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Get your feet ready! Moonstone trek is a hike around 37km with an average of 6 -7 hours of walking per day. This hike is designed for tourists who would like to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the processes that led to the development of various architectural Incan cities such as Killarumiyoc, Huata, Inca quarry and Ollantaytambo.
This is an isolated route with untouched ruins, discovery in every which way and great mountain views surrounding us– an excellent introduction to high Andean trekking. You will have the opportunity follow in the footsteps of the Incas who built a high route from their capital city Cusco westward through the rugged cordillera and filled their empire with amazing temples and royal residences. Caution: this is likely to cause a state of deep awe and inspiration!
What's included
- 24 hour support by our local staff
- Accommodation in Hotel with breakfast included
- Accommodation in personal tents (camping)
- All entrance fees and excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- All ground transportation
- All transfers airport, train station or bus station transfers, Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All transfers are assisted by English speaking staff
- Guided tours by local quality English speaking guides
- Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available)
- Train tickets
- Anything not specified in the itinerary description
- Domestic flight tickets
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
- Guidance in other languages
- International flight tickets
- Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre and post tour accommodation
- Walking sticks
Highlights in Moonstone Trek Machu Picchu
- A greater understanding of the Incan’s amazing processes and abilities into Moonstone trek and Machu Picchu.
- Breath-taking natural landscapes, such as mountain views, green pastures, flower patches, etc.
- Observing and visiting ancient Incan temples
- Interacting with untouched, original Incan works to gain a deeper understanding of their engineering
- Sunrise in Machu Picchu!
PRICES PER PERSON (*)
- 1 person = US$ 1,831
- 2 people = US$ 1,156
- 3 people = US$ 1,026
- 4 people = US$ 945
- 5 to 6 people = US$ 882
- 7 to 8 people = US$ 815
- More than 9 people = US$ 794
- Prices per person in US dollars.
- The price for one person is based on a single room.
- Prices are based on the number of people traveling together in double, twin or triple room.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MOONSTONE TREK MACHU PICCHU
Trip code | MTM5D01 |
Travel style | PRIVATE TOUR |
Type of activities | Hiking & Trekking, Adventure. |
Group size | To suit group requirements. |
Departure dates | Guaranteed departures any day with one person. Departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is April to November. |
Trekking grade | Moderate to strenuous – this trek requires a medium level of fitness. During this trek you will be required to walk up to 5 to 8 hours in one day. Some previous experience is required. Minimum 2 days at altitude recommended. |
Min age | 10+ All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. |
Private tour means, the tour will run exclusively for you without strangers with private guide, vehicle and driver are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually or in a family or friends group. Remember this advices to do the trip much better and safe.
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- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Transport to Killarumiyoc, Huata and Hike to Chiripahua
- We will pick you up at your Cusco hotel at 06:00am and transfer you by van westward across the high Anta plain, following the route of the royal Inca Road which led from the capital toward the northern quarter of the empire.
- We will first stop at a sacred Inca shrine known as Killarumiyoc (Moonstone in the Quechua language of the Incas), one of the finest of the carved rock huacas in the vicinity of Cusco. We will continue to our trailhead around the Huarocondo River where it drains into the western edge of the plain. At this point, we will meet our trail crew, who will arrive from nearby communities. We will begin trekking on a broad trail northward, above the west bank of the Huarocondo River. After an easy two-hour hike, we will reach Huata, a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of a ridge at 3,855m/12,648ft.
- Archeologists who are currently excavating the site are revealing burials and occupation levels from the Formative Period (2,500 years ago) on through the enormous fortifications of the 4th century Regional Development period. A scattering of late-period Inca structures seems like an afterthought on the top of the highest hill. The site is classic: a defensible ridge with dominating three-way views along intersecting valleys. After lunch we will continue on our way westward into the range, and camp at 3,750m/12,303ft next to a rural school in the rural community of Chiripahua.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner.
Hike from Chiripahua to Chancachuco
- We will climb gradually through fields and glades of the indigenous Chachacomo tree within a landscape of pastures and small fields clinging to the steep mountainsides.
- Wherever there is water, we will find an Andean family compound of adobe and straw. As there is little water in this mountain range, we are reminded hour by hour of how precious of a commodity water was and still is to the Andean people.
- We climb to a small hill at 4,400m/14,436ft for a delicious lunch then continue upwards to the dip. From our location on the top of the Accoccasa Pass (4,625m/15,174ft) we will experience breathtaking views, from immense snow peaks to the Huaynays to our west, and even to the Urubamba range to the north.
- We will enjoy an easy descent to camp at 4,350m/14,272ft in the broad valley of Chancachuco, facing the glaciers of the Huaynay Range.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Hike from Chancachuco to Choquetacarpo
- We will then trek westward, gradually descending the high valley, followed by the headwork of a now-abandoned Incan aqueduct which once transported water from the Chancachuco valley north to supply the otherwise-arid north-facing slopes above Ollantaytambo.
- As we descend through a flower-filled notch in the valley wall, on the mountainside above us we catch a glimpse of the traces of the original stonework which is testimony to the extraordinary engineering in the project.
- We will reach our final step (3,900m/12,795ft) and visit an outstanding ridge-top Incan shrine called Intihuatana, with an astonishing view towards Nevado Veronica (5,682m/18,637ft) directly across the valley.
- The location offers unsurpassed views of the terraces and the temple of Ollantaytambo! After being blown away, we will then descend past the curious Incan administrative site of Llaqtallaqtayoq.
- To an hour of hiking we will find our last camp Choquetacarpo (3,760m/12,336ft) on the edge of the enormous Cachiqata quarry; where we will spend the night.
- Overnight in camp.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Cachiccata quarry and hike to Ollantaytambo || Train to Aguas Calientes
- The whole hike for today is downhill until Ollantaytambo (2,850m/9,359ft) around 4 hours walking; today we visit the Incan quarry of Cachiccata, where we witness the work the Incas could not complete due to the Spanish conquest.
- We will explore the intricate quarry workings. From this steep talus slope beneath the sheer face of Cerro Yanaorco, immense red granite building stones were carved onsite and then skidded down to the valley floor, across the river, and then up to the sun temple site on the far side of the valley. We explore the ramps and work platforms around the largest of the stones.
- There are several points of interest, including a number of large buildings, quarried stones left half-finished and abandoned throughout the site, Chullpas and a cave with Incan mummies.
- Then we will continue our way down the mountain following the original platform used for transporting the stones to Ollantaytambo, and later arrive to the town by midday. From Ollantaytambo, we'll take the train to Aguas Calientes (2,050m/6,726ft). At the Aguas Calientes Hotel, dinner and a comfortable bed will await us.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Visit Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
- Breakfast at the hotel; at 06:00am take first bus to Machu Picchu citadel, you will ride a bus to Machu Picchu archeological site (2,430m/7,972ft) and tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site: an unforgettable experience. Your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets.
- Around 07:30am the guided tour begins, your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- From 10:30am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate.
- From 12:30pm to 13:30pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30pm to 15:00pm take lunch at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.