highlights

This expedition will lead you at two of the wonderful archaeological sites in Cusco-area and Peru (CHOQUEKIRAO and MACHU PICCHU). The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu ruins are already all over the world. Since its was-discovered by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the ruin has been a topic of discussions and research about the Inkas and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, same that in 1983 where honored by UNESCO as World Heritage. As much one can find of writings and histories about Machu Picchu, the little one can find about the latter, but not less interesting ruin complex of Choquekiraw.

The archaeological site of CHOQUEKIRAW is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Inkas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. Choquekiraw is situated in the spurs of the mountain range of Salqantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l., surrounded by the snow capped Apus(sacred mountain) of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, La Convencion province the department of Cusco. Choquekiraw is an Inka town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructs a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name Choquekiraw.

itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO - CACHORA – CH’IQUISQA
we will departure at 5:30 in the morning, arriving in Cachora town at 9:00 am. Approximately in that place the horses and the horse man will waiting for us and they will arrange the equipment on mules and horses, whereas the tour guide will show you the village… From the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. On the way we will appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains small farms on the step mountain sides them we will arrive at nice view point that is Capuliyoq, where we might see condors, them we will descent towards of the Apurimac Canyon walking like 4 more hours we will arrive in chikisqa where is the camp site.

DAY 2: CH’IKISQA – CHOQUEK’IRAW
After breakfast very early we will continue the descent to the abundant Apurimac River in 1570 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short brake at the river we start the steep climb towards Santa Rosa where we will rest few minutes them continue until lunch place that is “Maran Pata”, on the afternoon we will continue two more hours to citadel of choquek’iraw and visit part of this place called phaqchayuq and pariaq qaqa, then come back to our camping place.

DAY 3: CHOQUEK’IRAW – PINCHAUNIYUQ
Surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids we will wake up and get an Andean breakfast …we will walk to the main square of Choquekiraw, to enjoy this majestic place Hanan and Urin and after that observe and visit the sacred place called ushnu, them continuing to the llamas terraces… after to visit all this places we will get lunch and continue walking down two more hours… in that place we will visit Pinchinuyoq ruins founded in 1998…walking through cloud forest where all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. These ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. ..Here we will spend our amazing night.

DAY 4: PINCHAUNIYUQ – MAIZAL
This morning we walk down through interesting vegetation know as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants here look different to what we have seen before. We will arrive to the “Rio Blanco” (white river), after few hours and use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We will cross walking through the river and get lunch in the shadow of local trees… After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp site in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Inkas. Maizal is a properly the camp, in the most beautiful location. From here we see 3 valleys and a great snow peak right across from us. Very special place for lean back and meditate.

DAY 5: MAIZAL - YANAMA
After our typical breakfast we will continue our trip towards the San Juan pass. We will walk in an amazingly beautiful area first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna, with the well known straw an Andean grass, we will rest near the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We will get lunch at the pass in 4000 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before we start the descent towards Yanama; a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains where our camp site is.

DAY 6: YANAMA – T’OTORA ALTA
we will continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of T’otora, where we spend the night.

DAY 7:T’OTORA ALTA – PLAYA
After breakfast we will down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approximately 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. La Playa “is one of the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas and spend night there.

DAY 8: PLAYA - MACHUPICCHU
from Playa to the hydroelectric town along the Urubamba River. This morning we will walk one newly opened Inca trail. This trail originally was used to transport agricultural products to the population on Machu Picchu and it takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical fruits and crops. In the pass we are suddenly in a cool dense wood full of trees covered with thick mosses. Shortly hereafter we see for the first time the impressing Machu Picchu on a mountain saddle further into the valley. 10 more minutes and we will arrive at lunch place called Llactapata. Then we walk the last part downhill and along the river until Hydroelectric, from here just going 2 more hours are located machupicchu pueblo where we will spend the night in a nice hostel.

DAY 9: MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO – MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO
our last day from Machu Picchu pueblo we will climb or take bus to Machu Picchu archeological city very early to see the soon rise and visit with our professional tourist guide during two hours, the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful temple of the moon. We meet in the afternoon machupicchu pueblo, where we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, and from here the tourist bus will pick us up until Cusco and leave us in our hotel.

include

• Tourist transportation to cachora town.
• Mules will carry camping equipment plus personal luggage, max. 7 kilos per. person.
• One Riding horse for support on the climbs if needed for somebody.
• Snacks and 03 good meals per. day.
• Equipment: Tents, mattress, dining tent with table and chairs.
• First-aid equipment includes oxygen.
• Assistant guide (more of 7 people).
• Professional guide during the whole trip.
• One night hostel in Machu Picchu pueblo.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu archeological site.
• Train ticket back to Cusco from machupicchu pueblo and bus service until Cusco.

doesn't include

• Personal articles.
• Any type of personal insurance.
• First breakfast.
• Last lunch in Machupicchu.

important

What we advice you to bring:

• Trekking shoes.
• Sleeping bag.
• Sport clothes, Clothes for cold weather.
• Good socks.
• Purifying tablets.
• Camera with extra rolls of film.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Sun block.
• Sunglasses or sunhat.
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• Swimsuit.
• Walking cane.
• Toilet paper.
• Binoculars.