TRIP AT GLANCE Difficulty: Challanging Tour Code: CHO5 Activities: Camping and hiking
This fascinating trek takes you to the
canyon of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon.
We’ll explore amazing Choquequirau, "Cradle of Gold". These
extensive ruins are just as significant as Machu Picchu in many
respects. Along the way we’ll take in the magnificent scenery and
exotic flora and fauna, while walking in the footsteps of the mighty
Incas.
Day 1: Cusco -
Cachora - Chiquisca Bright and early at 5:00 a.m., we’ll pick you up at your Cusco hotel
to drive to Cachora (4 hours by car). While we have breakfast at the
base of the Padrayoc range (the highest peak is 5,482 mt/17,986 ft),
the crew will prepare the horses for the trek. Today’s 6-hour hike
affords great views of the Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow-covered
peaks, while walking alongside small farms on the steep
mountainsides. From Capuliyoc, where condors may soar above, the
descent toward the Apurímac Canyon begins and the vegetation changes
from agave and tuna cactus to dwarf tree forests. We’ll have a
welcome lunch at Chiquisqa (1,950 mt/6,398 ft). Our campsite is in
Chiquisca at 1,550 mt/5,085 ft. Meals: B, L, D.
Day 2: Chiquisca -
Choquequirao Ruins After breakfast at 6:00 a.m., we’ll walk down to the Apurímac River
(1,550 mt/5,085 ft) at the base of a deep canyon—in some places
twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. After a short rest, we’ll hike up
to Choquequirao. The first two to three hours are a steep climb, but
it levels off and we walk the rest of the way surrounded by
beautiful vegetation with several varieties of delicate orchids. At
around 3 p.m. we arrive at Choquequirao with time to explore and
contemplate the view of the canyon we just walked through. Again, we
hope to see the flight of the condors, the largest flying birds in
the world with their 10-foot wingspan. We’ll make camp near
Choquequirao at 3,033 mt/9,9951 ft. Meals: B, L, D.
Day 3: Choquequirao We have the entire day—and we’ll need it—to explore this stunning
Inca settlement. As mysterious as Machu Picchu, early Spaniards knew
of this place, yet its remoteness protected it. French explorers
visited it in the 19th century, and in 1909 Hiram Bingham was first
to scientifically investigate the site. Some speculate that the
emperor Topa Inca had it built as a personal spiritual retreat to
rival his father’s magnificent estate at Machu Picchu. Whoever built
this place, it was undoubtedly an elite settlement, built for
ceremonial purposes and occupied by Inca nobility. The Apurimac
River roars distantly 1,450 m./4,800 ft. below, visible on either
side of a steep ridge to which clings the Inca city. As we approach
the heart of the city, a sweep of enormous curved terraces leads our eye to an artificial hill and ceremonial platform overlooking the
main plaza. Here afternoon thermal currents bring Andean condors
soaring over the complex of temples, mausoleums, royal residences,
ritual baths, great gathering halls, storehouses, hidden gardens,
and a giant stairway, all still standing—testimony to the skill of
Inca engineers. Excavation work at the site is very recent, and
archaeologists are continually uncovering hitherto unknown areas and
structures. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features
several clusters of newly discovered buildings, including the Ridge
Group and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex
facing the cascades of a steep ravine. Meals: B, L, D.
Day 4: Choquequirao
to Chiquisca This morning we start our walk back toward Santa Rosa, where we have
lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we
reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756 ft, where we might have time to
take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. Crossing
the river, we can take time to cool off in a swimming hole among the
huge boulders that line the river. We return to the shade of the
fruit and avocado trees at Chiquisca, where we make our final camp.
Meals: B, L, D.
Day
5: Chiquisca to Cachora This morning we hike out of the Apurimac Canyon, with the river
receding to a distant, white ribbon below us and the glaciers of the
Vilcabamba Range filling the sky ahead. We make our way back to Abra
Capuliyoc, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue
our two-hour return trek to Cachora, where private transport will be
waiting to take us back to Cusco. Our estimated arrival time is
around 6:00 p.m. Meals: B, L.
DATES Departures: Once a month on first Monday Season: January-December Start-End: Cusco
Included: * Transportation from your hotel to the starting point of the trek * Park entrance fee * Transportation from end of trail to your hotel * Large, double-occupancy tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, latrine
tent * Sleeping bag/mat ($30 refundable deposit) * Horses to carry all equipment * 1 extra horse * Meals as in itinerary: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners * Cook and cooking equipment * English speaking guide * Emergency first aid kit * Oxygen tank
Not included: * Breakfast 1st day/Dinner last day * Tips, taxes, international airfare and personal expenses * Hotel accommodations in the city
Gear
list: * Passport * Backpack or duffle bag * Warm clothing/thermals * Trekking shoes * Sandals * Raincoat * Sunscreen * Flashlight * Insect repellent * Bottled water * Personal first aid kit * Bathing suit and towel * Hat * Sunglasses * Camera, film and batteries * Change of clothes/shorts, T-shirts, pants, long sleeve shirts,
socks and underwear.
eye to an artificial hill and ceremonial platform overlooking the
main plaza. Here afternoon thermal currents bring Andean condors
soaring over the complex of temples, mausoleums, royal residences,
ritual baths, great gathering halls, storehouses, hidden gardens,
and a giant stairway, all still standing—testimony to the skill of
Inca engineers. Excavation work at the site is very recent, and
archaeologists are continually uncovering hitherto unknown areas and
structures. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features
several clusters of newly discovered buildings, including the Ridge
Group and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex
facing the cascades of a steep ravine. Meals: B, L, D.