Choquequirao – The Cradle of Gold 13 Days and 12 Nights

Fly from your home city to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, your Travelution Peru host will escort you to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures. Situated in Lima’s city center.

A quick flight over the snow-covered Andes brings you to Cusco, your gateway to the Sacred Valley (9290ft / 2830 mt). You will make a stop at Awanacancha where you will see the four Andean camels (Llamas, Alpacas, Huanacos and Vicuñas) and then see a traditional Andean textile center that serves as a perfect introduction to the Andean life.

You will go to Pisac`s impressive archeological complex, after the visit to the Fortress, there is a short stop to explore the typical, indigenous village of Pisac. If you are inclined, you may hike down from the Fortress through the terraces to the village where you will find a large number of local artisans who gather from different communities to sell their handicrafts and unique food.

We leave The Sacred Valley and head to the Cruzpata on Maras Plateau, where we will start our mountain bike adventure enjoying lovely views of impressive Andean peaks, many cacti plants and Andean villagers on their daily activities, Next, we’ll proceed to the enigmatic Inca ruins at Moray. Visually, these stepped-terrace ruins resemble an ancient amphitheater, though some experts believe they served as agricultural laboratories where the Incas could experiment with new farming techniques. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch, where you can savor dishes made with locally grown produce.  Proceed on a dirt road to Maras, where we can stop and visit the Salt mines, this village is a salt-producing center that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are more than 4,000 salt pools carved into the mountain. Finally, we will continue our adventure, ending it in Pichingoto looking at your skills.

Today we will pick you up from your hotel and leave the Sacred Valley in our private transport, which will take us to the city of San Pedro de Cachora (2,800mt /9,186ft), where we can make last minute purchases for the walk, On the way we stop in the famous Sayhuite carved rock for a short visit, This intricate stone block is adorned with more than 200 geometric figures, which together compose something like a 3D relief. then we will drive to the Kapuliyoq sector, where we will start our walk. Here we meet the rest of our travel team (chefs, Arrieros and their horses). On the way you can also see a great diversity of landscapes that belong to different climates, such as the snowy Pedrayoc, the diversity of flora and fauna embellish our walk.

Today we will walk 5 to 6 hours where we can observe the deepest canyon in the world that is known, the Apurimac and where the majestic Apurimac River flows and it is also possible to observe the first views of Choquequirao. We will continue descending to Chikisqa, where we will have lunch and it will be in that place where we will have dinner and camp until the next day. 

Overnight: Chiquisqa, 1,600mt / 5,249ft

Hiking Details: 4.97 miles / 8 km; approximately 5-6 hours hiking, 

Altitude max/min: from 9,186 ft to 5,249 ft

We descend in places very steeply to the spectacular Apurimac river canyon. At first the descent is quite gentle, then it gets steeper and hotter as we go deeper in to the canyon to Playa Rosalina (1,550mt /5,085ft). Then we will ascend to the Santa Rosa area (2,100mt / 6,889ft). Also, we will have lunch in this place to recover the forces and continue our course along these paths decorated by the beauty that nature offers. Continue to Marampata (2930mt / 9,612ft) you will be able to observe the density of vegetation in the area. Continuing with that adventurous spirit we arrive at the archaeological site of Choquequirao. If we are lucky, we could see some condors and spectacle bears. 

Overnight: Choquequirao, 3000mt / 9,842ft

Hiking Details: 9.32 miles / 15 km; approximately 7-8 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 5,85 ft to 9,842 ft

The whole day is devoted to fully exploring the ruins of Choquequirao, much of which is still unexcavated and covered in dense forest, giving the modern explorer the opportunity to experience what the site was like when mapped by explorers such as Hiram Bingham. In the morning we visit the lower portions, including farming terraces and communal areas. After lunch, and perhaps a siesta, we will return to the site and visit the upper portions where the most important shrines are, including seeing the recently-discovered place of the llamas. 

Overnight: Choquequirao, 3000mt / 9,842ft

We will start the day with a nutritious breakfast and leave for the Choquequirao Pass (3,250mt / 10,662ft), maybe on the way you can see the condor’s flight. We will descend gradually accompanied by a lucid panorama towards the Inca site of Pinchiunuyoc (2100mt / 6,889ft), where we will have a guided visit to load of our guide.

