Early in the morning we will have breakfast in the Hotel around 5:30am then the bus will pick us up from the hotel around 6 a.m. then we will start with our journey to the village of Cachora from Cusco 5 hours drive to the trail head of Cachora. During our journey we will stop a moment to observe the archaeological remains of Tarawasi from the bus, continuing thereafter towards the Cunyac Bridge between the departments of Cusco and Apurimac. Next we will travel through the district of Curahuasi and Saywite Andean Comunity, arriving at Cachora 2800 m./9,186 ft. at 10 a.m. approximately.
Here we will meet our donkey drivers and We will begin our trek from this area, along sloping path leading to the pass of Capuliyoc 2915 m./9,563 ft for about 2 hours, here we will have lunch and from where we have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley stretching below as well as the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora, from Capuliyoc we will have the first view to Choquequirao far from us, then We will descend toward Coca Masana 2330 m./7,644 ft where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we arrive at Chiquisca at 1900 m./6,233 ft closer to the Apurimac River where we will set up camp and spend the night in tents. Here in this camping area we will find humble huts where people from Cachora live offering soda drinks to the trekkers, they provide meals if you ask to prepare, basic food. (L, D).
2 day.- Chiquisca - Maranpata
Early in the morning after the breakfast around 6:00 am, we will continue our trek, we will walk for about 1 hour down to cross the Apurimac River over the hanging bridge, then we will start climbing up the hill towards Santa Rosa (2115 m./6,938 ft.) where we will stop for lunch. This course is the hardest and we will take three hours after which we will climb up to the Maranpata (2850 m./9,350 ft.) that is an easier climb.
During our journey we will observe the vegetation existing in the area. Then we will arrive to Maranpata beside the Chunchulmayo River where we will have a short rest. Along the way we will observe many orchids and wild flowers as well as many birds, well after the hardly climbing we will arrive to Maranpata around 2pm. Here we will find humble huts and next them we will make our camp area. Camping in our tents. (B, L, D).
3 day.- Maranpata - Choquequirao
Our Andean breakfast will be very early around 7:00 am and after it we will walk from Maranpata to Choquequirao (3035 m./9,957 ft) is a 2 hour hike. We will arrive at the archaeological site in time to enjoy the impressionist views of the deep canyons and maybe the opportunity to see a Condor flying nearby, we will walk towards of the Choquequirao archaeological complex, which is a one-hour walk to see the Choquequirao and where our guide will explain you for three hours with all the details about this important Inca ruins. We will have lunch here in the ruins, then after to visit the ruins we will camp closer to the ruins in the allowed camping site, in Choquequirao. (B, L, D).
4 day.- Choquequirao - Rio Blanco
Early morning departure, walking through Choquequirau, to find our way behind the upper plaza , going up though high cloud forest to the Choquequirau Pass 3270 m./10,728 ft. Afterwards the trail continues through some agricultural terraces or (Andenes) called Pinchiunoyoc 2450 m./8,038 ft, This terraces have some curious ritual fountains . Also this terraces in the Inca Times where cultivated to provide food for the locals. We will continue descending toward the Rio Blanco where we will camp at 1900 m./6,233 ft. (B, L, D).
5 day.- Rio Blanco - Maizal
After the morning breakfast in Rio Blanco we will start hiking up along the nice path full of plants and orchids, this day we will walk up moderate rhythm because it will take us 4 or 5 hours approximately hiking slowly (alternative as a rest day), we will find the most wonderful flowers and many plants, in the halfway we will have lunch, then after few minutes rest we will continue to Maizal where we will find only a family in their hut, we will prepare our camping tents here and overnight around 3000 m./9,842 ft. (B, L, D).
6 day.- Maizal - Yanama
We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start the four hour steep climb towards the Yanama Pass or San Juan Pass (4170 m./13,681 ft) and from which we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak, Panta (5640 m./18,503.94 ft) Choquetacarpo (5512 m./18,083 ft), Pumasillo (5199 m./17,057 ft), Yanama (5347 m./17,542 ft) y Sacsarayoc (5936 m./ 19,475 ft.), we will take a rest after descend towards the Yanama community (3400 m./11,154 ft). We will camp at this place (B, L, D).
7 day.- Yanama - (Totora) - Colpapampa
Today we trek surrounded by the high mountains of the Vilcabamba Range full of Ichu grass and of Tarwi brush , we go up to the Yanama Pass ( 4580 m./15,026.25 ft), highest pass on the way . In the afternoon you continue down river arriving to the hamlet of Totora, where we have a shor rest, this place has indescribable beauty, tranquility and pure nature surrounded by the glaciers Salcantay ,Padreyoc, and Pumasillo, then continue to descenr until com Totora, then we will get Colpapampa where we will camp in this place around 1850masl, in case of the time late we will camp at Totora (B, L, D).
8 day.- Colpapampa - Sahuayaco
Alter the breakfast in Colpapampa camping place we will continue walking down along the Salkantaymayu, down Colpapampa we will find hotspings, then we will continue walking and in the middle of the trail we will find a nice waterfall, passing by nice exotic plants, as we look up to the mountains we will see full of plants and trees, then we will continue along the Salkantaymayu river, and we will find many coffee plants and bananas, a local passion fruit trees, we will have lunch in the middle of the trek, and we will arrive to the humble Andean community of Playa, with Basic shops where we can find soda drinks and bears to fresh our body, then a few meters down we will arrive to Sahuayaco private camping areas, we will set up our camping's in one of the private camping field, overnight at Sahuayaco. (B, L, D).
