This five-day trek through the Vilcabamba area,  last refuge of the Inca empire during their flight from their Spanish conquerors,  is ideal for those looking for an alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
Mount Salcantay (6,270mt-20,565ft) was one of the Inca´s most sacred mountains and considered to be home to the Apus, the all powerful spirits of the mountains.  The highest section of the trek 4,750m - 15,585ft - passes so close to this magnificent peak that you almost feel you could reach out and touch it.
 
We descend through Andean communities seemingly unchanged from Inca times into the sub-tropical Aobamba valley. A short train ride takes us to Aguas Calientes ready for an unforgettable visit to Machu Picchu.  This World Heritage Site, never found by the Conquistadores and forgotten even by the Incas themselves was discovered underneath dense jungle growth by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. The unbelievably detailed masonry of these mysterious ruins displays the amazing skill of Inca stonemasons.  To this day no one is completely sure why the city was built and then abandoned,  various scholars have their own theories but this jewel in the crown of Inca architecture remains as enigmatic as the day it was discovered.

 Outline Itinerary 

 Day 1:

We start our trip with a drive over the Anta plateau northwest of Cusco where legend has it Pachacutec defeated the Chanca tribe to begin the expansion of the Inca Empire.  We continue over the Huillque pass admiring vistas of the east side of the Vilcabamba range before descending to the Tarahuasi archeological site in the Limatambo river valley for lunch.  After passing through the traditional Andean community of Mollepata (2,850m-9,348ft) with it´s spectacular views of the Apurímac river we begin our trek of approximately three hours to our campsite at Soray Pampa (4,000mt-13,100ft).  From here, we have our first panoramic views of Salcantay (6,270m-20,565ft), Humantay (5,870m-19,254ft) and Soray (5,850m-19,200ft). 
 

 Day 2:

After meeting our “arrieros” (horse handlers) we begin our trek through one of the most impressive areas in the Vilcabamba range.   Look out for condors as we hike to the base of the southeast face of Salcantay,  one of the Inca's sacred mountains (6,217m-20,575ft) then climb up on the southwest side of the Salcantay moraine to the high pass of Portachuelo (4,750mt-15,585ft).  We pass so close to this magnificent peak that you almost feel you could reach out and touch it.  According to Inca tradition you should carry a small rock all the way from Mollepata as an offering to the Apus  - the spirits of the mountains.  Place one on a pyramid of rocks – an apacheta - and make a wish and the Apus may grant it for you.  We begin our descent towards the Amazon basin to the valley of Huayracmachay close to where we set up camp (4,100mt-13,45ft).
 
 Day 3:

Today we follow in the footsteps of the last Incas as they fled the Spanish conquest into the remote fastnesses of the Vilcabamba range. We continue through arid highlands to tropical jungle following the left bank of the Sunchucata river down toward Rayanpata.   We continue on past the merging of three streams to form the Santa Teresa River to the community of Collpapampa (2,900mt-9,515ft) and continue along the left bank of this new born river.  The climate becomes milder as we descend,  vegetation becomes more abundant with a myriad of colourful flowers, butterflies and noisy green parrots called "cordilleranos".   After crossing several streams and waterfalls we stop for lunch on the riverbank before continuing to the campsite near the village of La Playa, also known as Miscabamba (2,200mt-6,562ft).  The social organization of the village families into an “ayni” or cooperative system designed to share construction and farming work is unchanged since Inca times.  The is always the chance of a soccer or volleyball match with the locals. 
 
 Day 4:

Ourlast climb accross Llactapata pass takes us to Inca sites and a breath taking panoramic view of the outline of Machu Picchu.  We begin our descent into the tropical Aobamba valley with its fields of oranges, paltas (avocados), bananas, granadillas (passion fruit), coffee and sugar cane.  We say good-bye to our arrieros and take a 45-minute train ride to Aguas Calientes,  also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo,  where we transfer to our comfortable hotel.  You may decide to take a late afternoon dip in the outdoor natural hot springs or just relax and explore the town.
 
 Day 5:
We begin with a three-hour (11km-7m) walk to Huayhuacalle (2,826mt-9,420ft) with its panoramic view of the Apurimac valley. The road climbs to Choquequirau and the mountains Marcani and Quishuar. From here, we start our descent into the canyon. With the marked decrease in altitude, we notice that the vegetation becomes scarce as in a desert area. We arrive at the RioApurimac (1,626mt-5,420ft) after a total descent of 14.5km-9m (2.5 hrs) We can either camp here, on the riverbank, or continue for another three hours (3km-2m) to Rosaspata (2,226mt-7,420ft); a small agricultural settlement where the few resident families grow corn and sugar cane. Total distance: 29km/18m (ten hours).
 
 

Services Includes:

• Bilingual guide. There will be a trip briefing with guide before departure.
• Airport or train station reception and departure transportation.
• Private bus to the trailhead, return tourist train to Cusco and hotel transportation.
• Entrance fees.
• Round trip bus ticket Machu Picchu /Aguas Calientes.
• All meals indicated on the itinerary. Vegetarian meals on request at no additional cost.
• Horses and mule handlers. Tents, kitchen gear and meals for mule handlers.
• Camping equipment: double 4 season tents (Eureka, Ferrino or REI - single tent available: $35 per person for entire trip),
• hermarest pad, kitchen, dining and toilet tent. Tables, stools and all kitchen gear.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bath and breakfast..
• First-class trekking services including: hot water, soap and towels for washing, camp cook and assistant(s).
• Maximum weight per passenger: 6k/13lbs. Heavy luggage returns to Cusco.
• Walkie-talkies on treks.
• First-aid kit and oxygen bottle.
• All trash produced during the trek returns to Cusco. 

 Services not Includes:

• Hotels in Cusco. For description of categories, please check hotel page!
• International or domestic flights. Cost of domestic flights (with a Peruvian airline) Lima-Cusco-Lima: $216 total per passenger.
• Airport taxes: International $32 and domestic $5 each flight.
• Any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip, such as, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets or travel insurance, nor
• dditional expenses encountered as a result of flight or train schedule changes, delays, strikes, cancellations,  missed
• onnections or acts of God.
• Personal items like individual gear, sleeping bag (Peru Sur Nativa rents sleeping bags: $25 per person for entire trek),
• edicines, laundry, phone calls, etc.
• Gratuities.