|
Day by day…
The Vilcabamba mountain range is the heart of this region, in which there are mountains, cloud forests, rivers, impressive canyons, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. This region also includes an Inca footpath, which is the axis of this trek.
11 days trekking during which we will visit a number of Inca ruins, including the two most important Inca archaeological complexes – Choquequirau and Machu Picchu. This trek is perhaps the most beautiful and interesting expedition available from a cultural perspective.
Good hiking!
Day 1: LIMA RECEPTION
Reception at Jorge Chavez airport, flight ? to ? and transfer to Ducado ** located in the Miraflores district.
Free for lunch
Day 2: LIMA – CUSCO (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight to Cusco. Reception at the airport and transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel **.
In Quechua, Cusco means « navel of the world » because this town was the capital of the Inca Empire and was the departing point of the four regions of the World according to the cosmic vision that the Inkas had. Cusco is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities of the Peruvian Sierra.
Rest to get acclimatized to the altitude. Free time for lunch. After lunch, guided tour of Cusco and it’s surroundings: The temple of the Sun – the Cathedral - Tambomachay - Pukapucara - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enko. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel ** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for meals.
Note 1: unaccompanied flight.
Note 2: the timetable will be confirmed before booking
Day 3: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CUSCO (PRIVATE)
09.00 a.m.: departure to the sacred valley in a private vehicle. After a 1-hour trip, we will be arriving at the Pisac ruins, which was once one of the most important fortresses of the Inca Empire mainly built to stock the Empire’s food supplies. Guided tour of the Inca site and walk around the Indian market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). Lunch in a restaurant to taste a typical buffet. In the beginning of the afternoon, we will continue our tour to see Ollantaytambo, which is an Inca village, and we will visit the fortress, which was a military, religious and agricultural strategic center. At the end of the day, We will go back to Cusco. On the way, we will stop to visit a picturesque colonial village called Chinchero. Transfer to Tika Wasi Hotel** at the end of the afternoon.
Free time for dinner.
Day 4: CUSCO - TAMBOMACHAY – UCHUYQOSQO (3650M)
TREK UCHUYQOSQO
In the morning, we will start our walk to uchuyqosqo ruins. we will climb to qori qocha lake where we will lunch. In the afternoon, we continue our trek to uchuyqosqo RUINS. camp in the middle of the ruins with an amzing view of the sacred valley.
Meals included.
Note: 5 to 6 hours.
Day 5: UCHUYQOSQO (3650 M) – LAMAY - URUMBAMBA
TREK UCHUYQOSQO
In the morning, we will rest and visit the ruins. In the afternoon, we will walk down to the rio Vilcanota (2890m) ; we will at the small village of Lamay where we will take a bus to Urubamba. Transfer to Casa de Campo ** in Urubamba.
Lunch included.
Dinner not included.
Day 6: CUSCO - CACHORA (Private)
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Late in the morning, we will leave Cusco by private bus and head north. On the way, we will admire the majestic glaciers of Salkantay (6264 m.a.s.l.) and Humantay (5217 m.a.s.l.). We descend towards the towns of Limatambo and Curahuasi, located in a lush green valley with an excellent climate. We will soon arrive at the highest point of our trip, where we will see the Saywite archaeological complex (3600 m.a.s.l.). From there, we will continue on to the town of Cachora (2850 m.a.s.l.), where we will spend the night in a lodge.
Meals included
Day 7: CACHORA - CHIQUISCA - SANTA ROSA
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
We will meet our guide team along with our porters, and muleteers, all of whom will help us with our equipment during the long trek. We will start hiking with the Pedrayoc glacier (5771 m.a.s.l.) at our backs. We will ascend the Capuliyoc Pass (2800 m.a.s.l.), and then we will make our descent to the village of Chiquisca (1830 m.a.s.l.). We will continue our trek down to Playa Rosalina (1500 m.a.s.l.) and we will cross the Choquequirao bridge over the Apurimac River. Then we will make a zigzag trek up to Santa Rosa (2500 m.a.s.l.) where we will make camp for the night.
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon)
Duration: 8 hours
Day 8: SANTA ROSA - CHOQUEQUIRAO
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Early in the morning we will head directly for the ancient citadel of Choquequirao. We will ascend from the foot of the mountain, and pass by the town of Marampata (2850 m.a.s.l.) ultimately arriving at Choquequirao (3033 m.a.s.l.). The Choquequirao complex is surrounded by glaciers, all of which are more than 5000 meters high, including Padreyoc (5771 m.a.s.l.), Corihuayrachina (5404 m.a.s.l.) and Pumasillo (5199 m.a.s.l.). We will have time to visit and get to know the Choquequirao archaeological site, and in the afternoon, with some luck, we will see some condors flying overhead. We will make camp for the night right next to the ruins of Choquequirao.
Meals included
Duration: 5 hours
Day 9: CHOQUEQUIRAO – RIO BLANCO
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Early in the morning, we will leave the ruins of Choquequirao behind us, and at 09:30 we will begin our trek along an old Inca footpath through the Choquequirao Pass (3270 m.a.s.l.). We will hike down to the archaeological remains of Pinchaunuyoc (2450 m.a.s.l.), which are currently being restored. We will continue our downward trek to Rio Blanco where we will make camp for the night. Here, we can take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Rio Blanco.
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon).
Duration: 6 hours
Day 10: RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
We will trek up to the village of Maizal where we will make camp for the evening close to the only family that lives in this zone.
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon).
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Day 11: MAIZAL - VICTORY (MINE) - YANAMA
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
We will follow the remains of an ancient Inca path and begin another difficult part of our trek, as the humidity and heat of this area begins to sink in. We will make our way slowly in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the geography and the exuberant flora and fauna. Later, we will arrive at the San Juan Pass (4170 m.a.s.l.) from where we will have a splendid panoramic view of the Panta (5640 m.a.s.l.), Choquetacarpo (5512 m.a.s.l.), Pumasillo (5199 m.a.s.l.), Yanama (5347 m.a.s.l.), and Sacsarayoc (5936 m.a.s.l.) glaciers. From this pass, we will make our descent to the community of Yanama (3500 m.a.s.l.) where we will make camp for the night.
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon).
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Day 12: YANAMA – VAQUERIA
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Day 7 of our adventure is a nice short day on our long journey, helping us to recover and relax a little. We will hike to the Yanama Valley, along the river of the same name, and make camp at Vaqueria.
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon).
Duration: 3 hours
Day 13: VAQUERIA - PLATERIA
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Day 8 is a long hike that begins with an ascent to the highest pass of our expedition – the Yanama Pass (4690 m.a.s.l.). We then hike down a rocky trail to an area filled with semi-tropical vegetation characteristic of the Vilcabamba Valley. We will pass by the little communities of Hornopampa and Totora (3375 m.a.s.l.) and arrive at our camping place in Plateria (2850 m.a.s.l.).
Meals included (Boxed lunch at noon)
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Day 14: PLATERIA – LLACTAPATA
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
We will make our way along an Inca path which winds its way along small fruit orchards typical of this semi-tropical region. We will hike to “La Playa” and then onward to the town of Lucmabamba (2085 m.a.s.l.) where we will have the choice of continuing our hike to the archaeological complex of Llactapata (2590 m.a.s.l.) or hiring transportation service to take us to the town of Santa Teresa where we can spend the night in a small lodge.
Meals included
Duration: 7 hours
Day 15: LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
We will descend through the Vilcanota Canyon, and walk along an Inca path, from where we will be delighted with a magnificent view of Machu Picchu. We will continue trekking to the Aguas Calientes power plant (2050 m.a.s.l.). Then, we will take the local train at 16:00 to the village of Aguas Calientes, and spend the night at the Continental Hotel**.
Lunch included – Dinner not included
Duration: 3 hours
Day 16: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO (TRAIN)
TREK CHOQUEKIRAU – MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu was discovered by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. Archaeologists estimate that this Inca citadel was constructed in the middle of the 15th century. Nowadays, there are different hypotheses about the purpose of the almost inaccessible sanctuary-city of Machu Picchu. A military post?; A hidden city for the virgins of the Sun?; A place to rest?. All of it is still an enigma.
We will make an early departure at 06:30, and take a bus up from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu. We will dedicate this day to a guided visit of the sanctuary-city. After lunch, we will take the bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes and connect with the train to Cusco. We will arrive back in Cusco at approximately 20:20. From the Cusco train station, we will take a private bus to your hotel.
Only lunch is included
Suggestion: It is possible climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu, though the climb up can be quite difficult. It is essential to have good hiking shoes, and not to carry heavy backpacks. People who suffer from vertigo should NOT make the climb. From the top of Huayna Picchu, we will enjoy an awesome view of Machu Picchu. The climb up and down Huayna Picchu takes approximately two hours. Another less ambitious trip is a short hike up to the Inkti Punktu (“Sun Gate”), which connects the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – this beautiful hike ends in a great view overlooking the sanctuary-city of Machu Picchu and it takes only about an hour to make the roundtrip.
Note 1: Train schedules are confirmed at time of reservation
Note 2: Campsites may vary according to climate and/or the state of health of our clients.
Day 17: CUSCO – LIMA (AIRPLANE)
Transfer to the Cusco airport for a flight to the Peruvian capital. Reception at the airport and transfer to Ducado Hotel **.
In the beginning of the afternoon, visit of the Peruvian capital with an English-speaking guide. We will go visit the colonial districts in the center walk by the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and we will visit the San Francisco convent.
Transfer to Ducado Hotel ** in the Miraflores district.
Free time for meals.
Day 18: LIMA – DEPARTURE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
3 hours before landing Transfer to the airport and connection for the international return flight. Free time for meals
Included:
Transport and subsequent transfer, hotels 2 star in double room with breakfast, English speaking guide in private service, food during the treks, mountain equipment (tents, camping equipment, ropes), transport of collective equipment (by porters), entrance fees to national parks and Machu Picchu, train Aguascalientes – Cusco in economic class, shuttle at Aguascalientes to Machu Picchu.
Not Included:
International and domestic flights; Hotels in Cusco; Airport tax ($28 per person); Food purchases in the towns not included in the trek (food costs approximately $8 per person in a good restaurant). Personal equipment is also NOT included, such as a sleeping bag rated to –10˚ C; Mattresses; Hiking/Walking shoes; Helmut with light; Pick; Crampons, etc. These items CAN be rented.
Note: Personal insurance is obligatory.
Hotels
Lima
Cuzco
Vallée Sacrée
|
3 star
Faraona
Tupac Yupanqui
Incaland
|
4/5 star
Sol de Oro ****
Libertador *****
Posada del Inca ****
|
|
|
