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Choquequirao - Machupicchu 9days / 8nights
Introduction:
This expedition will take you to two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco-area and Peru: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. The legends and knowledge of the MachuPicchu citadel are already all over the world. Since the re-discovery of MachuPicchu by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the Inca city has been a topic of discussions and research about the Incas, and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of MachuPicchu, same that in 1983 was honoured by UNESCO as World Heritage. As one can find much of writings and histories about MachuPicchu, one can find little about the later but not less interesting complex of Choquequirao.
The archaeological site of Choquequirao is part of the system of Andean towns in the Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with MachuPicchu by a complex network of trails. Choquequirao is located in the spurs of the mountain range of Salkantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l., surrounded by the snow capped Apus (gods) of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of the Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, La Convencion province of the Cusco region. Choquequirao is an Inca town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructions we find a complex metropolis similar to those of other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name – Choquequirao.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arriving at Cachora town at 7.00am. Where we will have our breakfast while our mule driver arranges the equipment on the mules and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padreyoc snow capped peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 kms or 10 hours. On the way we will observe Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora snow capped peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views of white peaks and small farms on the steep mountain sides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descend towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tuna cactus forest to dwarf tree forest we have lunch brake at Chikiska (1950 m.a.s.l.). From here we continue the descend to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressive deep canyon of the same name. After a short brake near the river we start the steep climb towards Santa Rosa, where we’ll camp for the night in a small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l.).
Day 2:
Early morning after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. The first 2 to 3 hours are steep up, but then it will change between flat and climbing the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with a variety of orchids. We will arrive to the Choquequirao archaeological site after 5 hours. After a good lunch and a little break we will walk to the main square of Choquequirao, to enjoy this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruins. Approximately at 3 o’clock in the afternoon (depends on the weather) we can get lucky and appreciate the flight of the Condors that live nearby. The guide will decide where to set our camp in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.).
Day 3:
After breakfast we have good time to enjoy the majestic archaeological site. We can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca town. Besides we see the area in progress of excavation and finally some unexplored areas that can tell us about this last refuge of the Inca Empire. After lunch we walk through Choquequirao, with all our equipment to our next camp. We follow the old water channel for a while before we start the 3 hour walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found in 1998. First we walk through the cloud forest, but then it all becomes steep open prairie with nice 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 on the old Inca Terraces.
Day 4:
This morning we walk down through the interesting vegetation known as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants look different here to what we have seen before. After a few hours we arrive to the Victoria River, and stop to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, there are no bridges here. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus (gods) of the Incas. On the way up we catch our breath under the small trees shade. In Maizal we have our lunch and enjoy our relaxed afternoon. Maizal is the most beautiful location of all, from here we can see 3 valleys and a great white peak straight across from us. An ideal place to lean back and meditate.
Day 5:
We leave our camp in Maizal and hike towards the San Juan pass. Again a long climb, we walk in an amazingly beautiful area, first through the cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest near the Victoria mines, where metal shinning stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We take lunch on the pass at 4000 m.a.s.l. with a panoramic view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before we start to descend towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a deep valley surrounded by mountains.
Day 6:
We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point, the Yanama Pass at 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 morning 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 descend is a long foggy hike through grassy fields and bush areas and crossing small wood and dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we will spend the night.
Day 7:
We now hike for about 2000 meters down from the changing vegetation to the warmer camps in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking distance. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variety of birds and it’s now obvious that the climate and vegetation have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. La Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snacks, etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.
Day 8:
From La Playa to the hydroelectric compound at the Urubamba River. This morning we will climb up one newly opened Inca trail. This trail originally was used for transporting agricultural products to the markets in MachuPicchu and it takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical fruits and crops. As we come up higher the trail the vegetation changes from dry and grassy with flowers to moist cloud forest. In the pass we are suddenly in cool dense woods full of trees covered with thick mosses. Shortly we see for the first time the impressive Machu Picchu on a mountain saddle further into the valley. 10 minutes more and we’ll arrive to our lunch spot called Llactapata. Here we’ll have our lunch while enjoying the view of MachuPicchu and the beautiful mountains. Then we walk the last part downhill and along the river to the Hydroelectric. Here we can visit the Intihuatana while waiting for the train or continue hiking to Aguas Calientes where we’ll arrive in the afternoon. We spend the night in a nice hotel.
Day 9:
Once in Aguas Calientes we either walk or board a bus to the MachuPicchu sanctuary. We start our visit with a 2 to 3 hour 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 MachuPicchu enjoyed as an astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we’ll spend it at this amazing citadel and you will have the chance to climb WaynaPicchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We’ll meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we’ll board the train to Ollantaytambo and from there a bus to Cusco. In Cusco we go to a central placed hotel close to the colonial styled Plaza de Armas.
Please note:
- Discount of 5% to holders of the international student card (ISIC).
- We offer special discounts for groups and in the low season (December - April).
Daily Departures
Included in the price:
- Pick up from the hotel transportation from Cusco to Cachora.
- Train from MachuPicchu to Cusco (according season only to Ollantaytambo)
- Mules and porters to carry camping equipment plus personal luggage, max. 09 kilos per person.
- Passengers will carry their own daypack with room for water bottle, snacks and change of clothes.
- Riding horses for support on the climbs along the tour (emergency cases only)
- 03 good meals per day made by experienced cooks and assistant, snacks.
- Equipment: Tents, mattresses, dinning tent with tables and chairs.
- First-aid equipment including oxygen tank and satellite phone.
- Bilingual guide. Max. 7 persons per guide.
- Our guides have first-aid training courses.
- Horsemen and assistants.
- Bus up to MachuPicchu not included bus trip down.
- One night in Aguas Calientes in a hotel.
- Entrance to MachuPicchu and 2 to 3 hours guidance at the ruins.
What you should bring:
- Well fitted trekking boots.
- Sleeping bag.
- Change of clothes; Jacket.
- Clothes for cold weather.
- Good socks.
- Purifying tablets.
- Camera with extra rolls of film.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sun block.
- Sunglasses or sun hat.
- Flash Light with extra batteries.
- Swimsuit.
- Walking stick.
- Toilet paper.
- Binoculars.
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Trekking
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Adventure
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Rainforest