Choquequirao Trek & Machupicchu

OVERVIEW:


This is the best programme that allows you to visit in a few days the best of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machupicchu and Choquequirao, it is also one of the best combinations to see and be in contact with the wonderful landscapes of the Andes, the cloud forest, its flora and fauna. Choquequirao is rarely visited by tourists, this Inca "lost city" fascinated 19th century explorers; for a century and a half it was considered "the lost city of the Incas", a term now applied to Machupicchu. In fact, the similarities to Machupicchu are many; hence it is called the sister city of Machupicchu, both abandoned for centuries, overlooked by the Spanish chroniclers of the 16th and 17th centuries. Both are located on opposite sides of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain (6271 mts. / 20694 ft. Machupicchu was probably a sacred place and a summer palace of the Inca Pachacutec, and Choquequiraw was certainly a place of worship and/or a summer palace of Tupac Inca Yupanqui (son of Pachacutec), almost inaccessible, it was also used as one of the last refuges of the Incas after the Spanish invasion!

ROUTE & HIGHLIGHTS:

Meals Included: B= Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

DAY 1: ARRIVING TO LIMA

DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR - CUSCO. (B)

DAY 3: CUSCO CITY TOUR: Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, kenko, Puca Pucara & Tambomachay. (B)

DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY: AWANACANCHA, PISAC MARKET & RUINS, OLLANTAYTAMBO and CHINCHERO (B,L)

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

DAY 5: CUSCO - CACHORA - CHIKISCA (B,L,D)

DAY 6: CHIKISCA- PLAYA ROSALINAS- SANTA ROSA- MARAMPATA (B,L,D)

DAY 7: MARAMPATA- CHOQUEQUIRAO- MARAMPATA (B,L,D)

DAY 8:  MARAMPATA- SANTA ROSA- PLAYA ROSALINAS- CHIKISCA-CAPULIYOC-CACHORA – CUSCO (B,L)

DAY 9: CUSCO – MACHUPICCHU (B)

DAY 10: MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO. If available also hike to Huaynapicchu or Montana Machupicchu. (B)

DAY 11: CUSCO – LIMA (B)

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Lima: Plaza de Armas

DETAILED ITINERARY: Meals Included: B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner


DAY 1: ARRIVING IN LIMA

Upon arrival at any time reception, assistance and transfer to the selected hotel.

Notes:

- You are in charge of arriving in Lima by plane at any time. Our Services start in Lima and finish in Cusco

- Check in at the hotel starts after 1 - 2 pm


DAY 2: LIMA CITY TOUR - CUSCO

In the morning a trip to the essential Lima, “The City of Kings” including the most important architectural icons of the city, such as the Main Square, where you can find the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace.)

Lima: The Coast

Then, we continue with a visit to the San Francisco Convent, an architectonic jewel dating back to the 16th century. On our way to the modern area of the city, we will cross the exclusive district of San Isidro, the new financial heart of the city, we conclude our circuit in Miraflores, where we will visit the “Parque del Amor” (Love Park) an excellent spot to enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean.

After 3 pm transportation to the airport to take the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the selected hotel; where you should rest to adjust better to the altitude (11,000 ft a.s.l.) (B)

Note: Your flight from Lima to Cusco must be at or after 6 pm


DAY 3: CUSCO

Free morning to visit the city and its museums: Inca, Preculumbian Art & The Machupicchu Museum.

Afternoon Combined tour; visit the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. (B)

Cusco: Plaza de Armas

Note: Whenever it will be possible; to avoid the crowds and in the high season we will program this tour in the morning.


DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY: PISAC RUINS, MARKET & OLLANTAYTAMBO

Visit PISAC located right at the entrance to the Sacred Valley, the amazing Inca city that constitutes one of the most important Archaeological Parks in the region.Visit the fine temples, palaces and the well preserved and vast farming terraces; built even as far as the edge of precipices that still keep their straight sometimes vertical aqueducts; an imposing and unforgettable sight that also offers very beautiful landscapes. Later visit PISAC the Colonial Village, where you will see the famous "Indian Market" and the handicrafts or "souvenirs" market, this is your chance to enjoy a blend of color, traditions and people, and bargain for exotic craftworks.

