Choquequirao 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Playa Rosalina (Apurimac River).

At 5am we will pick up our customers from their hotels, and then we will transfer by our private van to Cachora (4 hours), once we will meet the rest of team (Arrieros and horses). Then we will begin trek go uphill, passing through the high pass of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors and great view of the Apurimac Canyon. Finally we descend through Cactus forest to playa Rosalina on the banks of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon River. Camping at playa Rosalina (1550m).

Day 2: Playa Rosalina - Maranpata - Choquequirao (Golden Cradle).

After early breakfast strenuous 5 hours of uphill trek through a long and narrow trail, surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Half way up stop for lunch at Maranpata, then continue hiking to more hours to Choquequirao (Golden Cradle), is considered the sister city of Machu Picchu, because of several similarities, it hangs 1500m above the Apurimac Canyon., and Machu Picchu hang above the Urubamba canyon. The view of the canyon is spectacular; it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Camping near of Choquequirao (3050m).

Day 3: Choquequirao - Choquequirao Pass - Rio Blanco - Maizal.

Breakfast will at 7am and then start our trek passing the Choquequirao ruins, up hill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass. After 5 hours trekking the trail continue through agricultural terraces called Pinchinoyoc which means (water jumping forward - 2750m). There will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations. We will have our lunch near the Rio Blanco, we use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. From Rio Blanco we climb up to Maizal for about 3 hrs. Camping at 3000m.

Day 4: Maizal - Minas Victoria - Yamana.

Early morning trek around the Corihuarachina glacier, important due to some archaeological remains such as Inca channels. From here we start walking uphill passing by the impressive Inca mines called Minas Victoria and towards the Victoria Pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in amazingly beautiful area - first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known Ichu grass. Then we pass through Minas Victoria , a place that during the colony , silver was extracted from a mine. Almost on the top we can apreciate original paved Inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass in 4200m with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, and finally descend to our campsite at Yamana, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3800m).

Day 5: Yamana - Mountain Range - Totora.

After early breakfast trekking uphill to the highest pas in this trek, named Yamana. Again the view will be amazing from here we will be surrounded by mountain range of Saqsarayoc and Pedreyoc. 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 poor wood bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the in tents in a indescribable beauty, surrounded by pure nature.

Day 6: Totora - Cloud Forest - La Playa.

Today the trekking will be 7 hours, descending 2000m into Totora River. We will observe the natural wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, many species of orchids and begonias. Then we descend the trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee. On the way will stop at small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird the climate and vegetations have changed totally. The Playa is 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. Campsite at 2125 m. Alter a good breakfast will took a transport that takes us until the town of Santa Teresa, we cross a river of the Vilcanota. Where we will take a transport to Planta de Hidroeléctrica, place where we will have an excellent view of a different angle of Machu Picchu and the Aobamba canyon, where another Inca trail can be seen, also here we will have our last lunch. After good rest and walk 3 hours to reach Aguas Calientes. Optional visit the hot spring located next to the town. We will spend the night in Hostel.

Day 7: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco.

After an early breakfast from Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu, there, we will have a guided tour for all the Archaeological Site, then we will have free time to be on our own in Machu Picchu, maybe to climb the Wayna Picchu or visit the moon temple. At mentioned time you will meet the guide and then come back to Aguas Calientes (3pm) to catch the train back to Cusco arriving at 8pm aprox.

Tour  includes:

- Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)

- transfer by private van from Cusco to Cachora  

- Entrance ticket to choquequirao and Machupicchu (one day)  

- Horses to carry food and camping equipment

- Horses for personal bags just 10kl

- Experienced cook

- Cooking equipment

- Tea time everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)

- 4 capacity tent (four season tent)

- 2 persons per tent with plenty space for  backpacks

- Double thickness foam sleeping mattress

- All meals on the trail (7 breakfast - 7 lunches - 7 dinners)

- Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast

- Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (backpacker train)

- Bus from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes village (Not all tour operators include this service)

- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs

- Kitchen tent -Accommodation and meals for our staff

- Trekking price include all local sales taxes (19%)

- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant.

Price does not include:

- Optional entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (US$3 last day)

- 2 soles for towel to use in the hot spring

- Alcoholic drinks -Sleeping Bag can be hired in our local office in Cusco US$5 per day

- Breakfast on the first day before to be collected from your hotel, if your hotel don’t offer early breakfast service, we stop at  village on the way to have breakfast for additional cost Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes before to take the train back to Cusco

- Tips for guide and camp staff

- Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily