Choquequirao Expedition to Machu Picchu 9 Days
| Overview |
Highlight: Choquequirao, Machu Picchu, the alternative Inca Trail trek, lost Inca fortress of Choquequirao, hike through Apurimac Canyon, finish in Machu Picchu
Begin from: Cusco / Cachora End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco Duration: 09 Days/ 08 Nights Physical Rating: Hard/Challenging Accommodation: Camping service & Therma Rest Mattresses
Difficulty degree of this hike: Hard/Challenging: The route has steep ups and downs, with changes of altitude in one day of over 1600m/5200ft and usually warm weather during the day due to the lower altitude vs Cusco. We recommend allowing one-day acclimatization in Cusco prior to the trek departure.
Choquequirao is considered as "the Last Refuge of the Incas"The archaeological site of Choquequiraw is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. Today we can trek to Choquequirao via a modern footbridge across the Apurimac River. The journey is as awe-inspiring as ever, taking us through an astounding range of ecological zones, from Andean farming valleys, descending through a hot and arid canyon environment featuring kapok trees, cactus and agaves, and climbing again to a region of lush cloud forest, beneath the dizzying snowcaps of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Important
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| Trip Itinerary |
 Day 01 - Cusco, Cachora / ChiquiscaPick up from the Hotel at 05:00 and transfer in our private transportation to Cachora (2850m/9348ft) the journey will take around 4hrs. While the group is having breakfast the crew will arrange the horses for the trek. We start to walk from Cachora observing the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peak, the highest (5482m/17980ft). The hike on this first day is 16 km around 6hrs walking starts by flat part. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc where it might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon, and the vegetation changes from Agave and Tunacactus to dwarf tree forest, having lunch at Cocamasana, then we continue to Chiquisqa (1950m/6398ft), campsite in Chiquisca Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 16 km (9, 93 miles) Estimated walking time: 5- 6 hours Maximum altitude point: (2850m/9348ft) Day 02 - Chiquisca / Choquequirao Archeological SiteBreakfast; early in the morning we start to walk from here and continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River (1550m/5028ft) in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short rest continue the hike going up to Choquequirao Archeological Site. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep until Santa Rosa, then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Lunch at Maranpata (2850m/9348ft) then continue to Choquequirao (3033m/9948ft) after 2hrs walking arrival to our camping place from where we have a spectacular view of the canyon, it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Campsite near Choquequirao Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: (3033m/9948ft)
Day 03 – Explore ChoquequiraoBreakfast; this day enjoying a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex means “Cradle of Gold” visiting the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features several clusters of newly-discovered buildings, including the so-called Ridge Group, and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex facing the cascades of a steep ravine. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04 - Choquequirao / Maizal
Breakfast; on this day trekkers walk uphill for a while up to 3400m/11152ft the first Choquequirao pass and then descending to Rio Blanco (1909m/6262ft), first walking through cloud forest, arriving to Pinchayunuyoc Arquelogical site. Resting and observing basically on the old Inca Terraces the flora and fauna; arrival to the Rio Blanco or white river to have a break some rest, swim and lunch. After the lunch starting the hike up the steep climbing up to Maizal village high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas for about 3 hrs, camping in Maizal (3400m/11152ft) Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 16 Km (9, 93 miles) Estimated walking time: 7 hours Maximum altitude point: (3400m/11152ft)
Day 05 - Maizal / YanamaBreakfast; from here start walking uphill passing by the impressive Inca mines called Minas Victoria and towards the Victoria Pass (4200m/13776ft). A long climb the trail, walking in an amazingly beautiful area first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known Ichu grass, trekkers can appreciate original paved Inca trails until Victoria Pass. Taking the box lunch at the pass in 4200m/13776ft with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, trekkers can appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, and finally descending to Yanama community (3500m/11480ft) where we spend the night. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 15 km (9, 32 miles) Estimated walking time: 7 hours Maximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft)
Day 06 - Yanama / ColpapampaBreakfast; climbing slowly to the higher pass called Yanama (4550m/14924ft), again the view is amazing, trekkers are surrounded by snowcapped mountains the Mt. Sacsarayoj and Mt. Padreyoc. Continuing from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, once more having the chance to see condors and this morning smooth climb bring through new landscapes –crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora where we have the lunch, then continue to Colpapampa (2890m/9479ft), our camping site, a beautiful spot with some natural hot springs to relax in Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 15 Km (9, 32 miles) Estimated walking time: 7 hours Maximum altitude point: (4550m/14924ft) Day 07 - Colpapampa / LucmabambaBreakfast; today we continue our hike with an easy walk along the Santa Teresa River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. We pass the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, and then we continue to La Playa (2155m/7068ft) where we have our lunch, after lunch we continue until Lucmabamba Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 12 Km (7, 45 miles) Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Day 08 – Lucmabamba / LLaqtapata / Aguas CalientesBreakfast; start climbing for around 3hrs up to El Mirador or Abra Q’elloqasa (2860m/9381ft) from where we have an exceptional view of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, from a different angle. Then we continue to Llaqtapata archeological site (2650m/8692ft) from where we can view both Machu Picchu and the Salkantay Mountain and take a good rest, enjoying the added value of the Llactapata, which have recently been restored. A 2hrs descent towards the Aobamba River crossing lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations brings us to the hydroelectric plant of Machu Picchu from where we board a train that takes us to Aguas Calientes (short, scenic 40-minutes train ride) spend the night at Hotel in Aguas Calientes Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 10 Km (6, 21 miles) Estimated walking time: 5 hours Maximum altitude point: (2860m/9381ft)
Day 09 - Machu Picchu / Back to CuscoBreakfast at your hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure. Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel Meals Included: Breakfast |
| Dates & Prices |
Departures: Any date that you want
Price per person:
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
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| Essential Info |
What we recommend that you bring?
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