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CHOQUEQUIRAO - MACHUPICCHU TREK 8D/7N

Itinerary   What To Bring   Included During The Trek  Not Included  

 

 

 

THIN AIR OUTFITTERS Designed this expeditions TREK to offer you that during the expedition visit the two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco city CHOQUEQUIRAO and MACHU PICCHU. The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu ruin are already all over the world. Since was re-discovered by American Hiram Bingham in July 1911, in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, in 1983 the UNESCO honored as World Heritage. The Archeological site of Choquequirao is located on the right hand side of the Apurimac River, District of Santa Teresa, La Convencion Province, Department of Cusco, here in the foothills of the Salcantay mountain chain, from where we can see the mountains or well know by the Andean people APUS Yanama, Amapay, Panta, Wiracochan, Pumasillo, Choquetacarpu, etc. CHOQUEQUIRAO is part of a complex system of cities in Vilcabamba area, among these are several archeological groups like Yurac Rumi, or Ñusta Hispana, Vitcos, Espiritu Pampa etc. all of them well connected by a network of roads that communicate with Machu Picchu Sanctuary. CHOQUEQUIRAO received occasional visitor such as : Explorers, treasure hunters, like the Peruvian chronicler Cosme Bueno mentioned in 1768, then the French Comte de Sartiges rediscovered in 1834, The French Consul in Peru Leonce Angrand Visited in 1847, Hiram Bingham visited in 1909 It was his first taste of a lost city, No many people get there because the only way to cross the Apurimac River was by Oroya (a steel cable and sling ), then was easier since COPESCO constructed a footbridge over that River which one is bellow the Choquequirao Inca site. In 1990s Roberto Samanez COPESCO Architect mapped the most important sectors on the site, The U.S. explorer Gary Ziegler who has studied Choquequirao extensively; this trek is another option for the people whose love adventure trips and you will enjoy fantastic and amazing Vilcabamba range scenery and lots of variety of Andean Flora and Fauna.

LOCATION:	South America, Cusco-Peru, Vilcabamba Mountain Range
DURATION:	8 Days and 7 Nights
PRICE:	USD. 890 per person
SEASON:	All Year (Suggested April to November)
ACTIVITIES:	Archeological, nature, cultural & adventure.
GROUP SIZE:	Minimum 4, maximum 15

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DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO - CACHORA - SANTA ROSA.

Leaving the Cusco city by bus early in the morning. Along the way we will have several stops enjoying the view and explores the Inca remains, our first cultural stop will Tarawasi in Limatambo town, after that continuing the trip is coming our first contact with the Apurimac river, next cultural stop is Saywiti a big rock with several carving on it. Then Arrive to Cachora town , here we meet out mountain crew, horse driver, mules and horses the equipments carried on mules and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padreyoc glacier peaks 5,482 m.a.s.l. / 17,980 ft. During The hike on the way we will observe Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora glacier peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views to snow and glacier covered peaks and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, we can see right in an opposite side part of choquequirao Inca remains also might see condors, the trail descent towards the Apurímac Canyon. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tunacactus forest, we have lunch brake at Apurimac (canyon, river, and valley) 1,950 m.a.s.l. / 6,396 ft. From here we continue the ascent toward the Santa Rosa with very few farmers with sugar cane plantation, camp.

DAY 2: SANTA ROSA - CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHIUNOYOC.

Early morning after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. then the trail change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological site CHOQUEQUIRAO. After a good lunch and a little break we will walk to the main square of Choquequirao, to enjoy this majestic place, We can appreciate houses, terraces, altars, water canal and fountains, can be lucky to appreciate "the flight of the Condors". After to visit and explore we follow the old water canal for a while then the trail is down hill until to get the camp site of Pinchiunoyoc ruins found around 1998. we make up the tents basically on the old Inca Terraces.

DAY 3: PINCHIUNOYOC - RIO BLANCO - MAIZAL.

After the breakfast we start walk down through the tick vegetation know as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants here look different to what we have seen before. We arrive to rio blanco. We cross walking through the river, no bridges. we start the long and steep climb to our camp Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. the way up will under the shade of small trees. Maizal little village is the most beautiful location us camp. From here we see 3 valleys and great peaks.

DAY 4: MAIZAL - MINAS VICTORIA (4,400 m) - YANAMA.

