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Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

December to May Rainy Season (Green Season)
June to November dry season (yellow season)

Places to visit

The Vilcabamba another amazing Trek takes you right off the beaten path to the area of Cusco where the Incas made their last stand. Following the Spanish conquest, the Inca withdrew far into the jungle from where they continued to resist the occupation.
Vilcabamba was the last Inca city and this trek takes you to some of the last domains of this once great empire. With beautiful scenery, Inca sites, and a wide variety of flora and fauna the Vilcabamba Trek is the best optional adventure.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: CUSCO – HUANCACALLE – VITCOS

    We leave Cusco at 4:00 a.m. in our private bus and pass small villages like Chinchero,
    Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. We’ll make the ascent to a cold place close to the snow
    caps, where we’ll see huge stones covered with snow, and then we’ll ascend until Abra
    Malaga (4170 m.s.n.m). Then we will descend to La Convencion and pass along Alfamayu,
    Amaybamba, Huyro, Huayopata, Quintalpata, arriving to Santa Teresa. After another 2
    km, we will find Chaullay (1890 meters), the point where both the Urubamba River and
    Vilcabamba River come together. From this point, we have to ascend and pass through
    Lucuma (the main village of Vilcabamba). These are good lands for agriculture and
    growing fruit. We’ll walk through Naranjal, located 3.5 Km. from Chaullay, and arrive in
    Paltaybamba (17 km from Chaullay). The group will rest in Huancacalle around 3:00 pm for
    lunch. Just 30 minutes away, we’ll find an archaeological site at Vitcos (Rosaspata), where
    we will spend the night.

  • Day 2: DAY 2: HUANCACALLE – JASUTINA – RACACHACA

    We will start our second day from Huancacalle at 7:00 am. After 4 hours of walking, the
    group will arrive at Totora Huayco (1890 m.a.s.l.). We will ascend for 1 hour to Jasutina
    Pass, where we’ll stop for lunch. From there, we will descend for 3 hours until Racachaca,
    where we will find a nice view of the snow-covered peak of Lasoma and our second
    campsite.

  • Day 3: DAY 3: RACACHACA – PUMACCASA – ABRA MOJON – MUTUYPATA

    The group starts to ascend at 7:00 am from Racachaca to Pumaccasa pass, where we can
    see Yanacocha Lagoon. After 20 minutes of walking, we’ll arrive at the Pumaccasa pass.
    The snow-covered peak of Pumacillo and Soyroccocha lagoon offer wonderful vistas here.
    We’ll descend to Soyrococha lagoon to enjoy lunch and continue to Mojon Pass, the

    highest pass in our trek. We’ll see the snowy peaks of Verónica and Salkantay and also
    the Huayna Picchu. The group will descend for almost 4 hours until Mutuypata, where
    we’ll find the third campsite.

  • Day 4: DAY 4: MUTUYPATA – YANATILE – SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES

    We leave Mutuypata at 7:00 am, descending to the town of Yanatile. Along the way, we
    can enjoy the hot waters on the edge of the Sacsara River, and we can also see the flora
    and fauna that surround the spectacular Yanatile Valley.
    From Yanatile, the group takes local transportation to Santa Teresa (it’s around 40
    minutes by bus). When we reach a suspension bridge, we’ll walk for 15 minutes until La
    Oroya, and here we’ll take a local bus to Hidroeléctrica de Machu Picchu. where we have
    lunch.
    Afterward, we’ll continue hiking to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll spend the fourth night in
    a nice hotel.

  • Day 5: DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

    Early in the morning, the group will take the first bus to Machu Picchu, arriving there after
    25 minutes. The group will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours and then free
    time to enjoy the citadel. Around 1:00 pm we’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where
    we’ll have time for lunch. After that, you will take the train back to Cusco, where our
    representative will be waiting for you at the train station. Transfer to the hotel

What’s Included in This Tour?

Include:

  • Transportation in and out: Cusco – Huancacalle / Poroy train station – Hotel
  • Local transportation: Yanatile – Santa Teresa / La Oroya – Hidroeléctrica
  • Train service: Aguas Calientes by bus to Cusco
  • Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; 2 guides for groups over
    12 people
  •  Cook: In charge of meal preparation
  • Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks,sleeping bags, and mattresses (Max. 7 Kgs per person)
  •  Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help
     Meals: All
  •  Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), sleeping pad, dinner tent,
    special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table
    settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
  •  Hotel in Aguas Calientes

 

Does Not Include:

  •  Breakfast the 1st day, usually hotels offer this service
  •  Sleeping bag
  •  Lunch
  •  What you need to bring:
  •  Personal Sleeping Bag.
  •  Backpack and daypack.
  •  Hiking shoes or boots.
  •  Light clothes.
  •  Insect repellent.
  •  Bottle of water.
  •  Raincoat, hat, sunblock, sunglasses.
  •  Snacks.
  •  Camera + Film - Video camera

Optional Extras:

  • Sleeping Bag US$25.00
  •  Walking Pole par US$15.00
  •  Inflatable Mattress US$25.00
  •  Single Tent Supplement US$35.00

Extras Not Included (Need to book in Advance):

  • Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00
  •  Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00
  •  Vistadome Train Aguas Calientes-Cusco: USD50.00

Pricing

Private Service Prices

  • US$ 820 dollars per person (Based 2 & 3 people)
  •  US$ 795 dollars per person (Based 4 & 5 people)
  •  US$ 750.00 Dollars per person (up 6 people)

Packing List

What to bring for the Vilcabamba trek 5 Days.

  • Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
  • Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
  • Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few T-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
  • Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
  • Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
  • Head lamp
  • Sunglasses and sun hat
  • Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
  • Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
  • Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
  • Insect repellent

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights

$820.00
USD / person
5 days
Designed and operated in Cusco

Your trip is personal.
Our support is too

Plan directly with local specialists who know Peru, understand the logistics and stay available throughout your journey.

  • Book directly with a trusted local operator in Cusco.
  • Receive personal guidance before confirming your trip.
  • Travel with experienced guides and carefully planned logistics.
  • Get direct assistance before and during your journey.
Travelers hiking the Short Inca Trail through the Peruvian Andes

Verified traveler reviews

Travelers tell it best.

Genuine feedback from travelers who explored Peru with our local team.

5.0
Excellent

Read reviews on TripAdvisor
N
5.0 | Excellent

A memorable Short Inca Trail experience

We did the Short Inca Trail as a couple with Wari Expeditions and really enjoyed the experience. The hike was moderately challenging, but we had time to take in the scenery along the way. Visiting Wiñay Wayna and arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate were highlights for us.

Traveler from USA

J
5.0 | Excellent

Excellent experience

The full-day tour to the Sacred Valley was an incredible experience. Everything was very well organized, from the punctual pick-up to the comfortable transportation. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and the sites we visited, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moray, were absolutely breathtaking. The buffet lunch was also very good. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Cusco!.

Traveler from Canada

S
5.0 | Excellent

Perfectly organized

My friend and I took the 4-day tour in Cusco with Wari Expeditions. Everything was perfectly organized: guides, smooth logistics, and unforgettable moments at Machu Picchu. Highly recommended for an authentic and stress-free experience!

Traveler from USA

F
5.0 | Excellent

Unforgettable Short Inca Trail Adventure with Wari Expeditions

ExceI recently went on the Short Inca Trail with Wari Expeditions and it was an unforgettable experience! The guides were amazing and went above and beyond to ensure that we had a safe and enjoyable trip.

Traveler from Lima

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