OVERVIEW
The last capital of the Incas was established in the region of Vilcabamba or the Antis, the most complicated and inaccessible by the warrior tribes that lived during the sixteenth century. The territory of Vilcabamba is located northwest of the city of Cusco, in the eastern mountain range of the Andes; It has a chain of snowy peaks and mountains of the high jungle with different climatic changes constantly.
Trip Summary
Highlights:
Choquequirao trek To Machu Picchu 8 Days, is one of the little-crowded routes of Cusco but no less attractive than Machu Picchu, since Choquequirao is considered the Sister Citadel of Machu Picchu.
This is a hike for people with physical training, we have to cross 4 passes, and the highest one is at 4560 meters, a combination of steep climbing where we can appreciate beautiful snow covered picks and challenging downwards pats. The highlights of the tour are our visits to the ruins of Choquequirao city, that was thought to be the “lost Inca city”, since it was discovered on 1992 it has been restored by people that work in the ruins, it receives a very few visitors because of the remote area and difficult hike to reach it; before we will continue to the marble city of Machu Picchu that was discovered in 1912 by Hiram Bingham and now is the most important tourist attraction of Peru, you cannot lose it.
Travel Details
Starting point: Cusco.
Point of arrival: Cusco.
Activities: Archaeological, Cultural, Ecological, Hike.
Air tickets: Not included.
Feel free to ask for other services such as hotel, accommodation and other tours.
Altitude during the trip
Capital: 3,350 m.s.n.m. (Cusco)
Minimum: 2,000 m.s.n.m. (Sahuayaco Beach)
Maximum: 5,085 m.s.n.m. (Abra Sacsarayoj)
Weather
Semi-tropical, warm and humid days and cold nights with constant rain throughout the year
Minimum: Between -5 ° C to 11 ° C Open Sacsarayoj (June)
Maximum: Between 20 ºC to 26 ° C Playa Sahuayaco (June)
Rains: November to April
Photo Gallery Choquequirao Trek 8 Days / 7 Nights
Itinerary
It is delimited by two of the deepest canyons; the Apurímac canyon; that it crosses it by the left margin and by the right margin the tube of the Willcamayu. Both run very fast rivers that sculpted and sculpt one of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes of our Andean region. This territory has an infinity of microclimates, landscape from high snowy peaks with more than 6000m, passing through high Andean plateaus until reaching an endless cloud forest of high jungle.
This region was dominated by Manco Inca after the western invasion, comprised several nuclei and settlements constructions in sacred places. And with a complex network of Inca road, extended to the presence of Manco Inca, Sayri Tupac, Titu Cusi Yupanqui and Tupac Amaru I. They decided to create a NEO IMPERIAL state, with the aim of preserving all knowledge in religion, astronomy, customs and traditions of an ancient Inca society.
We left early in the morning northwest of the city of Cusco on a transport to the town of Cachora. Cachora, is the meeting place with the muleteers and their mules that will have to carry all the camping equipment throughout this expedition. The presence of the Padreyoc mountain is spectacular, from a very strategic viewpoint known as Capuliyoc; And deep down the Apurimac canyon. The temperature increases every time we enter the interior of the canyon and our campsite is in the Chiquisca forest.
After having enjoyed our breakfast, we started descending approximately 30 minutes to the Rosalina beach. From there we start the ascent to get out as soon as possible from the canyon in the middle of a warm climate to the town of Marampata, where we will have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and a very fresh environment. The enigmatic sunset of Choquequirao will allow us to observe with a little luck the flight of “Cóndor”, that goes descending from the highest mountains of the mountain range of Vilcabamba to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao. Place where we can our camp
Hiking time 7 hours in a warm and cold climate with mosquitoes.
We will observe the sunrise over the archaeological complex of Choquequirao or “Cuna de Oro”; After breakfast we go to Choquequirao pass, then to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc to make a little visit and from there descend to the deepest part of this mini canyon known as Blanco River, where we can have lunch and then ascend to Maizal, which is the most difficult section and where our camp will be.
Early in the morning we will continue with the expedition in ascent by an Inca trail that is not in a good shape due to the constant natural erosions of the mountain and the intense humidity that there is. The passage of San Juan or Paso Minas Victoria, is the place where you will see a magnificent view of the mountains and glaciers of the Vilcabamba chain that are more than 5000m / 16404f. From there we descend to the community of Yanama, to locate a nice camp.
At dawn, we begin to climb to the highest point of this expedition known as Paso de Yanama. On the pass we are very likely to observe the flight of the Condor, in addition the presence of other mountains are frequent as the Salkantay, which is the highest peak in the region; and Pintuyu (5450m). The next camp is in the depth of the Totora Pampa Valley.
Continuing along an Inca trail, we will get to know communities with ancestral customs and cultivation techniques for the good fertilization of their lands. And these have been transmitted from generation to generation to constantly improve the development of vegetables, tubers, fruit trees and etc. The flora increases each time because of the climate and humidity of this valley so we can recognize the great variety of Orchids, Bromeliads, Bomareas and others. Each one of us is in a scenario where the vegetation develops best and the tropical fruits are constant on the road and just as the cultivation of coffee is in enormous proportions. The beach or Lucmabamba is the place of our camp.
Exit from the beach to the Santa Teresa district, it has a very pleasant climate. Being this a rich and fertilizing zone for the development of the coffee bean that becomes one of the best products of high quality of export to the European market. With the support of some foreign institutions, export products are improving to a highly competitive market, such as the European market that is becoming a reality. The canyon of the Willcamayu is spectacular and at the same time we prepare to take a very typical transport of the region called “Oroya”, with this we should cross to the other end of the river, which will be very fun and exciting. Then continue on the way to Hidroeléctrica, where we will take our train to the town of Aguas Calientes. And spend the night of accommodation
It is advisable to visit the lost city of the Incas early in the morning; leaving in a tourist Bus to the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, getting to have a wide knowledge in the Agricultural, Astronomical and Religious; inside the wonderful city of the Incas, accompanied by a professional guide. After having finished the Guided service the client will have enough independent time to continue in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, before returning to meet again in the town of Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo and / or Cusco depending on the schedule and reservation.
The climate in Aguas calientes and Machu Picchu is warm and humid with mosquitoes.
- Experienced guide, cook and rider
- Private transportation to Cachora,
- Full board meals during trekking (vegetarian option or special diets on request)
- Tent Eureka equipment for 2 person, dining tent, Tables and chairs
- Foam cushion roller mattress
- Horses to carry camping equipment
- 1 extra horse in case of emergency
- Entry and honorary admission fees for Machu Picchu
- Return tourist train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- 1 night at Hotel Viajeros in Aguas Calientes
- 6 kg Porter for your personal belongings
- A bag for your personal items is supplied
- You have to carry a small backpack with camera, water and snacks.
- Sleeping bags for US $ 40 for 6 nights
- Trekking poles a pair US $ 30
- New Pack 60 liters US $ 30
- Bottle of water, soft drinks or beers
- Tips for your team is optional is not mandatory.
- Optional tips for the crew, totally at your discretion.
- Personal sleeping bag
- Water bottle
- 2 liters of drinking water per day 1
- Purification tablets
- Original passport in a plastic bag
- Backpack with your daily personal items
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Waterproof or poncho
- Water bottle, flashlight, hat, sun block, sunglasses
- Warm clothes, light clothing, 4 pairs of socks
- Insect repellent
- Tablets for soroche, Coramine, Diamox
- Additional plastic bags, to keep our equipment dry during the rainy season
- Chocolates, candies or other snacks
- Photo camera with enough batteries
