- CHOQUEQUIRAO
- MACHUPICCHU
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PRICE: US$ -- per person CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHUPICCHU 08 DAYS (Group Service) |
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• Tour starts in Cusco |
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TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHUPICCHU - 08 DAYS
Choquequirao, the jewel of the Andes, is a Quechua word meaning "Cradle of Gold" (chuqi, gold, and k'iraw, cradle). The name comes from the name of a hill near the archaeological site.
Choquequirao, Choqequirau, Choquekirao, Choquekirau, or Choqekiraw bears the pseudonym "Sister of Machu Picchu," as it is also a striking citadel made mostly of stone (structural and architectural similarity). Like Machu Picchu, Choquequirao has its own story to tell, as it is located between the collision of two very different worlds: the Andean Mountains (branches of the Salcantay snow-capped mountain) and the imposing Peruvian Amazon.
Choquequirao, the archaeological city, was hidden from humankind for almost four centuries, a place that remains mysterious for archaeologists, researchers, the curious, and those in general who choose to visit this territory. What is certain is that this Cradle of Gold has become a favorite among adventure and hiking enthusiasts, due to the challenge of reaching it and trying to discover and understand the ancient secrets it holds in every corner of its citadel. Read more...
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♦ Altitudes:
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♦ Lower: 1,550 masl. (5,085 feet) ♦ Higher: 3,033 masl (9,951 feet) |
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♦ Duration:
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♦ 08 Days / 07 Nights |
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♦ Difficulty Level:
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♦ High |
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♦ Participants:
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♦ 02 Minimum |
DAY 1 (CUSCO - CACHORA - CAPULIYOC - CHIQUISQA): We begin the tour in Cusco, with hotel pickup between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. After everyone is ready, we board our vehicle (approximately 5 hours this day) to the town of Cachora (3,100 meters above sea level), where we make a brief stop to make the last purchases for our adventure. We then continue by bus, enjoying the views of the snow-capped mountains of Padrayoc (5,482 meters above sea level) and Wayna Cachora, until we reach the Capuliyoc pass (2,900 meters above sea level), where we prepare for our trek and meet our team: cooks and muleteers.
In Capuliyoc, we will have a panoramic view of the Apurímac Valley. Then, we will officially begin our trek, descending until we reach Chiquisqa (1,930 meters above sea level), our first campsite. This part of our adventure is mostly downhill and will take approximately 4 hours of hiking. (Meals: Lunch and Dinner)
DÍA 2 (CHIQUISQA - PLAYA ROSALINA - CHOQUEQUIRAO): An early breakfast (5:00 a.m.) will then continue our hike down to Rosalina Beach (1,550 meters above sea level) and then up the slope to Santa Rosa (2,100 meters above sea level), where we will enjoy a refreshing lunch. This is the most arduous or difficult part of the hike. We will then ascend to Marampata (2,850 meters above sea level), then the path becomes easier until we reach Choquequirao, where we will set up camp. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
DÍA 3 (CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHAUNUYOC – MAIZAL): We will have an early breakfast and may make a brief additional visit to the Choquequirao citadel. After this visit, we will continue our ascent hike, passing through a forest of native trees; we will reach Pinchiunuyoc, the highest point of the day. We will continue our hike and visit the archaeological remains of Inca Pinchiunuyoc, which will also be the place where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will descend toward Río Blanco (a stream); after crossing the bridge, we begin our ascent until we reach Maizal, where we will camp and spend the night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
DÍA 4 (MAIZAL - MINA VICTORIA PASS - YANAMA): we begin our hike uphill along a stony path, passing through a beautiful forest of native trees. Before reaching the Mina Victoria Pass, we'll have spectacular views of the Choquetacarpo and Pumasillo snow-capped mountains in the Vilcabamba mountain range. We'll descend to the community of Yanama, where we'll spend the night, but not before stopping for lunch and a short rest. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
DAY 5 (YANAMA - ABRA APACHETA - TOTORA): Early in the morning we will have a nutritious breakfast and then begin our hike, ascending the Yanama River ravine (upstream). We will begin the hike with a gentle slope, which will become increasingly steep as we reach the pass or abra (4,670 masl). The scenic beauty is impressive, as well as the ecological levels before reaching the puna. Just after the abra we will have lunch and descend towards the Totora Valley and Community, where we will have dinner and spend the night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 6 (TOTORA - COLPAPAMPA - BEACH - LUCMABAMBA): Enjoy a hearty breakfast and an early start to our hike. We'll follow the Totora River toward its confluence with the Chalan River. Along the way, we'll enjoy lush vegetation and beautiful waterfalls in a tropical valley with coffee and banana plantations, as well as unique wildlife. We'll arrive at the beach town for lunch. We'll then continue our hike to Lucmabamba, where we'll camp. In the afternoon, we'll take a coffee tour with a local family and, at the end, taste the region's finest organic coffee. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
DAY 7 (LUCMABAMBA - LLACTAPATA - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES): After a delicious breakfast, we begin our day with a 3-hour hike along an original Inca Trail through a cloud forest to Puncuyoc Pass. 15 minutes later, we will reach LLACTAPATA, an ancient Inca city located at 2,700 m / 8,906 ft. The guide will share stories of the sacred sites. After Llactapata, we will descend for approximately 2 hours until we reach the hydroelectric plant, where we will stop for lunch and rest. Afterward, we will wait for the train (optional) that will take us to Aguas Calientes in approximately 35 minutes, or we will continue hiking for 3 hours until we reach Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hostel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
DAY 8 (AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHUPICCHU TOUR - OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO): Early in the morning, we take the bus (30 minutes) from the town of Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The tour of Machu Picchu will allow us to understand the high level of development that Andean civilization reached under the rule of the Incas. At Machu Picchu, the Incas demonstrated their advanced knowledge of astronomy and astrology, essential for measuring climatic cycles (rainy and dry seasons) for the development of their main activity (agriculture).
After our visit to the Machu Picchu Citadel, we will return to Aguas Calientes and then take the train to Ollantaytambo (1.50 hours). From there, we return by bus to Cusco in approximately 2 hours. (Meals: Breakfast)
Note:
SERVICE INCLUDES:
SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
THINGS WE SUGGEST YOU BRING:
TIPS:
The hike to Choquequirao is one of the most intense hiking routes, as it ascends steep paths through the Apurimac Canyon, where the heat can be exhausting. Although you don't need to be an expert mountaineer, being in good physical condition is recommended. The entire route is 43 kilometers long.
MORE OPTIONS TO CHOQUEQUIRAO - PERU MYSTERIES
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If you want to experience a completely different experience, feel the magic and mystery, it's best to schedule an adventure to Choquequirao with Perú Mysteries in your calendar.
MAP - CHOQUEKIRAO - PERU MYSTERIES!!!
PHOTOS - CHOQUEQUIRAO - PERU MYSTERIES!!!
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