Trek Choquequirao a Machupicchu 8D/7N

DAY1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISQA (L) (D)

In the morning we pick you up from your hotel, starting our trip to the area of San Pedro de Cachora.  Along the way we can see the Salkantay Mountain (6271 m), descend into Limatambo Valley, and continue on to Cunyac Bridge which is located between the Cusco and Apurimac departments.  Later we pass through the district of Curawasi, and finally arrive to Cachora (2880 m) where we will start our hike on an easy going route for about 3 hours before arriving to Capuliyoc (2800 m).  Here we can appreciate the Apurimac Canyon and in a short distance the Choquequirao archeological site.  With a little luck, we also might catch a glimpse of a condor.   We will have lunch in this area and then continue to our first campsite in the area called Chiquisqa (1850 m).  This passage is beautiful and has a warm climate.

DAY 2: CHIQUISCA – PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO (B) (L) (D)

After breakfast we continue downhill in the direction of La Playa Rosalinas (1500 m) and cross the Apurimac River by bridge and then ascend on a sure trail in the direction of Santa Rosa.  The  Cobarrubias family were the first explorers of Choquequirao, and their descendents just might meet us with a typical drink of the area- an exquisite Cambray or Chicha made with sugar cane from the area.   You can also observe how they produce liquor from the sugar cane here.  Along the way we will see various fruit trees and plants including Cactus before ascending to Maranpata where we will have lunch with an impressive view of the mountains all around (2850 m).  After lunch, we continue on our hike on an easy stretch before arriving to an important site of Choquequirao where we will stay close-by in camp.

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHIUNUYUC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL (B) (L)(D)

We get started in the early morning with a visit of the archeological complex of Choquequirao (Cradle of Gold), the last refuge of the last Incas.  We can get a close-up view of the constructions, the three levels of excavation for living areas, agricultural terraces at a 60º to 70 º incline, water fountains, and ceremonial sites, some of the sites of which are still under restoration.   We will have a great opportunity for photos at sunrise in the ceremonial site of Usno, with possible opportunity to see a Condor flying over the area.  We then continue in ascent (for about 3 hours) on Choquequirao Mountain, later descending to Pinchiunuyoc Archeological Site which was only recently found.  We continue in descent to the Rio Blanco (White River) where we can enjoy the crystalline natural water in a very warm area.  We then will continue going uphill for about 3 hours to Maizal, where we will have dinner and spend the night (3000 m).

DAY 4: MAIZAL –  PASO VICTORIA – YANAMA (B) (L) (D)

After another really early breakfast, we will head towards the glacier of Quorihuarachina where we will have a beautiful geography scene, and be able to see the Incan Canals and then cross a treed area that is often cloudy.  It is also an area where the Victoria mines and mining camps are located.  We will arrive to San Juan Pass (4200 m) where we can see the Choquetacarpo and Pumasilloq Mountaintops.  We will have a small break after having lunch here, and continue to the village of Yanama (3500 m).

DAY 5: YANAMA – TOTORA – COLLPAPAMPA (B) (L) (D)

This day we start out in ascent on a high ecological floor until Yanama Pass (4700 m), crossing steep mountainsides with beautiful views of Sacsarayoc Mountain and then descend into small forest areas until the country-community of Totora.  Later, we will set up camp in Collpapampa where other trekkers also will be installing their campsites after arriving from the Salkantay Trek.

DAY 6: COLLPAPAMPA – LA PLAYA – SANTA TERESA (B) (L) (D)

After breakfast we start hiking along the edge of the jungle where we can see many waterfalls, fruit trees, and different types of orchids along the way, as well as butterflies, before arriving to La Playa Sawayaco where we will have lunch.  After a rest, we will continue our tour in transport for about 1 hour until Santa Teresa, located at 1900 m.a.s.l. where we will stay for the last night in camp.  There is option to visit the Cocalmayo Hot Springs here.

DAY 7: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES (B) (L)

After having known a bit about Santa Teresa town, we will transfer to Hidroelectrica in bus, where we will have lunch and a deserved rest before continuing on our last part of the trek to Aguas Calientes town.  Again, the area is full of flora and fauna as well as Inca terraces and constructions some of which are very important in conserving Machu Picchu having been built at the folds of the citadel.  We will check-in to respective hostels upon arrival to Aguas Calientes.  There is option to visit the hot springs on the edge of town.

