Choquequirao to Machupicchu Trek - Trekking Choquequiraw to Machu-picchu, Choquequirao Expeditions CHOQUEQUIRAW CUSCO TRAVEL GUIDE

Choquequirao to Machupicchu Trek Itinerary

Day 01: Cusco, Cachora to Chiquisca
At 4:30 am pick up from your hotel and travel to Cachora (4 hours by bus): While the group is having breakfast the crew will arrange the horses for the trek. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 16 km or 6 hours. On the way we will observe Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views to snow covered peaks and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tunacactus forest to dwarftree forest we have lunch brake at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l.). Campsite in Chiquisca at 1550 masl. Meals: B, L, D

Day 02: Chiquisca to Choquequirao Ruins
After an early breakfast 6:00 am. we start walking from here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short rest we continue our hike going up to Choquekiraw. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep, but then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological place Choquequiraw after 5 hours, arriving around 3 pm. We explore the ruins after arriving. The view of the canyon is spectacular, it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Campsite near at Choquequirao. 3033 masl. Meals: B, L, D

Day 03. In Choquequirao
We have the entire day to explore this stunning Inca settlement. As mysterious as Machu Picchu, its name means “Cradle of Gold”. Early Spaniards knew of this place, yet its remoteness protected it. French explorers visited it in the 19th century, and in 1909 Hiram Bingham was first to scientifically investigate the site. Some speculate that the emperor Topa Inca had it built as a personal spiritual retreat, to rival his father Pachacuti’s magnificent estate at Machu Picchu. Whoever built this place, it was undoubtedly an elite settlement, built for ceremonial purposes and occupied by Inca nobility. The Apurimac River roars distantly 1,450m./4,800 ft. below, visible on either side of a steep ridge to which clings the Inca city. As we approach the heart of the city, a sweep of enormous curved terraces leads our eye to an artificial hill and ceremonial platform overlooking the main plaza. Here afternoon thermal currents bring Andean Condors soaring over the complex of temples, mausoleums, royal residences, ritual baths and water channels, great gathering halls, storehouses, hidden gardens and a giant stairway, all still standing as testimony to the careful planning of Inca engineers. Excavation work at the site is very recent, and archaeologists are continually uncovering hitherto unknown areas and structures. 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: B, L, D

Day 04: Choquequirao to Maizal
On this day we walk uphill for a while up to 3299 masl considered as a first pass and then descend to Rio Blanco, 1909 masl. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. Pinchinoyoc - these ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. Here we spend the night basically on the old Inca Terraces. We will have our lunch near the Rio Blanco, we use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. From Rio Blanco we climb up to Maizal for about 3 hrs. Camp at 3000 masl. Meals: B, L, D

Day 05: Maizal to Yanama
From here we start walking uphill passing by the impressive inca mines called Minas Victoria nad towards the Victoria Pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals, which were later used by other miners. Almost on the top we can apreciate original paved inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass in 4200 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condores depending on the climate, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. We pass over 4154 masl and finally descend to our campsite at 3800 masl. Meals: B, L, D

Day 06: Yanama to Totora
After breakfast we start climbing slowly to our higher pass 4668 masl, again the view is amazing, we are sorrounded by snowcapped mountains the Mt. Sacsarayoj and Mt. Padreyoj. We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the night. Meals: B, L, D

Day 07: Totora to La Playa
On this day we descend to the Totora river. As we go down the birdlife is very interesting specially with hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many species of orchids and begonias. We walk the about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas. Campsite at 2125ma sl. Meals: B, L, D

Day 08: La Playa - Aguas CalientesTown.
From La Playa we take a local transportation for approximately 20 minutes to Lucma ( or just hike if not local transport is available), from here we start our climb of about 03 hours to Llactapata ( newly discovery Inca Site ) which is famous for a “great condor view of Machu Picchu”, then we enjoy our picnic box lunch then we hike down hill for about 2.30 hours to the Hydroelectric Station by 3:00 pm. Aprox. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes which will lasted 45 minutes, you may also wish to pay a visit to the town's famous thermal springs which feel great after finishing the trail. Entrance to the springs is a small fee of $US 3.00. Allow 3 hours to really enjoy them, which is open Until 9.00 p.m. Meals: B, L, D

Day 09: Machupicchu Full day and go back to Cusco
After an early breakfast from Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take our train ticket back to Cusco. Meals: B

B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

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Walking the two major archaeological sites in Cusco area Choquequirao to Machu picchu 9 days

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