Discover a path less traveled on the Vilcabamba trek to Machu Picchu. This unique route takes you deep into the heart of history, to the very grounds where the resilient Incas staged their final stand against the Spanish Conquistadors. But this journey is not just about the echoes of a tumultuous past; it’s a deep dive into the region’s stunning biodiversity.
From the towering peaks of the high Andes, you’ll descend into the verdant embrace of tropical forests, a tapestry of green alive with the songs of birds and a symphony of nature. Along the way, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of snow-capped mountains reflecting in multi-hued lagoons and wander through vast valleys that cradle the stories of civilizations long past.
Step onto the ancient stones of Inca remains, from the historic Rosaspata or Vitcus to the mysterious Ñusta Hispana. The trail, mostly veiled by flourishing vegetation, will lead you on paths once walked by the Incas. Experience the Qhapaq Ñan, the legendary Inca Trail, a network of paths that once connected the majesty of Machu Picchu to the bustling heart of Qosqo.
Your trek will take you through the untouched expanse of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. This region remains nearly as pristine and untouched as it was during the explorations of Hiram Bingham in the early 19th century.
If the call of the wild and the allure of history speak to your soul, if you yearn for an adventure without the company of crowds of tourists, and if you wish to immerse in nature’s pure embrace truly, then the Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu is the ultimate experience waiting just for you.
Join us on this unforgettable journey, where every step is a step back in time and into nature’s grandeur.
Our staff, led by our professional Guide, will pick you up from your hotel. After, you will drive for 1:45 hrs. To Ollantaytambo, here we will stop to have a quiet optional breakfast. After, we will continue our drive to Malaga. Here we will enjoy a view of the tropical Forest of Veronika Mountain or Huacaywillka.
From this point, we will keep driving to Challway; on the way we will visit fruits, coffee, and coca leaves plantations and farming villages where we will have the opportunity to stop and learn about the jungle products. We will continue driving for another 3 hours to Huancacalle town, where we will have lunch.
After lunch, we will start our adventure by visiting Rosaspata or Vitcus and Ñustahispana. Our Guide will explore this beautiful Archeological site, considered the last city of the Inca civilization, in a unique place in Cordillera Vilcabamba. After we explore the archeological site, we will trek for one hour to the camp Pillaopata.
Altitude. 3400 m. to 2700 m, Distance: 8 km, Time: 3hrs. Driving time: 6 hours.
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our ascent for four hours until Asutina passes 4000 m. This morning hike will be in lush green vegetation overlooking the Vilcabamba Valley’s beautiful quiet landscape until we reach the highlands, where we will see a few cow farms until Asutina. From this point, we will enjoy the views of several peaks around the Vilcabamba mountain range. After your spare time, we will descend for one hour for lunch. After lunch, we will continue trekking in the lush green vegetation overlooking beautiful green mountains for three hours. Until our camp Raccachaca, a small farming local community located at 3800 m.
Altitude: 2700 m. to 3800 m, Distance: 18 km, Time: 8 to 9 hrs.
Today is the longest and highest point in this journey. We will have an early start and a lovely breakfast in a silent environment with a few horses and cows grazing in these wild mountains. We may even see the spectacled bear in the highlands: we will marvel at the highlands fauna. Our climb will take us for five hours until Yanaccocha pass 4500.
Another unique viewpoint to see the Cordillera Vilcabamba. After this point, we will gradually descend for one hour to Yanaccocha for lunch. After lunch, we will continue our gradual ascent to Mojon pass 4600 m. This is the highest point on this trek, with spectacular views of the snowed-capped mountain of Mojon and overlooking the Urubamba mountain range. Enjoying our free time, we will descend for three hours to Lajoccocha to our camp at 3700 m.
Altitude: 3800 m, to Lajoccocha 3700 m, Distance: 20 km, Time: 9 to 10 hours.
Today we have a wonderful morning hike with beautiful lush green vegetation. Most of the path is the original Inca trail connecting to Machu Picchu; today, you will experience the change of the ecosystem from the high Andes to the green tropical forest full of native flora and fauna from the area until Mutuypata. From here, we will take transportation to the Hidroelectrica train station, where we will have our last lunch and meet our trekking crew. After, we will take the train for 45 minutes to Aguas Calientes town, where we will stay in the hotel.
