Vilcabamba

=Vilcabamba=

Ollantaytambo
The Amazon hides the “true” lost city, where the Incas lived after the Spanish invasion from 1536-1573. This was a wondrous land, lush with water, abundant crops such as Cocoa, sugar cane, batata (sweet potato), and more. The town was large, similar to Cuzco, but covering a long distance, lengthwise. Thousands of birds inhabited the region, and they harvested peanuts, pineapples, avocado, and more. The houses were sturdy, roofs were well-thatched with reeds and palms branches. There were palaces on different levels, covered in roof tiles, cobblestone, and paintings. There was a square that held a large number of people in the city center. Feasts and even horse racing were held there. They had many of the same luxuries they had in Cuzco. The Spanish visited this place and wrote about it, but the Vilcabamba location was forgotten. Many have tried to find it over the years.

Vilcabamba was nearly forgotten until 1911 when Hiram Bingham, a scientist from Harvard, visited Peru. He discovered Machu Picchu and thought that it was Vilcabamba. Further research and explorers proved him wrong. It is most likely that Vilcabamba is associated with Espiritu Pampa, a place located approximately 500 km North from Cuzco. Bingham discovered this place too in 1911 but did not grasp its size or significance. During the time since the Incas disappeared, the jungle almost nearly swallowed up the entire city, so that he only found a few buildings and did not pay that close of attention to it.

In 1964, Gene Savoy, and his Andean explorer group, visited this place, Espiritu Pampa. They found extensive ruins deep within the jungle. Nearly 50-60 buildings and over 300 houses, were found covered in the huge trees and vegetation. They also found remains of Inca roads. He was convinced that Espiritu Pampa was actually Vilcabamba and its city center was some 600 meters Northeast of Bingham’s discovery. Huge palace, cobblestone buildings, a temple, etc.

The remains of Vilcabamba exist today and can be reached by foot, bus, or plane. It is approximately 1 hour in a plane from Lima, 24 hours in a bus, or 6-8 days by foot. It is located on a small plateau on the right bank of Pampaconas, on the Eastern face of Cordilleras, 500 km Northwest from Cuzco. It is not as “impressive” as Machu Picchu, but is still fascinating considering the history. It is not a main tourist stop due to the trek it takes to get there, but it is well worth the journey.

By: Laura Reed