CHOQUEQUIRAO means in Quechua - "the Cradle of Gold" and constitutes an archaeological complex of Inca origin. The mysterious and dazzling Inca city is situated in the beautiful landscape of the Vilcabamba range, over the right bank of the Apurimac River canyon.
Dense forest covered for many years and has just recently revealed. Choquequirao was the dwelling of the last rebel Incas of Vilcabamba and like Machupicchu the spanish were thought never to have discovered it.
This route offers us diverse ecosystems . We will enjoy beautiful views of the snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba range. It consists of 9 separate stone built architectural groups, with large enclosures, buildings with trapezoidal doorways and niches, as well as many agricultural terraces and irrigation channels.

CHOQUEQUIRAO ( 4 DAY / 3 NIGHT)

ITINERARY

DAY ONE (CUSCO - COCHORA - PLAYON ROSALINA). B/L/D

Very aearly in the morning at 5:30 a.m departure from hotel on private coach. Along the way we visit the archaeological sites of Saywite and Tarawasi, after four hours we arrive to Cachora village located at an altitude of 2785 meters above sea level, where we will have our breakfast.
We will pack all our equipment in the horses, we continue the hike , the trail is flat, we pass through the high pass of Capuliyoc (2915 m) We continue and arrive to Mirador, enjoy the impressive landscapes of the Apurimac Canyon, after arrive to Chikisca
We descend to Playon Rosalina (1550 m)on the bank of the Apurimac river the main tributary of the Amazonas river. We will camp and spend the night

DAY TWO. PLAYON ROSALINA- SANTA ROSA- CHOQUEQUIRAO

Early in the morning after a breakfast , we start a gradual ascend through a long and narrow trail to Santa Rosa and we will climb two hours until we reach our lunch spot Maranpata. The trail gets harder but the view are spectacular. We see the natural wonder of the Apurimac river deepest Canyon, and may have the chance of spotting the andean condor, flying, we arrive to Choquequirao (3300 meters) at 4:00 p.m in the afternoon; the enigmatic and mystical lost inca site, sorrounded by spectacular mountain scenery in the midst of the cloud forest, time to visit and explore the extensive terraces ceremonial dwellings, and sacerd temples. We will camp near the ruins

DAY THREE CHOQUEQUIRAO- PINCHIUNUYOC-MAIZAL

After breakfast. Today the trail takes us through dry andean highland forest, then descends until white river valley, on the way we will pass by Pinchiunuyoc an archaeological site where we can appreciate the inca farming terraces part of them still covered by the cloud forest vegetation. We can see different species of birds varieties or Orquids, and local coca plantations. From río Blanco (White river) we will climb up for three hours to arrive to Maizal. Campsite

DAY FOUR. MAIZAL- MINAS VICTORIA - YANAMA

We will start walking passing by the impressive Inca mines (4200 meters), called Minas Victoria almost on the top, we can appreciate original paved inca trail, we start sttoping over the original inca trail still such incredible well preserved, continuing our hike along the way we appreciate several abandoned quarries of silver and lead mines in ancient times.
And finally we descend to our campsite at Yanama (3800 meters).

DAY FIVE. YANAMA - TOTORA.

After an early breakfast, we will start climbing to the last highest passea of the journey Yanama pass (4665 meters).
This is a challenging day, as we ascend to the pass the walking gets harder but the views gets spectacular, from where we can have a stunning view of the snow- peak mountains of Sacrachayoc an Padrilloc sorrounding us; and we might be able to view the majestic Andean condors circling above us and passing by waterfallson both sides of the valley and lush greenery, where you can refresh yourself. When getting to the pass, we will observe a pile of stones which are added to thank the apus (mountain spirits ) for a safe trip and good luck. Campsite at Totora.

DAY SIX TOTORA - PLAYA.

On this day, we will descend from the highlands passing glacial fed waterfalls and changing vegetation to the sub-tropical jungle region. The natural life will be more interesting. We encounter several species of birds and wild orchids and begonias along with small cofee and fruit plantations.
We camp in the village of Playa.

DAY SEVEN PLAYA - HYDROELECTRIC - AGUAS CALIENTES.

From Playa we hike an original Inca trail, again we climb through sub-tropical cloud forest noticing a unique variety of flora and fauna. Reaching the top we enter a thick mossy forest and discovered partially covered ruins of Llactapata from this spot, we catch a unique rear glimpse of the Machupicchu archaeological complex , on the mountain directely ahead after lunch. We take the zigzagged trail down to the hydroelectric on the Urubamba river and then to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night at a comfortable 3 star hotel.

DAY EIGHT AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO.

We take the early bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary. We will have a guided tour for all the archaeological site. Then we will have free time to be by our own in Machupicchu or maybe to climb the towering Huayna Picchu meaning young mountain, for awesome views of the landscapes below.
In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

INCLUDES:
- Private transportation from hotel to Cachora.
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao and Machupicchu
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Backpacker service)
- Plentiful meals with vegetarian option available.
- Snacks
- Camping equipment (double occupancy tents, dining, kitchen and bathroom toilet tents)
- Professional speaking English guide.
- Tables and chairs
- Matresses
- Horses to carry all the equipment
- Muleteers for the heavy gear (max 7 kilos per pax)
- Extra horses for the clients in case of emergency.
- Cook
- Assistant depending on the size of the group.
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes with breakfast included.
EXCLUDES
- First breakfast.
- Sleeping bag
- Tips.
WE RECOMMENDED TO BRING
- Personal equipment bag
- Bottle of water
- Purification tables
- Original passport in a plastic bag
- Backpack and day pack
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Raincoat or poncho
- Flash light, hat, sun block
- Sunglasses, warm clothes, light clothes.
- Six extra pair of sock
- Insect repellent.
- Tablets for the altitude sickness
- Cámara
- Snacks: candies, chocolates and others

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