CHOQUEQUIRAO 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS BACKPACKER
From: Pick up at Hostel
To: Choquequirao Trek, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes; Back to Cuzco
Departure time: 05:00 am
Returning time: 20:30 - 21:00 pm
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK BRIEF:
Our guide will meet you at your hostel/hotel 1 or 2 days prior to your departure date at 6:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. Please let us know where you are staying and at what time you would like to meet our guide for your brief.
Challenge yourself to an invigorating 8 day trek into the heights of the Vilcabamba mountain range
crossing over passes between 4,200 and 4,668 meters in altitude where you will be awe-struck at the inspiring snow-capped peaks surrounding you. Explore the two most stellar archaeological sites in Peru; Choquequirao, known as the last refuge for fleeing Incas during the Spanish conquest, and Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas", both nestled in the mountainside in a tropical jungle setting. Adventure seekers will get a thrill at crossing high mountain passes and nature lovers will marvel over the sight of Andean condors cruising gracefully in the sky and the wild variety of flora and fauna to be found in the tropical jungle. This is a trek that you simply cannot miss and will remember for a lifetime!
Day 1:
Hostel pick-up and transfer by bus to Cachora (altitude: 2,910m) the starting point of the trek. We will begin hiking along the Apurimac River with breathtaking views of the surrounding Padrayoc and Choke Takarpu mountains. Lunch will be served at Capuliyoc (2,915m) followed by a 2-hour winding descent to Chiquisca (1,836m) ending at our campsite, Playa Rosalina (1,550m), along the banks of the river.
Day 2:
Today a steady 5 hour hike uphill will take us to Santa Rosa (2,095m) where we will be served "cambray" a local sugarcane juice from a lovely local family and lunch alongside a mountain stream. Continuing to Marampata (2,913m) we will reach our campsite overlooking the Choquequirao archaeological site with panoramic views of the naturally stunning Apurimac river valley and Andean condors flying overhead.
Day 3:
Today we will have time to explore the "lost Inca city" of Choquequirao (3,035m) and then hike to the fully restored Pinchaunuyoc archaeological site (2,500m). Descending to the Rio Blanco river (1,950m) we will cross the river and have time to take a refreshing plunge. Our campsite today will be at Rio Blanco (1,900m) with beautiful mountain scenery and fresh air around us.
Day 4:
Get ready for a tough day ascending to the ancient Inca mining site of Mina Victoria passing through lush and dense cloud forest hiking along the original well preserved Inca Trail towards Victoria pass at 4,075 meters with stunning views where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and then continue 3 easy hours downhill to our campsite at Yanama (3,500m).
Day 5:
From Yanama we will hike to a high pass at 4,668m with amazing views of Sacsarayoc and Padrayoc mountains and then cross over Yanama pass at 4,500m where the snow-capped Sacsarayoc peak can be seen clearly. Here we may have the luck of seeing condors. We will descend through grassy fields to the Totora community to camp overnight.
Day 6:
Today we will have the chance to see vibrant regional flora and fauna as we descend to the Totora River and near the town of La Playa for lunch. Traversing the tropical region we can see waterfalls, banana and coca plantations as we reach Santa Teresa town (1,700 meters) for the night.
Day 7:
Finally we have an easy hike over rolling hills along the Vilcanota River in a warm and humid climate towards the hydroelectric station for lunch and then on to Aguas Calientes for a well-deserved rest and soak in the hot springs.
Day 8:
The Machu Picchu archaeological site is our last and much anticipated stop along this trail where you will have time to take extraordinary photos, wander through the site and learn about the ancient Inca culture with an English speaking guide. Have a hearty lunch in Aguas Calientes and relax on the train back to Ollantaytambo, bus to Cuzco and hotel drop off.
MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT
The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven't already heard it all during the Inca Trail Trek). Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. When you decide to head back down to Aguas Calientes, there are buses departing every 15 minutes from the entrance or you can take the walking trail down if you feel like another 1 hour stair stepping downhill to Aguas Calientes town.
Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) "discovered" by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary "lost city of the Incas". Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915.
Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don't miss the excellent photo
opportunities from the following spots: Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below. Hike up the steep (and sometimes muddy) peak named Wayna Picchu* (45 - 60 minutes) for unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective (you must purchase a ticket before entering the site in order to do the hike - note: there are only about 200 tickets available for the 7:00am and 10:00am entry times to Wayna Picchu.) For 2 other views of the site, walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes).
Hike up the steep (and sometimes muddy) peak named Wayna Picchu* (45 - 60 minutes) for unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective (you must purchase a ticket before entering the site in order to do the hike - note: there are only about 200 tickets available for the 7:00am and 10:00am entry times to Wayna Picchu.) For 2 other views of the site, walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes).
*Speak with your guide regarding purchasing a ticket for Wayna Picchu since they may sell out early.
AGUAS CALIENTES: Have a delicious lunch at any restaurant you desire and then head over to the hot-springs to soak your sore body in the rejuvenating waters. There are internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax. Visit the local marketplace right next to the train tracks where you can shop until the train whistle blows signaling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus for the last section of highway to Cuzco arriving back around 10:30pm.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
• Pre-departure briefing at your hostel or hotel.
• Hostel/Hotel Pick up in Cuzco.
• Tourist class transportation Cuzco - starting point of trek.
• Tourist class train ticket Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo.
• Tourist class bus from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco.
• Camping equipment, we provide 4 people capacity tent for two people.
• Mattress
• Dining room tent, kitchen tent, seats, tables
• Accommodation: 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes town.
• Entrance fees to Machu Picchu archaeological site.
• Entrance fees to Choquequirao archaeological site.
• Meals: 7 breakfasts / 7 lunches / 7 dinners (Meals include pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruit, pasta, chicken, fish, meat and rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking. Hot drinks include hot chocolate, coffee, tea and coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude).
• Professional cook and assistant cooks.
• Professional English/Spanish/Quechua Speaking Guide.
• Horses to carry camping equipment and personal items (Limit 4 kg per person).
• First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
• Emergency horses can be rented along the way to carry sick or tired trekkers.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco)
• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance Fee to the thermal hot springs.
• Tips for guides, cooks, horsemen.
• Bottled water (NOTE: you need to bring your own bottled water on the first day. You will have access to boiled water during the trek.
We recommend bringing water purification tablets and an aluminum water bottle so you can drink water at any time during the trek).
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card, charger (electricity available on night 3), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (this activity is available at an additional price).
DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original Passport (and student card if applicable), insurance card, personal medications
*Tips are recommended for porters (20 soles per person to be divided by the porters - not 20 soles per porter) and for your guide (20-30 soles per person for the guide). These amounts are only suggestions and would be a nice gesture for the hard working porters and guide.
Precio adulto: $720.00
Precio estudiante: $690.00
