Choquequirao & Machu Picchu

Itinerary (13 Days / 12 nights)
The Vilcabamba mountain range is the heart of this region, in which there are mountains, cloud forests, rivers, impressive canyons, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. This region also includes an Inca footpath, which is the axis of this trek.

12 days trekking during which we will visit a number of Inca ruins, including the two most important Inca archaeological complexes – Choquequirau and Machu Picchu. This trek is perhaps the most beautiful and interesting expedition available from a cultural perspective.

Good hiking!

Day 1: CUSCO - CACHORA - CHIQUISCA.
Early in the morning at 05:00, we will depart Cusco by private bus and head towards the north. Along the way, we will get to appreciate majestic glaciers like Salkantay (6264 m.a.s.l.) and Humantay (5217 m.a.s.l.). We will continue on our way down towards the towns of Limatambo and Curahuasi. These towns are located in a beautiful valley where the vegetation proves how pleasant the weather in this region really is. Rapidly, we will arrive at the highest point of our trip, and at this point we will find the Saywite archaeological site (3600 m.a.s.l.). From there, we will continue on towards the town of Cachora (2850 m.a.s.l.), which is the starting point of our journey. At Cachora we will meet our team of porters and muleteers and we will start our long and exciting trek. We will first pass by the Padreyoc glacier (5771 m.a.s.l.) which sets our trek with a beautiful background, and then we will continue in the direction of Capuliyoc (2800 m.a.s.l.). We will make camp the first night at Chiquisca (1830 m.a.s.l.).
Lunch and dinner included
Duration: 7 hours

Day 2: CHIQUISCA - SANTA ROSA- CHOQUEQUIRAO
We will depart early in the morning to avoid the hot sun of this region as we make our ascent to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao. We will trek down to Playa Rosalina and we will cross the raging waters of the Apurimac River. We will hike up to the towns of Santa Rosa and Maranpata (2850 m.a.s.l.) from where we will be able to observe the fabulous ruins of Choquequirao (3033 m.a.s.l.). Choquequirao is surrounded by several glaciers, all more than 5000 meters high, including the Padreyoc, Corihuayrachina, Pumasillo, Panda, and Ampay glaciers.
Meals included
Duration: 8 hours

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO - RIO BLANCO
We will spend the morning visiting the archaeological complex of Choquequirau. At 09:30, we will continue our hike along an ancient Inca path to reach the Choquequirao Pass (3270 m.a.s.l.), and then we will descend to the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc (2450 m.a.s.l.) which is currently being restored. We will continue trekking down to the Rio Blanco Valley (1900 m.a.s.l.). We will enjoy a refreshing dip in the Rio Blanco River, and then make camp for the night.
Meals included
Duration: 9 hours

Day 4: RIO BLANCO - MAIZAL - VICTORY (MINE)/PASO - YANAMA
We will depart early in the morning, and start the second most difficult part of our trek. This section of the expedition is particularly difficult due to the hot humid weather of the region. We will ascend slowly to the town of Maizal while appreciating the beauty of the landscape, and also the amazing flora and fauna along the way. We will continue along the ancient Inca path towards Victory Pass (4200 m.a.s.l.) from where we will have a magnificent view of some glaciers including Panta (5180 m.a.s.l.), Choquetacarpo (5512 m.a.s.l.), Pumasillo (5199 m.a.s.l.), Yanama (5347 m.a.s.l.), and Sacsarayoc (5936 m.a.s.l.). Then, we will descend to the community of Yanama (3500 m.a.s.l.) where we will make camp for the night.
Meals included
Duration: 9 hours

Day 5: YANAMA - YUTUPATA
On Day 5, we will make an early morning departure – a good beginning to begin our trek through the Yutupata forest formed by thick tropical vegetation. Along the way, we will admire the archaeological remains of various Inca paths. Later, we will arrive at the Yutupata campsite (2900 m.a.s.l.), which is at the foot of Choquetacarpo (3500 m.a.s.l.)
Meals included
Duration: 7 hours

