Choquequirao - Machupicchu 9D/8N

Tour Highlights

Includes:

• Professional, bilingual Tour Guide.
• Private transportation: Cusco – Cachora.
• 03 Meals per day: Breakfasts, lunchens, dinners and snacks.
• Equipment: tents (personal and group), dinner tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings.
• Cook and Support Staff.
• Horsemen and mules: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses.
• Dufforts, matresses.
• Entrance fee to Choquequirao.
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus ticket: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.
• Train from Machupicchu to Cusco.
• First aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.

What You Need To Take

• Walking boots.
• Walking cane (optional).
• Sleeping bag.
• Toiletries.
• Change of Clothes.
• Sun-block and sunglasses.
• Insect Repellent.
• Waterproof jacket / Rainponcho.
• Personal Medication.
• Camera and films.
• Flashlight with spare batteries

ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca.

We will leave early from Cusco. Our private transportation will take us to the small village of Cachora, where our mule drivers and load-bearing mules will be waiting for us. We will walk some six hours, descending into the Apurimac Canyon until we reach Chiquisca at some 1,800 meters above sea level, where we will camp.

Day 02: Chiquisca - Maranpata - Choquequirao.

After breakfast, we will begin hiking toward the river and then cross the bridge. We will climb for approximately five hours until we reach Maranpata, where we will have lunch. Then we will continue our hike until we reach Choquequirao, which is where we will set up camp for the night. The name “Choquequirao” means “Cradle of Gold.” This fortress is considered to be a sister-site to Machupicchu due to its many similarities. For example, both sites are 1,500 meters above sea level, lie above the Apurimac River, and were an administrative and religious center. Choquequirao covers more than eight hectares, and only one third of it has been explored. These days, archeologists discover interesting things every day through their research.

Day 03: Choquequirao - Pinchaunuyuc.

On this morning, we will begin our tour of the Choquequirao Archeological Site. Around noon, we will leave Choquequirao to continue our hike toward the Pinchaunuyuc terraces, whose name means “Where the Water Jumps.” These terraces have some unusual ritual fountains, and we will camp alongside them.

Day 04: Pinchaunuyuc - Maizal.

We will continue toward the Blanco River, where we can bathe in the crystalline river water. Then we will begin our ascent toward the place known as Maizal to have lunch and rest in the afternoon. We will camp there that night.

Day 05: Maizal – Yanama.

We will hike around snow-capped Corihuarachina, which is an important site of archeological discovery, such as that of the Incan canals. Then we will hike through the Minas Victoria mountain pass where, in the time of Columbus, the Spaniards extracted gold. We will continue toward the spectacular Yanama Valley under the shadow of snow-capped Pumasillo, where we will camp.

Day 06: Yanama - Totora.

After a good breakfast, we will begin hiking and find ourselves surrounded by the beautiful Vilcabamba Mountain Range as we climb toward the Yanama mountain pass, which is the highest one on our journey. In the afternoon, we will descend along the river until we reach the small village of Totora, where there is an exquisite sense of tranquility and pure air, surrounded by the Salkantay, Pumasillo and Padreyoc glaciers.

Day 07: Totora - Sahuayaco.

We will take off early, following the Totora River. Then we will enter a humid, tropical forest, passing through the village of LLuscamayo until we reach Colcapampa, which is known for its hot springs. Then the route continues along the left bank of the Santa Teresa River. We will see plantations of passion fruit, cocoa beans, coffee beans, bananas, and more. We will set up camp once we arrive in the village of Sahuayaco.

Day 08: Sahuayaco – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes.

On this morning, we will follow the path of the Santa Teresa River, which we will have to cross before climbing through the humid forest to the Llactapata mountain pass. Then we will descend toward the Llactapata Archeological Site, which offers an outstanding view of Machupicchu. After a short rest, we will continue our decent toward the Hidroeléctrica Train Station, where we will board the train that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Day 09: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu - Cusco.

Very early in the morning, we will board a bus that will take us to the Machupicchu Sanctuary. There we will have a guided tour of approximately two hours in this great world wonder. Then we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train.

 

End of Our Tour Service