Pisac Inca Town

After Lunch at Urubamba Village, tour to the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in South America, where people are still living in the same houses and palaces as 500 years ago; the ancient Incan town of OLLANTAYTAMBO, with its very impressive constructions built with huge boulders and its ancient heritage that will leave us astonished. Finally visit the Chinchero Inca town. (B, L)


CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK: You MUST be in good shape

The described camps and hiking times are approximate; they may vary according to your physic conditions and guides recommendations


DAY 5: CUSCO- CACHORA- CHIKISCA

The night before your trek, you will get a trekking briefing with your tour guide. Early morning departure from Cusco.

Choquequirao Trek

Our private transportation will take us Driving - through the farmland of the Anta Plateau from where we will see the high Andean peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba (where we will be hiking the next 4 days) – in about 4 hours we arrive to the end of the road Capuliyoc; where we will meet the mule wranglers, pack the mules and horses, and start the hike, we can enjoy the first breathtaking view of the deep Apurimac Canyon, the majestic surrounding snow-capped peaks (Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora), and a glimpse of Choquequirao far way on the mountain on the other side of the canyon. We hike downhill for about for about 4 hours until the 1st campsite at Chikisca where we will spend the night. (B,L,D)


• Maximum Altitude: 2977 m / 9767 ft

• Minimum altitude: 1836 m / 6024 ft 

• Distance: 8 km / 5.0 miles

• Walking time: 4 hours

Choquequirao Trek

DAY 6: CHIKISCA- PLAYA ROSALINAS- SANTA ROSA- MARAMPATA

We start early hiking downhill for 1 hour to playa Rosalinas, we will cross the Apurimac River using a suspension bridge, this river is one of the longest rivers in Perú. Here we start our uphill hike for 2 hours until Santa Rosa where we’ll have a rest, finally, after other 2 hours we will arrive at Marampata. Here we will enjoy our delicious lunch and will have the free afternoon to enjoy the spectacular views of the Andes and the canyons around. (B,L,D)


• Maximum Altitude: 2919 m / 9615 ft

• Minimum altitude: 1600m / 5250 ft 

• Distance: 9 km / 5.0 miles

• Walking time: 6 hours 

Choquequirao

DAY 7: MARAMPATA- CHOQUEQUIRAO- MARAMPATA

After a good breakfast we start the easier hike to Choquequirao, we hike for about 1:45 minutes to this amazing ancient city, we will have all day exploring these stunning ruins. Choquequirao means "Cradle of Gold," and the site is thought to have been built by the son of Machupicchu’s creator, to rival the more famous and accessible citadel. Here, terraces sweep out from the main plaza towards incredible vistas of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Built as an elite city for ceremonial purposes, the residences, royal baths, halls, gardens and stairways pay tribute to the engineering genius and careful planning that typifies Incan architecture. After visiting the most important sectors we will hike back to Marampata.

• Maximum Altitude: 3000 m / 9843 ft

• Minimum altitude: 2919m / 9615 ft 

• Distance: 7.5 km / 4.25 miles

• Walking time: 4 hours

Amazing Terraces

DAY 8: MARAMPATA- SANTA ROSA- PLAYA ROSALINAS- CHIKISCA-CAPULIYOC-CACHORACUSCO

We begin our final part of the hike, hiking downhill and ascending again out of the canyon and away from the Apurimac River and re-enter the mountain grasslands and the stunning Andean scenery. When we reach the viewpoint of Capuliyoc again where we’ll say goodbye to our trail crew and make the return drive to Cusco. (B,L)

• Maximum Altitude: 2919 m / 9615 ft

• Minimum altitude: 1600 m / 5250 ft 

• Distance: 17 km / 9.0 miles

• Walking time: 9 hours


DAY 9: CUSCO - MACHUPICCHU

Transfer to the Train Station to catch the train until Aguas Calientes town, bus ride to Machupicchu (1/2 hour) and private guided visit (2 1/2 hours) of the "Holy City of the Incas", the highlight of any trip to South America.

