It was assumed that Choquequirao (3,103 MASL), considered a sister city of similar significance to that of Machu Picchu and built along similar lines, although more difficult to reach, was approximately the same size and had served the same religious, politics and agricultural. However, because archaeologists long underestimated the importance of Choquequirao, the existence of the city was known for almost 300 years before the first restoration was started in 1993 and has only recently been accessible to non-academics, from Then quickly join the big lost cities.
In this spectacular 60 km route we went to the charming village of Cachora, our starting point, and we arrived at this immense archaeological complex still in process of cleaning and restoration located in the surroundings of the sacred mountain of Salkantay (6,271 MASL) and Apurimac river Canyon. The beauty of the Inca citadel, still partially covered by the weeds accumulated by the passage of the centuries, its amazing location and the surrounding mountainous landscape, as well as a great amount of Andean flora, with the opportunity to detect condors in their natural habitat are some of the most appreciated attractions of this program.
The circuit Choquequiraw to Machu Picchu, is done through a remote Inca road that was used frequently in the time of the Incas to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, with the Chinchaysuyo peoples of the northwest part of the Tawantinsuyo empire and the route would continue towards the antisuyo, exclusively the citadel of Choquequiraw, which becomes a control post which in the course of time was growing and becoming larger, without doubt a place of greater importance in political and administrative sense, probably with less religious category in front of Machu Picchu. However, this detail does not take away the dazzling charm that this citadel has on a rugged topography, located on the ecological floor of the jungle, sub tropical climate.
Day 01: Cusco - Cachora - Playa Rosalina
Day 02: Playa Rosalina - Marampata - Choquequirao
Day 03: Choquequirao - Maizal
Day 04: Maizal - Minas Victoria - Yanama
Day 05: Yanama - Totora
Day 06: Totora - Collpapampa - La Playa Rosalina
Day 07: La Playa - Lucmabamba - Llactapata Inca Trail - Aguas Calientes
Day 08: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
To begin with our excursion to Choquequirao very early in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel in our private mobility to transfer you to the town of Cachora for a lapse of 4 hours, where our travel team, horses, muleteers and crew will wait for us. Porters who will take care of bringing all our camping equipment and the necessary food for the entire trip. Once ready we start our excursion, we will walk around 3 hours to Capuliyoc (2,915 MASL), where we will have the first beautiful views of the Apurímac valley where we will be able to see the snow covered mountains of Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora in the distance. Later we descend towards Playa Rosalina located at 1,550 MASL, which is located next to the Apurímac River in this place will be our camp where we will spend the first night.
After a good breakfast we will start the walk towards the archaeological group of Choquequirao, the whole route will be uphill.
We will have lunch near the rural community of Marampata (2,850 MASL). At around 4 pm, we arrive to the enigmatic and fabulous lost Inca city - Choquequirao (3,100 MASL)! Here we will have a guided tour of 2 hrs in it you can observe the sunset and hopefully you can see condors flying near us. After the visit we will return to our camp, for a well-deserved rest.
This day we will start walking uphill until we reach 3,300 MASL. And then we will descend to the Blanco River (1,900 MASL). On the way we will go through a forest of clouds until we reach the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc, this is a very special archaeological group since it appears suddenly during the journey as well as looking like a forest cloudy covered with a thick layer of moss and vegetation. During the tour we will observe a variety of bird species, orchids and plantations of the sacred leaf - the Coca leaf, after exploring this beautiful place we will cross the Blanco River and climb towards the Maizal sector (3,000 MASL) for an approximate of 3 hours, this is where we will spend the night. Maybe this is one of the best camps during our trip since from here we can see the 3 valleys and a spectacular snow, besides being a good place to relax.
We will leave our camp in Maizal and start ascending towards the Victoria Pass (4,150 MASL). Once again, a great walk awaits us. This time, in a beautiful and impressive area, first over the cloud forest, and then over the Andean Puna, where we will find the very good known grass "ichu". We will rest near the Victoria mines, where the flashes in the stones will reveal the high degree of concentration of minerals and metals in the area. In our walk through the Puna we will walk on the very well preserved Inca Trail, with its classic zigzag shape. Finally, we descend to the village of Yanama (3,800 MASL) where we overnight in another campsite.
