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ESPIRITU
PAMPA 8D/7N
ESPÍRITU
PAMPA – ”The plain of the Ghosts”
Hiram Bingham came in 1911 to this place, that he thought of as
a small Inca settlement, but investigations by many since have
shown, that most possible this is what has been referred to as
“The lost city of the Incas”, the last Inca capital, from which
area the last Inca-revolts towards the Spaniards took place in
the late 16th century.
In the year 1440 a great army under Inca Pachacutec entered the
zone of Vilcabamba to conquer the aboriginal forest tribes
“Antis” and “Chunchos”. The Expedition was successfull and the
area was involved as a province in the expanding Inca-Empire.
The same way the great Inca Pachacutec followed to conquer the
jungle tribes, was used by Inca Manco less than a century later
retreating from a terrible army of Spaniards with steel armoured
horses and swords. The beginning of the final for the Inca
Empire.
ITINERARY:
Day 1.- We leave from Cuzco, in quechua ”the navel of
the world”, early in the morning going towards Huancacalle. On
the way we turn off in Chaullay, where we also take our lunch.
The whole tour is about 10 hours. We arrive in the late
afternoon and install us in a basic, but friendly local hostel
in Huancacalle.
Day 2.- We spend the day visiting the archaeological
sites of Ñusta Ispañan – place of the famed “White Stone” and
Vitcos, first reported by Hiram Bingham in 1911, and short time
capital of the Manco Inca. Here Manco Inca lost a bloody battle
to the Spaniards before he fled into the jungle.
Day 3.- After breakfast we start our walk towards
Espíritu Pampa. We walk along the river into the green valley
passing the town of Vilcabamba the New. In our way we pass many
wooden crosses, some Inca walls and walking parts of Inca steps
and trails. As the vegetation changes from green valley to cloud
forest good time after Vilcabamba the New we will be looking for
our camp for the night. Possibly close to Río Chalcha or a
little before close to the small ruin of Mollipunko or better
all the way to Ututu (total 8 hours).
Day 4.- After breakfast we
go from Ututu towards Vista Alegre. In the morning we cross many
small streams and rivers by log bridges on our way through the
junglelike cloud forest with mosses, bromeliads and lots of
birdlife. The walk is quite flat and nice. A beautiful and
mysterious scenery. Upon arrival at the small community of Vista
Alegre we set up our camp on the flat football field next to the
closed school. (Bosque Nublado – crossed by many small creeks
and rivers).
Day 5.- From Vista Alegre to Concevidayoc (6 hours)
once again we cross small streams several times, sometimes
getting wet. This day there is some uphill and we have a short
climb before arriving to the small farming village of
Concevidayoc between the rivers of Pumachaca and Sarahuasi. The
place used to house the indigenous village of Marcanay
(mentioned by Calancha) under the Inca-Empire. Same village
where Padre Ortiz was sentenced to death by Tupac Amaru Inca.
“The view from the pleasant open plaza is a particularly
extensive one on all sides. To the north and south are
snow-capped mountains, and to the east and west deep beautiful
valleys.”
Day 6.- From our camp to Espíritu Pampa it is about 3
hours walking. After we set up our camp we begin our exploration
of the archaeological site 20 minutes away supposedly the site
of “Vilcabamba the Old” – the last Inca capital and refuge. We
spend the rest of the day enjoying the place with its two
sectors Hanan and Urin, the Huaca (huge boulder with religious
purpose – The White Rock) and learning from the guide about this
historically important place, where the last battle between
Incas and the Spaniards took place in more than 400 years ago.
The nature is amazing. Bingham in his matter-of-fact description
about Espíritu Pampa:
“The view from the pleasant open plaza is a particularly
extensive one on all sides. To the north and south are
snow-capped mountains, and to the east and west deep beautiful
valleys.”
Day 7.- Leaving Espiritu Pampa early morning going
through the cloud forest to Chanquiri (8 hours), and from here
driving through the night to Quillabamba ( next to the
UrubambaRiver, the prolonging of the VilcanotaRiver – the sacred
river!
Day 8.- We spend the morning in the town of
Quillabamba, enjoying a nice breakfast before we start our 8
hours bus trip through cloud forest and mountains back to Cuzco
Please note:
•Discount of 5% to holders of the international studentcard (ISIC).
•Min. 07 persons per group; Max. 15 persons per group.
•We offer special discounts for groups and in the low season
(December - April).
Fixed Departures.- Mondays.
Our service includes:
•All transports from Cuzco to Huancacalle and back from
Chanquiri to Cuzco.
•3 good and nutritious meals pr. day made by experienced cook.
•Camping equipment includes tents, mattresses, cook and kitchen
equipment and rope.
•Bilingual guide.
•Muleteers and mules for campingequipment and mainluggage.
•First-Aid kit.
•Rainponchos.
Other types of tours and expeditions are possible - For further
information ask in the office.
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