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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS, RECOMMENDED TREKKING ROUTS IN VILCABAMBA MOUNTAIN RANGE. MOLLEPATA – SALKANTAY – SANTA TERESA – MACHUPICCHU
After a marvelous train ride, the last portion of our trip will be by a spectacular train ride, arrive to Machu Picchu town (aguas calientes), next day visit early morning the Machu Picchu Inca City for a never to be forgotten guided tour of this architectural marvel. Hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought the lost city of the world’s attention in 1911. The Incan stonework of this enigmatic city is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry. To this day, scholars are in disagreement as to its function and why it was eventually abandoned. Be that as it may, it remains the crown jewel of Inca architecture.
DAY 2 Abra Huayracmachay – Qollpapampa. Our first campsite is located near to the rocky area and we may see a glimpse of a lively vizcacha, a unique type of gray Andean rabbit and perhaps see the Andean Condor, the world’s largest flying bird. Very important one, for the high pass 4,750mt. (15,580ft). don’t forget to carry a small rock all the way from Soraypampa Valley, since according to the Inca tradition, travelers must deposit one on an “apacheta” (a pyramid of rocks) at the pass as an offering to the “apus” (mountain spirits). Now the route descends towards the Amazon basin and the Andean valley of Huayracmacchay, the trail continues along the left bank of the Sunchuccata River. On the way down toward Rayanpata we’ll observe how the landscape changes from arid highlands to tropical jungle. Further down, we see where the streams meet to form the Santa Teresa River. We continue along the valley through the Collpapampa Community 2,900mt. (9,530ft). campsite. DAY 3 Qollpapampa – Playa The trail continues along the left bank of the Santa Teresa River. As we lose altitude, the weather warms but remains at a comfortable temperature, along the valley we’ll see another rich agricultural valley with typical crops of the area and still surviving the Incan social organization system in the same manner, the “ayni” system which one is a cooperative system designed to share construction and farming work, finally we arrive to the town called Playa where we can interact with locals and there is a good opportunity as a interaction with locals to play soccer or volleyball. Campsite. DAY 4 Playa – Machupicchu. After saying good-bye to our arrieros. We start our last gradually climb toward the Llactapata pass, where just on the other side of the pass is a spectacular Inca remains in a middle of the dense forest with a spectacular panoramic view of the outline of MachuPicchu. Then we descend into the rich tropical Aobamba valley with its fields of oranges, paltas (avocados), bananas, granadillas (passion fruit), coffee and sugar cane. We just arrive on time to catch the train for a 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu. We’ll overnight at comfortable lodgings in Machu Picchu town which one is just below of the Inca city, if you like, a late afternoon dip in the outdoor hot spring baths a few meters of the town is a real treat. DAY 5 Machupicchu – Cusco Early in the morning, we’ll catch the bus up to the Inca city of Machu Picchu to enjoy a guided tour or this enigmatic site. After the tour there will be time to wander around and appreciate the beauty and mystery of Machu Picchu. Later on, you may choose to climb Wayna Picchu 2,600 mt. (8,850 ft), the jutting peak overlooking the area. Around mid-afternoon we’ll catch the bus back to the train station for the return trip to Cusco. The tracks run along the Urubamba river valley, the route taken by Hiram Bingham in 1911 when he re-discovered Machu Picchu. On the arrival to Cusco we transfer to the hotel.
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DAY 1
Cusco –
Mollepata – Soraypampa – Abra Huayracmachay.