Day 6: YUTUPATA - CHOQUETACARPO - AZULCCACCA
We will begin our ascent from the Yutupata Valley to Choquetacarpo Pass (4300 m.a.s.l.). There is something truly spectacular about this trail -- it is the pilgrimage route that the inhabitants of the region follow to pay homage to "Apus" – the mountain spirit that is still worshiped today throughout the region.
Meals included
Duration: 6 hours

Day 7: AZULCCACCA - HUANCACALLE.
On Day 7 our old trail will be more noticeable and also more frequented as we make our approach toward the town of Huancacalle (3200 m.a.s.l.). We will pass through several Inca ruins including Vitcos, Rosaspata and Ñustahispana – all of which had important roles for the Tawantinsuyo (Inca) civilization.
Meals included
Duration: 6 hours

Day 8: HUANCACALLE - INKA WASI or RAQRACHACA
We will continue on our way through the Azutina Pass (4400 m.a.s.l.), and then we will start our descent via an Inca path to our campsite at Inka Wasi.
Meals included
Duration: 7 hours

Day 9: INKA WASI - RAQRACHACA - JATUNPAMPA
Day 9 is a relatively easy day, as we walk through Jatunpampa.
Meals included
Duration: 5 hours

Day 10: JATUNPAMPA - PASOS - MUTUYPATA
We will trek up to the Janacocha Pass (4600 m.a.s.l.), and we will continue onward to the passes of Tullutaqani (4600 m.a.s.l.) and Mojon (4500 m.a.s.l.). Then we will arrive at a stepped descent bordering the Laccococha Lagoon that we will follow to the Mutuypata campsite, in the Yungas region.
Meals included
Duration: 8 hours
Note 1: Humid semi-tropical climate

Day 11: MUTUYPATA - YANATILLE - SANTA TERESA
On Day 11 of our great expedition, our trek continues through the semi-tropical zone of Yungas. We will pass by the town of Yanatille and arrive at Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa was the scene of a natural disaster in 1998 caused by flooding on the Vilcanota River.
We will spend the night in a lodge in Santa Teresa.
Meals included
Duration: 7 hours

Day 12: SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES.
We will walk towards the Vilcanota River, ultimately crossing it in order to arrive at the Aguas Calientes power station. We will take the train at 16:00, to the town of Aguas Calientes, and spend the night at the Continental Hotel**.
Meals included
Duration: 4 hours

Day 13: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu was discovered by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Archaeologists estimate that this Inca citadel was constructed in the middle of the 15th century. Nowadays, there are different hypotheses about the purpose of the almost inaccessible sanctuary-city of Machu Picchu. A military post?;A hidden city for the virgins of the Sun?;A place to rest?. All of it is still an enigma.
We will dedicate this day to a guided visit of the sanctuary-city.
Night to the Machu Picchu hostal**.
Meals not included.
Suggestion: It is possible climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu, although the climb up can be quite difficult. It is essential to have good hiking shoes, and not to carry heavy backpacks. People who suffer from vertigo should NOT make the climb. From the top of Huayna Picchu, we will enjoy an awesome view of Machu Picchu. The climb up and down Huayna Picchu takes approximately two hours. Another less ambitious trip is a short hike up to the Inkti Punktu (“Sun Gate”), which connects the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – this beautiful hike ends in a great view overlooking the sanctuary-city of Machu Picchu and takes only about an hour to make the roundtrip.
We will take the train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, and from there we will take a private bus to Cusco. In Cusco, you will be transferred directly to your hotel (hotel not included)
Meals not included
Note 1: Camp sites may vary based on climate and/or physical state of trekkers.
Note 2: Train schedules are confirmed at the time of reservation

Includes:

• Transport by bus head to the starting point of the trek (Cachora).
• Entrance ticket.
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
• English/Spanish speaker professional guide.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal camping equipment such as tents, pad.
• Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
• Transportation from Cachora to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco.