Choquequirao to Machu Picchu,
General information
One should be in good physical condition. Additionally, it is
absolutely necessary to acclimatize for at least three days at altitudes above
3000m in order to avoid mountain sickness. The trail is between 4600m and
1500m and therefore temperatures vary tremendously. It can be cold ( at night it
can freeze at high altitudes ) and be very hot near the Rio Apurimac and in the
Santa Teresa valley. In case of emergency, the nearest hospital or doctor is far
away.During the trek all food is included and your luggage, except for your
daypack, will be carried by mules.
Program
Day 1: Cusco- Sayhuite-Cachora-Chiquisca. (6 hours of walking)
Day 2: Chiquisaca- Choquequirao (7 hours).
First we descend and cross the bridge over the Rio Apurimac (1650m),
where we can swim. Then we start a strenuous hike uphill for about 4 hours to
our lunch spot at Maranpata (2850m). The last 90 minutes is relatively flat
walking and the trail passes through lush cloud forest before arriving at the
citadel of Choquequirao (3050m). In the afternoon and following morning you can
explore this magnificent Inca religious and administrative center. We camp
at the ruins.
Day 3 : Choquequirao- Maizal (8 hours).
After our early morning visit of the ruins we continue our trek through lush
cloud forest to the Choquequirao pass (3150m). We descend towards the Rio
Blanco (1900m) and on the way, we visit another Inca site, the
agricultural terraces of Pinchihunuyoc. From here we climb up for 4 hours to
arrive at our camp at Maizal, (4100m), which consists of one house, and
is situated in a very remote valley of the high Andes.
Day 4: Maizal- Yanama (8 hours).
In the morning we pass through another archaeological site, Coralpata (Basecamp
for the 2003 National Geographic expedition to the Inca settlement of
Qoriwayrachina), before arriving at the entrance of an Inca, and later
colonial, (silver/ lead) mine. From here a beautifully constructed Inca road
leads to Victoria pass(4130m), from where there is a spectacular view of the
peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and opportunities to see the Andean the
condor. Next we follow the well constructed Inca road down to the beautifully
located settlement of Yanama (3480m), where we camp.
Day 5: Yanama- Totora (7 hours).
We start with a strenuous climb towards the highest pass of this trek, the
Yanama pass (4712m) and en route you will have good views over the very nearby
glaciers of the Pumasillo massif. On the other side of the pass there are good
views of the highest mountain of the Vilcabamba range, the mighty Salcantay
(6264m).The path descends all the way to the beautifully situated settlement of
Totora (3500m), surrounded by several snow capped peaks. Here we camp.
Day 6: Totora- Winaypoco (7 hours).
Today we hike once more through cloud forest with the chance of seeing orchids. We pass through the settlement of Collpapampa and follow the river Santa Teresa downstream. The climate becomes more hot and humid and the type of vegetation changes. After passing an impressive waterfall we arrive at the settlement of Winaypoco (2680m), where we camp.
Day 7: Winay Poco- Santa Teresa- Aguas Calientes (4380m) (4 hours).
Our last trekking day is easy as we descend for 3 hours along the Rio Teresa to the settlement of La Playa (2200m). Here we board a truck, which takes us on a spectacular road through coffee and banana plantations, to the Rio Urubamba. We can walk or go by truck to the train station of the hydroelectric plant, before taking the short train ride to Aguas Calientes. Here we stay at a hotel.
Day 8: Early in the morning we go by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu (30 min). Here we will have a 2 hour- guided tour. Afterwards you have time for yourself to explore, including the opportunity to climb to the nearby mountain top Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon we return to Cusco by train.
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Tour dates are on request and can leave any day between July and October 2007. |
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Prices start at $299,- |
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Included: |