Book: Trekking Vilcabamba Espiritu Pampa Expedition (8 days / 7 nights)
The Vilcabamba region is located northwest of Cusco, between the Apurímac and Urubamba Rivers. Salcantay (6,271mt-20,575ft) towers above the other peaks and turbulent rivers crash down granite gorges on their way to the rainforest at La Convención. The Vilcabamba range offers the unique opportunity to trek down from an environment of glaciers, into the Amazon basin in just a few days. For over forty years, this region of cloud forest served as a refuge and natural fortress for the 16th century Inca resistance movement trying to regain control of Tawantinsuyo (the Inca Empire) from the Spanish invaders. The typical customs and clothing of the local people reflect a mixture of cultures. Their language and textiles, with Inca and pre-Inca motifs, give clear evidence of the Quechua influence. Vilcabamba is also the region where the largest concentration of pre-Colombian archeological treasures are to be found, including Choquequirau and the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. A network of Inca roads run through the region and connect Vitcos, Rosaspata and Espíritu Pampa: last of the Inca strongholds. Among the panoramic views are ice-capped peaks, sharp ridges, deep gorges, raging rivers, lush flora and the sub-tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife.