The Vilcabamba region is so rugged that it was here the rebel Inca, Manco Capac, took refuge from the conquistadores and staged his uprisings against the Spanish. It is bordered by stunning rivers (the Urubamba, Apurimac, and Cosireni) and the high peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, with dense forest falling away to the Amazon Basin. The region is so geographically convoluted that some authors have referred to it as an “inland island” cut off from the rest of the country. Flat land is rare in this country of densely forested hills, deep gorges, snow-clad peaks and swamps. It is here, following the stone-paved route of Manco Inca into the heart of the Vilcabamba, that Southwind began leading Exploratory Treks back in July of 1997. Besides a fantastic, off-the-beaten-path trek and great camaraderie with new friends, the highlight of this adventure is the enigmatic ruins of Choquequirao! The architectural prowess of the ancient Incas is evident as buildings are laid out in alignment with the movement of the sun and stars. For example, a burial tomb for their most important leaders is the first to be bathed in the early morning light of sunrise. Often referred to as a sister city of the legendary Machu Picchu, the inaccessibility of this ancient complex means it is still possible to experience the excitement of feeling you’ve discovered something few have ever seen. With less than five percent of the visitors to Machu Picchu and more than half still uncovered, this is a journey for the savvy traveler looking to experience a unique piece of human history.