Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7D/6N

• At 05:00 am we will pick up our customers from their hotels, and then we will transfer by our private van to Cachora (4 hours), once we will meet the rest of team (Horsemen and horses). Then we will begin trek go uphill, passing through the high pass of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors and great view of the Apurimac Canyon. Finally we descend through Cactus forest to playa Rosalina on the banks of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon River. Camping at playa Rosalina (1550m). (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner.

• After early breakfast, a strenuous 5 hours of uphill trek through a long and narrow trail, surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Half way up stop for lunch at Marampata, then continue hiking to more hours to Choquequirao, and  its considered the sister city of Machu Picchu, because of several similarities, it hangs 1500m above the Apurimac Canyon., and Machu Picchu hang above the Urubamba canyon.
• The view of the canyon is spectacular; it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Camping near Choquequirao (3050m).

(B) = breakfast / (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner

• Breakfast will be at 7am and then we will start our trek passing the Choquequirao ruins, uphill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass. After 5 hours trekking the trail continues through agricultural terraces called Pinchinuyoc which means (water jumping forward – 2750m). There will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations.
• We will have our lunch near Rio Blanco. We use the break here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our break we started the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas.
• From Rio Blanco we climb up to Maizal for about 5 hrs. Camping at 3000m.

  (B) = breakfast / (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner

• Early in the morning we will trek around the Corihuayrachina glacier, important due to some archaeological remains such as Inca channels. From here we start walking uphill passing by the impressive mines called Minas Victoria and towards the Victoria Pass.
• Again a long climb, but we walked in an amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well-known Ichu grass. Then we passed through Minas Victoria, a place where during the colony , silver was extracted from a mine.
• Almost on the top we can appreciate original paved Inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass in 4200m with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, and finally descend to our campsite at Yamana, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3800m).

   (B) = breakfast / (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner

• After breakfast, I trekked uphill to the highest pas in this trek, named Yamana. Again the view will be amazing. From here we will be surrounded by the mountain range of Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this morning smooth climb brings us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour.
• In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small poor wood bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the tents in an indescribable beauty, surrounded by pure nature.

   (B) = breakfast / (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner

• This day the trekking will be by 7 hours, descending into Totora River. We will observe the natural wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, many species of orchids and begonias. Then we descend the trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee. On the way I will stop at small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of birds. The climate and vegetation have totally changed.
• The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snacks etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas. Campsite at 2125 m. After our last lunch we will take a transport that takes us to the town of Santa Teresa, then we will cross a river of the Vilcanota.
• We will take a transport to Hidroeléctrica, a place where we will have an excellent view of a different angle of Machu Picchu and the Aobamba canyon, where another Inca trail can be seen. After a good rest and walking 3 hours we will reach Aguas Calientes town, where we will have dinner. Optional visit the hot spring. We will spend the night in a hostel.

   (B) = breakfast / (L) = lunch / (D) = dinner

• After early breakfast in Aguas Calientes we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu, there you will have a guided tour for all the Archaeological Site, then we will have free time to be in Machu Picchu. At the end of the tour you will come back to Aguas Calientes to have lunch by yourself, and you will have free afternoon. At night you will have to take the train back to Ollantaytambo,there the bus will be waiting for you to carry you back to Cusco.

   (B) = breakfast.