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You are here: Mountain Expeditions > Hiking in Cusco > CHOQUEQUIRAO - MACHU PICCHU 9d

Program itinerary

Day 1. CUSCO - CACHORA - SANTA ROSA (B.L.D.)

We arrive at the Cachora Village at 0700. We eat our breakfast while the muleteers load our equipment onto the mules and horses. From Cachora Village we can observe the majestic snow covered Padrayoc Peaks, where the highest peak is 5482 m.a.s.l. Hiking on this first day is 21.7 km over a 10-hour period. Along the way we see the snow covered peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora. You will be in awe of the beautiful transition of the landscape, from precipices to snowy mountain tops. The trek starts out on flat terrain with views of snow-covered peaks and small farms on the steep mountainsides. From the vantage point in Capuliyoc, there is a possibility to see Condors upon the descent towards where the Apurímac Canyon starts. There is a transition in vegetation from Agave and Tuna Cactus Forest to Dwarf Tree Forest. We eat lunch at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l.). After eating lunch we continue our descent to Apurímac River (1550 m.a.s.l), the depth of the canyon is impressive. After a short brake by the river we start the steep climb towards Santa Rosa, where we camp for the night at a small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l.)

Day 2. SANTA ROSA - RAQAYPATA - CHOQUEQUIRAO (B.L.D.)

Early morning after eating breakfast, we continue our hike ascending toward Choquequirao. The first 2 to 3 hours of hiking will be a steep ascent. While ascending there will be a transition between flat and steep terrain. The trail is surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We arrive at the archaeological site Choquequirao within 5 hours. After eating lunch and taking a short break, we walk to the main square of Choquequirao to enjoy this majestic place. We observe the three levels of the excavated ruin. Approximately 1500 (weather permitting) the possibilities exist to see “the flight of the Condors”. Our guide will decide our camp location in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.)

Day 3. CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHINUYOC (B.L.D.)

After eating breakfast we have plenty of time to enjoy the majestic archaeological site. We admire the houses, terraces and other areas, developing a great appreciation of this historical Inca town. We see the ruins in the process of excavation and discover unexplored areas that can tell us much about this last refuge of the oppressed Inca Empire. After eating lunch we walk through Choquequirao, with our equipment heading toward our next camp. We follow the old water canal for a while before we start a 3-hour walk to the Pinchinuyoc Ruins, discovered in 1998. First we walk through Cloud Forest. Then the scenery changes to an open prairie with views of the mountains and valleys. The Pinchinuyoc Ruins are of historical and archaeological significance. All of a sudden they appear in the Cloud Forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of moss and other vegetation that cover them. Here we spend the night on the old Inca terraces.

Day 4. PINCHINUYOC - VICTORIA RIVER – MAIZAL (B.L.D.)

In the morning we ascend through interesting vegetation known as Dry Andean Highland Forest. The trees and plants of the Dry Andean Highland have very distinguishable features. They do not resemble any other trees or plants that we have seen thus far on the tour. We arrive at Victoria River within a few hours. Upon arrival at Victoria River we take a break for a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross through the river (there is no bridge here). After our break we start a long and steep ascent to our camp in Maizal. Maizal is located on a high elevation over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. During our ascent we catch our breath in the shade of small trees and other vegetations. In Maizal we eat our lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with optional physical activity. Maizal is one of the most beautifully located camps. From this vantage point we can view 3 valleys and an adjacent great snow peak. Maizal is the perfect place to clear your mind and relax.

Day 5. MAIZAL - SAN JUAN PASS (4400 m) – YANAMA (B.L.D.)

We leave our camp in Maizal and walk a steep ascent toward San Juan Pass. We walk through an amazingly beautiful landscape consisting first of Cloud Forest and then of Andean Puna with its well-known landscape Ichu Grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where shining metal stones reveal the high concentration of minerals and metals. Along the way through the Puna we walk on a very well known preserved Inca trail. The Inca trails have unique landscape characteristics, among them the classic “zigzag”. We eat lunch at the pass 4000 m.a.s.l. with a view of Qhoquetakarpo Mountains. After eating lunch we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.

Day 6. YANAMA - SACSARAYOC - TOTORA. (B.L.D.)

We continue from Yanama ascending through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, Yanama Pass (4500 m.a.s.l). Along the way we have a perfect view of the snowcapped Sacsarayoc. Once again there are possibilities to see Condors. Our climb brings us through new landscapes, especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguishes it from any other scenery on the tour. In the pass the possibilities exist to walk in the snow. The descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields, bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora. We spend the night in Totora.

Day 7. TOTORA - LA PLAYA (B.L.D.)

We ascend on foot 2000 meters through a transition of vegetation to a warmer camp in the village of La Playa after approximately 7 hours of walking. Along the way we see small waterfalls and take a refreshing nature bath. The area has a large and varied bird life. One of the most obvious things about this area is that the climate and the vegetation are completely different than the ones we have walked in before. In this area we recognize plant life from the living rooms in Europe, including several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village along the trek, where we can find some small shops to buy a snacks etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.

Day 8. LA PLAYA - HIDROHELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES (B.L.D.)

We travel from Playa to the hydroelectric power center, at the Urubamba River. This morning we walk up the newly opened Inca trail. This trail was originally used to transport agricultural products to the population of Machu Picchu and it takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical fruits and crops. As we ascend the trail there is a transition in vegetation between dry plains with flowers and humid cloud forest. In the pass we are suddenly in a cool dense forest full of trees covered with thick moss. Shortly hereafter we see for the first time the impressive Machu Picchu on a mountain saddle further into the valley. Within 10 minutes we arrive to eat lunch at Llactapata. We eat lunch here while enjoying the views of Machu Picchu and the beautiful mountains. Then we descend on foot the last part of the trail along the river to the hydroelectric power center. Here we can visit historical sites such as Intihuatana while waiting for the train, or continue walking to Aguas Calientes where we arrive in the afternoon. We spend the night in a nice hotel.

Day 9. AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B.L.)

From Aguas Calientes we can walk or take a bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a guided tour that takes 2 to 3 hours and which brings us to the most important locations at the archeological site. Our guide will tell us about the great importance of Machu Picchu which was used as an astronomical and religious center. The remainder of the day we spend at this amazing site and we have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful Moon Temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take the train to Ollantaytambo, and from here we change to a coach to Cusco. Arriving at Cusco, trekkers will be transferred to the Hotel.

End of service.