Choquequirao to Vilcabamba trek 8 days

The trek that will lead us from the archeological site of Vilcabamba to the ruins of Choquequirao is one of the richest in majestic landscapes & Inca history this part of the Andes has to offer us.

This is a 'physical' trek because of the big changes in altitude during the trek, sometimes in hot weather and with heavy rains that can be found there. We'll hike through a lot of different landscapes that will take your breath away…Going from deep canyons, cloud forests or snowpeaks through high fields, the high jungle, the lakes and a lot more…the whole trip is covered with signs of Inca presence which are the ruins of different importance that link Vilcabamba with Choquequirao.

Because of all these different altitudes & therefore climates, we'll come upon an incredible variety of fauna & especially flora, with some plants yet unknown to science.
The sunlight of the Vilcabamba range covers the eastern landscapes in a beautiful emerald shining at certain hours of the day. Hidden in foggy clouds it appears now and then before our own eyes as great constructions of impressive Inca walls & terraces with perfectly curved stones that seems to reach for the sky.

The trek that leads us from Vilcabamba to Choquequirao is an absolute must for all those who love to explore in an attempt to rediscover some of the Inca's lost past in these miraculous sites while hiking through some of the most beautiful landscapes that this part of the Andes has to offer us.

* Duration: 8 days/7 nights.
* Starting point: Cusco/Chaullay.
* Ending point: Choquequirao/Cachora/Cusco.            
* Physical Demands Rating: Moderate/Challenge.
* Age Restriction: 12 years old.
* Trip Code: MTS - 0017.
* Tour Type: Trekking, Cultural, Adventure.
* Accommodation: Camping/7 nights.
* Service Level: Standard - Deluxe. * Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed. * Style: Personalized. * Carbon Emissions: 360 CO2-E. * Group Size: 2 Minimum, 10 Maximum. * Transport: Horse, walk, Mini-Van. * Price From: US$

1st Day – Cusco-Abra Málaga-Chaullay-Vilcabamba (3,350-4,317-1,200-3,100m).

Sunup in Cusco (3,350m) is just the sight we need to start our journey going west from this Inca archeological capital. During our trek we'll see magnificent snow-peaks such as Salkantay, Chicon, Veronica the mighty Ausangate. Once in the Sacred Valley of the Incas we'll arrive in Ollantaytambo (2,850m), and a little bit further we'll cross the high pass of Abra Malaga (4,317m) and go down from there to the cloud forest known as Amaibamba valley and its deepest part called Chaullay (1,200m). From there, we'll immediately hike up again to Vilcabamba, the Inca's last refuge, a place with a large network of Inca trails where you can leave for the archeological complex of Choquequirao. Arriving at Vilcabamba, we'll visit some important archeological sites such as Vitcos, Rosaspata, Ñusta Hispanan & recent excavations within that zone. After a 2-hour walk we'll arrive at our campsite in the town of Huancacalle (3,100m).
Included are the lunch-box and dinner.

Transport-time: about 8 hours
Hiking time: about 2 hours

2nd Day – Vilcabamba-Choquetacarpo Pass-Chichicara (3,100-4,600-3,700m).

At dawn, we'll begin by walking up halfway an Inca trail up to the pass of glacier Choquetacarpo (4,600m) where we'll see an enclosure of an Inca  building called "Huaywas" with a function of Tambo (resting place along the Inca Trail). From this peak you have a wonderful panoramic sight of hills and snowpeaks such as Corihuayrachina & Sacsarayoc within the Vilcabamba range. Continuing we'll walk down halfway an Inca trail to the Quewiñaytankay valley where we'll see an Inca construction called "The Cave of Quellqamachay". This place is near our campsite called Chichicara (3,700m).
Included breakfast, lunch-box and dinner.

Hiking Time: about 8 hours.

3rd Day – Chichicara – Yutupata – Yanama (3,700 – 3,350 – 3,530m).

This day we'll hike downwards then upwards halfway the Yutupata valley with a very gentle climate, while visiting the local communities. We're going to be close to the Yanama community (3,530m) surrounded by majestic snowpeaks. This will be the time and place to pitch our camping tents.
Included breakfast, lunch-box and dinner.

Hiking Time: about 7 hours.

4th Day – Yanama-San Juan Pass-Maizal-Rio Silvestre (3,530 - 4,170 - 3,000 - 1,900m).

