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Cuesta Santa Ana Nro: 535 |
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CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHUPICCHU
INTRODUCTION
Choquequirao known as gold cradle and Machu Picchu, are set up on the heights of the mountains, almost inaccessible, with spectacular views and are interconnected by well built Incas trail. The trekking route shows a spectacular landscapes walking through traditional Andean villages. In many visitors opinion this is the best trekking route offered in Cusco Region which is done also riding horses the only you need is a good shape condition.
Duration of the trek: 09 Days /08 Nights
Estimated walking time: 5 to 8 hours per day
Distance of the trek: 97 km
Season: From March to November
The maximum height: 4,550 m.a.s.l (14,900 ft)
DAY 01: CUSCO / CACHORA TOWN / CHIKISKA
We will pick you up early in your hotel at 6:00 o'clock in the morning to go by bus toward Cachora village (2,800 m.a.s.l) (9,186 ft) where we meet muleteer who will helps to put all the equipment on horses. After to organize all the stuff lunch we'll begin the hiking going down through at around 6 hours toward warm Chikiska camp site (1950 m.a.s.l) (6,397 ft) where we will spend the night.
Total distance: 15 km Estimated walking time: 5 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,800 m.a.s.l (9,186 ft) Campsite altitude: 1959 m.a.s.l (6,397 ft)
DAY 02: CHIKISKA / CHOQUEQUIRAO
After a good breakfast we begin the walk down until Playa Rosalina where starts the hard ascent until the community of Marampata where we get amazing view while we have the lunch, after a good siesta we continue until our camp site located close to Choquequirao archeological site (3035 m.a.s.l) (9,957 ft) where we enjoy the sunset.
Estimated walking time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3.035 m.a.s.l (9,957 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,035 m.a.s.l (9,957 ft)
DAY 03: CHOQUEQUIRAO
This day is special because is exclusive and only to explore the area of the archeological site of Choquequirao getting a guided tour in the complex so afterward you will have plenty of time to explore by yourself the area and of course you will have enough time to visit the high area named Hanan and lower parts Urin appreciating the terraces built near Apurimac river. Afterward we go back campsite to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with a tea time.
Estimated walking time: 5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 34500 m.a.s.l (11,320 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,035 m.a.s.l (9,957 ft)
DAY 04: CHOQUEQUIRAO / MAIZAL
Early morning we start to walk with direction of Corihuyarachina glacier where we walk over Choquequirao pass (3,400m.a.s.l) (11,150 ft) important due to some archeological remains such as Inca channels going down until Rio Blanco (1,800 m.a.s.l) (5,900 ft) where we will have the lunch and a relaxed bath too in this nice Rio Blanco. Afterward we will start on the upward climb until Maizal camping (3,000 m.a.s.l) (9,850 ft).
Estimated walking time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,400 m.a.s.l (11,150 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,000 m.a.s.l (9,850 ft)
DAY 05: MAIZAL / YANAMA
During the journey of this day we will ascend passing several abandoned silver mines (Minas Victoria) as an extra activity you will be able to extract some silver blocks (very abundant mineral for this area) we will have lunch on the top of Victoria pass (4,200 m.a.s.l (13,779 ft) after a good siesta we descend at Yanama village (3,500 m.a.s.l) (11,500 ft) where we spend the night. Yanama village is one of the most picturesque villages that you will see during the trek. It's perched at the edge of a canyon with some spectacular views.
Estimated walking time: 7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m.a.s.l (13,779 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,500 (11,500 ft)
DAY 06: YANAMA / TOTORA
Today we walk surrounded by the high mountains of the Vilcabamba Range full of Ichu grass and of Tarwi brush we also will see the permanent glacier on the top of Corihuaynachina the point is to get the Yanama Pass (4550 m.a.s.l) (14,900 ft) highest pass on the trail where we can appreciate the Condors. Once crossed the pass we go down to the next campsite located in Totora village (3,700 m.a.s.l) (12,150 ft)
Estimated walking time: 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4550 m.a.s.l (14,900 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,700 m.a.s.l (8,858 ft)
DAY 07: TOTORA / PLAYA
The remaining days of the trek are significantly easier than the previous days. Descending down to Collpampa community through of high cloud forest where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruits and coffee, After 7 hours walking we will get Playa campsite (2,000 m.a.s.l) (6,561 ft) where we spend the night.
Estimated walking time: 7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m.a.s.l (8,858 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2,000 m.a.s.l (6,562 ft)
DAY 08: PLAYA / AGUAS CALIENTES
Early morning we begin to walk through a small hill that will leads us to one of the small dispersed archaeological groups named Llaqtapata (2,800 m.a.s.l) (9,186 ft), in this place we will see a figured rock that was worked to use it with astronomical purposes. Then we will arrive to hydroelectric train station to have the lunch there. After we take a train until Aguas Calientes town (2,040 m.a.s.l) (6,692 ft) where we will enjoy the hot spring, spending the night in a hotel.
Estimated walking time: 5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 2800 m.a.s.l (9,186 ft)
Campsite altitude: 2040 m.a.s.l (6,692 ft)
DAY 09: AGUAS CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
We wake up early to walk up for one hour until Machu Picchu citadel (2,430 m.a.s.l) (7,970 ft) getting an extensive guided tour. Then you will have free time to explore by yourself the old city climbing also until Huaynapicchu. On afternoon we take a return bus to Aguas Calientes where our guide waits for us to take the train with direction to Cusco city.
THE SERVICE INCLUDES:
- Hotel pick up in Cusco
- Bus transportation from Cusco to Cachora (where we start the hiking)
- Professional Bilingual tour leader
- Horses to carry the company's equipment
- Cook and meals (08 breakfasts / 08 lunches / 08 dinners)
- Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, tables, chairs, kitchen tent and dinning tent)
- Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes town
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Bus down ticket from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town
- Entrance fees to Inca Trail and Machupicchu
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes town to Cusco
SERVICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
- Breakfast on first day and lunch on day four
- Tips for crew (tour leader, driver)
- Entrance to visit the hot spring in Santa Teresa (10 soles) and Aguas Calientes town (10 soles)
- Vista dome train service (U$ 50 pluss)
RECOMMENDATIONS THINGS TO BRING:
- Backpack
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Rain coat and poncho
- Warmth clothes
- Insect repellent
- Sun block, sun glasses and hat
- Water bottle
- Flash light and knife
- Towel and toilet paper
- Snacks (chocolates, candies, cookies, etc)
- Personal Medical Kit
- Extra national currency (soles)
- Original passport
- ISIC Card for students
Price for shared service: US$ 870 per person (adult)
US$ 30 Discount for student with INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CARD (ISIC)
