Day 01 / Cusco
¡Welcome to Peru!
Rest of the morning free to acclimatize to altitude.
In the afternoon, pick up for your city tour in Cusco, you will visit the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha). Then continues with the visit to Qenqo (Ceremonial and ritual Center, place where Inca sacrifices were made), Puca Pucara (this complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacutec as a tambo), Tambomachay (also called “The Bath of the Inca”) and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress (place where the main Inca Festivals, Inti Raymi and Warachicuy take place). Return to the hotel.
Overnight (-)
Day 02 / Cusco – San Pedro de Cachora – Chiquisca
Very early, even at dawn, we left for the town of San Pedro de Cachora (2850 m.a.s.l), where we will arrive after four hours of travel. After inspecting all the equipment, both what is necessary for camping, and the animals (mules and horses) that will be used in the expedition, we will start the walk that will have a distance of approximately 17.00 Km, the same that we will do in approximately six (6) hours of walking.
Starting the tour we will appreciate the majestic snow of Padreyoc located at 5,482 m.a.s.l, and we will not stop to marvel at the beautiful nature of the place, having at all times the opportunity to have brief contacts with some of the surrounding settlers. After 2 hours of flat road we will arrive at the Capuliyoc viewpoint located at 2900 m.a.s.l, from where we will appreciate the entire route of the Apurimac Canyon and the location of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, along with the complete path to be completed. There, we will take a short break, during which you can take pictures and appreciate some pre-Inca archaeological remains. At this point it is likely that we can appreciate some condor in full and majestic flight.
We continue our journey in descent for about 3 hours towards Chiquisca Located at 1830 m.a.s.l, a small oasis, where we will camp. (L, D)
Day 03 / Chiquisca – Choquequirao
After breakfast we start our descent, which will take us approximately 45 minutes and will allow us to appreciate magnificent landscapes of the Apurímac Canyon that rises up to 1500 m.a.s.l, passing through the modern suspension bridge of the Apurímac River.
From there we will take a moderate ascent road for about 3 hours towards Marampata (2900 m.a.s.l), where we will have lunch and we will have time to take a restful rest. We will continue our expedition to the beautiful archaeological site of Choquequirao (3050 m.a.s.l), for 1 hour 20 minutes, following a flat road with ups and downs.
Next, we will make our first great visit of this imminent place, and enjoy the beautiful sunset in this mysterious place. With a bit of luck we can see one or another condor in all its magnificence saying goodbye to the “sun god”. Then we will go to Raqaypata, located at 2850 m.a.s.l, our campsite, place where a delicious dinner awaits us and a well-deserved and comforting rest. (B, L, D)
Day 04 / Choquequirao – Cocamasana
After a delicious breakfast we begin the return.
On the way we will have the opportunity to appreciate again the landscapes that for some reason we did not appreciate well before. We will gradually descend to the banks of the Apurímac River, where we will stop for lunch and take a restful break. If you like it, the walker can bathe on the banks of the river, a wonderful experience that many do not miss. Then, we will continue ascending until our last camp in Cocamasana, located at 2330 m.a.s.l, from where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the Apurímac River and the sunset, which is a spectacle that nature gives us. (B, L, D)
Day 05 / Cocamasana – Cachora – Cusco
Early to get up we will prepare everything to start the return to Cachora.
This day we will start early to avoid the intense sun, however, we must always take precautions to protect our skin. Climbing for about 2 hours we will reach the Abra de Capuliyoc (2900 m.a.s.l). During the trip, we will appreciate for the last time part of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and all the way already traveled. You can also appreciate the majestic snow of Padreyoc, the one that adorns the Apurímac canyon, as well as all the variety of fauna and flora offered by the different ecological floors of the area. Finally, we will arrive at San Pedro de Cachora 2850 m.a.s.l, where we will share our last lunch and then take a relaxing break. At this point we say goodbye to the carriers and continue our return by private bus to the city of Cusco. (B, L)
