Espiritu Pampa 9Days/ 8Nights
We invite you to explore the Incas´ last refuge, on a wonderful trek, going from the Andes to the jungle, to admire Manco Inca´s palaces, Chuquipata´s Great Sacred Huaca (The White Rock), the majestic Palace of Espíritu Pampa, a little cock of the rocks´ lick and of course, the city of Quillabamba, in Cusco´s jungle.
DAY 1: CUSCO – HUANCACALLE
We´ll leave the city of Cusco, early in the morning, and will head towards the Málaga Mountain Pass which dominates the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, we´ll descend in the Valley of Huyro, in an area of cloud forest, as well as of tea and coffee production which will welcome us in that tropical region. Arriving in Chaullay, we´ll change direction and will leave the great Urubamba River Valley, to ascend to the Vilcabamba Valley and head towards the East, leaving the asphalted road for a transitable trail that will take us to the village of Huancacalle, where we´ll spend the night.
In the afternoon, we´ll take a walk around the Archaeological Complex of Vitcos, a palace built by Manco Inca and meant to be the headquarters of the Andean resistance against the Spanish invadors.
DAY 2: HUANCACALLE – CHALLCHA
Today, we´ll start hiking, leaving Huancacalle in the direction of the village of Vilcabamba, where we´ll visit a carpenter´s workshop managed by the Salesianos. Then, we´ll go up to the Collpajasa Mountain Pass (3,800 m.a.s.l.) which is the highest point on our trek, to follow an Incan path that will take us, first to our lunch spot, and from there, to our campsite, at Challcha´s school. Today, we´ll camp above 3,500 m.a.s.l., on the edge of the cloud forest, with a grandiose view of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range and access to the jungle.
DAY 3: CHALLCHA – VISTA ALEGRE
This morning, we´ll descend to the jungle, and on that occasion, our path will follow the river which becomes ever broader, perceiving the changes in the vegetation and passing by places full of orchids that create a fairy tale-like natural environment. Today, we´ll meet some local inhabitants, to visit their crop fields, and, finally, we´ll understand the meaning of our campsite´s name, as it really offers a happy view.
DAY 4: VISTA ALEGRE – CONCEBIDAYOC
Today, our trek will take us on up and downhills. On the way, we´ll visit the place denominated Urpipata, where we´ll have a chance to observe an “usnu” and Incan altar. Afterwards, will go by different rivers and places full of life, in an incredible biodiversity and a little eroded environment that will fill our journey with birds and wonderful plants. Tonight, we´ll camp close to Concebidayoq´s school.
DAY 5: CONCEBIDAYOC – ESPÍRITU PAMPA
We´ll spend the day, hiking during three hours, to the great enclosure of Espíritu Pampa, the cradle of the last Incan resistance, and according to the last findings, home of the Wari Lords who occupied this very same valley, 1,000 years ago, leaving remains of goldsmith work and characteristic constructions.
Most of our trail will be downhill and we´ll have a chance to observe the life of the people who presently occupy the Valley of Espíritu Pampa, taking care of their coffee plantations and raising livestock. Our campsite will be situated in the camping area of that incredible place.In the afternoon, we´ll take a walk, to look for the little cock of the rocks.
DAY 6: ESPÍRITU PAMPA
Today, we´ll spend the day, exploring Espíritu Pampa. We´ll first visit the Main Square with its buildings and the bases of constructions which served as homes to the Incan elite that took refuge in this sacred place. We´ll also have time enough to explore the area where the remains of the “Lord of Vilca” were discovered in a tomb pertaining to the Wari elite that occupied this area 1,000 years ago, and which demonstrates the continuous occupation of this wonderful place, by cultures previous to that of the Incas.
After having visited Espíritu Pampa in its totality, we´ll spend the night, to contiue our trek towards the Chihuanquiry area.
DAY 7: ESPÍRITU PAMPA – CHIHUANQUIRY
We´ll start the day early, with a downhill hike through the jungle´s dense vegetation and will follow the Incan path, walking 18 km. full of incredible birds and orchids that will turn this descent into a trail with plenty of surprises. We´ll pass by the Río Azul (Blue River), where we´ll see the penetration road entering that part of the La Convención Valley. Finally, we´ll arrive at the village of Chihuanquiry, where we´ll conclude the trek and will wish farewell to our muleteers, to then install our campsite.
DAY 8: CHIHUANQUIRY – QUILLABAMBA
Today, we´ll spend the whole day traveling, as we´ll leave early. After having enjoyed our breakfast, we´ll travel along a trail to the village of Kiteni which is an important port on the Urubamba River, and a picturesque jungle village, from which we´ll go on to the city of Quillabamba, where we´ll rest and will have the opportunity to purchase coffee produced in that area, and which is recognized as one of the best altitude coffees in the world.
DAY 9: QUILLABAMBA – CUSCO
This morning, we´ll go back to the city of Cusco and will travel during an average of 7 hours, from the altitude of 1,000 m.a.s.l., in Quillabamba, the City of the Eternal Summer, to the Málaga Mountain Pass, above 4,300 m.a.s.l., with the precious view of the Urubamba River´s Mountain Range, and from that place, we´ll descend to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to finally return to the city of Cusco, where our journey will reach its end. Afterwards, we´ll go to our hotel, where we´ll process and share all of what we have experienced, while preparing our next expedition.
Include
- Return bus to Cusco.
- Transportation at the beginning of the trek.
- Professional guide service.
- Support team: Cook, muleteers and porters.
- Meals during the trek: 4 Breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners.
- Camping equipment: Two capacity tents, camping mattresses, diningroom and toilet tents.
- Saddled horse for emergencies.
- First aid kit, oxygen bottle and ropes.
- Return bus to Cusco.
