We recommend following the basics of ecotourism. We must respect and protect the environment, as well as the archaeological complexes and local customs.

This expedition will take you to two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco-area and Peru: CHOQUEKIRAO and MACHU PICCHU. The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu ruin are already all over the world. Since the re-discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the ruin has been a topic of discussions and research about the Incas, and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, same that in 1983 where honored by UNESCO as World Heritage. As much one can find of writings and histories about Machu Picchu, the little one can find about the latter, but not less interesting ruin complex of Choquequirao.
Choqequirao, meaning “Cradle of Gold”, is a magnificent archaeological complex located in the Vilcabamba mountain range in the Cusco area. It is thought that this mountain range was the last refuge of the Incas resisting the conquest; led by Manco Inka II.
On our trek, we will enjoy some spectacular geography, flora and fauna; native to the pluvial yunger, inter-Andean valleys and rainforest.
The temperature on this trek can range between a minimum of -10ºC at night, and a maximum of 23ºC during the day.

Day 1: CUSCO (3350m.) - CACHORA (2850m.) - CHIQUISCA (1930m.)

We leave the city of Cusco early (6:00am), driving along the road which goes north-west across the famous Pampas de Anta or Yawar Pampa (Blood Pampa, because of the ferocious battle between the Inkas and the Chankas over possession of Cuzco city). We cross the mountains and descend to the warm town of Limatambo where the archaeological site of Tarawasi is found.
We continue in the direction of the Cunyac Bridge over the Apurimac River, the natural border between the Cusco and Apurimac regions. We follow the road to the settlement of Curahuasi, famous for its aromatic liquor: Macerado de Anis. Our final stop is the town of San Pedro de Cachora (2850m) about 4 hours from take of in Cusco in the province of Apurimac, surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as for example the Padreyoc (5,771m). Here we will meet our “arrieros” (horsemen), and we begin our walk, leaving the town to the north, with a spectacular view of the Nevado Padreyoq. We cross the Cachora creek and climb through a refreshing forest of eucalyptus and native vegetation to the dirt track which is passable by cars; from where the path is flat until the lookout at Capuliyoq (2800m). Estimated time to reach this point is approximately 3 hours. From the lookout, we have a spectacular view of the Apurimac River and Choquekirau. Here we will enjoy our lunch.
We begin our descent on a zigzagging footpath, crossing scrub and later a forest of native trees called Phaty, in around 3 hours. After six hours hike we finally arrive at our first campsite called Chiquisca (1,930m). We can expect a warm night in the valley.

Meals during the day: Lunch/Dinner.

Day 2: CHIQUISCA (1930m.) - ROSALINA BEACH (1550m.) - MARAMPATA (2850m.).

After a good breakfast, we begin our descent to Playa Rosalina (1550m), where we register at an INC control post and we cross the bridge over the Apurimac River. Time to this point will be approximately 1 hour. We begin our climb uphill on a zigzagging path, towards Santa Rosa (2095m); where we can take a refreshing break, and maybe buy some candy or soda. We continue upwards, towards Marampata (2850m), a flat place where we can rest in similar conditions to Santa Rosa; enjoying a splendid view of Choqequirau. Time from the Apurimac river to here is approximately 4 to 5 hours. The gradient varies from almost flat to very steep. We follow the path which begins flat, and then has several uphill and downhill sections before the INC campsite at Choquequiraw. This campsite has bathrooms and a cold shower.
We hike about 7 hours today in a rather warm climate, with a total distance of 14 km to the campsite.
Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO (3033m.) – CHOQUEQUIRAO PASS (3270m.) – PINCHAUNUYUC (2,450m).

After breakfast we have good time to enjoy the majestic archaeological place. We can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town. Besides we see the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored – that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed Inca Empire. After the lunch we walk through Choquekiraw, with all equipment, going to our next camp. We follow the old water canal for a while before we start the 3 hours walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found in 1998. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. Pinchinoyoc - these ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest. Pinchinuyoc is located 2450 meters above sea level and means “water jumping forward” - these terraces have some curious ritual fountains. The terraces were in the Inca Times cultivated to provide food for the locals. We will this night camp at the terraces. Our trekking time is about 7 hours.
Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: PINCHAUNUYOC (2,450m.) – MAIZAL (3,000m.)

After an early breakfast we walk down through interesting vegetation know as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants here look different to what we have seen before. We arrive to the river Victoria after a few hours and 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. On the way up we catch our breath in the shade of small trees and other vegetations on the way up. In Maizal we have our lunch and enjoy, that we can relax this afternoon. Maizal is properly the camp in the most beautiful location on the tour. From here we see 3 valleys and a great snow peak right across from us. Our trekking time is about 7 hours.
Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: MAIZAL (3,000m.) - YANAMA (3530m.)

