D-1.0 lower Mandango, return trip

Distance          5.4 km

Time                2.75 hours

Altitude          1530m - 1965m

Ascent             405m

Descent           405m

Rating             Medium  3/5

Start                Vilcabamba tourist office

End                  Vilcabamba tourist office

This is the most popular Hike of all of Vilcabamba, with great views on Vilcabamba town and Podocarpus to the east, into the valley of the Vilcabamba river (El Chaupi/San Joaquin) to the north, and to Lambunuma pass and beyond to the south.    

Route: From the Tourist-Office, head to the main road (AV. eterna Juventud) turn south and follow the road for 800 meters. 50 meters after passing the little shrine on your left, you find a dirt road branching off to the right. 100 meters uphill, past a newly constructed house, you’ll find a metal fence-gate on the left, where the actual hiking trail starts. This trail is easy to follow. About 40 minutes later you cross a little forest, then a steady climb in the open begins. At the top of this climb you get to a small knob from where you have to battle the last, steep 20 meters to the mirror-decorated cross at 1950 meters. This last section recently has been furnished with wooden rails. Enjoy the views and return by the same route.