In the same way we will have lunch in that area to regain strength and continue our journey to the Cornfield that will be our place of accommodation this day. 

Overnight: Pinchiunuyoc, 2100mt / 6,889ft

Hiking Details: 4,97 miles / 8 km; approximately 5-6 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 5,85 ft to 9,842 ft

Descend approximately 2 hours to the Rio Blanco and then ascend 4 hours through some beautiful cloud forest all the way to Maizal for lunch, We will focus on the Inca trail route and see a fabulous view of the Humantay and Salkantay snowy mountains, and we will stop for a few moments to satisfy our taste. 

Overnight: Maizal, 3,085mt / 10,121ft

Hiking Details: 4,97 miles / 8 km; approximately 6-7 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 9,842 ft to 10,121ft

After a good breakfast in the early hours of the morning, we walk along a steep road for 4 hours towards Victoria Pass, then we will have before us the Victoria mines, an Inca silver mining center and later colonial that is abandoned today in day. Then we will walk to a place called Qoriwayrachina (site that is currently being investigated).

We will focus on the Inca trail route and where we walk, we will have a fabulous view of the Humantay and Salkantay snowy mountains, and we will stop for a few moments to satisfy our taste. 

Overnight: Lucmabamba, (7,003 ft / 2,135mt)

Hiking Details: 9,32 miles / 15 km; approximately 8-9 hours hiking, 

Altitude max/min: from 10,121ft to 7,003 ft

This long and adventurous day what we started with the last breakfast in the middle of nature, we headed towards Lucmabamba (2,135mt / 7,003ft). The walk to Llactapata (2,655mt / 8,710ft) of approximately 5 hours will be more pleasant and familiar with different types of plants: banana, mango, papaya, avocado, coca leaf, coffee, etc. and animals like the spectacled bear. After a long route, a good lunch would suit us, then be recharged and continue the stretch of the Inca trail to the Hydroelectric area. Then we embark for 30 minutes by train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will settle in a hotel, we can have dinner and spend the night there.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes Machupicchu, 6,232 ft / 1,900 mt

Hiking Details: 8,07 miles / 13 km; approximately 6-7 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 6,232 ft to 8,710ft ft

We have an early breakfast and head up to the ruins to experience the peace and solitude of this magical place. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through, explaining the significance of the various structures and the theories behind Machu Picchu’s purpose and construction methods. We have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to attempt the optional hike up Huayna Picchu and/or explore the ruins on our own. We catch the afternoon tourist train to Ollantaytambo and from there take the bus to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7 p.m. The day concludes with our guide joining us for a final celebration dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Overnight in Cusco. 

Hiking: Optional Huayna Picchu hike may be unguided and is steep with some exposure. Permits are limited. An alternative optional hike may be available if Huayna Picchu permits cannot be obtained.

Overnight: Cusco City, 11260 ft / 3435 mt

Huayna Picchu – 07:00 am Shift

Hiking Details: 1.25 miles; approximately 2-3 hours hiking, 

Altitude min/max: from 7,970 ft to 8,835 ft

In the morning, privately guided walking tour of Cusco begins with a pleasant stroll through the cobbled streets of the San Blas district where you will visit a colonial church notable for its incredibly ornate wood-carved pulpit. Carrying onward, proceed to the Koricancha Temple, once walled in plated gold and featuring courtyard statues made of solid gold, Conquistadors described it as “fabulous beyond belief.” Today, the Church of Santo Domingo rests on the site of the original temple, making it an excellent location to learn about the intersection of Inca and Spanish culture and architecture from your expert local guide. Concluding with a visit to Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral, this encompassing tour is an excellent introduction to the traditions and history of this incredible city. After a local lunch, we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins; you’ll tour prominent Inca sites in and around Cusco, including temples, the megalithic Sacsayhuaman fortress, the carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars of Kenko, the small Puka Pukara fortress that protected the capital and the Tambomachay water temple.

You will be met and transferred back to the airport approximately 2 hours prior to your flight’s departure time.