CHOQUEQUIRAO TO AMAZING MACHUPICCHU 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS OR 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

Altitude : 1550 - 4670meters.
High-Season : May to November.
Duration : 7 Days & 6 Nights / 8 Days & 7 Nights.
Level : Hard
*A minimum of 2 people is needed for this trek

The trek that will lead us from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu is an absolute must for those whom love to explore landscapes, tenting to learn a bit more about the Inca history and to rediscover their lost past. We will visit these important Inca capitals while crossing some of the most impressive landscapes this part of the Andes has to offer us. This is a physical trek because of the large change of altitude during the trek, sometimes in hot temperatures and with heavy climates as can be found there. We'll hike through a lot of different landscapes that will take your breath away... Going from deep canyons, cloud-forests or snow-peaks through high fields, the entrances of the jungle, lakes and a lot more... The whole is covered with signs of Inca-presence, ruins of different importance. Because of all these different altitudes and therefore climates, we'll come upon an incredible variety of fauna and especially flora with some plants yet unknown to science. The occidental light of the Cordillera of Vilcabamba bathes the landscapes in a beautiful emerald shine at certain hours of the day. Hidden in foggy clouds appears now and then before our eyes great constructions of impressive Inca walls and terraces with perfectly curved stones seem to reach for the sky. We'll have the opportunity to visit some of these Tambos (resting-places and food supplies along the Inca Trail) on our road. Not only will we be amazed by the enormous variety of plants and flowers on this trek, it is also the natural habitat of three important spiritual and symbolical animals in the Andean culture... The snake represents the world below, the puma that represents the earthly world and of course the condor, the largest bird of prey in the world, representing the heavenly world.

1st Day - Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca (3350 - 2850 - 1930m)

We leave Cusco for Cachora through Abancay early in the morning. Cachora is a small village, situated at 2850meters in the province of Apurimac, surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as the Padreyoc (5571m). It's the place where we meet with our horsemen and their mules, which will carry all our camping equipment, and start hiking. The road to the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m) is flat. At the pass we enjoy the sight over the Apurimac Cañon and part of the trail direction the archeological remains of Choquequirao. After six hours hike we finally arrive at our first campsite called Chiquisca (1930m).

2nd Day - Chiquisca - Rosalina beach - Marampata - Choquequirao ( 1930 - 1550 - 2850 - 3033m)

Day 2: Chiquisca to Choquequirao
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach (1550masl), which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted. We hike about 7 hours today in a rather warm climate. Meals: B, L, D

3rd Day - Choquequirao - Choquequirao Pass - Rio Blanco (3033 - 3270 - 1900m)

Watching the sunrise over Choquequirao is an impressive sight even more. 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 1,450masl./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. we start hiking again on an Inca Trail to the Choquequirao-pass (3270m) to the archeological site of Pinchaunuyoc (2450m) in full restoration and from there down to the deepest part of this trek, run through by a river called Blanco (1900m) on border which's we set up the campsite and the possibility to bathe. After a refreshing swim we have a coffee time and nice dinner. Our trekking time is about 6 hours. Meals: B, L, D

4th Day - Río Blanco - Maizal - San Juan pass - Yanama (1900 - 3000 - 4200 -3530m)

Early morning, we hike up to the village of Maizal, that's the most difficult part to do, because the pathway is getting step and the whether is really hot in a sub tropical-area. Afterwards we continue our hike upwards coming upon another Inca trail, not always in a very good shape, that lead us to the highest pass of this day, the San Juan pass (4200m), one of the most beautiful places for sightseeing over the mountains and snow-peaks of the area, the Vicabamba mountain chain. From here we hike down to the community of Yanama (3530m), looking for a suitable place to camp.We hike for about 9 hours today. Meals: B, L, D

5th Day - Yanama - Yanama Pass - Totora pampa (3530 - 4670 - 3200m)

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 4668 masl. 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’s 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 3200 masl, where we spend the night, we hike approximately 7 hours. Meals: B, L, D

6th Day - Totora pampa - La Playa (3200 - 2100m)

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 is at 2125ma sl. Meals: B, L, D
Note: if you don’t want to hike up anymore we can change the plan and take a local bus to go to santa Teresa village 1830 masl where we can erect the campingside and before dinner wi’ll go to baht in best hot spring place of Cusco called cocalmayo.

7th Day – La playa - Aguas Calientes (1830 - 2050m)

From La Playa we hike by road way around 30 minutes to Lucma, from here we start our climb up about 03 hours to Llactapata ( newly discovery Inca Site ) which is famous for a “great condor view of Machu Picchu”, then we hike downhill for about 2.30 hours to the Hydroelectric Station by 4:30 pm. Aprox. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes town which will be last 45 minutes where we spend the night in a nice hotel; 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

8th Day - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

The sunset over Machu Picchu is a breathtaking sight. Therefore, after an early rise and breakfast, we'll take the first bus up to the ruins (2400m), at 6 ‘o clock. After enjoying the sight and taking pictures of an almost empty Machu Picchu we'll have a guided tour with a professional Machu Picchu-guide. After this tour that will last for about two hours you'll have plenty of time to wonder around the ruins by yourself...And for the bravest among us there is always the ascension to Huayna Picchu or the nearby Temple of the Moon. We'll all meet afterwards to go down to Aguas Calientes (2050m) where we'll take our train back to Cusco.

The climate in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is rather warm and humid with mosquitoes.