Choquequiraw 8 days
Choquequiraw 8D is a trek of 100 km long, designed for people with physical training and experience for long distance walks with different altitudes and different grounds; with fitness and strenght. 8D Choquequiraw invites you to discover the last refuge of the Incas, "La Cuna de Oro" (the gold cradle): the ruins of Choquequiraw and finish this trek with a visit to one of the wonders of the modern world: Machu Picchu. Both archaeological sites, significantly, bear a strong resemblance to each other, therefore, Choquequiraw is known as the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu, due to the architectural and structural similarity between the two.
This hike has a running average of 7-8 hours per day. It demands a good physical condition, because the walking regimen is high: daily long distances are traveled, passing through different climates (there is constant change) and the ground is very rough by the presence of canyons. Our trek is orientated to people who have as the main purpose of their travel trekking, due to the days you need to trek it. Also Choquequiraw 8D is made for couples, groups of friends or people who want a more personal journey; enjoy a great diversity of climate, landscapes and variety of ground, flora and fauna, and meet one of the Wonders of the World "Machu Picchu" and the last corner of Inca presence, "Choquequiraw".
Itinerary
We’ll have an informative talk about the hike and the opportunity to get to know the other travelers who will be sharing the trail with you.
| *Your briefing is usually programmed one day before your program and usually in the morning. However, If your program starts on a Monday, your briefing will be programmed for the Saturday prior to your program and during the morning only. Therefore, please consider this when booking your flights to Cusco. |
We will pick you up from the hotel at 5:00 am to start our trip to the town of Cachora (2, 800 m.a.s.l.) On route, we will go through different typical towns and also the anta’s pampa (3, 391 m.a.s.l.) this area is known for its agricultural and livestock production, as well as its wide pampas, prairies, fertile valleys and long rivers. All this makes the area an extraordinary landscape. Upon arrival to Cachora, we will meet with our trekking team, muleteers, mules/horses and our staff that will carry all the camping equipment and your personal duffel bags (up to 8 Kg.) After a brief rest and a light breakfast, we will start our trek. The first hours of the trek will be on mostly flat terrain until we reach the lookout point and pass of Capuliyoc (2, 800 m.a.s.l.) Here, we will see the mountain chain of the area, the Apurimac Canyon and the Apurimac River. We also will be able to spot at the distance Choquequiraw. After lunch, we will continue with the trek, descending to our campsite Chiquishca (1,930 m.a.s.l.), where wil will have lunch, dinner and camp.
- Distance: 19 Km.
- Walking Hours: 8-9 hours
- Low Altitude: 1930 m. / 6332 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3391 m. / 11125 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 1930 m. / 6332 Ft.
After breakfast we will continue with our trek towards Rosalinas beach (1,550 m.a.s.l.). Then we will descend through the Apurimac Canyon and Apurimac River. Here, we can dip in the water to freshen up. Afterwards, we will cross over to the other side of the river using the hanging bridge. Right after that, the hardest part of the route will start. We will ascend using a winding trail which will take us away from the Canyon in direction to Santa Rosa area (2,290 m.a.s.l.) approx. Later, we will continue ascending towards Marampata (2,850 m.a.s.l.) During our trek we will observer the vast vegetation of the area in which the orchids and violets take the first and most important place. There is also a chance to see dear, anteaters on the distance and a different variety of birds. Once we reach Marapampa, we will have lunch. Then we will begin our trek to the Inca’s last refuge place: Choquequiraw or “Gold Crib” (3,033 m.a.s.l.) this route will be 1 ½ of walk approx.
Choquequiraw was designed with 9 areas. These areas were built as small towns surrounding a square to which all the streets from each town will end up. The following areas have been identified: The upper areas (Hanan), the storage areas (Qolqa), main square (Huaqaypata), the lower square (hurin), the andenes system where crops used to grow (Shaqra Anden), the ceremonial platform (Ushno) and the priest houses on the lower part of the hill. Because of all this findings it is presumable that Choquequiraw was a great political and economic center that was used as a hub for commerce and culture exchange between the coast, mountain and the jungle. We need to emphasize that Choquequiraw is also known as “Machu Picchu Sacred Sister” due to the similarities in architectural design and structure they have.
By the afternoon, after this exciting visit and exploration of Choquequiraw, we can see the flight of the condors, the Andean bird par excellence, and finally spend the night around this enigmatic place.
- Distance: 12.5 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 1550 m. / 5085 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3033 m. / 11125 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3033 m. / 11125 Ft.