After the breakfast in Sahuayaco we will aboard the public bus (only that service) then start driving to Santa Teresa town is over 1645 m./5,396 ft we will pass by the classical jungle area a lot of coffee plants, we will drive for about 45 minutes to get to Santa Teresa arriving around 10:00 am, here men, women and young girls will be waiting for us to help us with our equipments to carry until the hanging bridge because there are no cars or mules for this part of the trail this part of the trail will take us about 30 minutes hiking, all this area was destroyed by the landslide and the trails were closed, even the railways was destroyed, then we will arrive to the hanging bridge to cross the Urubamba river and take the public truck of the Machu Picchu Town hall and drive to hydroelectric power station which sis also a small village and the train station for this part of the trail. Here we can see many kinds of fruits, tree and plants.
We will have lunch in the Hydroelectric and continue hiking to Aguas calientes but before we can enjoy the highest rocky mountain over us wich is part of Huaynapicchu where are the Machu Picchu's inka ruins, Finally we arrive at the last place of our things ready and around 4:00pm we will take hot shower in our selected hotel in Aguas Calientes restaurant and overnight in Aguas Calientes (B, L, D).
After having our nice breakfast in our hostel, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, after picking our entrance tickets up at the control; we visit the famous archaeological site of South America and now the New Wonder of the Earth, the tour usually takes 2-3 hours, after the guided tour you can spend some hours to visit and enjoy the place by yourself. After your nice experience in Machu Picchu, you have to return to the village of Aguas Calientes, for getting in on your train back to Cusco. And finally we pick up you at the train station to your Hotel. (B)
We Provide:
Private transport to Cachora; all camping and cooking equipment including good quality mattresses, Ausangate entrance fees, spacious two person tents, dining (tables and chairs)and cook tent, Extensive First-aid kit including Oxygen; professional English and Spanish speaking guides trained in first-aid and C.P.R. Mules and cook team. All entrances fee needed for doing the tour (extras are by tour own), All Meals Whilst Trekking Included as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Not Included:
Breakfast on the first day.
Sleeping bag.
Extra mule or porter (for asking before departing)
Any extra entrance fee
** Tips for Staff on the trail.
Equipment List:
On this expedition we will be experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing Altiplano to extremely hot sunshine. During the day hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold (as low as -10°C whilst camping) especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco. Good quality Alpaca jumpers are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is essential for your enjoyment of this trip.
Suggested List:
Comfortable clothes for travel
Smart clothes for night life
Shorts
T-shirts
A warm fleece or down jacket
Thermal underwear
Warm hat, gloves, scarf
Sweater (Available in Cusco)
Waterproof coat & trousers (poncho)
Socks / underwear
Trekking trousers
After trekking trousers & t-shirt
Good, well walking boots
After trek shoes (sandals)
Towel
Sleeping bag
Water bottle & purification tablets (optional)
Sunglasses
Swim suit
Sun-hat,
Head torch & spare batteries
Book, notepaper & pen (optional)
Sun block
Lip balm
Binoculars (optional)
Camera & batteries
Pocket knife
Insect Repellent
Walking sticks & protective rubber (optional)
Personal toilet kit
Money belt
Day sack & rain-cover
Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), general anti-biotic, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
We carry an extensive first aid kit & Oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only)
Please note:
The mules carry all your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible during the day so please bring a small day-pack to carry your personal day gear in - ie water-bottle, iodine tablets, camera, sun-block, insect repellent, light fleece and rain jacket.
Any excess gear may be stored in Cusco at your hotel.
Most good quality sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru so if anyone wishes to donate any outdoor clothes, sleeping bags etc they will be gratefully received by any of our staff.
Policy to Make a Reservation
Complete the booking form making sure that the name on the booking form matches that on your passport.
Deposit of % 50 PERCENT per person is required at the time of booking.
Upon receipt of your booking we will forward confirmation and complete information of the trail and included services.
The balance is due not less than 8 weeks prior to departure.
Upon receipt of your final balance you will receive detailed joining instructions.
And lastly please note:
The "Choquequirao Trek'' travels through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that makes this trail so very special could also cause certain problems.
This is a very nature and adventure trek and we expect our clients to be prepared for any alteration in climate (Rainy season-November to April- and dry season - May to October) or/and change programmed events.
This expedition involves trekking up side and down between 1000 m./3,280 ft to 3000 m./9,842 ft, and involves steep descent and ascent. It is recommended that all clients should have some previous trekking experience and should be in reasonable fitness.
You should also be aware that adventure travel, in particular trekking and travelling in remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to assume. You will have to take out adequate travel insurance to cover these risks and any costs incurred due to sickness, delayed flights and other factors out of Gregory Adventure Perú control.
A pre-departure meeting will be held on arrival in Cusco. It is highly recommended you attend. All clients will be asked to sign a risk assumption form and must provide a photocopy of their passport, Peru entry stamp and details of their travel insurance.
