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Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days / 5 Nights

Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights, Is our favorite trek! If  you are looking for something 100% off the beaten track, then this is your kind of trek. Walk through the valleys, jungles and mountains of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

An amazing adventure along part of an original Inca trail. This path will take you from the last capital of the Inca to the mysterious  lost city of Machu Picchu!

Overview

Useful Information:

  • Trip Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture and organic food.
  • Good For: Moderate physical fitness.
  • Difficulty: Difficult.
  • Hiking Distance: 72km – 46 miles.
  • Accomodation: 4 nights in tents and 1 night in Aguas Calentes
  • Coldest Night: Day 2 around 0º Celsius and day 4 around 0º celsius
  • Recommendation: We recommend you arrive in Cusco 48 hours before your trek departure in order to acclimate at high elevation.

By booking the Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights with Cusco Journeys you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!

Itinerary

Itinerary:

Pre-trek briefing

We will give you an in-depth briefing with your local guide 1 or 2 days before the Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask any questions and make your final preparations.

Day 1 : Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Abra Malaga – Huancacalle.

We’ll be leaving Cusco at 4:30am and driving through the beautiful and appropriately named Sacred Valley. After stopping for a break in Ollantaytambo, we drive along a steep and winding trail to Abra Malaga Pass (at 4315 metres above sea level, it will make you think of Cusco as ‘low’). Next is a descent of nearly 2 1/2 kilometres of elevation to arrive in Chaullay, followed by the final drive to Huancacalle where we will stop for the night. After arriving at Huancacalle in the afternoon, we will walk to the ruins of Vitcos, an important Inca center and the stronghold of Manco Inca. We will also see Ñustahispana, the White Rock, which was once the most sacred site in the area. After a tour of these sites, we have our camping site in this place.

  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping

Day 2 : Huancacalle – Vilcabamba – Camp site

In the morning we begin the Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights by climbing a well-preserved Inca road for about four hours out of the high jungle and into mountainous terrain. At the pass (4000m), we can see the snow-capped Pumasillo, and the other mountains of the Vilcabamba range. Descending, we reenter the forest where there are a variety of orchids and other interesting plants. Crossing a stream, we continue to the small settlement of Pumachaca, where we camp near the village. 

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping

Day 3- Pumachaca – Hatun Pata

After our breakfast, we will continue our ascent, passing through a beautiful Inca trail (Qapac Ñan), a true original path, that still has had no type of restoration, until we will arrive at the first high point, the pass of Pillaupata that is over 4000 msnm. From here, we descend through the valley of Inca wasi (Inca Site), until the low part of Racachaca where we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we continue climbing in the same valley until we reach our campsite where there is a beautiful esplanade and a good view of the mountain, Hatun Pampa.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping

Day 4- Hatun pamapa – Pumaccasa- Mojon – Mutuypata

We will continue climbing to the pass of Yanacasa 4200(msnm) from where we can see Yanacocha lake that for the villagers is a very dangerous place, because it pulls people into its depths (an Andean belief). We continue our journey until the second pass, Tullu Tacaca, that is approximately the same altitude. and then we descend to another beautiful lake that we find at the foot of a glacier. We will continue climbing to the last pass, Asutina. From here, we descend through a valley, entering into the cloud forests of this zone. We make our camp at Mutuypata (2950msnm)
7 to 8 Hours of trekking

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping

Day 5 – Mutuypata – Hot Springs- Aguas Calientes (Easy day)

We will continue our descent through a beautiful canyon following the left bank of the river Yanatile for a little more than 7 kilometers or around 3 hours, until the village of Yanatile. On this walk, we can find different fruit trees such as bananas and grenadines, as well as coffee plantations. Later, we will take a transport to the hydroelectric plant where we will take an afternoon train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here we will overnight in a comfortable hotel and have our last farewell dinner in a restaurant and organize our last day.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
  • Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6 – Machu Picchu (The most important day for you!)

After breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. As part of our itinerary the same professional tour guide from the Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights; will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own.

If you have booked Wayna picchu, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price):

  • Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.
  • Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However in this case, the adventure is a little less strenuous, but a lot more death defying, not for people with vertigo.

Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft

Includes

What’s Included

  • Pre-trek briefing.
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • All group entrance fees.
  • Train Ticket R/T
  • Bus ticket from Aguas calientes/Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • private transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
  • Licensed guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua, plus an assistant guide for large groups.
  • Support staff including professional cooks and wranglers for the mules and horses.
  • Horses and mules to carry group gear as well as large duffels bags, provided at the briefing, for personal items. 
  • All meals on trek, which incorporate traditional Peruvian dishes as well as modern fusion cuisine and special dietary needs.
  • Drinking water and snacks.
  • Dining tent with table, stools, and all dining implements, toilet tent, and kitchen tent
  • Foam pads or Thermarest
  • One riding horse for emergencies more 9+ people. 
  • First aid kit, including oxygen.
  • Optional climb to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain!
  • All transfers, including private van from your hotel in Cusco to Huancacalle.

What’s Not Included

  • First breakfast & lunch on the last day
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets (US$75)
  • Hot springs (S/15.00 soles)
  • Sleeping bags
  • Extra activities such as zip line and barbecues.
  • Additional horses for extra personal luggage above that of the personal item allowance.
  • Optional up – grades (train and hotel).
  • **Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide).

What do you need to bring:

  • A good day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (Appropriate pack to carry your personal belongings.)
  • Original passport for Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required
  • Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
  • 3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent spray before the trip.
  • Layers for variable temperatures especially at night
  • 1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as low as – 5 degrees Celsius/23 degrees Fahrenheit. A rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even in the dry season!
  • 1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf and woolen hat for cold nights).
  • 4 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried.) It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks as well as the weather is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or too hot.
  • 4 shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
  • 1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack. This definitely does its job!
  • Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp, so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seems to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.
  • Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
  • Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
  • Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoor is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so bringing some anti-itch ointment could be helpful.
  • Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel-back
  • Water (Only for first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
  • Camera and film
  • A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
  • Bandages or moleskin
  • Flip flops to change into at night. Your toes will thank you!
  • Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (great for potential blisters on the feet), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses and supplies, hand sanitizer etc. Pack what you need, but pack light.
  • Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. Also, Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can be helpful to help with aches and pains after  8-10 hours of hiking each day.
  • Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
  • Something to read in the evenings
  • Extra money for drinks,
  • Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)

Prices

Prices:

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. The Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2023 through January 2024. All prices quoted are $USD

  • 2-3 Trekkers:  $800 per person
  • 4-5 Trekkers: $750 per person
  • 6 or more Trekkers: $690 per person

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Discounts:

  • 18 to 25 years old: $25 USD Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
  • Under 18 years old: $25 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  • Under 11 years old: $30 USD  Please send us a copy of your passprt at the time of booking.
  • Group of 5 or more: $30 USD – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

  • Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).

Upgrades:

Hotel Upgrades:

  • InkaTerra (5 star hotel) – US $580 per person per night (double occupancy).
  • Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (4 star hotel) – US $345 per person per night (double occupancy).
  • Santuario Hotel (3+ star hotel) – US $65 per person per night (double occupancy).

Train Upgrades:

  • Vistadome train -US $65 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Need to book in advance).
  • Hiram Bingham train (deluxe) -US $585 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Need to book in advance).

Rentals:

  • Hiking poles – US$20.00
  • Sleeping bag – US$25.00
  • Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$35.00
  • Private Tent – US$30.00

Terms & Conditions

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

  1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
  2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
  3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
  4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

  1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Cancellation By

Terms

91 days or more before departure we will retain 50% of your deposit.
90 – 30 days before departure we will retain 75% of the total tour cost.
29 – 0 days before departure we will retain 100% of the total tour cost.

Inca Trail Tours:

  1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
  2. In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
  3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

  1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
  2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
  3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
  4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
  5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

  1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
    You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
  2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
  3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
  4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
  5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
  6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
  7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
  8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

  1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!

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    • Address: ol Avenue #900, Centro Comercial Machu Picchu Al Mundo, Office 213 (2nd floor)

    • Phone:

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      Travel Details Please list Full Names (as written on passport), Passport Number, Nationality, Dates of Birth, Gender and email addresses for all in your party. Please make sure your passports will be valid for more than 6 months after your visit to Peru. If not, Customs & Immigration may not allow you into the country

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      You can easily upgrade your hotel night, rent our special equipment for your trek, sign up for an extra hike or upgrade your train ride here.

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      You can easily upgrade your hotel night, rent our special equipment for your trek, sign up for an extra hike or upgrade your train ride here.

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