Do you like adventure? Do you like to walk long Kilometers during the day? Would you like to get to Machu Picchu doing a great walk of more than 100 Kilometers and on your own? , So this article is for people like you. Make this great 8-day route by taking the following route: Cusco – Chiquisca – Choquequirao – Maizal – Yanama – Totora – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu. Undoubtedly a less touristy route where the only thing you will see are wonderful landscapes with an abundant fauna and flora.
This route starts in Cusco where you can take a private transport that takes you directly to the town of San Pedro de Cachora, it is here where you can have breakfast and buy some things missing for your emotional hiking. If you wish, you can also hire some muleteers and horses to start this great adventure. There is the option to start the walk from here or the other is to shorten the road and go by transport to Capuliyuc.
We will see that the start will be quite easy with a few kilometers of training and almost most of the route will be down to the first place called Chiquisca, this is where you can camp and you can also find some tents that offer food, drink, and showers.
It is advisable to start at dawn on the second day as after a descent of almost an hour, you will arrive at Rosalinda beach and cross the Apurimac river to start an ascent. It is recommended early not to be reached by the extreme heat it makes in this ascent to Santa Rosa. Then you can continue until you reach Choquequirao, here you will arrive to contemplate the sunset and camping in the surroundings.
On the third day, you can go through the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and then continue your adventure to Maizal. You will have to ascend this day and then descend to Rio Branco, from here a strong walk to Maizal begins again, this is the place where you can set you camp.
On the fourth day, the trek will be an ascent to the San Juan Pass and then the descent to the community of Yanama. Here you can camp. The views during this day will be amazing and enjoyable. You will realize that the effort you are making is giving results.
The fifth day you can start early, it is also this day that you will pass the highest pass of the whole route called Paso Yanama which is at 4670 meters above sea level and then continue to the community of Totorapampa, here you can set up your camp.
On the sixth day, the route is already lower, until you reach La Playa, which is at 2100 meters above sea level, you will see how the type of vegetation changes from the Andes to the jungle brow. You can camp in La Playa or also continue to the Santa Teresa town to enjoy the thermal baths of Cocalmayo.
The seventh day and a quieter walk with a more flat terrain, of course, to visit Llaqtapata you have to ascend about 500 meters. Then the road continues to the hydroelectric power station of Machu Picchu. From here you have 2 options. 1 is to continue the hike for 2 more hours until Aguas Calientes town or take the train that leaves from 16:00 pm to Aguas Calientes (30 minutes). In Aguas Calientes you will find all kinds of hotels from the most basic to the most expensive.
The Eighth day, perhaps the complement of the route made so that after having been able to enjoy an amazing hike, this day you will be amazed with the construction of the great Machu Picchu. One of the new wonders of the modern world which you can reach by walking (1 hour and 30 minutes approximately) or you can go by bus (25 minutes approximately). In the afternoon you can take the train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco depending on availability, please note that this ticket is advisable to reserve it in advance.
This would be the great route of this trip, without a doubt one of the best hiking you can do in all your life. On the other hand, you can also choose our services and you will not have to worry about anything. We have experienced guides, good food, quality camping equipment, muleteers and horses so they can carry your luggage. In other words, we organize all the service.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Do not forget to book in advance your entrance to Machu Picchu and your return train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
- It is very important to take the original passports to enter Machu Picchu.
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent will be essential and necessary
- Always have extra money in soles and low denominations so you can buy water or some food during the route
- Personal medications
- Flashlights, pills for height, quality camping equipment, sleeping pen, and a good mat.
- Sunglasses, snacks, walking sticks
- Photographic camera
- Good trekking shoes
Just let us know if you will need any more information
