This trek has all the components you expect from an Andean territory operated hike in the Cusco Andes: it’s safe, landscapes are breathtaking, and there are opportunities to interact with local communities and to visit smaller and less known Inca archaeological sites.

The overall distance hiked on this trek is 23km (5km on day one of the trek, 10km day two of the trek and 8 km on the third day of the trek), the maximum altitude reached is (4500 m / 14,764 ft.), above sea level. Since permits are not required for this trek, there are no restrictions as when you book your trip.

• Activities: Archaeological sight-seeing, experience the culture, learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking.
• Distance: 23 km. / 15.53 miles.
• Average hiking time: 6 hours per day.
• Duration: 04 days / 03 nights.
• Maximum height: 4500 m /14763 ft. above sea level.
• Departures: contact us.
• Number: Minimum 2 passengers.
• Months of Operation: All year.
• Service Type:
  Private: This service is exclusively for groups of friends, couples, families, coworkers, etc. And the itinerary is planned according to your requirements, and on the dates that choose
  Shared: Usually this is a large group where the tourists are all different nationalities and the itinerary is fixed.
• Degree of difficulty: High.

OVERALL INFORMATION

DAY 01: Cusco – Pachar – Socma – Qorimarca.

We leave the city of Cusco early traveling north, towards the Sacred Valley of the Inkas. We cross this beautiful and fertile valley to the Pachar valley close to the town of Ollantaytambo. This valley will take us to Raphcca village, (2,900 m. / 9,514 ft.), where our adventure begins.

We begin our walk in the Quechua ecological level, where intensive agriculture is practiced. We reach the community of Sojma where we can appreciate the fields principally used for farming corn.

Our stone path will take us to the beautiful waterfall at Perolniyoq, where there is a micro-climate full of vegetation. We continue our climb to reach a beautiful lookout, where the perspective of the mountains makes us feel small. After a short walk, our campsite and delicious lunch await us.

At sunset we visit the archaeological complex of, Qorimarca (3700 m/ 12,139 ft.), where we can appreciate its location and architecture. This site has recently started to be excavated by a specialized team from Ministry of culture of Cusco; when we return to our campsite we enjoy our dinner and then relax. Good night.

Meals: L, D.
Total distance:  5 Km (3.11 miles)
Estimated walking time:  3 hours
Maximum altitude: 3700 m/ 12,139 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3700 m/ 12,139 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 02 : Qorimarca – Chancachuco – Kachiqata.

After Breakfast, we´ll climb up for half hour through the Qorimarca village where locals grow their crops and we can see firsthand how they care their animals and their land, keeping their ancient traditions intact. Then we continue climbing up for two and half hours to reach the first pass Chancachuco, (4400 m / 14,436 ft.), from where we will get the most astounding panoramic views of Urubamba and the Vilcabamba snow range.  Afterwards we will have lunch in a tranquil place. After lunch we continue walking uphill to Kuychicasa (4500 m / 14,764 ft.), the second and last mountain pass of this trek.  From this point we walk mostly downhill to the small archaeological sites of Inti Punku or the Sun Gate and Choquetarpo Inca ruins. These sites offers, spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo underneath and the always imposing “Veronica” mountain in the background.  Finally we reach our campsite, near the Inca quarry of Kachiqta (3750 m / 12,303 ft.), and we have dinner.

Meals: L, D, C.
Total distance:  10 Km / 6.21 miles.
Estimated walking time:  7 hours
Maximum altitude: 4500 m / 14,764 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3750 m / 12,303 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 03 : Kachiqata – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast we visit the quarry, its tombs, storage rooms and the locally called ‘tired rocks’ which are rocks the Incas didn’t finish carving and transporting due to the Spanish conquest.

Day three is all downhill hiking. The first stop is at the Kachiqata quarry.

From here we walk to Ollantaytambo train station where the expedition’s cook will provide packed lunches for our train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Once in Aguas Calientes we have chance to go the natural hot springs in town, which are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening. Tonight we spend the night in a simple but comfortable hotel.

Meals: L, D, C.
Total distance: 8 Km (4.97 miles)
Estimated walking time:  4 hours
Maximum altitude: 3750 m / 12,303 ft.
Hotel altitude: 2400 m. / 7,873 ft.

Itinerary

Day 04 : Aguas calientes - Machupiqchu - Cusco.

