We will start this trek to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu very early,
We will pick you up at your hotel where we are staying at 4:30 in the morning and we will travel approximately 4 hours in a private bus until we reach Cachora, on the way we will stop to enjoy a delicious breakfast while we contemplate the mountains in the distance. and the snowy peaks of Salkantay and Humantay.
Cachora (2,850 m/9,350 ft), at this point we will not find the rest of the team to make this journey possible. When we finish coordinating some details, we will begin a 4-hour descent walk.
As we continue descending a zigzag slope through a high altitude jungle (or Andean jungle) for which the climate is hot, humid and rainy, resulting in a very rich tropical vegetation and fauna, we will contemplate the impressive landscape that the Apurímac valley offers us as: two giant snow-capped mountains that are Padreyoc (5771 m / 18933.7 ft) and Wayna Cachora.
After this descent we will arrive at Chikiska (1890 m. / 6200.8 ft.) the place where we will have lunch to recover energy.
After having enjoyed the delicious lunch and recovered our strength, we will continue with our adventure. We will begin with an ascent of approximately 2 hours passing through the mighty Apurímac River, whose name means “god that speaks” until we reach Santa Rosa (2095 m / 6873 ft), where our first camp of the day will be.
The next day very early our cook and assistants will wake us up with a hot coca tea in our tents before breakfast.
After a delicious and nutritious breakfast, we will start our hike with a gradual ascent to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514.4 ft). During the ascent we will be able to appreciate the Apurimac river canyon as well as different types of wild flora and fauna, with a bit of luck we will see condors flying over the canyon that surrounds us.
Having arrived at the site of Marampata we will take a break, it is also there where we will have lunch prepared by our chef and from this point in the distance we can already see the archaeological center of Choquequirao.
After having lunch and resting, we will begin our trek over smooth, undulating terrain until we reach the ruins of the archaeological site of Choquequirao (3,100 m./10,168 ft.), where we will have the whole afternoon to take pictures and explore. Our guide will explain in detail about the archaeological complex. The extensive set of terraces, irrigation channels and various religious and administrative complexes that extend over 1800 hectares.
Our camp will be near the ruins and we will spend the night in this magical area.
On the third day, we will wake up very early with a cup of hot coca tea (this wake-up tea will be used throughout the journey from Choquequirao to Machupicchu) before breakfast.
At the end of enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will leave the Inca city of Choquequirao to first walk gently for 3 hours to the Choquequirao pass (3,300 m/10,890 ft) and then begin to descend to Río Blanco (1,900 m/6,270 ft), to enter the cloud forest. There we can appreciate native mountain trees with crushed and multilayered bark, epiphytes, bromeliads, orchids, various species of birds, as well as water sources. The lush vegetation of the cloud forest that still covers a part of the Pinchiunuyoc Inca agricultural terraces (2487 m/8160 ft).
After our tour guide gives us a brief explanation about this Inca site, we continue descending, passing coca plantations and gradually changing nature to a dry Andean forest. After enjoying our lunch there, we will ascend for another three hours to the town of Maizal (3,000 m/9,900 ft) where we will set up our next camp.
Considerations:
We begin our ascent after an early breakfast towards Victoria Pass (4,150 m / 13,695ft). After a steep 4-hour climb, we arrive at Minas Victoria, an Inca and later colonial silver mining center that is now abandoned. Afterwards, we walk along a hill called Qoriwayrachina, a place where archaeological explorations have recently been carried out. Closer to Paso Victoria, we start to follow an amazingly well-preserved authentic Inca trail with stone steps in the middle! Upon reaching Paso Victoria, we enjoy an impressive view of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay (5,700 m / 18,700 ft) and the snow-capped Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), considered by the local population as the “guardian spirit of the jungle”. ! Finally, we descend to the town of Yanama (3,590 m / 11,778.2 ft) where we will spend the night in another camp with views of the Yanama River below us and the Pumasillo Mountain above us.
Considerations:
We will start walking in the morning towards the Yanama Valley passing through farmland and lush vegetation to then overcome the highest pass of the trek: the Yanama Pass (4,668 m / 15,315 ft). This makes today’s hike more exciting and the day challenging! From this point there are spectacular views of a chain of snow-capped peaks such as the Sacsarayoc and Padreyoc mountains. If we are lucky, we may also spot majestic condors soaring over the surrounding cliffs. Arriving at the pass, we can see a pile of stones that have been added by visitors to thank Apus (a mountain god) for a safe journey and good luck! We then descend to Totora Pampa, where our next camp is near the town of Totora (3,630 m / 11,979 ft). After happy hour and dinner we headed to our tents and rested after a long day.
After having breakfast prepared by our Peru trek chef we will start walking following the course of the Totora river and then gradually descend to a high jungle (or mountain) – known in Spanish as the “Ceja de selva” (literally: eyebrow of the jungle) so that we can notice the rapidly changing vegetation and increasingly warmer temperature, in the high jungle we can observe its typical exuberant vegetation of wild orchids and bromeliads, as well as observe a variety of beautiful birds, then we will descend to the bamboo forests Don’t forget to look behind you from time to time, as you can see snow-capped peaks framed by bamboo leaves behind you!