After breakfast, we will have plenty of time to enjoy the majestic archaeological site before continuing our trek uphill. Along the way, our guide will show us the wonders of this archaeological site. After this tour, we will continue our way to Paso Choquequiraw (3,500 m), surrounded by native trees, flowers and orchids. Once on top, we see the different mountains and the deep canyon Rio Blanco. We descend, towards the archaeological ruins of Pinchayunuyoc (2,850 m), which has recently been restored and is surrounded by a cloud forest. Then, we will continue our way to Rio Blanco (1,000 m). Once we arrive, we will settle, have lunch, take a rest and continue the walk. We will walk through an interesting vegetation known as Dry Forest. The vegetation of this area consists mainly of trees that come to mediate between 4-10 meters high, with little foliage and their abundant component elements are separated. After passing through this forest, we arrive at Victoria River. There, we will refresh ourselves in the cold and crystalline waters of the river. Later, we will cross the river and start the long, steep and demanding climb to our camp in Maizal (3,000 m). Once we arrive to Maizal, we will have lunch and a rest. Maizal provides the most beautiful campsite from the entire walk. From here, we will be able to see three valleys and a right of snowy mountains all the way.
- Distance: 15 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 1000 m. / 3280 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3500 m. / 11125 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3000 m. / 9842Ft
We will leave our campsite at Maizal (3,000 m.a.s.l.) and walk to San Juan Pass (4,200 m.a.s.l.). Here we will have a long climb and a cold weather, but this area is one of the most beautiful of the trek. Initially we will walk through a cloud forest and then enter to the highlands of the Andes. We will rest in one of the mines of Victoria and learn about several minerals and metals of the area. While we are ascending, we will walk on well preserved Inca’s path. We will have lunch at the highest point in the San Juan pass. From here, you can see a large chain of mountains called the Mountain range of Vilcabamba. After lunch, we will continue our way to our camp at Yanama (3,500 m.a.s.l.). A small village at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.
- Distance: 11 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 3000 m. / 9842 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4200 m. / 13779 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3500 m. / 11482 Ft
After breakfast, we will start walking towards the highest point of the whole trip: Yanama’s Pass (4,680 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, we will have a good view of the snow-capped mountain Sacsarayoc (5,994 m). We observe impressive landscapes, birds and native vegetation from this altitude; after that we will have lunch. Upon reaching the Yanama Pass, we will observe the snowy Salkantay (6,400 m.a.s.l.) and Pintuyo (5,460 m.a.s.l.); also we have the opportunity to see the flight of the condors. We can walk through the snow along this road and before, down to the Valley of Totora (3,250 m.a.s.l.), our camp. Once we arrrive at Totora, we take a deserved break, have dinner and spend the night.
- Distance: 15 Km.
- Walking Hours: 8-9 hours
- Low Altitude: 3250 m. / 10662 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4680 m. / 15354 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3250 m. / 10662 Ft
This day, after breakfast, we will descend through a wide variety of vegetation and warmer climate, towards the village of Winaypocco (2,650 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, the temperature will increase with the passage of the hours. This valley is inhabited by bromeliads, orchids, fruit trees, waterfalls, insects, birds, many butterflies and other species. We will harness the hot weather and the presence of beautiful waterfalls for a refreshing natural bath.
In Winaypocco, we will have lunch, dinner and overnight. There, we find that the people of the area are specialists in harvesting granadillas. We may also observe other crops such as coffee or avocado.
- Distance: 10 Km.
- Walking Hours: 5-4 hours
- Low Altitude: 2650 m. / 8694 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3250 m. / 10662 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 2650 m. / 8694 Ft
After a good breakfast, we restart the walk. We will continue descending heading towards the village of La Playa (2,010 m.a.s.l.) and subsequently to Lucmabamba Valley (1,850 m.a.s.l.); along the way we will pass by plantations of bananas, passion fruit, cocoa and coffee. Then, we will leave the valley to go climbing in the direction toward the original Inca Trail. During the tour, we ascend gradually towards the top of the mountain, where is the archaeological center of Llactapata (2,740 m.a.s.l.). From there, we will appreciate: the citadel of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, part of the traditional Inca Trail, and the Urubamba River; winding along the valley. After a break, we will descend through a zigzag path through the bushes, narrow and slippery into the valley (Hydroelectric). From there, we take the train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m.a.s.l.) and spend the night in a hotel. Optionally, at night we will have the opportunity to go to the hot springs.
- Distance: 19 Km.
- Walking Hours: 9-10 hours
- Low Altitude: 1850 m. / 6069 Ft.
- High Altitude: 2740 m. / 8989 Ft.
After a warm breakfast, we will wake up early to take the bus to Machu Picchu (2,430 m.a.s.l.) where we will be among the first visitors of the day to enjoy the magic and mystery of one of the wonders of the world. We will have a tour of the citadel for 2-3 hours approx. We will enjoy the splendor of Machupicchu and the surrounding landscapes, the exotic tranquility of the lost city of the Incas. By the afternoon, we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes. Once in town, you will have free time to grab lunch and later on the day we will take the train to return to Ollantaytambo.
Upon arrival to Cusco, our transfer will be waiting in our private van to take you back to your hotel. End of services.
