Choquequirao – Huancacalle – Machu Picchu, 8d

We will pick you up early from your hotel and drive for four hours and half  in a private transport to Cachora where we are going to meet with ours wanglers and horses (2.915 m). Along the way there are spectacular views of Apurimac canyon, valleys and snow-capped mountains (Padreoc). Once at Capuliyoc, where we will have lunch and then keep walking to our camping site  for three to four hours donw hill  to our first campsite at Chiquisca (1.900 m / 6.270 ft), where we will spend the night.

Trekkers having just started the trek to Choquequirao.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

After an early breakfast we descend to the magnificent Apurimac River (1.550 m / 5.117 ft) for 1 hour, and then  we will cross the bridge above the Apurimac river and then walk uphill for 5 hours to the  village of Maranpata (2.850 m / 9.350 ft) where we have lunch and enjoying the spectacular sceneries of the área  (3.150 m / 10.397 ft).

After lunch we walk for 2 hours , with gentle up and down segments to Choquequirao where we are going to get a guiding tour and take some nice pictures , After walking around the archaeological site for 2 hours we are going to descend to our camping site which is 30 minutes from Choquequirao, It is a magnificent camp. We will arrive at the camp around 4 PM.where we are going to  relax, have our te time and then dinner.

The forest around Choquequirao still holds terrases to be cleared.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

Setting off for a beautiful hike this day, we climb over a ridge for around 2 hours to Abra Choquequirao (3.318 m / 10,883 ft). From this spot we will see the Vilcabamba mountain range and the breath taking snow capped Choquetacarpo glacier.

This is followed by a 2 hours descent to the ruins at Pinchinuyoc, We will take a short break at these ruins to admire the majestic views. From there, we will descend to the Rio Blanco (1.650 m), a further 2 hours steep descent. Here you can wash your feets in the river and take a bath if you would like and then have lunch.

After a good lunch we will start a difficult climb to a small cleared agricultural area on the mountain, Maizal. For many people, this is the most difficult section of the whole Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek. The climb is a difficult 3 to 4 hours zig zag uphill. Maizal is located at 3.000 m / 9.842 ft.  Maizal is our camp for the night.

Having left Choquequirao.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

After breakfast in Maizal we climb 4 to 5 hours uphill through cloud forest to the Victoria Mines. This ascent takes you from an altitude of 3.000 m to 4.000 m!   We’ll take a short rest here and admire the shine of the outcropped rocks illustrating the high concentration of minerals and metals, and the reason for the ancient mines. We will then continue our climb to the pass of Abra San Juan (4.130 m / 13.546 ft). This is our lunch spot. This is also the best place to see Andean condors. We can also see the Vilcabamba Valley, which is the lowest city of the Incas, as well as the Pumasillo glacier.

After lunch as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (4.100 m / 13.541 ft), a 2 to 3 hour walk. This is our campsite for the night.

On the trail to Yanama.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

In Yanama we will experience the Andean life, its traditions and costumes. Our trek continues up and down through tropical forests such as Urpipata, Yutupata, where we have really nice sceneries around the área well After this spot our hike is on a relative flat sección until  to reach  the cave of Quellccamachay. Our camping site is called Lazuna pampa (3.800 m / 12.467 ft).

Before reaching the camp.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

After breakfast, we will walk up for a while until we get to the Choquetacarpu pass (4.600 m / 15.092 ft). Here we will have a short break and explore the area of the Andean hills. If we are lucky we will also see a Condor flying if we are lucky . After our break, we will descend to Huancacalle. The last 3 hours we are walking on a car road  (3.200 m / 10.499ft). We are going to spend the night in a basic hostel in Huancacalle.

If you still have some power in your legs, you can visit the inca city of Vitcos on a hill above Huancacalle.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

A well deserved rest this morning then have breakfast we are goint to drive to Santa Maria where we are going to change the car because we have only local transportation(taxis, vans). People enjoy the remote village of Huancacalle, where pigs still wander with the piglets in the street and there is the air of a forgotten village in the mountains. From here we will take private transport to Santa Theresa (1.550 m / 5.085 ft) having a box lunch in route.   These remote mountain roads are winding, narrow and require the experienced drivers.  The 5 hour journey is also extremely enjoyable as you are able to enjoy views of a rapidly changing landscape as you descend down into the jungle- a drop of around 1.500m during the duration of the journey.  You will pass through high villages, and then lower banana, tea and coffee crops. The final leg of the journey into Santa Theresa is along the edge of the rushing canyon of the Vilcanota River, and once again you are fully aware of the amazing forces of nature present in the high Andes.

We will take the Hydroelectric train to Aguas Calientes, which departs around 3pm.   This is a fun change of pace from the car, and also hiking.  Peek up as the train winds along the canyon and you might get a tantalising glimpse of the lower reaches of Machu Picchu!

The train station at Hydro Electrica.

Meals Included:       middag

Today we will have a guided visit of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. This is a lifelong dream for many, and also a pinnacle of the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek!

Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the archaeological site  of Machu Picchu (bus included in price), so that you can appreciate this famous city in the dawn light and before the crowds arrive. You will then have a 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself . We return to Cusco in the afternoon by tourist class train until Ollantaytambo where are you going to meet with our driver in Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive in Cusco approximately 4 – 5 hours after your train’s departure from Aguas Calientes. 

Machu Picchu.

Meals Included: