CHOQUEKIRAO - MACHUPICCHU 8D/ 7N
A great trekking adventure, where we will know CHOQUEKIRAO, RIO BLANCO, YANAMA, TOTORA, COLLPAPAMPA, SANTA TERESA, AGUAS CALIENTES and to complete this incredible trip: Machupicchu
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Itinerary
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 1
CUSCO- CACHORA –CHIQUISCA
At 6:00 am pick up from your hotel and travel to Cachora (4 hours by bus): While the group is getting ready the we will arrange the horses, equipment for the trek. From the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padreyoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this day is 16 km or 6 hours. On the way we will observe Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon starts, and the vegetation change ,after the lunch at Capuliyoc we will continue hiking but now down for aprox 30 min. and then 2 hours to chikiska place where we will a camp( 1900 masl). Here we can find a rustic shower, toilette ,and a small store where you can buy some water bottle
DAY 2
CHIQUISCA- CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS
After an early breakfast 6:00 am. we start walking from here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short rest we continue our hike going up to Choquekiraw. The first 3-4 hours are going up steep, but then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. at the km 28 ,Marampata we will have lunch ,rest and then continue until Choquequiraw arriving around 3 pm. We explore the ruins after arriving. The view of the canyon is spectacular, it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Campsite near at Choquequirao. 3033 masl. (B-L-D).
DAY 3
CHOQUEQUIRAO- MAIZAL.
On this day we walk uphill for a while up to 3299 masl considered as a first pass and then descend to Rio Blanco, 1909 masl. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open 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 basically on the old Inca Terraces. We will have our lunch near the Rio Blanco, we use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. From Rio Blanco we climb up to Maizal for about 4 hrs. Camp at 3000 masl. (B-L-D).
DAY 4
MAIZAL – YANAMA
From here we start walking uphill passing by the impressive Inca mines called Minas Victoria towards the Victoria Pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals, which were later used by other miners. Almost on the top we can appreciate original paved Inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass in 4200 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condores depending on the climate, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. We pass over 4154 masl and finally descend to our campsite at 3800 masl. (B-L-D).
DAY 5
YANAMA – TOTORA.
After breakfast we start climbing slowly to our higher pass 4668 masl, again the view is amazing, we are surrounded 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 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 mornings 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, where we spend the night. (B-L-D).
DAY 6
TOTORA – LA PLAYA.
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 at 2125ma sl. (B-L-D).
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 7
ZAHUYACO (PLAYA) – SANTA TERESA- AGUAS CALIENTES
After a good breakfast we took a transport that takes to us until the town of Santa Teresa, soon we happened through a Oroya we cross a river of the Vilcanota, where we will take a transport to Hidroeléctrica, place where we will have an excellent view to Machupicchu back site, after the lunch, we walked our last trail that lasts 3 hours until arriving at Aguas Calientes around 4:30pm where our long walk finishes. We will spend the night in Hostal. (B-L-D).
DAY 8
MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO.
After an early breakfast from Aguas Calientes we will take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours 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 Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take our train ticket back to Cusco. (B).
- Transportation .
- Tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort.
- Kitchen tent , dining tent with tables and chairs .
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao and Machupicchu.
- English speaking professional guide.
- Cooker and cooking equipment.
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) and 5 kilos of your backpack.
- Meals (7 B, 7 L, 7 D daily tea service except last day) .
- boiled water to fill in your water bottle .
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Hostel at Aguas Calientes
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu (one way).
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker ).
NOT INCLUDED :
• Sleeping bag.
• Breakfast on the first day and Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at
• Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to
• have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips.
• A backpack.
• Rain poncho.
• Strong footwear,
• waterproof trekking boots .
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing .
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
– Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail) .
