Choquequirao, Vilcabamba and Machu Picchu 13 days

Program

1^st day - Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca (3350/10991 - 2850/9350 - 1930/6332 metres/feet)

We will leave early with our private transport heading northwest of Cusco. In the cozy town of Cachora we will meet with the porters who will accompany us during this unforgettable trip.  Cachora (2850m / 9350f) is surrounded by mountains and the majestic snow-top padreyoc (5571m / 18278f). We will begin with discovering eucalyptus forests and small bushes known as queuñas. Capuliyoc (2800m / 9186f) is the place to view the magnificent glacier of the Padreyoc and the deepest part of the Apurimac canyon, where runs the mysterious Apurimac ‘river that talks'. Our campsite will be in the canyon, in a place called Chiquisca (1930m / 6332f).

Hiking time: 6 hours in a warm climate. 

2^nd day - Chiquisca - Playa Rosalina - Marampata - Choquequirao (1930/6332 - 2850/9350 - 3033/9951 metres/feet)

After having tasted our breakfast we will be descending for about an hour to La Playa Rosalina (1500m / 4921f). From there we will walk up through the changeable vegetation near the village of Marampata (2850m /9350f), from where we will have a great view over the archeologic complex of Choquequirao. The sunset is enigmatic because of the enchantment that this Vilcabamba region has and with a little luck we will be able to see the Condor flying, ‘the religious messenger of the Incas', that flies down from the mountains all the way to the complex of Choquequirao. Our campsite is on only 25 of the ruins and is called Choquequirao camping (2950m / 9678f).

Hiking time: 7 hours in a climate both warm and cold. 

3^rd day - Choquequirao - Paso de Choquequirao - Rio Silvestre (3033/9951 - 3270/10728 - 1900/6234 meters/feet)

We will observe the sunrise over Choquequirao ‘Cradle of Gold' , with a rich history and recent excavations. At the moment Choquequirao holds many ancestral secrets, because now only 30% of the ruin is restored. It is a very important project that between now and 10 years it will show ´the Gold cradle´ before the eyes of the world and we will get a lot of knowledge about the specific function of Choquequirao, which is now a big mystery. After this, we will continue our walk to the top of Choquequirao (3270m / 10728f), than descending to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc (2450m / 8038f), a place in restoration. Finally we will continue heading down to the deepest point of the small canyon known as Río Blanco (1900m / 6234f), the place to camp.

Hiking time: 6 hours in a warm climate with mosquitoes. 

4^th day - Río Silvestre - Maizal (1900/6234 - 3000/9843 meters/feet)

After our protein breakfast, we will head down for the tropical forest. This part of the trek is relatively difficult and therefore we will spend the night in the community of Maizal (3000m / 9843f); a place to observe the spectacular mountains and glaciers such as Qori Wayrachina (5512m / 18084f).

Hiking time: 5 hours in a both warm and cold climate with mosquitos.   

5^th day - Maizal - Abra de San Juan - Yanama (3000/9843 - 4170/13681 - 3530/11581 meters/feet)

We will continue going up towards a notorious Inca way not being in very good conditions because of the intense humidity in the area called Victoria forrest. The unevenness of the mountain changes the growth of vegetation because of the dry atmosphere at the summit of San Juan (4170m / 13681f). The place to enjoy the changing nature where we will get closer and closer to the clouds. The presence of the mountains, glaciers and valleys form a very special scenery in this region, with the highest glacier being the Sacsarayoc of more than 5000m / 16404f. Maybe the Vilcabamba chain is one of the most important regions that undergoes constant unevenness and therefore has a different vegetation than others and aren't even used for science. Our camping place is located at the foot of the mountain called Yanama (3530m / 11581f).

Hiking time: 6 hours in a tempered to cold climate. 

6^th day - Yanama - Valle Urpipata - Valle de Yutupata - Chungana - Tucarhuay (lunch) - Chichiccara - Quellccamachay - Lazuna pampa (3530/11581 - 3300/10827 - 3800/12467 meters/feet)

The sunrise in the community of Yanama has a special charm for the presence of farmers with their traditions and customs. Our walk will lead us down and up through tropical forests called Yutupata (3300m / 10827f), Tucarhuay and the cave of Quellccamachay. Our camping site is called Lazuna pampa (3800m / 12467f).

Hiking time: 7 hours in a tempered and cold climate. 

7^th day - Lazuna pampa - Abra Choquetacarpu - Huancacalle (capilla Pillaupata) (3800/12467 - 4600/15092 - 3200/10499 meters/feet)

After our energetic breakfast we will walk down for a while to the Choquetacarpu pass (4600m / 15092f). Here we will have a short break while exploring the area and seeing the presence of the Andean symbols. With a bit of luck we will also see the Condor. We will once again go through a magical scene that will make us feel reviving the dynasties of the Incas and their rich culture.