DAY 8: AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHUPICCHU-CUSCO (B)

After breakfast provided in-hotel, we will walk to the bus station to take the approximate 30 minute trip up the mountain to Machu Picchu’s Citadel entrance (2400 m), with opportunity to see the sunrise with few other tourists around at this time.  We will have a guided tour of the citadel visiting the principal plaza, living quarters, Circular Tower, Solar Sun Dial, Temple of the Three Windows, and cemeteries of Machu Picchu.  Later there is free time to explore and take more photos before catching a return bus downhill and later a return train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco city.

Note:  There is option to climb Waynapicchu Mountain if reserved in advance due to limited spaces.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Detailed information before the tour
• Tourist transportation to the start of the hike: Cachora / Apurimac
• Entrance ticket to Choquequirao trek
• Permits and entrance fees for our porters, Cook, assistant Chef, Waiter and Guide
• Chef and assistant chef
• Horsemen and assistant horsemen, pack-mules for packing food, tents, equipment, ets.
• Pack-horse and emergency horse
• Professional Spanish / English guide
• Assistant or second guide when there are groups over 8
• Menu according to itinerary
• Snacks handed out before each trek
• Vegetarian (or allergy-request) menu at no extra charge
• Boiled water to refill water bottles for each day and for programmed tea-time
• Camping equipment such as personal, 2-man and/or multiple tents and mattresses
• Kitchen and dining tents, kitchen equipment, tables & chairs, water filter, duffel bags
• First Aid kit and blood pressure gauge including emergency oxygen bottle available to use any time you require
• Transport La Playa / Santa Teresa
• Transport Santa Teresa / Hydroelectric
• 1 Night hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance ticket for Machu Picchu
• Bus tickets Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
• Return Tourist class ticket Aguas Calientes /Ollantaytambo or Poroy
• Final transport to hotel in Cusco

PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• 1st Day Breakfast
• Last day lunch and dinner
• Sleeping Bag (Quality down bags can be rented)
• Extra horses (let us know if you want to reserve an extra to carry up to 20 kilos)
• Entrance to Waynapicchu Mountain (can be reserved in advance)
• Entrance to Hot Springs
• Walking Stick (we can rent if needed)
• Tips

What You Should Bring!

• Original Passport (for check-in to the points)
• Day backpack
• Plastic bag to cover backpack
• Sleeping bag (we can rent)
• Clothing for both cold and warm weather
• Warm clothing and rainproof
• Waterproof and warm jackets and/or rain poncho
• Hiking shoes or boots
• Hiking pants
• Shirts
• Mosquito repellant or insect repellent
• Walking stick (we can rent)
• Sunhat,
• Sun block,
• Disinfectant hand gel
• Towel + toilet paper
• Water bottle and sterilizing water tablets
• Personal medication
• Camera with extra batteries
• Plastic bag to cover camera
• Flashlight or head-lamp
• Small personal snacks (chocolate bars, candies, granola bars, dried fruits and nuts)
• Extra spending money in Soles (for Hot Springs, drinks, tips, etc).

FOR GROUP SERVICE  ( Minimun 4 People):

Sale $ 990.00 USD

PRIVATE SERVICE:

STUDENT DISCOUNT:

$20 off per person

Discounts:

1. Students: Those who have the ISIC card valid, in the event that you book under a student rate with this benefit, you will need to bring the original card (not a copy) to show it at the control points throughout the route.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.

Upgrades

Huaynapicchu: $20 per person
Vistadome Train (One Way): $40 per person
HOTEL INCLUDED:
Marco Wasi (or similar)
This is a hotel and is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial or triple. There is a single room surcharge if you are booking alone of $30 US per person. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember that the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, but we can work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.

Casa Andina: $40 US pp shared ($110 for a single)
Casa del Sol: $60 US pp shared ($150 for a single)
Tierra Viva: +$60 US pp shared (+$150 for a single)
El Mapi: +$70 US pp shared (+$170 for a single)

HOW TO BOOK

It’s always a good idea to contact us directly and confirm with our team before your booking. Once you are ready, please fill in our Booking Form and pay the Deposit according your Invoice. Our office will email you back that day with your confirmation. We always send out confirmations, so if you don’t hear from us, check your spam or contact our offie and we will resend.

Rentals

• Hiking poles pare – US$35.00
• Sleeping Bag  – US$50.00
• Bag Pack – US$45.00
• Extra Horse USD210.00