Do you know the lost inca city of Vilcabamba?

In the shadow of the Andes mountains, hidden underneath the forbidding vegetation of the Amazon jungle, lies one of Peru’s most incredible secret treasures: Vilcabamba. As the location of the last vestiges of the Inca Empire before its destruction by the Spanish, Vilcabamba is a place of special symbolic and historical importance. However, due to its abandonment in the dense overgrowth of the Peruvian selva, its exact location was a mystery for much of the last several hundred years. Only in recent decades has the city of Vilcabamba been definitively identified as the site of Espíritu Pampa near the banks of the Chontabamba River, a tributary of the Urubamba.

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It is possible to visit the site of Vilcabamba today; however, the hike to the location is quite difficult and only recommended for experienced hikers. The path descends all the way from snow-capped Andean mountains to the thick of the jungle, passing through rugged and possibly dangerous terrain. Nonetheless, a visit to Vilcabamba is extremely rewarding for those who are willing to put in the work. Due to its extremely remote location, this site is only visited by a few dozen tourists every year. It’s actually possible to find yourself completely alone at the ruins, a magical experience that cannot be matched by many other sites of such historical importance. Continue reading below to find out how you can visit this amazing site.

How to get there?

Espíritu Pampa, the location of the legendary Inca city of Vilcabamba, is located about 500km from the city of Cusco on a plateau near the Chontabamba River, a tributary of the Urubamba. It is highly recommended to attempt this trek only with the help of a local guide, as the path can be quite rough and dangerous. The trek generally takes around 7 days, but can be done in as little as 3. There are also a number of side excursions that can be added to the trek, including an extension all the way to Choquequirao.

What to bring:

It’s best to check with your tour provider to clarify what items you should and shouldn’t bring with you on the trek. The following items will usually be recommended:

• Walking shoes and socks.
• Regular pants.
• Shorts.
• T-shirts (long-sleeved and short-sleeved).
• Trekking boots.
• Warm sleeping bag.
• Waterproof pants and jacket.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Baseball cap or bandana.
• Fleece for extra warmth.
• Warm hat and mittens.
• Enough food and water for the duration of the trek.
• Groups travelling without a guide will also need a warm tent and possibly a mule or donkey to carry their belongings. However, as stated above, it’s strongly recommended to only attempt this trek with a professional guide.

The best way to find a guide to help you visit the legendary Inca city of Vilcabamba is to ask in one of the many tourist agencies in the center of Cusco. Even if they don’t offer this specific trek, they should be able to point you to another agency that does offer it. It should be possible to find a guide at the beginning of the trek in the town of Huancacalle, as well.