DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISKA

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5:30 am for the 4 hour drive in our private vehicle to the village of Cachora (2,700 meters / 8855 feet). Here we will meet up with our wranglers and their horses and begin our hike, heading towards the Apurimac canyon for about 2½ hours. Arriving at the natural viewing point of Capuliyoc (2915 meters / 9560 feet), we will have time to enjoy the fine views of the canyon and surrounding mountains as we eat lunch. After lunch, we will descend for about 3 hours to our first campsite at Chiquiska, deep in the canyon. On this first evening we will serve you an exquisite Peruvian dinner, after which it will be time for a much deserved rest.

DAY 2: CHIQUISCA – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

After an excellent breakfast that will give you the energy you’ll need for the day’s walking, we will start today’s hike by heading down into the canyon for about an hour to Rosalinas Bridge across the Apurímac River (1550 meters / 5085 feet). From there we will begin a four hour climb to Maranpata (2925 meters / 9595 feet), where we will stop for lunch and to enjoy our first proper glimpse of the Choquequirao archaeological site. The entire archaeological complex has still not been fully excavated. Archaeological remains are still hidden under the cloud forest vegetation, which is the natural habitat of butterflies, deer, condors, and the spectacled bear. From Maranpata it is a further two hours to Choquequirao. We will camp close to the ruins and spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring, before having a good night’s rest.

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHAYUNUYOC – RIO BLANCO

Today we will have time to explore the ruins of Choquequirao (3033 meters / 9950 feet) before continuing our trek. We will visit the llama sector, where the Incas decorated the walls of their agricultural terracing with geometric representations of llamas. This is about 20 minutes from the main site of Choquequirao. After climbing the hillside for about 40 minutes we will have good views of the terraces of Pinchayunuyoc, before descending as far as the Blanco River (1990 meters / 6525 feet), where we will have lunch and enjoy a relaxing swim in the river’s clear waters. We will camp at this idyllic spot, close to a little-known and atmospheric archaeological site.

DAY 4: RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL

Today we will hike up the mountain for about four hours to an extraordinary place called Maizal (3500 meters / 11,480 feet). Maizal is remarkable for its wonderful serenity, which will leave you feeling at peace with yourself as you contemplate the surrounding scenery. This is one of the highlights of the trek, as the fine views compensate you for all the effort expended getting to this remote location.

DAY 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA

We will need to set off early today (at around 6:15 am). We will pass through lush green vegetation, where native flowers include several species of orchids. Following a section of original Inca highway, we will pass mines that have been worked for centuries before ascending to the Victoria Pass (4150 meters / 13,610 feet). From here it is possible to see condors flying overhead. We are now in the heart of the Vilcabamba mountain range, one of Peru’s most strikingly beautiful ranges. From the pass it is a 3 hour hike down to the village of Yanama (3650 meters / 11,970 feet), where we will stop for lunch. We will spend the rest of the day here, relaxing.

DAY 6: YANAMA – CHOQUETACARPO – QELQAMACHAY

We will leave the village of Yanama at around 6:30 am, after saying goodbye to the villagers. After a brief descent, we will climb to Choquetacarpo Pass (4593 meters / 15,065 feet). This is a particularly beautiful section of our trek, along a trail surrounded by local flora and imposing scenery. Passing the clear waters of small streams, we will arrive at our picturesque campsite at Qelqamachay, where there will be time to relax, enjoy the scenery, to eat a good meal and rest.

DAY 7: QELQAMACHAY – VILCABAMBA

Today we will hike up to the final pass at Qelkamachay. Walking along a section of original Inca highway, we will pass through a valley as far as Vilcabamba, which was one of the final strongholds of the Incas, until the Spaniards finally conquered this region many years after they had taken control of the city of Cusco. In Vilcabamba we will have a good meal and spend the night.

DAY 8: VILCABAMBA – SANTA TERESA

After a good night’s rest, once more our day will begin early, at approximately 7:30 am. It is around a 4 hour walk to the fascinating and seldom visited archaeological sites of Rosaspata and Ñustajispana (White Rock). After lunch, we will provide you with private transportation to the village of Santa Teresa (1800 meters / 5900 feet), where we will have plenty of time to bathe at the natural hot springs of Cocalmayo. We will camp at Santa Teresa.

DAY 9: SANTA TERESA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

Our day will begin at 7:30 am as we head along the Urubamba River, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Here the climate is warm and we will be surrounded by abundant flora and fauna. We will stop for lunch not far from a hydroelectric station, before continuing our trek for around 2½ hours, heading along the train tracks until we reach the small town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Here we will stay in comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Once we have had time to rest and relax in Aguas Calientes, we will meet for a celebration dinner in an elegant restaurant right in the heart of town, to celebrate our completion of a wonderful 10-day trek.

DAY 10: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Today we will visit one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak at 2453 meters (8045 feet), amid spectacular scenery. During a guided tour of the site the guide will talk about historical and cultural aspects of this lost city. Our visit to Machu Picchu will begin shortly after sunrise, and in the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will head back to Cusco by road.

NOTES ON THE ITINERARY

• The times mentioned in this itinerary are approximate
• Exact trekking times will depend on how the group progresses

Departure date

• Departures are available throughout the year although weather conditions mean that the best time to trek this route is between April and November.

These Available discounts discounts are not cumulative

• Students: US$ 29 students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid
• Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
• Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings