This 75 kilometer trail goes
through impressive landscapes, such as the Apurimac River Canyon, cloud forests, rural
communities and thermal baths. The route also covers the sightseeing of various impressive
archaeological sites, such as Choquequirao (the enigmatic last refuge of the Incas), the
recently discovered Qoriwayrachina, Cota Coca, and Corralpata complexes (appeared in
National Geographic Magazine), to finally reach the sacred citadel of Machupicchu.
This route also boasts daily attractions apart from impressive mountain views in isolated
areas and very few tourists.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco –
Chiquisca
We leave Cusco at around 7.00 am in our private transportation, and head towards
Cachora. After an approximated two and a half hour drive, we stop in Tarawasi, where
we will visit archaeological remains of an Inca Usno, a place were ceremonies and
celebrations to mother earth were conducted. We leave Tarawasi and continue along
the road, across the Apurimac River and up again through Curawasi and on to Saywite, our
second stop an hour and a half later. Here we visit the famous Inca rock that was
believed to be the construction plan for the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, with carvings of
animals representing the main deities. From Saywite, we continue on to Cachora, only 30
minutes away at 2800 masl, where we have lunch (box-lunch). In the afternoon we
start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750
masl, where we will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac
river canyon. We then follow a descending trail during two more hours towards our campsite
in Chiquisca.
Day 2: Chiquisca –
Choquequirao
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to the Rosalina Beach, which
will take one hour. We cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa,
zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, being important that
we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. During
a half an hour break, those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract.
Afterwards, we climb slowly for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in
Marampata. From here we walk two more hours to reach the Choquequirao archaeological
complex, at about 3:30 in the afternoon. We set up camp and enjoy some free time to
explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to
sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted.
Day 3: Choquequirao
– Rio Blanco (White River)
During the morning, we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex.
We visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some parts that are still
covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned
it. After the tour, we walk for two and half hours towards Pinchaunuyoc, another
archaeological complex with terraces and small constructions that we may also visit.
After eating lunch here, we initiate a zig-zagging descent towards Rio Blanco, or Rio
Victoria. After the two to two and a half hour walk, we can take a refreshing dip in the
river. We recommend that you take insect repellent, or take vitamin B pills before
and during the trek as a natural repellent. We set up our camp and dine at this spot.
Day 4: Rio Blanco – Maizal
We leave camp early, at 6:00 am, to start the four to five hour climb towards
Maizal, where we will rest and eat lunch. From here, the Apurimac canyon can be seen
surrounded by impressive mountain views, sunset being particularly beautiful. In the
afternoon, we may visit two recently discovered sites, Qoriwayrachina and Cota Coca.
Qoriwayrachina has constructions in process of restoration, and is located in primary
forest with notable amounts of orchids and bromeliads. On the higher parts of the
mountain, we will have views of the four dominative peaks that surround the area:
Pumasillo, Panta, Choquetacarpa, and Arma. Cota Coca is made up of large, well
conserved constructions with undefined purposes, and walls as high as two and a half
meters. The visit of these sites depends on the time available. If there is enough time,
we may also visit Corralpata, with small constructions and pretty sights overlooking the
canyon. We will later return to our campsite in Maizal, dine and sleep.
Day 5: Maizal – Yanama
We leave camp at around 7:00 am and start the four hour climb towards the San
Juan pass at 4170 masl, with spectacular views of the snow peaks. We then descend for
another two hours, towards Yanama, a small rural community where we will camp and have
lunch. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for resting.
Day 6: Yanama –
Hornopampa
We leave camp at 7.00am to start a four hour climb towards the Yanama
mountain pass at 4690 masl. Depending on the progress of the group, we eat lunch somewhere
in the area. From the pass we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak (6271
masl). After this part of the trail, the vegetation changes and we enter a cloud-forest
area. In the afternoon, we walk for another two hours until we arrive at our
campsite in Hornopampa, after going past the pass with the same name. Hornopampa is a
small rural community situated at the junction of two small rivers, we will camp on a
beautiful grassy patch in the area.
Day 7: Hornopampa –
Lucmabamba
We leave Hornopampa and descend for two hours towards Collpapampa, a small town
overlooking the cloud forest. We will wander around the area and see calcium rock
formations and volcanic stalactites. We can enjoy a natural jacuzzi in the town´s
thermal baths before continuing on to Wiñaypocco, where we will have lunch. In the
afternoon, we will descend towards Lucmabamba for another four hours through an area of
fruit trees, many covered in passion fruit vines. We will camp and dine in
Lucmabamba.
Day 8: Lucmabamba –
Machupicchu
We leave camp at around 7.00am, to follow and climb an original Inca path and
then descend towards the Machupicchu Hydroelectric Plant through the Aobamba valley. From
here, we will see the higher parts of the citadel and all along the way, we will
appreciate various types of orchids. We visit the hidden archaeological complex near
the Hydroelectric Plant, which has a direct overlook on Machupicchu and the Intihuatana,
where one can witness a light phenomenon at specific times of the year. We will stop
for lunch at a spot near the Hydroelectric plant. At 3.00pm we take the train from the
Hydroelectric Power Plant to the town of Aguas Calientes. We will check in to our
hotel and have the opportunity to enjoy the town’s hot springs. We eat dinner
and spend the night.
Day 09: Machupicchu – Cusco
Early departure on a bus to Machupicchu, where we will have a complete guided
tour of the Inca citadel. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu
Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys
and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca
Bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you
like, you can visit and relax in the thermal baths. From here we will take the train
to the city of Cusco, where we will arrive after nightfall.
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our
guide’s criteria, the evolution of the group and in case weather conditions or route
conditions force us to modify the route for a safer operation of the trek.
