Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, is a spectacular walk that connects the two most important archaeological sites in the region of Cusco. Choquequirao or at the same time called "Cradle of Gold", is also considered as one of the last fortresses and refuge of the Incas and that it was used presumably, like control sentry box since it served as nexus between the Amazonian forest and the imperial city of the Cusco. It is estimated that 30% of the city has been exposed and is called the "Sacred Sister" of Machu Picchu, for its similarity in structure and architecture. Meet with us these ruins of Inca City and end up knowing the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu!

ITINERARY

DAY 01: CUSCO - CACHORA – CHIKISKA

Around 05:30hrs, we will pick up our passengers from their hotels to start a journey of approximately 4 hours to the village of Cachora (2850m / 9350f approx), we will meet our muleteer and horses, we will put all our equipment on the horses and begin our walk to Capuliyoc (2800m / 9186f approx), here we will have an excellent view of the immense Apurimac Canyon and then descend to Chikiska, where will be our first camp (1930m/6332f approx).

  • Weather: Warm
  • Walking time: 6 hours approximately.

DAY 02: CHIKISKA - PLAYA ROSALINA - MARAMPATA - CHOQUEQUIRAO

Early morning breakfast to start our hike down about 30 minutes towards Rosalina Beach (1550m / 4921f approx) where we will find a very pleasant and very pleasant climate; then we will start the hike up the mountain to the town of Marampata (2850m / 9350f approx), where we will have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m / 9951f approx). Our camp tonight will be in Choquequirao about 25 minutes from the ruins approximately 2950m / 9678f. At dusk, we might be lucky to see some condors flying over the mountains.

  • Weather: Warm and cold
  • Walking time: 7 hours approximately.

DAY 03: CHOQUEQUIRAO - PASO CHOQUEQUIRAO - RÍO BLANCO.

At dawn, after having breakfast and organizing our things, we will visit the citadel of Choquequirao (3033m / 9950) called "Cradle of Gold", while we explore the area with our guide, we will enjoy the tranquility of this place. Only 30% of the complex is restored but it is enough to know different sections of the place like the liturgical fountains, the temple of the high priest, the Ushnu, among many others. At the end of the tour, we will continue our walk towards the Choquequirao pass (3270m / 10728f aprox) and we will pass by the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc (2450m / 8038f aprox). At the end of the day, we will descend to the deepest point of the small canyon known as Rio Blanco (1900m / 6234f) where our campsite is located.

  • Weather: Warm with mosquitoes
  • Walking time: 6 hours approximately.

DAY 04: RÍO BLANCO - MAIZAL - PASO SAN JUAN - YANAMA

With the constant changes in the ecosystem, this day is considered the most arduous but also the most spectacular. We will leave Río Blanco and ascend towards Maizal (3000m / 9843f aprox), here we will take a short rest and enjoy the spectacular scenery that surrounds us. After the pause, we will continue the ascent to Paso San Juan (4170m / 13681f aprox), we will delight with the fascinating view of the mountains, glaciers and valleys, and we will continue walking until our camp in the small town of Yanama (3530m / 11581f aprox).

  • Weather: Warm and cold with mosquitoes
  • Walking time: 5 hours approximately.

DAY 05: YANAMA - PASO YANAMA - TOTORA PAMPA

After an early breakfast, we will begin the hike slowly up to the highest pass in our entire Yanama Pass tour (4,670m / 15,410 f.). We will have a spectacular view surrounded by the Sacsarayoj, Salkantay, Pintuyu, among others. After a brief stop in the mountain we will begin our descent towards the Valley of Totora where we will have the camp to the 3.200 msnm. approximately.

  • Weather: Warm with mosquitoes
  • Walking time: 8 hours approximately.

DAY 06: TOTORA PAMPA – LA PLAYA

This day, the weather begins to be very pleasant. In the camp, we will have the opportunity to meet Quechua-speaking Andean people, who live from agriculture and cattle ranching. After breakfast, we will walk from Totora Pampa, surrounded by diverse vegetation such as orchids, bromeliads as well as some coffee, papaya and avocado plantations; until we reach La Playa (2100m / 6890f approx) or even, if time is enough, we could continue to Lucmabamba (2020m / 6627f approx). Overnight in camp.

  • Weather: Warm with mosquitoes
  • Walking time: 7 hours approximately.