Altitude: 3700 m. to Aguas Calientes 2000 m, Distance: 12 km, Time: 4 to 5 hrs.
After Breakfast, your Guide will pick you up from your hotel for a short bus journey to the entrance of Machu Picchu; today, you will explore this magical Inca city of the Inca civilization and enjoy learning about it was built and discovered for 3 hours. You will then have leisure time to wander around, and if you get a Ticket for Wayna Picchu, you can climb.
Note: There are just 400 visitors allowed per day. You must book the entrance with us in advance to ensure your permit.
In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes. We take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, depending on the space, and private transportation back to your Hotel Cusco.
Massage sessions: us$50 per 1-hour session. Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco.
The Cusco Region mainly presents two seasons, the rainy season, from November to April, with the heaviest rainfalls usually occurring between January, February, and March, and the dry season from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
Along the Inca Trail, the temperature ranges from 15-20°c during the day if it’s sunny, to 10-28°c during the day if not sunny, or 05-15°c at night in the first two campsites. At Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu, at a lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer, though warm clothes are still recommended at night.
There are benefits and drawbacks to visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu during each season. The dry season is usually crowded at all the sites, and especially on the Inca Trail, you need to ensure your permit at least six months in advance.
The rainy season can be a very pleasant time for you who are looking to do cultural tours or for you who will design your vacations without trekking, including visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu with fewer people.
The altitude of Cusco city: 3400 meters, The population of Cusco: 1,300,000
With the new regulations of the Peruvian government, the Machu Picchu entrance tickets go on sale from 6.00 am to 3.00 pm.
With the new regulations from the Peruvian government, the Wayna Picchu tickets go on sale from 7.00 am until 10:00 to 11:000 am. The hike Will take 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down all the way. The step is not recommendable for people who have vertigo.
Note: It’s essential to book in advance to ensure your entrance tickets to the sites.
The hike will take you 1.45 hrs and 1:00 hrs down. The tickets go on sale in two windows of time from 6 to 7 a.m., and the second group is from 8 to 9 a.m. Takes longer, but it’s more beautiful.
It is the biggest problem in South America, not just in Peru. It can affect us on our tour treks. Roads are often blocked as well as trains stop their operations. Usually, the advice is two weeks in advance to prevent do not affect too much any of this country’s problems on our tours. In the worst-case, Private Machu Picchu Will let you know to cancel the tours or treks. Your health and safety are our top priorities.
Cusco has an airport, mostly for domestic flights from inside the country. Our international airport is Jorge Chavez in Lima.
LATAM Airlines is the biggest company that operates in Peru and has connections all over the world. It is the only airline that doesn’t have too many cancellations in the weather conditions here in Cusco. The time flight from Lima to Cusco is one hour. You can always connect your flights to Puno, Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado Jungle, Iquitos, or the north of Peru, in our extension tours.
There is always a bus option from Lima to Cusco. The time will take you 22 hours.
Peruvian cuisine is recognized for its biodiversity of products and continues conquering the whole world. Peruvian food is being awarded internationally for owning the most delicious food in the world.
The Cusco Region has unique gastronomy for the use of local products like potatoes, quinoa, corn, a variety of vegetables, and its exotic fruits, plus guinea pig and alpaca meat. Your travel expert will recommend restaurants that you can visit here in Peru and Cusco.
On our treks, we provide you with delicious food. You just need to make sure to let us know your dietary restrictions before departure on our treks, as well as our chefs are well-experienced in cooking in the mountains.
I’ve just gotten back from a 2.5 week trip to Peru organised by Private Machu Picchu. Jose planned an excellent itinerary...
This being my second visit to Peru, I was not prepared to be totally overwhelmed by the attention to detail, in depth knowledge...
Wonderful experience with this small local company. Created a personalised, 5 day itinerary, organised all the transport, accom...
We took the 5 day/4 night Inca Trail Trek with Private Machu Picchu, and added an extra day in Machu Picchu Pueblo for birding ...