We will continue from Yanama, through the valley, to the highest point of our tour, the Yanama Pass at 4,668 MASL. On the way we will enjoy a spectacular view of the snowy Sacsarayoc and we will have the opportunity to see the condors fly. In the pass, we may have to walk on the snow and the descent will be a long walk over grass fields we will go through areas of trees and cross small wooden bridges until we reach the town of Totora located at 3,630 MASL where we will spend the night.
We will ascend gently to the highest part of the entire route and then descend 200 meters through the changing vegetation towards a warmer camp in the town of La Playa (2,100 MASL). This tour will take us approximately 7 hours walking. During the road we will see small waterfalls where we can take a refreshing bath. As the climate and vegetation change, we will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds, orchids, coffee plantations and plantains. The beach is the largest town on the road where we will spend the night.
This day will be our last day of hiking and we will go uphill for a period of 3 hours, until we reach 2,810 MASL. From here we will have an excellent view of Machu Picchu. After a good rest, we will go down to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Power Plant located on the Urubamba River, from where the road starts next to the railway line towards the town of Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, this last night will rest in a hostel .
This day our breakfast will be earlier than normal 05:00 hrs., Then start the trek to Machu Picchu for an approximate of 1 hour and a half, once in Machu Picchu. You will have a guided tour of 2 hours and a lot of time to take pictures, it is optional to climb the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon or Puerta del Sol. Once you have visited and been satisfied to visit Machu Picchu you will return to the town of Aguas Calientes , and here you can enjoy your lunch at the restaurant of your choice. Return to Cusco subject to availability of train schedules
Acclimatization is necessary in Cusco, two days before starting the tour. For a good acclimatization it is necessary to rest as much as possible, eat little, drink plenty of liquid; especially the mate de coca that has known healing and digestive properties. An adequate acclimatization prevents it from affecting the altitude sickness, which could cause numerous discomforts to health.
Unfortunately not. The Ministry of Culture does not allow any change. In addition, tickets are not transferable or refundable. If you cancel the Choquequirao trek, you lose your deposit.
OF COURSE! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it be the same number you sent us for the reservation. The park rangers verify every day the passports of the walkers and also to enter Machu Picchu. The train company will verify your passport before you board the train. If you have changed your passport after the reservation, please let us know immediately.
We provide tents for 4 people for 2 walkers and inflatable mattresses to sleep very well .. We have a large dining tent where we provide facilities such as tables and chairs; a bath tent only for the group and a shower tent. The third day, You can enjoy a hot shower! If you measure more than 1.95m, you would have to bring your own sleeping bag, because in Cusco it is not sold, there is no sleeping bag of this size.
First you have to know that the climate is very varied in the Andes Mountain Range (high mountain). We will also find numerous micro-climates depending on the altitude, location and exposure. Then we recommend you to bring very different clothes and a good coat or raincoat against the rains. TIPS It is convenient to tip if you are happy with the service. Even if you do not have the habit of doing it, it has a great significance for the staff that gave the best of themselves to serve you. Of course it is not mandatory and can be given as long as you have received excellent service.
During the Inca Trail, your luggage can be left in the baggage store of your hotel in Cusco or also in our office.
In general, it is recommended to have a good physical condition, without having to be a great athlete. The walks are done at a slow pace and do not forget that the excursion is done in small groups (5 to 8 people), then it is easier to take breaks to rest. It is good to take into account that on this excursion we reached up to 4,200 meters high; for this reason, we always advise people related to respiratory problems or cardiac diseases to always have the opinion of their doctor, where they indicate that the person has all the physical aptitudes to carry out the trek, a very important requirement to make the consultation before making the trip.
In the case that you can not finish the trek, our team will take you to the nearest city to receive care. However we always have the oxygen ball to alleviate the problems of bad oxygenation, help in the respiratory process. Unfortunately, there is no refund of the price for these impasses of the walk to be made. Generally, the few people who need assistance are taken to Ollantaytambo where they recover quickly. So you can join the group again in Aguas Calientes and visit the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, our goal is to provide all the facilities and help our clients to achieve the best experiences in Cusco & Machu Picchu.
| Days | 8 |
| From | $ 750.00 per person |
| Code | CHQ8 |
Activity level |
|
