Choquequirao / Machupicchu 8 days / 7 nights

DAY 1 CUSCO – CACHORA – PLAYON ROSALINA.

Early in the morning we will pick up our customers from their hotel and drive to Cachora in a private bus. Along the way we visit the archaeological sites of Saywite and Tarawasi, after four hours we arrive to Cachora, we will pack all our equipment in the horses.

We continue the walk the trail is flat we pass through the high pass of Capuliyoc (2800 m) we continue and arrive to Mirador enjoy the impresive landscapes of the Apurimac Canyon, after arrive to Chikisca.

We descend to Playon Rosalina on the bank of the Apurimac River the main tributary of the Amazonas river.

DAY 2 PLAYON ROSALINA -SANTA ROSA- CHOQUEQUIRAO.

Early in the morning after breakfast we start the hike through a long and narrow trail to Santa Rosa and we will climb two hours until we reach our lunch spot Maranpata. The trail gets harder but the view are spectacular. We see tha natural wonder of the Apurimac river deepest Canyon and may have the chance of spotting the Andean condor, we arrive to Choquequirao (3300 meters) at 4:00 p.m in the afternoon the enigmatic and mystical lost inca site sorrounded by spectacular mountain scenery in the midst of the cloud forest, time to visit and explore the extensive terraces ceremonial dwellings, and sacred temples. We will camp near the ruins.

DAY 3 CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHIUNUYOC- MAIZAL

After breakfast today the trail takes us through dry Andean highland forest, then descends until river on the way we will pass by Pinchiunuyoc an archaeological site where we can appreciate the inca farming terraces part on them still covered by the cloud forest vegetation. We can see different species of birds varieties of Orquids and coca plantations. From rio Blanco ( White river) we will climb up for three hours to arrive to Maizal. Campsite.

DAY 4 MAIZAL – MINAS VICTORIA- YANAMA.

We will start walking passing by the impressive Inca mines ( 4200m) , called Minas Victoria almost on the top, we can appreciate original paved Inca trail we start sttoping over the original inca trail still such incredible well preserved, continuing our hike along the way we appreciate several abandoned quarries of silver and lead mines in ancient times.

And finally we descend to our campsite at Yanama ( 3800 meters).

DAY 5 YANAMA – TOTORA.

After an early breakfast we will start climbing to the last highest pass of the journey Yanama pass ( 4665 meters above sea level).

This is a challenging day as we descend to the pass the walking gets harder but the views gets spectacular, from where we can have a stunning view of the snow-peak mountains of Sacrachayoc and Padrilloc sorrounding us; and we might be able to view the majestic Andean condors circling above us and passing by waterfalls on both sides of the valley and lush greenery where you can refresh yourself, when getting to the pass we will observe a pile of stones which are added to thank the apus ( mountain spirits) for a safe trip and good luck. Campsite at Totora.

DAY 6 TOTORA- PLAYA

On this day we will descend from the highlands passing glacial fed waterfalls and changing vegetation to the sub-tropical jungle region. The natural life will be more interesting. We encounter sevel species of birds and wild orchids and begonias along with small coffee and fruit plantations.

We camp in the village of Playa.

DAY 7 PLAYA- HIDROELECTRIC-AGUAS CALIENTES.

From Playa we hike an original Inca Trail, again we climb through sub-tropical cloud forest noticing a unique variety of flora and fauna. Reaching the top we enter a thick mossy forest and discovered partially covered ruins of Llactapata from this spot, we catch a unique rear glimpse of the Machupicchu archaeological complex, on the mountain directely ahead, after lunch we take the zigzagged trail down to the hydroelectric on the Urubamba river and then to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in a confortable 3 star hotel.

DAY 8 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU- CUSCO.

We take the early bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary. We will have a guided tour for all the archaeological site. then we will have free time to be by our own in Machupicchu or maybe to climb the towering Huayna Picchu meaning young mountain, for awesome views of the landscapes below.

In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

INCLUDED

• Private transport from hotel to Cachora
• Entrance fees to Choquequirao and Machupicchu
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Plentiful meals with vegetarian option available
• Camping equipment (double occupancy tents, dining, kitchen, and bathroom toilet tents
• tables, chairs, matresses)
• Professional tour guide
• Horses to carry all the equipment
• Muleteers for the heavy gear (max 7 kilos per pax)
• Extra horses for the clients in case of emergency
• Cook
• Assistant depending on the size of the group
• 1 night in Aguas Calientes with breakfast included

NOT INCLUDED

• First breakfast
• Sleeping bag
• Tips

Recomendations

• Personal equipment bag
• Bottle of water
• Purification tables
• Original passport
• Backpack
• Hiking shoes
• Warm socks
• Raincoat or poncho
• Flashlight hat
• Sun block
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Tables for the altitude sickness
• Camera