinated here. Our local expert will give you a detailed tour here. We will then visit the ceremonial rocks here. Among the rocks, the most raved one is the Ñusta Hispana (White Rock). This was sacred to Incas. After a detailed tour of the Inca sites, we will be returning to Huancalle campsite for dinner. We will be spending the night here.

  • Drive to Huancacalle: 7 hours.
  • Hiking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
  • Hiking time: 4 hours.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
  • Maximum Altitude: 3630 metres / 11909 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 2954 metres / 9694 ft.

Day 2Huancacalle - Vilcabamba La Nueva - Abra Collpajasa - Ututo

Rise and Shine! We will serve a hot cup of coffee/tea followed by breakfast. Then we will start trekking to Vilcabamba. We will start gradually ascending up the hill for three hours to the highest point of  Vilcabamba Espiritu Pampa Trek. Collpajasa Pass nestles at 3864 metres above sea level. 

From here, we will descend through an ancient road. This road was widely used during Inca Empire, sadly most of its parts are destroyed now. We will be stopping for lunch on the banks of Pampacona River. 

Continuing the trek, we will reach Ututo. Here we will be camping for the night. 

  • Hiking distance: 20 km / 13.1 miles
  • Hiking time: 10 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
  • Maximum Altitude: 3860 metres / 12664 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 2960 metres / 9711 ft.

Day 3Ututo - Huayna Pukara - Vista Alegre

After breakfast, we will start a down hill trek to Huayna Pukara. This was the last point of resistance of the Incan troops. Our local expert will talk to you about the final moments of Incas here before the Spanish conquest. 

Then we will walk across a wooden bridge that links the towns on either sides of Chalca and Locomayo rivers. We will then continue our trek along through an Incan path. We will be crossing some prominent sections of Incan path through some cloud forest to Vista Alegre. Here we will be camping for the night. 

  • Hiking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
  • Hiking time: 7 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
  • Maximum Altitude: 2960 metres / 9711 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 2017 metres / 6617 ft.

Day 4Vista Alegre - Concebidayoq

After a delicious breakfast, we will be retracing the final steps of Incas. We will be trekking along the Inca Trail that the Incas took to flee from Spanish conquistadors. On this section of the trek, we will also be passing through the lush rainforest. Here you will get to see many distinct native birds and plantations. We will then reach Concebidayoq where we will be camping for the night. 

Hiking distance: 16 Km. / 10.2 miles
Hiking time: 7 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks)
Maximum Altitude: 2017 metres/ 6617 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 1498 metres / 4915 ft.

Day 5Concebidayoq – Espiritu Pampa

A nice and relaxed day of the Vilcabamba Espiritu Pampa Trek awaits you after a nutritious breakfast. We will start trekking to Vilcabamba (Espiritu Pampa). We will be trekking through the lush region of the national park. Upon reaching the campsite in Espiritu Pampa, we will leave our things and head to the Espiritu Pampa archaeological site. Your tour guide will give you a detailed tour of all the sectors of the complex. 

After the tour we will return to the campsite for dinner. 

  • Hiking distance: 5 Km. / 2.7 miles
  • Hiking time: 2 hours.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks)
  • Maximum Altitude: 1498 metres / 4914 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 1449 metres / 4753 ft.

Day 6Espiritu Pampa - Serranuyos

After relishing on a freshly prepared breakfast, we will hike for five hours to Chihuankiry. Here we will be stopping for lunch. After lunch, in our private transport, we will be traveling to Kiteni and onward to Serranuyos. It is a camping area about 10 minutes away from Quillabamba. 

  • Hiking distance:: 8 Km. / 4.9 miles
  • Hiking time: 3 hours.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Plus snacks)
  • Maximum Altitude: 1449 metres / 4753 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 593 metres / 1945 ft.

Day 7Serranuyos - Cusco

After breakfast, we will be visiting a coffee plantation farm. Here you can try to make some coffee or hot chocolate. Then we will go to Chuyapy River. You can take a dip in the clean cold waters of the river to beat the heat. This will be the perfect way to unwind your seven days Espiritu Pampa Vilcabamba Trek. 

After lunch, we will drive back to Cusco. 

  • Shuttle to Cusco: 6 hours by bus from Serranuyos to Cusco.
  • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
  • Maximum Altitude: 2429 metres / 7972 ft.
  • Minimum Altitude: 2040 metres / 6692 ft.
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2 Reviews
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Backpackways

Solo Traveller

This was a last minute trip. I was inquisitive to know about the history about Incas and this was the best experience. Carlos was my guide, he is very knowledgable, patient and explained everything in detail. If you too are curious about Inca history, I totally recommend this seven days trek.

February 26, 2020

Gareth

Couple Traveller

Truly a fantastic experience. I highly recommend this tour and Treks in Cusco. Me and my partner had a wonderful time. Carlos is a very knowledgable guide.

February 6, 2020