From the time of the Conquest until 1572,
the remnants of the Inca civilization inhabited what is
now the zone of Vilcabamba – a region of mountains
and jungles between The Urubamba and Apurimac rivers.
In 1539, TITO CUSI YUPANQUI abandoned the first capital
of this region at Vitcos after his father MANCO INCA’s
death in favor of a more secure site deeper in the jungle.
This new capital, called Vilcabamba (in chronicles Vilcabamba
the Old), was finally taken and sacked by the Spanish
in 1572, depopulated, and left to the jungle.
By the turn of this century, its location
was forgotten and its existence was open to question.
So far as is known, the first non-Indian to visit the
site, now called Espiritu Pampa (Plain of Ghosts) was
Hiram Bingham, the American discoverer of Machu Picchu
and Vitcos. He paid a brief visit in 1911, found few ruins
due to the thick vegetation, and declared the site unimportant.
He believed that at Machu Picchu, the Old Vilcabamba had
finally been found.
In 1964, Gene Savoy, another American,
retraced Bingham's route to Espiritu Pampa on the theory
that Bingham must have overlooked something there. Careful
study of the Spanish records of the fall of Vilcabamba
had led Savoy to reject Bingham's thesis since Machu Picchu
failed almost totally to conform with the Spaniards' descriptions
of the city and its site. Espiritu Pampa fit the latter
perfectly, if only substantial ruins could be found there.
Today the essence of Vilcabamba remains
unchanged. A strange mixture of quiet beauty and shrouded
mystery everywhere, the countryside is strewn with evidence
of the once powerful Inca. How much more lies hidden amongst
the misty crags or smothered in the dark forest, no one
knows. This simple fact continues to attract the adventurous
as irresistibly as gold once lured the Conquistadors.
Day 1: Cuzco/Ollantaytambo/Quillabamba
Morning departure from Cuzco
for an 8 hour drive following a dusty road from Ollantaytambo
to Quillabamba. Stops are made along the way and overnight
in a simple guesthouse.(B,L,D)
Day 2: Quillabamba/Huancacalle
Vitcos/Yuraq Rumi
Continue on a 4 hour drive to Huancacalle village where
camp is set. In the afternoon, a short hike to reach Yuraq
Rumi shrine, a big carved boulder discovered by Bingham
in 1911. It was at his site that Manco Inca and Tito Cusi
Yupanqui used to carry out religious ceremonies. Also
visit Vitcos ruins. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Yuraq
Rumi/Vilcabamba Qollpaqasa pass
Today hike will follow the trail of the last Incas of
Vilcabamba, Bingham, Savoy and other pioneers. This moderate
day of hiking takes you to the head of the Vilcabamba
river and the Qollpaqasa pass at 12,400 ft.(the highest
point in our trip). Here is the Andean countryside is
incredibly beautiful – lush and green with snow visible
on the glaciers above 18,000 ft. Camp tonight. (B,L,D).
Day 4: To Vista
Alegre
From the pass an easy trail takes you through potato fields
all the way down to the Consevidayoq river. Along the
way you will see evidence of the Inca in the trails, stone
footpaths and fences. As you enter the cloudforest birds
and an occasional monkey chattering high above will accompany
you. Camp near Vista Alegre. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Vista
Alegre/Espíritu Pampa
Today is an easy walk along the Consevidayoj river, arriving
at Vilcabamba the Old late in the afternoon. Along with
your guide take your first exploration of the various
sites described by Hiram Bingham and Gene Savoy. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Espíritu
Pampa
Explore this marvelous place exploring the many Inca buildings
almost completely covered with vines and lush tropical
growth, temples and old palaces all beneath a green canopy
of tall trees a hundred feet overhead. As far as you can
explore you will see that there are many more buildings,
a complete city lost in the forest for hundred of years.
In this lost city Tito Cusi Yupanqui, the son of Manco
Inca, had lived for several years after the Spanish conquest
around 1570; the whole area was considered by the catholic
church as the “University of the Idolatry”,
and in fact Vilcabamba was the last capital of the last
Incas, and it was here that Tupac Amaru, the youngest
brother of Tito Cusi Yupanqui, was captured and murder
on 1572.
Day 7: Chiwangiri
Six to seven hours of hiking across varied terrain, arriving
at the last camp in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Quillabamba
Depart today for ten long hours by truck on the dusty
road to the tropical town of Quillabamba, where a shower
welcomes trekkers to the hotel and stories of adventures
may be shared. Overnight Hotel in Quillabamba. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Quillabamba/Cusco
Depart on a seven hour bus trip back to Cusco with a hotel
drop off.
The countryside is incredibly beautiful
and peaceful. The Inca trail passes wonderful and picturesque
little farms scattered along the route. In this country
of cold nights and hot days, follow the large and narrow
valley of Consevidayoj (confluence with several side canyons)
and go down into the jungle visiting Espíritu Pampa
or Vilcabamba the Old and see for yourself the various
sites as described by Bingham and more especially, Savoy.
Contact
us for pricing and to include a trek to Vilcabamba on your next Peru
adventure.
