Beyond Machu Picchu lies a remote, wild region of cold high uplands and hot tropical valleys known as the Vilcabamba. The is a steep mountainous region of extreme relief that served as a jungle border province and later, last refuge for the Inca resisting the Spanish colonization of Peru. Altitudes vary from tropical river bottom canyons below 2000 meters to mountain heights on up to almost 6000 meters. Thick cloud forest vegetation covers much of the area up to around 4000 meters

In the year 1536, three years after the fall of the Inca empire to Spanish adventurers, Manco Inca, grandson of the last great ruler Huayna Capac, led a rebellion against the Conquistadors. Retreating from a failed siege of Cusco, Manco and his followers established court in this remote region maintaining vestiges of Inca tradition, religion and statehood out of reach of Spanish authorities. The Inca built a network of roads and trails connecting outposts, settlements, shrines and ceremonial centers which Gary Ziegler and several Inca specialist colleagues have been locating and researching for many years...

Originating in 1994, we began a series of exploratory expeditions funded by what we call Archaeo-tourism; the concept of bringing along paying participants to fund exploration. Now we offer this program as a unique adventure trek experience with pack mules, comfortable camps and saddle mounts when you feel like riding. The focus remains on Inca study and archaeological investigations as we travel. Our ultimate goal is to visit the large Inca ceremonial site of Choquequirao, a distant replication of its more famous sister site Machu Picchu. Now recognized as a center of major importance by the work of Cusco archaeologist Percy Paz, Gary Ziegler, Vince Lee and others`, Choquequirao is being proposed by the Peruvian government as a major tour destination. Currently a stay at Choquequirao is like a visit to Machu Picchu in 1915 and more difficult to get to!

The expedition is 19th Century style using pack stock to carry supplies, camp and amenities. Our Quechua speaking packers supported by professional cooks insure comfortable, organized camps. Delicious meals and daily happy hour/tea are served in a dining tent. A pan of hot water with mug of coffee or tea served at your tent greets each day. Saddle horses are available for those who may chose to ride however several hours steep hiking is necessary on some days.

We require that all participants be in good health and physical condition. We hike up to seven hours on some days. The schedule allows the physically fit to hike he whole way.

Arrival in Peru. Arrangements can be made to assist you onto your connecting local flight or overnight accommodation in Lima if needed

Arrive to CUSCO, the ancient capital of the Incas. We greet you at the airport. Following a brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea, we organize an afternoon introductory trek around town. Most will need the time to rest and recover from yesterday’s travel. Refreshed and eager, we meet for dinner at a favorite restaurant. We talk about ancient legends, Manco Inca, the lost cities of Vilcabamba or perhaps just get to know each other. Some my opt for evening festivities in this bustling international city. We lodge in the very nice hotel close to the main plaza. D

Leaving Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel by van over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassed close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. The Sacred Valley is the location of the major Inca temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. We will also undertake a hiking tour of the extensive Inca hill top complex of Pisac. We spend the night at our selected country hotel Dinner and good conversation follows...we slip off to our rooms to ponder the mystery of the last Incas before drifting into undisturbed slumber. B:L:D

An interesting morning of click, clack on the Orient Express tourist train, and sway with all of the accompanying sounds and smells of rural Peru takes us to our final destination, Machu Picchu and the bustling town of Aguas Caliente located some 2,000 ft, below Hiram Bingham’s great 1910 discovery.

MACHU PICCHU, one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world.

MACHU PICCHU- Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2500 feet above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced through by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the exposed stone of the mountain, it may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. We catch the afternoon train back upriver to our lodging in the Inca town of Ollnatytambo. B:L:D

Depart Cusco for Lima and your flight home. Additional services can be arranged in Lima if your schedule does not connect directly to your international flight.

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