We leave our camp in Maizal and walk towards the San Juan pass. It will be a long climb in a humid area, but it is an amazingly beautiful area with first with cloud forest and then Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We take lunch at the San Juan pass in 4200 meters above sea level with a view of the mountain Choquetakarpo. After lunch we start the descent towards Yanama (3530m), a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. This place has indescribable beauty, peacefulness. Our trekking time is about 9 hours.
Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: YANAMA (4580m.)-TOTORA (3200m.)

We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4600m. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. 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 crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora (3200m), where we spend the night. Our trekking time is about 8 hours.

Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: TOTORA (3200m.) –PLAYA (2100m.)-SANTA TERESA (1830m.)

We now walk down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa (2100m). Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath in hot springs. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants and several types of orchids. 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. Arriving to La Playa we have the choice between continuing the trail until Santa Teresa (1830m), where we'll spend the night in a hostel or stay in La Playa.

Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: SANTA TERESA (1830m.) – HIDROELECTRICA (1900m.) - AGUAS CALIENTES (2050m.)

Continuing our hike we cross the River Vilcanota, also known as Willcamayu, in a typical transport of this area - the cable-car. Continuing through this warm and humid climate we soon arrive at the Hydro-Electrical station (1900m) where we will have a delicious lunch.  We continue the trek by the rail way, 3 hours more to Aguas Calientes (2,050m.).Upon arrival, you will be accommodated at the hostel or hotel of your choice (included on this package). You will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant at about 7:30p.m.Hiking time: 4 hours

Meals during the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 9: AGUAS CALIENTES (2050m.)- MACHUPICCHU (2430m.) - CUSCO

After an early breakfast we will try to take the first bus at 05:30 am from Aguas Calientes to the city of Machu Picchu. The tour takes around 20 to 30 minutes. At this early morning we will enjoy the Machu Picchu ruins while the sun slowly warm up the site and the fug disappear. We will enjoy a guided 2 ½ hour visit of the great Machu Picchu sanctuary-city, and after it is possible to visit the complex at your own.  There is an optional hike for the more energetic and adventurous people in the group, to the top of the Huaynapicchu Mountain - the pyramid-shaped peak that overlooks Machu Picchu. After our visit, we will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where we can enjoy a relaxing bath at the local hot springs. In the afternoon we will take the train back to Poroy train station, just outside Cusco, and bring you to your hotel.

Meals during the day: Breakfast,

You will get on a train that departs from Aguas Calientes to the train station in Ollantaytambo at 2pm or 6pm and it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. In Ollantaytambo you will have transportation by bus to your hotel in Cusco that takes aproxlymatly1 hour and 45 minutes.
You will be back at your hotel around 5.30pm to 6pm or 9:30pm to 10pm.

IMPORTANT:

• Your passport number
• If you have any special diet ( ex. Vegetarian)
• The hotel and address you stay at
• If you have any special dieses that we should be aware of (you are responsible to bring your own medicine). We will provide basic first ad kid and oxygen.

For the tour we provide a duffle bag (normal sports bag), where you can put in your personal belongings and sleeping back that you don’t want to carry at the trek, but still have with you on the tour. You are allowed to fill the bag with 7 kg, which the mules on the trek will carry. To get this duffle bag you go to Peru Travel Expedition in Plateros street Nº. 314. The office is located very close to Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

 INCLUDES:

• -Private transportation: Hotel – Cachora
• -Private transportation: Train station Poroy or Ollantaytambo - hotel
• -Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
• -Horsemen and horses: for your equipment (the horses will carry 10 kilos per our client belongings).
• Entrance-fee for Choquequirao
• -Double occupancy tents: dining tent and toilet tent, tables and stools plus all the plates and silver ware
• -Hostel: double accommodation in a nice place
• -Train tickets: from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo.
• -Entrance fee: Machu Picchu
• -Bus ticket: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
• -Cook: and assistant in charge of meal preparation

Not Included:

• Breakfast day 1
• Dinner last day.
• Personal equipment (sleeping bag) 

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

Below you will find a list of equipment we recommend you bring with you.

• Original passport:
• Backpack
• Sleeping bag.
• Strong footwear
• Change of clothes; Jacket; Clothes for cold weather
• Good socks
• Camera, films and extra batteries
• Water bottle, ideally non disposable canteen (boiled drinking water will be provided)
• Torch / flashlight, plus extra batteries
• Broad - brim or peaked cap
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries & toilet paper, small towel
• Swimsuit, for the hot springs
• Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, energy bars etc.
• Cash in soles and US$ Dollars
• Binoculars.
• Optional: walking Poles/sticks (rubber covers necessary).