We pass through the town of Luscamayo and after a 4-hour descent, we arrive at a small settlement of Collpapampa (2,850 m / 9,348 ft), a place of our lunch.
Then, we continue descending with the Santa Teresa River on the left, observing small coffee and tropical fruit crops along the way, at the end we reach the foothills of the Wiñaypoco hill where our camp awaits us (2680 m / 8793 ft).
After a healthy breakfast, the trail continues towards the Aobamba River, passing through bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations that provide perfect opportunities for bird watching (hummingbirds, woodpeckers).
We walk along fantastic unspoilt paths where strawberries grow at our feet and passion fruits are right above our heads, all this decorated with carpets of begonias and purple orchids! After 2 hours and a half, we arrive at a small place called La Playa (2100 m / 6890 ft) where we have a short rest accompanied by an exquisite lunch.
Later, we continue walking until we reach the town of Lucmabamba (2,250 m / 7,381.89 ft), the site of our next night. This is another day of easy walking, during which we enjoy observing the lush vegetation and getting acquainted with various plants grown in this area such as bananas, avocados, coca leaves, coffee, etc. a habitat of a spectacled bear and many parrots. It is also at this point that we will have a demonstration about coffee, about the process that is carried out to obtain a good natural coffee.
Today we wake up early in tropical weather to start a nice uphill hike that gives us amazing views of the valley. After a 5-hour hike, we enjoy our last lunch at the recently restored Inca ruins of Llaqtapata (2650 m / 8694 ft) from where we can see Machu Picchu and Salkantay Mountain and a part of what is the famous classic Inca trail. . Then our tour guide gives us an explanation about the site!
From there, we have the opportunity to see the highlight of South America – Machu Picchu – from an exceptional point of view that most tourists will never see! Then we descend easily for 3 hours to the Hydroelectric Plant (Hydroelectric; 2,050 m / 6,726 ft). There, we follow trails and the Vilcanota River that leads us to Aguas Calientes (2042 m / 6700 ft), located at the foot of the citadel of Machu Picchu! At the end of the day we will stay in a comfortable hotel and prepare to visit Machu Picchu the next day.
After an early morning breakfast, we take a bus to the wonderful city of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) where we enter for the best photo opportunities and unforgettable memories. Then, our tour guide shows us around the Inca city and explains about its history and purposes.
Machu Picchu is both the best and the least known site of the Incas, since it is not mentioned in any chronicle of Spanish conquerors, so contemporary archaeologists can only speculate about its functions. Local Quechua farmers had known about Machu Picchu for centuries before an 11-year-old boy showed it to American historian Hiram Bingham (who was on a search for Vilcabamba) on July 24, 1911. At that time, all the rest of the world became aware of its existence. However, the site was covered with thick vegetation, so Hiram Bingham and his team returned and in 1912 and 1915 cleared its surface. Over the years, much work has been done on the excavation and survey of the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain.
After having explored the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes and head to the train station to then head towards Ollantaytambo (alternatively to Poroy), from where we are transferred by van back to Cusco to the door of your hotel.
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m. with your trekking guide, one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Peru Trek offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
You will receive a duffel bag during your briefing, where you will pack the necessary things for the Ausangate trip for 3 days, the maximum weight you must carry is 6 kilos. All duffel bags will be carried by the horses or porters and will only be available at your campsite every day (morning and afternoon). Any items that are necessary during the hike should be packed in your backpack.
Duffel bags measure (2ft / 66cm long) x (1ft / 36cm wide).
During the trip, you need a day pack big enough to carry your personal belongings like a warm jacket, raincoat, camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Generally, a 30 to 50 liter backpack is sufficient.
The trek you have booked must be paid in full at the time of breifing or days before departure.
We would greatly appreciate it if you would pay the balance of the trip in cash in US dollars or in local currency. To withdraw here in Cusco we have several ATMs along Av. El Sol (either in US dollars or in local Peruvian soles).
You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance with traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Our PERU TREK Company transports will pick you up from your hotel, as long as you are in the Historic Center of Cusco. Pick-up time will be coordinated with your guide at the briefing. The pick-up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is a very old city, therefore it has many narrow and cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnb may be located on streets with no car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to carry luggage. We strongly recommend that you book an accommodation with good access.
Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range between 55º and 75º F and cool to 40º and 50º at night. Much of this itinerary takes place in the mountains, where the climate can change very quickly and night temperatures regularly drop to 30º and 40º. During the “dry season”, the days are usually clear and pleasant, with clouds in the afternoon that occasionally accumulate and cause small amounts of rain, and the morning temperatures usually oscillate between 35º and 45º with some frost on the tents. Plains in some places. While April and November departures may experience slightly higher amounts of rain, rain throughout the day is unusual. We will hike up several mountain passes that are over 15,000 ft / 4600 m,
therefore you have to bring the necessary things for the Ausangate trek 3 days.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also agree that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wants to modify the route; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications can be made.
It is very important to be well acclimatized to the altitude before exerting yourself on a hike. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek begins to help you acclimatize and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
Suppose you have already been to another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend that you have a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from your trip and fully enjoy your trek and have a unique experience.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
