Choquequirao and Machu Picchu 9 days

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This package is destined for lovers of trekking and adventure. The trail, which will allow us to explore two jewels of the Inca civilization – Choquequirao and Machu Picchu – is about 62 miles long and it develops through Andean landscapes of stunning scenic beauty, mountains and tropical valleys. The tour includes a visit to the Archaeological site of Saywite.

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Please contact us for more information and for pricing.

DURATION: 9 days / 8 nights.
SEASON: From January / to December 2015
DEPARTUREDaily
GUIDE SERVICEPrivate

 

ITINERARY :
Briefing the night before the departure.DAY 1 CUSCO – SAYWITE – VILLA LOS LOROS LODGE
Travelers are picked up at their hotel at 7:00am on a private bus. First stop being Saywite Archaeological Park. This mysterious monolith and the nearby archaeological remains including the “ushnu” and the “pacchas” must remain in our memory to contrast their correspondence with the ceremonial architecture of Choquequirao. After a healthy box-lunch, we continue down the remote Huanipaca Valley, a place in the Peruvian highlands reserved for travelers. Villa Los Loros Lodge awaits at the bottom of the gorge. The rooms ready and after a necessary rest, a short meeting is held to dispel the anxiety a trip like this brings up in every traveler. Dinner and overnight. (Box lunch, D)
DAY 2 VILLA LOS LOROS LODGE (7415 FEET) – PLAYA SAN IGNACIO (4757 FEET) – CHOQUEQUIRAO
We leave at 5:30 am right after breakfast, walking down a footpath that leads to the Hacienda San Ignacio and then tumbles downhill towards the raging Apurimac River (Playa San Ignacio). Across the hanging bridge is where the serious hiking starts; ascending from water level (4757 feet) to Choquequirao campsite (9415 feet) is nothing less than overwhelming. On the one hand, the beauty of the landscape, rivers, waterfalls, flowers, all is movement … On the other; the wild environment; the steep slope and your heartbeat combine in an intimate connection with the environment. At the campsite and after lunch, a quick visit to the Phaqchayoc Sector (a terraced agricultural system where corn is still grown) and The House of Waterfalls (according to archaeologists, the home of the Inca of Choquequirao.) Back at the campsite, tired and proud, a warm meal is enjoyed before a good night’s sleep. (Bathrooms and cold showers available) (B,L,D)
DAY 3 / CHOQUEQUIRAO (10000 FEET) – PINCHAUNUYOC (8160 FEET)
Explore the best areas of Choquequirao. Lunch is served amidst the ruins; a bit of luck will give us the chance to spot the majestic Andean Condor flying over the canyon. Leaving the citadel behind, the ascent continues through the highland forests rich in epiphytes, bromeliads and beautiful orchids, up to the Choquequirao Pass (10728 feet). A steep descent along the west side of the mountain takes us to Pinchaunuyoc. Camp is set amidst these remote ruins (A 5.3 mile trek) (B,L,D)
DAY 4 / PINCHAUNUYOC (8160 FEET) – MAIZAL (9488 FEET)
Morning is spent investigating the seldom visited Pinchaunuyoc, a growing range of platforms topped by a small ceremonial site. Further down the mountain the trail leads us to the White River or Yuraqmayu (6152 feet).
Lunch is served. Climbing the Qorihuayrachina Mountain all the way to Maizal, a natural balcony with a breathtaking view, proves to be another challenging section. Camp is set here. Dinner and overnight. (A 5.9 mile trek) (B,L,D)
DAY 5 / MAIZAL (9488 FEET) – YANAMA (11549 FEET)
Up across a foggy forest and besides the old Victoria silver mines, we reach the famous San Juan Pass (13780 feet). The Vilcabamba Mountain Range draws an unfathomable view. A lonely footpath breaks through the mountains towards tiny Yanama, a forgotten peasant community. Camp and dinner (A 7.8 mile trek) (B,L,D)
DAY 6 / YANAMA (11549 FEET) – TOTORA (11155 FEET)
Our route climbs out the valley to Yanama Pass (15157 feet), the highest point of the journey. On the other side, down through the valley of Santa Teresa, we enjoy the view of Salkantay (20570 feet) and Huamantay (19413 feet), the highest peaks of the Vilcabamba range. Salkantay’s slopes host famous Machu Picchu. An amazing zigzag leads down to our campsite besides the in the village of Totora. (A 7.5 mile trek) (B,L,D)
DAY 7 / TOTORA (11155 FEET) – LA PLAYA (7005 FEET)
An easy downward slope all the way to the Collpapampa settlement. Lunch is enjoyed and we relax in the nearby hot springs. A path takes us through pleasant forests and coffee plantations, tropical gardens where passion fruit, papaya and avocado grow carelessly. Towering mountains on both sides lead to La Playa, our campsite. (A 9.3 mile trek) (B,L,D)
DAY 8 / LA PLAYA (7005 FEET) – HYDRO (6152 FEET) – MACHU PICCHU VILLAGE
Two options to choose from today;
(i) Continue hiking to the hydroelectric plant or
(ii) Board a bus to Santa Teresa Village and hydroelectric plant.
Option one requires a 6 hour* climb along a hidden Inca trail. The path leads to Llactapata (“Machu Picchu’s Balcony at 8497 feet), where sunrise and sunset were observed at specific occasions (solstice and equinox).
Option two is a short bus ride to the Cocalmayo Spa, near Santa Teresa. Both options end in a 15 minute train ride from the hydroelectric station to Machu Picchu. Rest at your hotel, share a few drinks and enjoy the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes. (A 10 mile trek )* (B,L)
DAY 9 / MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Early wakeup to catch the first bus and watch the surreal sunrise at the Incan Sanctuary. Climbing to the top of Wayna Picchu Mountain or to Intipunku ( the Sun Gate) is up to you. Back down at Machu Picchu Village a well deserved buffet lunch is enjoyed before the train back to Cusco.
Transfer to your hotel in the Imperial City.(B)
WE SUGGEST YOU TO:
-Use boots during treks and sneakers during long walks.
-Drinking lots of liquids on long excursions, especially during the trek
-Always taking an umbrella or rainwear.
YOU SHOULD BRING
-Warm Jacket or Sweater
-RainGear (from Nov to April)
-T-shirt , short, long pants.
-Back pack, trekking shoes, sandals
-Sun Hat , wool hat , sun glasses
-Water bottle, flash light, hat
-Personal clothing for trek
-Insect repellent – Sun cream
-Personal medication
-Water Purification Tablets.
-Towels
-Toilet paper
INCLUDES
-Briefing at your Cusco hotel the day before departure; -private transport to Villa Los Loros lodge; -professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish); -professional field chef; -two nights lodge and hotel accommodation (Villa Los Loros Lodge and Machu Picchu village); -six nights camping with high quality outdoor equipment
(4 season tent, sleeping bag with personal hygienic sheets, mattress, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, dining tables and chairs, all kitchen and dining utensils, lighting equipment, etc.); -first aid kit; all meals and beverages (9 lunches, 8 dinners, 8 breakfasts, snacks); -emergency saddled horse (1 for every 5 hikers); -horsemen and pack mules; -entrance tickets to the Saywite, Choquequirao and Machu Picchu; -bus round trip Machu Picchu village – Machu Picchu Sanctuary – Machu Picchu village; – train from Machu Picchu to Cusco.
TOURIST SERVICES ALONG THE TREK
It is truly wild country out there. No tourist services are available.
Proper preparation and skills are required and recommended. Bear in mind that a happy journey can become a survival nightmare for inexperienced/ untrained/ underprepared/ unaccompanied/ irresponsible tourists.
If you are in doubt, contact a respected adventure travel company.
The following is a basic description of way points;
Cachora town: basic accommodation, small shops, transport service, muleteer associations offering load service (some may have camping gear for rent) telephone.
Capuliyoc: panoramic viewpoint
Chiquisca: campsite; basic food and beverage; restrooms.
Playa Rosalina: campsite; restrooms.
Santa Rosa: campsite; beverage; restrooms.
Maranpata: campsite; basic food and beverage; restrooms.
Choquequirao Campsite: cold showers, restrooms.
Playa San Ignacio: campsite, restrooms.
Hacienda San Ignacio: campsite; beverage; restrooms.
Villa Los Loros Lodge: campsite, lodging, restaurant; private transport service for customers.
Huanipaca town: basic accommodation, small shops, private and shared transport service, phone.
USEFUL INFORMATION
-Don’t leave valuables inside your tent when visiting the site.
-Bring cash, no ATM’s.
-Open fires and cooking with wood is prohibited
-Respect the environment carrying bags to collect and take away all generated waste.
-Carry a little medical kit (anti-inflammatory cream, water purification tablets, hydrogen peroxide, gauze, bandages, analgesic, etc.)

