Description

ITINERARY :

DAY 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chikiska

We will leave the city of Cusco at 4:00 am. We will travel in our private van for four hours until we arrive at the town of Cachora (2600m. – 8,530 ft.) This is where we will meet up with our team of cooks and muleskinners. All of our equipment will be carried on packhorses. We will start walking in the direction the great Apurimac Canyon. The view of the high Andean snow-capped peaks along the route is really fantastic. After a 4-hour hike we will arrive at our first campsite at Chiquisca (1836 masl. – 6023ft.) At camp we can relax, eat a wonderful supper, and rest up so that we will have plenty of energy for the following day’s adventure.

DAY 2 : Chikiska – Choquequirao

After breakfast we will get an early start on the trail. We will begin by crossing the Apurimac River. Then we will climb up the long narrow trail on other side of the canyon. We should arrive at the ancient Incan City of Choquequirao by 4pm. There will be time to tour this marvelous, partially excavated site with our guide. The view back over the canyon is spectacular. If we are lucky, we will get to see the giant Andean condors flying in the sky, high over our heads. The elevation of our campsite is 3050 m /11,055 ft.

DAY 3: Choquequirao – Maizal

On this third day of our trek, we will leave Choquequirao and head uphill we cross the pass at 3,300 m / 10,890 ft. Then we will hike downhill until we reach Rio Branco (1900 m/ 6,270 ft.) On the way we will pass by the Pinchiunuyoj archaeological site. There we take the time to observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and the local plantations of the coca growers. (2,750 m / 9075 ft.) From Rio Blanco (which translates as White River), we will climb uphill for about 3 hours until we arrive at Maizal (3,000 m / 9,900 ft.) which is where we will camp for the night.

DAY 4: Maizal – Yanama

On this morning of our fourth day, we will start walking uphill and pass by the long abandoned Incan mines which are now called Minas Victoria. From this high lookout point, it is easy to pick out the original cobblestoned Incan trails. We will cross the pass at 4,150 masl. ( 13,695 ft.) And finally we will descend to our campsite (3,800 m/ 12,540 ft.).

DAY 5 : Yanama – Collpapampa

After an early breakfast we will start our gradual ascent to the highest point of our trek. (4,670 m/ 15,410 ft.) Once again, the view from the pass will be absolutely amazing. You will be surrounded by glacier covered mountains. Sacsarayoj Mtn. and Padreyoj Mtn. will dominate the landscape. We will set up camp in the shadow of these peaks at 3,630 m / 11,979 ft.

DAY 6: Collpapampa – La Playa

Day 6 will mostly be a downhill leg as we descend into the Valley of the Totora River. Birds and wildlife will become more plentiful as we reach the Eyebrow of the Jungle. You are sure to see hummingbirds, woodpeckers, begonias, and orchids. We will camp at 2,125m / 7,012 ft.

DAY 7: Playa – Machupicchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)

We will start off the day with our last uphill climb of about 3 hours to an elevation of 2,810 m / 9,273 ft. From that point we will have a fantastic view of the Incan Sanctuary of Machu Picchu from the back side. We can take a break at this point. We are almost there. We can hike down to Hidroelectrica on the banks of the Urubamba River. Depending on the time of day, we will walk or take the train into Aguas Calientes. We will spend the night in a hotel, and take a hot shower before going to bed.

DAY 8: Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will get up before dawn so that we can see the sun rise over Machu Picchu. After a delicious breakfast, we will catch the tourist bus up to the Lost City of the Incas. There will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the site, followed by free to too explore on your own. In the afternoon we can go down to Aguas Calientes and eat a great lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There our bus will be waiting to give us a ride back to Cusco.

Included:

• Pre-departure briefing in our Office or in your hotel. One or two days before the hike.
• Pick up from your Hotel at 5:00 am Private transport to Cachora (3 Hrs.)
• English speaking Guide,
• Cook and Horseman
• Full board meals during the trek vegetarian option
• Camping Equipment tent for 2 person, dining tent, tables , chairs and Mattress
• Horses to carry camping equipment
• 1 Extra horse in case of emergency
• Entrance tickets to Choquequirao & Machupicchu
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Bus tickets( Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu round trip .)
• Tourist Train from Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco.