CHOQUEQUIRAO AND MACHU PICCHU TREK 9D/8N

DAY 1: Cusco – Santa Rosa.

She will pick up you very early in your hotel to take the bus to the town of San Pedro Cachora, after preparing our horses and horsemen for the route we’ll begin the walk with great views of Salkantay Mountain and Vilca Bamba through Capuliyoc, from where you have a breathtaking view of the Apurimac canyon. We’ll descend crossing the Apurimac River and then ascend to Santa Rosa. Where it will be our first day of camp (2100 m.a.s.l).

DAY 2: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao.

This day, our goal is the spectacular archaeological group of Choquequirao. After a good breakfast we start the walk towards the archaeological group of Choquequirao, our whole tour will be uphill.

We´ll have lunch near the rural community of Marampata, after passing through waterfalls finally we’ll arrive to Choquequirao, then to our campsite around 5:00 pm where we will sleep on one of the Inca terraces, from which it is possible to observe a spectacular sunset.

DAY 3: Visit to Choquequirao archaeological site.

This is the day to visit the Complex of Choquequirao and we could appreciate the sunrise from the archaeological site. We’ll visit the citadel for about three hours accompanied by our guide who will explain details of this important Inca refuge and the importance of the Apurimac and Rio Blanco rivers. This architectural marvel that was never known by the Spanish, would have been one of the real state of the Incas and the entry into the jungle of Vilcabamba, Choquequirao is almost as big as Machu Picchu and possibly in a more spectacular location. We will see many aspects of Inca architecture and observe many buildings still buried by vegetation. After exploring Choquequirao, we expect to see the condors who frequent the site.

We´ll have lunch in the town of San Ignacio in the depths of the canyon (1,500 m.a.s.l.) and we can enjoy a beautiful view of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. After that we’ll return to spend the night in our camp.

DAY 4: Choquequirao – Corihuayrachina.

After breakfast we cross the mountain where is Choquequirao, then we’ll start down to the next valley and then again climb to our campsite. Near the newly discovered archeological site of Corihuayrachina, we pass the Pincha Unuyoq terraces still largely covered by thick Andean forest. The archaeological site of Pincha Unuyoq or Pinchiunuyoj served as a center of agricultural aid to Choquequirao. Here we can see different species of birds, different varieties of orchids and local coca plantations (2,750 m).

DAY 5: Corihuayrachina – Yanama.

We got up early to visit the archaeological site of Corihuayrachina, which was discovered by an expedition in 1999. Continuing our ascent through the foliage until the first step. Near the pass, we’ll see the ancient Inca roads and Inca mines silver, The Victoria Mines that today are abandoned. After lunch near the summit (approximately 4000 m./14.500 foot) we´ll descend to the “garden” where we can see countless flowers beneath the cliffs and outstanding, this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our campsite this day will be in Yanama.

DAY 6: Yanama – La Puerta.

After breakfast we prepare to descend to the second step, the road is peaceful and relaxed, with beautiful views, it is possible to appreciate waterfalls and glaciers, up to the pass, and we will be surrounded by snowcapped mountains, including the Sacsarayoj Mountain and Padreyoj Mountain. We’ll continue our journey to reach La Puerta (the door), also known as step (4.400 m.), it feels like we’re at the top of the world. After crossing the pass, we’ll descend to a large meadow beside a stream coursing rapidly.

DAY 7: La Playa or the Beach.

Good news for today, first, a gentle descent to the Totora River and second, you can take a bath of hot water in the place where we’ll have lunch, hot water emerges from the rocks, you will be satisfied after bathing. As we go through the natural life it will be more interesting, with lots of hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many species of orchids and begonias. We’ll continue the hike to get to the campsite, a small village called La Playa (or the beach).

DAY 8: La Playa – Aguas Calientes.

This day we continue climbing till where our eyes can spot Machu Picchu (2810 m), where we will have an excellent view of the lost city of the Incas “Machu Picchu”. After a break we’ll descend to reach the hydroelectric plant on the Urubamba River, where we’ll take the train to go to the village of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 9: Visit to Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast, We’ll take the bus to reach the Inca city of Machu Picchu, where we will have a guided tour around the archaeological site, visiting the most important places such as the temples, tombs, the main square, the solar Clock, the terraces etc, then you will have free time to take pictures and go through the sanctuary on your own (Optional rise to Huayna Picchu $ 15 USD). In the afternoon we’ll take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where our staff and transportation await for you to take you back to Cusco.