We leave the camp and walk up towards the minas Victoria pass. Again a long climb, but we walk by the beautiful area with cloud forest and then Andean Puna where we find the ichu grass. We break for a wile the Victoria mines, where we can see shining stones showing the high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We stop for lunch at the pass in 4,000 m.a.s.l. / 13,120 ft. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, then we start to descent towards Yanama, a small village located a long the valley surrounded by mountains.

DAY 5: YANAMA - APACHETA YANAMA - TOTORA.

We leave Yanama village camp site walk up through the valley towards the highest point of our trek r, The Yanama Apacheta Pass in 4,500 m.a.s.l. / 14,760 ft. On the way we have a good view of the snow Sacsarayoc mountain. Once again can be lucky to see condors, and 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.

DAY 6: TOTORA - LA PLAYA.

This day will be most of the trail down hill with several changing in the vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. On the way in qollpapampa village there is a very rustic hot springs on the river totora later on also 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.

DAY 7: PLAYA - HIDROELECTRICA - MACHUPICCHU.

After saying good-bye to our arrieros. We start our last gradually climb toward the Paltallacta pass, where just on the other side of the pass is a spectacular Inca remains in a middle of the dense forest with a spectacular panoramic view of the outline of MachuPicchu. Then we descend into the rich tropical Aobamba valley with its fields of oranges, paltas (avocados), bananas, granadillas (passion fruit), coffee and sugar cane. We just arrive on time to catch the train for a 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu. We'll overnight at comfortable lodgings in Machu Picchu town which one is just below of the Inca city, if you like later on the afternoon you can jump in the outdoor hot spring baths a few meters of the town is a real treat.

DAY 8: MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO.

Early in the morning, we'll catch the bus up to the Inca city of Machu Picchu to enjoy a guided tour or this enigmatic site. After the tour there will be time to wander around and appreciate the beauty and mystery of Machu Picchu. Later on, you may choose to climb Wayna Picchu 2,600 m.a.s.l. / . (8,528 ft. the jutting peak overlooking the area. Around mid-afternoon we'll catch the bus back to the train station for the return trip to Cusco. The tracks run along the Urubamba river valley, the route taken by Hiram Bingham in 1911 when he re-discovered Machu Picchu. On the arrival to Cusco we transfer to the hotel.

WHAT TO BRING:

• ORIGINAL PASSPORT
• A sleeping bag.
• A backpack (20 or 25 liters).
• Hiking boots, sneakers and shoes.
• Long pants and shorts.
• Long sleeved shirts and T-shirts.
• Warm clothes sweaters, jacket and fleece.
• Rains wear.
• Camera, films, batteries.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Insect repellent and sun block.
• Personal toilet items and first aid kit.
• A pocketknife.
• A water bottle and purified pills.
• A change of underwear.
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun, rain or cold.
• A pack towel.
• Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, biscuits, dry fruits etc.
• Cash USD and local currency, option for ATM machine Machu Picchu town.
• Swimsuit (optional hot springs visit).
• Walking sticks with rubber covers (optional).

INCLUDED DURING THE TREK:

• ORIGINAL PASSPORT
• A sleeping bag.
• A backpack (20 or 25 liters).
• Hiking boots, sneakers and shoes.
• Long pants and shorts.
• Long sleeved shirts and T-shirts.
• Warm clothes sweaters, jacket and fleece.
• Rains wear.
• Camera, films, batteries.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Insect repellent and sun block.
• Personal toilet items and first aid kit.
• A pocketknife.
• A water bottle and purified pills.
• A change of underwear.
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun, rain or cold.
• A pack towel.
• Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, biscuits, dry fruits etc.
• Cash USD and local currency, option for ATM machine Machu Picchu town.
• Swimsuit (optional hot springs visit).
• Walking sticks with rubber covers (optional).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Day 1 Breakfast (you can order an early breakfast at your hotel)
• Day 7 dinner at Machu Picchu town (on your own)
• Day 8 lunch, dinner (on your own)
• Hot springs pool visit (on your own)
• Tips to the crew ( horsemen, cooks, guides)

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:

• Sleeping Bag, Rent should be requested in advance, charge is USD: 40
• Single Tent, if you prefer to have guaranteed single tent the charge is USD: 40
• Hotel booking service for extra night in Aguas Calientes, additional charge depending hotel category.
• First class train instead, Backpacker Train, VISTADOME departure: 15:25 arrival: 19:51 extra charge USD 40.

WE RECOMMEND:

• Participants in this trek should plan on at least two or three days of acclimation at around 3,400m 11,100 ft. Cusco's altitude.
• To be in good health and shape to be part of this adventure.
• We can arrange for accommodations and Pre or Post tours.

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