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STUDENT DISCOUNT:
Note: To apply to this discount It is necessary to send us your scan copy ISIC (International Student Identity Card) with your other information.
Without this copy we will not be able to make the discount.

This is the ONLY Student card to apply the discount
TRAIN SERVICE:
The Expedition is a travel experience with all the quality and benefits at a lower cost. Is a service designed for the traveler’s comfort, with four passenger seats located in front of each other, so you can share your experience, and for the faithful backpack that is always with you we offer racks placed above the seats. Also, this train has panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating, and Andean music that creates a cheerful atmosphere.
If you will take any trek with us. we ask you to fill the customer chart regarding the commentaries or otherwise you can inform to the Operations Department.
This is a very important requirement and necessary to do after take the tour to avoid problems regarding the quality of the service and help you to resolve it before you leave to your country otherwise our agency is assuming that all your services was ok therefore we are not going to accept any claims.

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A camp

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BOOK THIS TOUR? ASK FOR AVAILABILITY

Useful Information

Inca trail

Inca trail Info

Inca Trail Weather

Inca Trail Orchids

Inca Trail Regulations

Inca Trail Altitudes

Inca Trail Altitude Sickness

What to Bring to Inca Trail Trek

Inca Trail Photos Gallery

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Packages start at USD$1,239 for our 4-day Cusco & Machu Picchu package (with domestic flights included.)
We specialize in complete travel packages that allow you to enjoy your travels while we handle the logistics.
Services are available as part of a full itinerary (3-days or more) including all hotels, tours and ground transportation.

The Peru Specialists

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Kim MacQuarrie
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Alonso Cueto
PH.D. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
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PH.D. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
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