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ITINERARY
Day1 / 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)
Day2 / 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)
Day3 / 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)
Day4 / 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)
Day5 / 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)
Day6 / 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)
Day7 / 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)
Day8 / 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)
Day9 / 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; -Vistadome 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
unexperienced/untrained/underprepared/unaccompained/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
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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