DAY 07: LA PLAYA - LLACTAPATA - HIDROELÉCTRICA - AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will continue walking along the Inca Trail until we reach Llactapata (2650m / 8694f), an archaeological site that offers a spectacular view of Machu Picchu surrounded by a particular vegetation. After a pause to relax, we will go down to the train station at Hidroeléctrica (1950m / 6398f aprox), where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m / 6726f). Once in Aguas Calientes, we will go to the hotel where we will spend our last night.

  • Weather: Warm with mosquitoes.
  • Walking time: 6 hours approximately.

DAY 08: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Early in the morning, we will leave the hotel to take the bus that will take us to the citadel of MachuPicchu, it is a journey of approximately 30 minutes. We will have a guided tour of the archaeological site and then we will have some time to explore on our own. After the visit, we will take our bus back to Aguas Calientes to wait for our train back to Ollantaytambo. Once in Ollantaytambo, our transport will be waiting for us to return to Cusco and take us to our hotel.

Weather: Warm.

TIME OF PERMANENCE INSIDE MACHU PICCHU:

  • The time inside Machu Picchu will be a maximum of four (4) hours from the time of the entry until the departure, between 6:00 and 4:00 p.m., according to the respective registration (it closes at 5:30 p.m.). Except for the tickets that combine with alternate routes 1: Waynapicchu Mountain and 2: Machupicchu Mountain, they can spend 6 hours.
  • The number of tickets to be sold by schedules will be established according to the capacity of Machu Picchu and the use of alternate roads that allow entry.
  • Re-entry to Machupicchu is not allowed, except for reasons of force majeure.
  • The breach of the time of permanence (4 hours) generates the additional charge of another extra ticket, otherwise the immediate withdrawal of the tourists and guides, this with the support of the authorities.

INCLUDED
  • Private transportation from the hotel in Cusco to the town of Cachora (the beginning of the walk).
  • Professional guide (English / Spanish)
  • All meals during the hike to Aguas Calientes *Vegetarian option available.
  • Cook and cooking equipment
  • Camping Equipment (Sleeping Tents, Dining Tents, Kitchen Tents, Bath Tents, Tables, Chairs).
  • Mattress.
  • Horses, to take all the luggage. (Maximum 7kg per person)
  • Emergency Horse
  • 6 nights accommodation in double tents: In our shared services, our clients will share a double accommodation tent (2 people in 1 tent), if a client wishes to occupy a single accommodation tent (1 person in 1 tent), they must make an additional payment for said concept.
  • 1 night accommodation in a 3* hotel in Aguas Calientes.
  • Train ticket Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes
  • Train ticket Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
  • Bus ticket up/down Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
  • Entrance tickets to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
  • Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.
  • First aid kit
  • Oxygen

NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping bag (If you don't have one, please visit our camping equipment rental website)
  • The first breakfast
  • Last lunch
  • Last Supper
  • Tips. (Not mandatory)
  • Extras

Note: Tips for guides are not included nor are they obligatory.

WE RECOMMEND TO BRING

  • 1 backpack with rain cover.
  • Sleeping bag (If you don't have them, please visit our camping equipment rental website).
  • Bottle of water for the first day. Water will be provided at the first lunch.
  • Clothing for cold and hot climates
  • Trekking boots
  • Pairs of extra wool or synthetic socks (In case your socks get wet, it's always good to keep your feet warm and dry).
  • Sweater and windbreaker jacket / raincoat
  • Sunglasses.
  • Flashlight
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sun block.
  • Water purification tablets.
  • Pills for the height (They are easily obtained in the pharmacies in Cusco)
  • Extra plastic bags, to put our things inside and keep them dry.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Snacks.
  • Photographic Camera
  • Original passport in hermetic plastic bag.
  • Extra money in soles.

NOTES:

  • In our shared services, we will pick up our customers from their hotel as long as they are in the city centre.
  • In our shared services, at the end of the tour, we leave our customers in a place near the Main Square, it is easier to return to your hotel walking than to go in the bus, since the traffic is terrible. If your hotel is far from the city center, take extra cash to take a taxi.
  • The pick up and arrival times are referential, this will depend on the traffic that can be found in the streets or the delay of other customers, our assistant will arrive on time to your hotel, but sometimes the transport could be delayed a few minutes.
  • We reserve trains from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy at specific times based on availability, and then plan the transfers for those times. If the passenger changes his train ticket at the last minute, the transfers from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Cusco, can no longer be provided since it is a collective service and the transfers are scheduled for the time initially reserved.

map

PHOTO GALLERY

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CONTACT FORM

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