With another early rise, we go to the bus station to take the bus to Machu Picchu. This bus takes 25 minutes by uneven track, where we will do tour of the Inca citadel, your tour guide will guide you around for about two and a half hours, to show you the most important sectors of this beautiful and enigmatic Inca citadel and then you will have some free time to wander, explore and take photos. Or alternatively you could decide to climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (tickets required), where you can see spectacular panoramic views of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the great Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes, where if you want, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to Cusco, and we drop you off at your hotel / hostel. Travel time 4 hours. End of our services.

Meals: B
Total distance: 4 km / 2.49 miles.
Estimated walking time:  2 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft.
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft.

Itinerary

• Your original passport, student card ISIC (if applicable)
• A Sleeping bag, a backpack for hiking, 2 pairs pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4-poles (long and short), several pairs of socks, Sandals, towels, toilet paper, gloves, thermal jacket, a hat for cold days, sunglasses and sunscreen for when the sun comes out.
• A liter bottle of water.
• A Flashlight with spare batteries, matches, knives.
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof with ankle protection).
• Insect repellent, cream to hydrate the face and/or body.
• A Raincoat (poncho for rain).
• Energy foods (dried fruits, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc...).
• Soap and other toiletries and clothes to change.
• Swimsuit (recommended for the hot springs).
• You should bring appropriate clothing for both hot and cold days of the tour.
• Also, depending on your interest, you could bring a camera or camcorder, binoculars, compass; all such equipment should be lightweight.
• Basic medical supplies.
• Extra money in soles and dollars.
• Optional: walking sticks.

WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING

• An orientation to clarify all the details of the tour, 1 or 2 days before departure.
• Private transportation from your hotel to Raphcca village.
• Entrance ticket to the Inka Quarry Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Guided Tour for the Inka Quarry Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
• Professional Guide: Bi-lingual, speaks both English and Spanish, 2 guides from more than 9 passengers.
• A Cook responsible for meals. (03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, 03 dinners) - Please notify us if you are a vegetarian.
• Horsemen and mules will be in charge to carry the camping equipment and food.
• Boiled water for each meal, and for the places where there are no shops to buy water.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Camping equipment: Tents 04 people capacity for 02 persons, sleeping pad, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent, toilet tent, cutlery.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• Mules will carry 5 kg maximum from your personal stuff.
• Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town (3rd day)
• One night accommodation in Machu Picchu town.
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – 4th day.
• Train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus service from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Portable Radio (Walkie Talkies); Basic first aid and oxygen bottle.
• 24 hours assistance.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED

• Meals: breakfast and lunch 1st day and 4th day.
• Sleeping bags (please note that you can rent them from us).
• Foods that are not listed.
• Admission to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

WE DO NOT INCLUDE

• Sleeping bag US$ 20.00 complete tour.
• Thermal-rest mattresses or inflatable sleeping pad for US$ 20.00.
• Discount of US$ 20.00 with International Student Card (ISIC Card).
• You can rent an extra horse if you are tired or you can`t walk any more for. US$ 40.00 per Day.
• Bag pack for, US$ 10.00 whole tour.
• When you reserve and then specify the type and category of hotel (2 **, 3 ***, etc.). Prices range from US$ 25 to US$ 750. This will modify the published tour price.
• If you want to return to the ruins the next day, you have to pay admission again. (Only the first entry to Machu Picchu will be included in the tour).
• All our programs are with the Expedition train service (for a comfortable price), but if you want another type of service, like the Vistadome train service (first class service) or Hiram Bingham (exclusive luxury Orient Express service), each train service is a different price, which obviously modify the published tour price. We can customize your travel, all you need to do is contact us.

Optional

• We request that you give us all your relevant personal information to proceed with your booking.
• For each tour or service that you book, our online staff will send you an email of confirmation for your booking tour within 24 hours of you making the booking, which you must print and present before the beginning of the tour.
• Confirmation of your booking will be issued once the payment has been made. Upon our receipt of you payment, our on line staff will send you a Trip Boucher.
• Our staff on line will send you all the tour information you will require, such as office address, telephone number and name of the person who will provide you the services, by e-mail.
• ANDEAN TERRITORY EIRL is a tourism company with extensive experience in the tourism service and provides a high quality service, ensuring that our customers enjoy their respective trips or tours without having to worry about organizing and planning everything – We do that for you.

>> Andean Territory’s terms and conditions

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