Description:
Way off the beaten track, Choquequirao, the “Cradle of Gold” is an amazingly preserved Inca outpost, comparable in size to Machu Picchu and dramatically located on a promontory nearly 2,000 m above the roaring Apurimac river. It is only accessible by a tough trek. Our 9-day mule supported hike to Choquequirao and beyond takes in high passes, perfectly preserved Inca Trails and awesome Andean peaks, plus a chance to visit Vilcabamba, Machu Picchu and Cusco.
This is a long, spectacular and strenuous hike crossing the entire Vilcabamba mountain range from the Apurimac to the Urubamba watershed. It is approximately 100 km long with 5,000 m ascent and descent over passes of 4,600 m and river crossings of 2,400 m. This is your chance to be amongst one of the few adventurers to visit this incredible site and complete this rewarding trek. We return to Cusco with an overnight in Ollantaytambo. From here for those who choose to, a trip with the tourists to Machu Picchu. We end in Cusco with a short flight to Lima.
Activites:
Trekking, Nightlife
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Lima
Transfer to hotel and rest up.
Day 2: Fly to Cusco
Early morning flight through the Andes to Cusco, transfer to your hotel and start acclimating to the altitude of this beautiful city (3326m). In the afternoon, we take a short walking tour of the city.
Day 3: Drive to Cachore
We drive from Cusco past the incredible Inca carved boulder at Sahuite, boasting over 200 animal, plant and town figures carved in it to the beautiful village of Cachora high above the River Apurimac canyon. Here we meet our trekking team.
Day 4: Start Trek
With full mule support we hike a spectacular 2000m down into the Apurimac canyon to camp beside the river.
Day 5: Trek to the Apurimac Abyss
Rising early we cross the Rio Apurimac and hike up out of the canyon all day, regaining some 2000+ m in altitude. We set up base camp just short of the Choquequirao ruins in preparation for a full day’s exploring tomorrow.
Day 6: All day in Choquequirao
We arrive early at the amazing ruins of Choquequirao with time to explore and marvel at this dramatic location nearly 2,000m above the roaring Apurimac river and the vast size of these extensive ruins. There is an enormous curving bank of fine terracing, a chain of ritual baths and a central plaza surrounded by fine ceremonial and high status residential architecture. Large areas still remain covered in the thick cloud forest giving an insight into how the first explorer’s felt arriving at this deserted city. Its purpose is also still unclear as the largest of the outlying sites it is unmentioned in the final battle with the Spanish Conquistadors. We return to our base camp below for the evening.
Day 7–11: Trek across the Vilcabamba mountain range
Camping and trekking in style way off the beaten track, we follow ancient Inca trails past un-spoilt villages and huge Andean peaks as we hike to the road head at Vilcabamba. This old Inca trail is hard work as we cut across two major valleys, but the rewards are ample. The trail passes through old Inca and Spanish silver mines and across a beautifully constructed Inca causeway across the wetlands. From here the recently discovered and internationally reported Inca platforms and further major sites are visible. The ancient village of Yanama forms the crossroads of several important Inca roads linking the old empire. It is a lovely well-cared for friendly village and one of the many highlights en-route. The change in scenery is vast from dry savanna, rich cloud forest and the llama rich grassing pasture of the high plains. Andean bear and puma trails, wild orchids and specialist birds are a wildlife wilderness dream. The views of the snow covered mountains of Pumasillo (6,000m) and Salcantay (6,264m) complete this diverse trip. Finally at Vilcabamba, one of the final refuges of the Incas, more interesting Inca ruins (and cold beer) await.
Day 12: Drive to Ollantaytambo
We drive back over the Andes following the route the fleeing Incas took from Cusco to the small Inca Town of Ollantaytambo. The layout of this town with its water channels and Inca walls is virtually unchanged since Inca times. The impressive ruins overlooking the town are well a visit. Overnight in charming hostel.
Day 13: Drive Cusco / Machu Picchu Option
Either return to Cusco or an optional fully guided tour of Machu Picchu. The early morning luxury train from Ollantaytambo can take you to this famous citadel high above the Sacred Urubabamba river. Fully guided tour with plenty of time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu, walk out to the Inca bridge or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the amazing atmosphere. We have a late lunch in Aguas Calientes before boarding the afternoon train back to Poroy. Here our waiting bus speeds us back to our Cusco Hotel. If you have the energy we can then enjoy Cusco’s excellent nightlife. Overnight in 3 star hotel.
Day 14: Fly Lima & Home
Transfer to airport and fly Lima in time for your international flights home.