The town of Huancacalle (3100m / 10171f) is where we will eat our fresh food but the camping place will be in Capilla Pillaupata (3200m / 10499f).

Hiking time: 8 hours in a cold climate. 

8^th day - Pillaupata - Vitcos, Ñustahispana (Yurac Rumi) - Azutina pass - Inka wasi (3200/10499 - 3080/10105 - 4000/13123 - 3600/11811 meters/feet)

In the morning we will visit the archeological centres of Vitcos Rosaspata (3080m / 10105f) and Ñustahispana (Yurac Rumi) (3050m / 10007f). We will watch these centres while their in full restoration. It will make us understand the type of construction and the ancestral culture of the last Incas in the region of Vilcabamba. We will continue going up to the Azutina pass (3900m / 12975f). Than we will descend to our campsite called Inca Wasi (3600m / 11811f).

Hiking time: 7 hours in a tempered and cold climate with mosquitos. 

9^th day - Inka Wasi - Racachaca - Hatún Pampa (3600/11811 - 3700/12139 - 4000/13123 meters/feet)

During the day we will once again be seeing the part of the Inca Trail that leads to the community of Racachaca (3700m / 12139f). We will also have magnificent view at the Lazuna peak (5470m / 17946f), which is part of the Sacsarayoc chain.

The population of Racachaca is very sympathic and come to offer you welcome and will let you get to know with their customs and traditions that last from the Andean ancestors. Our camping place will be in Hatún Pampa (4000m / 13123f).

Hiking time: 5 hours in a cold climate.

10^th day - Hatún Pampa - Abra Yana cocha - Soyro cocha - Abra Mojón - Mutuypata (3800/12467 - 4420/14501 - 4500/14764 - 3250/10663 metres/feet)

On this day we will have the most arduous and marvellous part because of the ecological differences we will go through, the Yanacocha pass (4420m / 14501f), Tullu Tacana (4500m / 14764f) and Mojón (4500m), with an excellent view on the Salkantay (6264m / 20551f) and the Machu Picchu Mountain. We will descend observing the trail that is not in a great state, because of the rainy season and the erosion on the mountains. This part is really owned by the farmers and is natural habitat where very sporadically are to be found tourists. On the way we will pass by the lagoon of lake Cocha (3600m / 11811f) and after this we will enter the cloudy forest of Mutuypata (3250m / 10663f), where we will camp.

Hiking time: 9 hours in a cold and tempered climate with mosquitos. 

11^th day - Mutuypata - Yanatile - Santa Teresa (3250/10663 - 2100/6890 - 1850/6070 meters/feet)

In the middle of the Mutuypata, we will get to know more about the great variety of flora and fauna. Having the same course as the river Sacsara, we will descend to Yanatile (2000m / 6562f). From here we can go to Santa Teresa (1850m / 6070f) in a public transport ‘truck'. In the town of Santa Teresa we will spend the night by a host family and will have the opportunity of going to the thermal healing baths.

Hiking time: 5 hours in a warm climate with mosquitos. 

12^th day - Santa Teresa - Hydroelectric station - Aguas Calientes (1850/6070 - 1950/6398 - 2050/6726 meters/feet)

In the morning we will have a walk past the edge of the river Willcamayu, arriving by a typical transport in this region called Oroya (basket) which will bring us to the other side of the river. During the walk we can also appreciate the Mayubamba cascade and the Machu Picchu Mountain. After this we will arrive at the hydroelectric station (1950m / 6398f), where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m / 6726f), where we will sleep in a hotel.

Hiking time: 4 hours in a warm climate with mosquitos. 

13^th day - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco (2050/6726 - 2400/7874 - 3350/10991 meters/feet)

It is recommendable to visit the lost city of the Incas early in the morning; we will go by tourist bus to Machu Picchu (2400m / 7874f), to after arriving being told about the policy and ancestral technique in agriculture, astronomy and religion that our ancestors left us. After this the participants have enough time to walk through Machu Picchu themselves before returning to the village of Aguas Calientes and taking the train back to Cusco. The climate in Machu Picchu is warm with mosquitoes. 

What one needs to bring!

Backpack, sleeping bag, clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket, sweater, trekking shoes and trousers, polo's/ t-shirts, rain poncho, hat, sun block cream, insect repellent and disinfecting alcohol and gel, bottle of water and sterilizing tablet, camera (wrapped in plastic bag), flash light and batteries, some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit, original passport, ´ISIC´-student card and extra money in soles. 

Also the Practical information might be good to read.