1st Day - Cusco - Malaga pass - Vilcabamba (3350 -
4315 - 3000m)
Early in the morning we'll leave the hotel to take a transport that
will bring us to the north-west part of Cusco (3350m). On the way we'll
have the chance to see the village of Chinchero (3760m) with Andean
traditions and skills left over by our ancestors as well in textile as
in hectares of cultivated agriculture. Just a few minutes from there
you'll see the richest corn area named the Sacred Valley of the Incas
with a very gentle climate all year long and an altitude level between
2800 and 2900meters. We'll have a brief stop in Ollantaytambo (2850m)
from where we'll continue our transport up to the highest part of this
journey, called Abra Malaga (4315m). From there we'll go down with an
excellent view over the Cloud Forest and High Jungle halfway the
Amaybamba Valley until we get at the lowest part of our trip at the
village of Chaullay (1200m). Here we'll change road halfway the
Vilcabamba Valley, going up for the next 3 hours until the village of
Huancacalle (3000m), a place were we'll visit archeological remains such
as Vitcos Rosaspata, Ñustahispana and recent Excavations. Our travel
time will be about 9 hours in a moderated to cold climate with some
mosquitoes.
2nd Day - Vilcabamba - Abra Colpacasa - Utullococha (3000 - 3700 -
3400m)
After spending some time in Vitcos Rosaspata and Ñustahispana around
Huancacalle (3000m) we'll go on the road again direction the village of
New Vilcabamba (3450m) after what we'll have a stop to have lunch while
observing the black hills of Huamanapi, Sillarumi and Yanantin that are
over 5000meters high.
Later on we'll be in the highest pass we'll cross called Colpacasa
(3700m). This is an excellent place to observe the mountain chain of
snowed Vilcabamba. Finally we'll go down until the first campsite of
Utullococha with an altitude of 3400meters.
Trekking time will be about 6 hours in a cold climate (breakfast, lunch
and diner included).
3rd Day - Utullococha - Cedrochaca (3400 - 3000m)
This day we'll hike down, crossing different communities and rivers
as can be found in these beginnings of the jungle or Cloud Forests. Very
soon we'll arrive at the Pampaconas community (an Inca ethnic where are
living around 100 indigenes). We'll hike through a valley and cross
river Chalca to arrive at Ututopampa later on. Continuing on this trek
we'll walk downwards taking an original Inca Trail halfway the
Lorofindiyoc Valley down to the campsite of Cedrochaca (3000m).
Our hiking time will be about 8 hours in a cold climate with some
mosquitoes (breakfast, lunch and diner included).
4th Day - Cedrochaca - Urpipata (3000 - 2800m)
At dawn our campsite will be surrounded by misty clouds known as the
cloud forest. This is nature at his best with enchanting views. During
the day we'll be hiking down and up through different climates. Finally
we'll be able to see here these typical bridges of this zone, built by
the peasants who used slices of wood brought to them by the River
Zapatero.
We'll stay a while in the community of San Fernando Vista Alegre
(2600m). After one hour we'll hit the road again and cross rivers coming
from Vista Alegre and Sucsochicana. Later on we'll take the pass to the
community of San Guillermo and the Corcu moco coffee plantation which is
the beginning of a steep road until we arrive at the campsite of
Urpipata (2800m).
Our hiking time will be about 8 hours (breakfast, lunch and diner
included).
5th Day - Urpipata - Espiritu Pampa (2800 - 1511m)
Continuing our trek we'll begin by hiking down and come upon one of
the rivers that during the raining season give great difficulties and
problems, as well to the peasants as whatever adventurer that wants to
use this campsite nearby the rivers Palomayuc or Locomayuc. We'll
continue by hiking upwards ‘till the highest point for this day which is
called the pass of Cedrocasa. We'll walk through a rocky landscape from
where we'll take a flat road until we come upon a river called
Concevidayoc where we'll have lunch.
Continuing on this road we'll arrive at an area called Pajonal and later
on at the pass of Espiritu Pampa. Around there you'll be able to see
wooded and jungle-like landscapes in its whole natural splendor. Our
goal will be to hike down until the community of Espiritu Pampa which
will be our campsite for the night and hike the next day from there up
to the archeological complex of Espiritu Pampa which is situated 15
minutes higher (1511m).
Our hiking time will be about 8 hours (including breakfast, lunch and
diner)
6th Day - Espiritu Pampa - Chihuanquiry - Quillabamba (1511 - 950 -
1050m)
We'll enter the complex of Espiritu Pampa where we'll have a guided
tour with possibility to buy some artesian pieces from which the money
will be used by the I.N.C. (charged with restoration of the
archeological and natural sites).
Returning to the campsite we'll continue hiking through a warmer climate,
crossing bridges like Espiritu Pampa, Lechemayoc and Villa Carmen as
final goal for this trek the place of Chihuanquiry (950m) where you'll
have the possibility to take a public transportation and meet the
population of Quiteny. From there leave the main road where we'll be
able to take the bus until Quillabamba (1050m).
Our trekking time will be about 5 hours (includes breakfast, box-lunch
and diner).
7th Day - Quillabamba - Malaga pass - Cusco (1050 - 4315 - 3350m)
Transport from Quillabamba to Cusco (about 7 hours drive)
Includes Breakfast and lunchbox
What one needs to bring
- Original passport,
- Backpack,
- Sleeping bag,
- Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket,
- Sweater,
- Trekking shoes and trousers,
- Polo's/ t-shirts,
- Rain poncho,
- Hat,
- Sun block cream,
- Insect repellent and disinfecting alcohol and gel,
- Bottle of water and sterilizing tablet,
- Photo camera (wrapped in plastic bag),
- Flash light and batteries,
- Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit,
- ´ISIC´-student card
- Extra money in soles.