Moon Stone to Machu Picchu 5 days.
Moonstone 5D is a hike of 40.1 km to go and walk an average of 6-7 hours per day. This hike is intended for tourists who would like to know more deeply the processes that led to the development of various architectural Inca cities like Watta, Cachiccata and Ollantaytambo. Also, this hike allows us to know Andean populations that still keep the Inca customs and Inca calendars used to determine periods of harvests of various inputs of the time. This hike is tied to a great landscape and climatic diversity; where the variety of scenarios make this hike a great attraction to the sight of visitors.
This hike is recommended for adults: couples, groups of friends, people alone. Also, you may want to trek having a good physical preparation due to the distances and altitudes that you will find through the trek. Finally, the best time to do this trek is between the months of April to November. The other 4 months the route is closed due to the rainy season.
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 typically scheduled for one day before your trek. However if your trek starts on a Monday, your briefing will be scheduled for the Saturday before. Please take this into consideration when booking your flight. |
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel in our private van and head to the Pampa de Anta (3,391 m.a.s.l.). After an hour of journey, we will stop at the sacred Inca Killarumiyuc (in the Quechua language) or Moonstone sanctuary. It is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity of femininity. The site is not only an age-perfect designs but also includes areas of cultivation system and moon cult became a sacred area for the people of the Andes. After seeing the agricultural experimental center, we will continue to the village of Huarocondo (3,331 m.a.s.l.). Then, we continue up the valley for 25 minutes, until the starting point of our trek; hence, we will meet our team and start trekking. We start trekking on a wide path north, above the west bank of the river Huaracondo. We will observe valleys, mountains, archaeological sites and the impressive Inca city of Wata, an important pre-Inca fortress that dominates the crest of a hill at 3,855 meters. We will visit the city, admired for its strategic location before going uphill to Chillipawa (3,750 m.a.s.l.), the village where we spend the night. We will also have the opportunity to participate in the daily life of local people.
- Distance: 10.5 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 3331 m. /10928 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3750 m. / 12303 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3750 m. / 12303 Ft.
After breakfast, we will start our trek. We will climb gradually through fields and clear trees of Chachacomo. This is a landscape of pastures and small fields that cling to the steep slopes. On the way, we find Indian villages that still keep the Incas ancient traditions regarding agriculture, religion, music, language and others. Then, we will continue our way up to the Accoccasa Pass (4,625 m.a.s.l.). Here, we enjoy a breathtaking view of immense snowy peaks. We feel the full extent of the Andean sky with its cold, dry air. Later, we enjoyed an easy descent to reach our camp in the spacious Chancachuco Valley (4,350 m.a.s.l.), opposite the glaciers of the Cordillera Huaynay.
- Distance: 8.8 Km.
- Walking Hours: 6-7 hours
- Low Altitude: 3750 m. /12303 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4625 m. / 15173 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4350 m. / 14271 Ft.
After breakfast, we continue with our trek. We descend gradually at the upper valley. Along the way, we will see the headwork of an Inca aqueduct, now abandoned; which, carried water from the valley to the north Chancachuco above Ollantaytambo. Later on, we will reach our final step to 3,940 m.a.s.l. and visit the Inca sanctuary of Punku Punku (Door of the Wind), known as the gateway to the Andes; From there, we will have a breathtaking view of Nevado Veronica (5,682 meters). After that, we will descend into the valley and the climate will become semi-tropical. We will reach the Intiwatana; this temple is located at the highest point in the area. This area was important to the Incas to make astronomical observations and for planning the agricultural year. Then, we will continue with the hike and reach Cachiccata (3,525 m). A large terrace at the edge of a huge quarry with the same name. This was an Inca city inhabited by hundreds of architects and workers of the empire. Cachiccata can be found in buildings used for administration, housing, terraces, burial chambers and irrigation canals. The streets were very well planned.
- Distance: 11.8 Km.
- Walking Hours: 8-9 hours
- Low Altitude: 3525 m. /11564 Ft.
- High Altitude: 3940 m. / 12926 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 3525 m. / 11564 Ft.
After breakfast, we start our trek to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, we will descend a wide Inca road, through the area of quarries. Then, we will continue downhill, cross the Vilcanota River and finally arrive at the famous Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo. We will have time to explore the village temple and the before taking the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes (2040 m.a.s.l), in the afternoon. Once we get to Aguas Calientes, we will check in to our hotel, where we will spend the night.
- Distance: 9 Km.
- Walking Hours: 6-7 hours
- Low Altitude: 2792 m. / 9160 Ft.
- High Altitude: 2040 m. / 6692 Ft.
We will get up early in the morning, take breakfast and take the bus towards Machu Picchu. There, we will have a guided tour that will take 2 to 3 hours and then you can climb Huayna Picchu. After we finish with our visit, we will return to Aguas Calientes. In the city, you can enjoy amenities like lunch and later in the afternoon, we will take the train back, in Expedition *.
Upon arrival in Cusco, our transfer will be waiting to take you on a private Van to your hotel. End of the adventure.