Espiritu Pampa 8D/7N

Tour Highlights

For nearly four decades after the Spanish conquest, the survivors of the Inca Empire maintained an independent state in the Cordillera Vilcabamba Valley located to the north of Cusco. The first two attempts to conquer the area were frustrated by a combination of snowy mountain peaks, dense forests and broad rivers. A third effort in 1572, undertaken by an enormous military force, was successful and the region was abandoned. The first attempts to find these lost mountain settlements began in 1834, attracting explorers from around the world and the search still continues today. Our expedition will follow in the footsteps of famous explorers like Hiram Bingham (credited with discovering the ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911) and Gene Savoy who finally located the Vilcabamba palace in 1964. Our trip in Espiritu Pampa will be unforgettable, full of striking natural scenery and Incan ruins still half-covered by rain forest.

Climate:

The climate along the route is variable; temperatures are cold at the higher altitudes (average -5° C to -7° C), warm in the valleys (average 16 ° C to 34° C) and temperate at intermediate elevations (average 10° C to 13 ° C). There are two distinct seasons in the region, the rainy season from November to April and the dry season from May to October.

Included:

• Private transportation from Cusco to Huancacalle and Chiwankiri to Cusco.
• Professional, bilingual Tour Guide.
• 03 Meals per day: Breakfasts, lunchens, dinners and snacks.
• Equipment: tents (personal and group), dinner tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings.
• First aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Cook and Support Staff.
• Horsemen and mules: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses.
• Dufforts, matresses.

What you need to take:

• Walking boots.
• Walking cane (optional).
• Sleeping bag.
• Toiletries.
• Change of Clothes.
• Sun-block and sunglasses.
• Insect Repellent.
• Waterproof jacket / Rainponcho.
• Personal Medication.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco - Chaullay – Huancacalle.

You will be picked up at your hotel and travel by private bus or van to Huancacalle, passing through Ollantaytambo, the Málaga Pass (4200 meters), and entering the Huyro Valley. From Chaullay, we will travel on to Huancacalle where we will have dinner and camp.

Day 02: Huancacalle - Vitcus - Nusta Hisp’anan - Qollpaq’asa.

We will begin hiking toward the archeological site of Vitcos (Rosaspata). From this hilltop location we will be able to see both Pucyura and the glacier-capped mountain Pumasillo. Later, we will visit Nusta Hisp’anan (Yurac Rumi) and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In the afternoon we will travel to Qollpaq’asa to camp and have dinner.

Day 03: Qollpaq’asa – Ututo.

Today we will be descending along the Consevidayoc River. Today we hike 12 km. We pass Maukachaka area and then continue our walk along the banks of the Pampaconas River and descending toward Ututo where we will camp and have a chance to do some fishing.

Day 04: Ututo - Vista Alegre.

We will start the day traveling downhill and within an hour we’ll enter the semi-tropical forest and notice that the temperature is becoming warmer. During our descent we’ll enjoy views of the Pampacona river and later we’ll have lunch along its banks. We’ll continue our hike in the afternoon until we reach Vista Alegre where we will camp.

Day 05: Vista Alegre – Concebidayoc.

After breakfast, we will enter the warm Vilcabamba Valley and eventually arrive at Cruz Q’asa, an excellent place to observe the area’s flora and fauna including the cock of the rock. We will travel on to Tunkimayu and finally arrive in Concebidayoc.

Day 06: Concebidayoc - Espiritu Pampa – Chontabamba.

We will head west, toward the Pampaconas River Gorge, which will take us to archeological group of Espíritu Pampa, a natural vista point. From Espíritu Pampa, we will be able to see terraces and Rumichaca, the famous Inca stone bridge. After enjoying the view we will continue on to Chontabamba to camp.

Day 07: Chontabamba – Chiwankiri.

We will spend the last day of our trek in the hot and humid Espíritu Pampa Valley, making our camp in Chiwankiri.

Day 08: Chiwankiri - Kiteni – Cusco

Our vehicle will transport us from Chiwankiri to Cusco, passing through Kiteni, Amparaes, and Calca. We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 8:00 p.m.

End of our tour service.