Vilcabamba Peru – or Willkapampa, as it’s sometimes known, means sacred (“willka”) valley (“pampa”) and yes, this is the place of the famous Espiritu Pampa – literally “spirit valley” in Spanish, and the last refuge of the Incan empire before it finally fell to the Spaniards in 1572.
A fascinating historical spot, the story of Vilcabamba reads like a tale right out of an adventure novel. If you’ve ever fantasized about being a modern-day Indian Jones, you might just want to check this place out. Located on the Chontabamba River and shrouded in mystery for centuries, Vilcabamba was once at the centre of controversy as explorers tried to determine if it was the famous “Lost City of the Incas”.
Hike the iconic Vilcabamba to Espiritu Pampa trek and follow the path of Manco Inca as he escaped Spanish pursuit. For a deeper journey through history, connect Vilcabamba with Choquequirao and Machu Picchu on one of our extended Vilcabamba treks. Interested? Leave us a message, and we’ll create a personalized itinerary just for you.