From Yanama (3,530m) we are leaving different Inca trails where one of them leaves for Machu Picchu, another one for Vilcabamba, Vitcos/Rosapata, Ñusta Hispanan, Espiritu Pampa, etc. In the morning we'll be hiking upwards on the pass called San Juan (4,170m) with a magnificent view over the majestic snowpeaks such as Corihuayrachina, Sacsarayoc,   Saqrachayoc, Choquetacarpo, Panta, Pumasillo & the Ampay (in the department of Apurimac). Around the San Juan Pass we'll see a mining area that, according to the chronicles & historians, had been exploited by the Andean cultures in order to carve & cut images to honor their gods. Walking down an Inca trail, halfway a wooded zone is situated the village of Maizal (3,000m). Continuing downwards we'll come upon the deepest part of this canyon called river Silvestre (1,900m).

Included are breakfast, a lunch-box and dinner.

Hiking Time: about 8 hours.

5th Day – Rio Silvestre-Pinchaunuyoc-Abra Choquequirao-Choquequirao (1,900 – 2,450 – 3,270 - 3,033m).

In the morning, we'll begin by hiking up to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc that were recently restored by an archeological group. The second part of the trek is in a distinct ecological altitude with a dry climate. The highest point is called the Choquequirao Pass (3,270m). The ruins of Choquequirao are very near now, situated in some sort of enchanted forest incredibly rich in flora & fauna. One of the main attractions today will be the sunset over the ruins of Choquequirao which is an unforgettable sight. With any luck, we'll be able to see also the sacred company bird of the Incas and "messenger of the sun", the Andean Condor. We'll camp in Choquequirao (3,033m) tonight.

Hiking Time: about 6 hours.

6th Day – Choquequirao - Marampata - Playa Rosalina (3,033 – 2,850 – 1,550m).

The dawn over Choquequirao's "Golden Cradle" is a breathtaking sight, also mystical, colorful, and a homage to our planet's beauty…It's also a natural phenomenon that allowed the Incas to calculate with precision the constant weather changes like those that can be found in these cloud forests…the ruins are surrounded by majestic snowpeaks (over 5,000 meters) where the Apus (mountain gods) are watching over us.  At the moment,  only 30% of Choquequirao has been restored where as still 70% remains covered with dense vegetation, with several species of plants still unknown by science. Being accompanied by a guide is very important because the ruins are divided in several different levels such as the religious level, the noble sector, graves, Ushnu, cemeteries and the recent excavations that are being restored by the Copesco Institution. After visiting the ruins of Choquequirao, we'll head towards our next campsite, situated in the Apurímac Canyon, known as Playa Rosalina (1,550m).

Hiking Time: about 6 hours.  

7th Day – Playa Rosalina - Capuliyoc Pass - Cachora (1,550 – 2,800 – 2,850m).

We'll be hiking upwards almost all day long. The first and toughest part is going up to the Capuliyoc Pass (2,800m). The temperatures in the Cañon are rather warm and the trail serpents upwards the hill. Arriving on top of the pass, we'll be able to appreciate the Apu Padreyoc (5,771m) in its full splendor, where as we can see, a river cuts through the landscape in the depths of the Cañon towards Choquequirao. The last part is a lot easier over a trail that leads us to the village of Cachora (2,850m). Here, we'll end our exploration through the Cordillera of Vilcabamba, the last Inca Dynasty refuge.
We'll spend the night on a family hostel in Cachora.

Hiking Time: about 8 hours.

8th Day – Cachora - Cconoc Thermal Spa - Cusco

The Sunup over Cachora will be the time for us to take our transport back to the city of Cusco. On the road, we'll have a stop for a refreshing bath in the hot baths of Cconoc and a good lunch. After this, we'll continue our roadtrip to Cusco.Transport time: about 5 hours.

Included:

•    Transport from Cusco to Huancacalle.
•    Transport from Cachora back to Cusco.
•    Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snack - optional Vegetarian food).
•    Cook and assistant cook. 
•   High-quality camping equipment (We use pro tents; Doite Kailas 3, extralight-4,5kg & Doite Himalaya, extralight-4,5kg; both for 2 persons. Air-beds, eating tent with table & chairs, bathroom tent too).
•    Horses & horsemen, carrying the main equipment of the clients.
•    Emergency horse.
•    Host family in Cachora or camping.
•    Professional Guide in English/Spanish.
•    Entrance to Choquequirao complex.
•    Oxygen bottle and First-aid kit.  

Not included:

Cusco: Choquequirao Mas Informacion | Choquequirao