CHOQUEQUIRAO 8 DAY / 7 NIGHT

Introduction

This expeditions will take you to two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco-area and Peru: CHOQUEQUIRAO and MACHU PICCHU . The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu ruin are already all over the world. Since its re-discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the ruin has been a topic of discussions and research about the Incas, and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, same that in 1983 where honoured by UNESCO as World Heritage. As much one can find of writings and histories about Machu Picchu, the little one can find about the latter, but not less interesting ruin complex of CHOQUEQUIRAO.

The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAO is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. Choquequiraw is situated in the spurs of the mountain range of Salcantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l., surrounded by the snow capped Apus of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, the Convention province of the department of Cusco. Choquequirao is an Inca town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructs a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name – CHOQUEQUIRAO

1ST DAY :

Arriving at Cachora town at 7.00 in the morning where we will have our breakfast while we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic PADRAYOC snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km or 10 hours. On the way we will observe PADRAYOC and WAYNA CACHORA snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views to snow covered peaks and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tunacactus forest to dwarftree forest we have lunchbrake at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l.). From here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short brake at the river we start the steep climb towards SANTA ROSA, where we camp for the night in a small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l.).

2ST DAY :

Early morning, (5.00 am) after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep, but then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way in a beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological place CHOQUEQUIRAO after 5 hours. We have good time to enjoy this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late inca-town. Besides we see the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored – that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire. Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) we can appreciate “the flight of the Condors”. The guide will decide where to set our camp, it can be in CHOQUEQUIRAO or RAQAYPATA (2910 m.a.s.l.).

3ST DAY :

After the breakfast we walk through CHOQUEQUIRAO, where we again look after the condors that passes early morning on their out after the food. We follow the old water canal for a while before we starts the 3 hours walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found in 1998. These ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. We will spend some time exploring the place before we continues towards the river Victoria. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our lunch we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas.

4ST DAY :

We leave our camp in Maizal and walk towards the San Juan pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high

concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well-preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We take lunch at the pass in 4000 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by

5ST DAY :

We continues from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the night.

6ST DAY :

We now walk the about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognisable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.

7ST DAY :

From the Playa to the Hydroelectric at the Urubamba River. This morning we have as alternative to take the school truck down through the coffee- and fruit plantations with a short view to one newfound Inca trail being restored at the moment. We cross the river in cable chair, and hereafter we walk along the river until the Hydroelectric. Here we wait for the train or continue walking to Aguas Calientes. We relax in the afternoon or climb up the hill from where we will have a beautiful and impressing view of Machu Picchu. We spend the night in a nice hotel.

8ST DAY :

From Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climp Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take the train to Ollantaytambo, and from here bus to Cusco. In Cusco we go to at central placed hotel close to the colonial style Plaza de Armas.

CHOQUEQUIRAO