Machupicchu: Wonder of the World

Overnight Aguas Calientes. Optional visit of the hot springs (tickets not included) (B)


DAY 10: MACHUPICCHU – HUAYNAPICCHU - CUSCO

On your own, early visit of Machupicchu; to spot the amazing sun rise and take the optional short hikes to Huaynapicchu Peak (2 hours) & the temple of the Moon, to the Sun gate (2 hours) or Montana Machupicchu (3 hours) and the Inca Bridge. Afternoon return to Ollantaytambo by train (1 1/2 hours) and transfer by bus to the hotel in Cusco. (1 1/2 hours). (B)


DAY 11: CUSCO – LIMA: Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)

Notes:

- Your flight to Lima can be at any time you want

- Check out at the hotel is at 10 - 11 am

PRICES PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS

DOUBLE or TRIPLE OCCUPANCY:

SINGLE OCCUPANCY:

Extra Payment for Private tours: Paying this TOTAL EXTRA COST per PARTY; for ALL the TOURS in Lima & CUSCO we will provide: a PRIVATE transportation + an English Speaking guide just for your party.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICES ACCORDING TO THE ITINERARY:

- Double or Twin rooms at Described Hotels + breakfasts for 10  nights, Lima: 1 night, Cusco: 5 nights, Aguas Calientes: 1 night, Choquequirao Trek: 3 nights in tents.


- GROUP Tours: For the all the tours you will have an English speaking guide, all the entrance fees to visit all the attractions described on the itinerary, all the round trip transfers and bus transportation.


TOURS: Lima and Cusco City Tours & 4 ruins, Sacred Valley, 2 days Machupicchu: Round trip EXPEDITION or INCA RAIL train tickets, Machupicchu English speaking guide (2 1/2 hours), For 2 days: Round trip Bus tickets, Machupicchu & Huaynapicchu entrance fees and PRIVATE (just for your party) 4 days Choquequirao trek


PRIVATE (just for your party) 4 days Choquequirao trek: Pre-trek briefing, entrance fees. Private bus to the start of the trail, English speaking professional guide, client’s tents (2 persons in each), Well insulated Mattresses Pads, Toilet Tents: Dining tent with camp tables & stools, Chef, Cooking tent & equipment, Meals – vegetarian option without extra cost (03B,04L,03D): pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea, coffee break every day, Horsemen & Horses to carry the tents, food, cooking equipment, and luggage (no more than 7 Kgs/10 pounds per person), Fair salary & accommodations for our staff, First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle


For the GROUP Tours: We use the best available transportation and guides. On average we have:

- Lima City tour: 16-20 people

- Cusco City and Sacred Valley tours: 12-16 people

- For Machupicchu: 10-15 people


- All the transportation: Airport/Bus & Train Station - Hotel - Airport/Bus & Train Station described in the Itinerary

- Described meals

- Professional & Personal Assistance during your visit.


Does not include: International & national airfares (Lima - Cusco - Lima), extra horse to carry more luggage or ride**, sleeping bags (Save room and Rent from us for just US$25 / 4 days trek), Services & Sales Taxes, tips: guide, cooks, porters, etc, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water, non described meals & snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages & items of personal nature.


**Note: If you want to bring more luggage or ride a horse, you can hire an extra horse for US$100, for all the trek and the horse will carry a maximum of 20 kg – 40 pounds; including your sleeping bag. (Usually 1 horse between 2 persons is enough). However even with a personal horse, you will still need to bring and carry a day pack with essential items.


BOOKING & DEPOSIT FOR THE TRIP:


- To reconfirm and book we will need you to send a deposit of 20% of the trip's price ASAP.

- The remaining balance has to be paid 20 days before your trip.

HOTELS

Please note that for any package we can upgrade and use any other you wish: 4 star, 5 stars, the most recommended, expensive room, etc, etc. As a LOCAL travel agent we have good prices with ALL the hotels in Peru so please just let us know about your preferences and we will send you our best price.

CITY/TOWN RECOMMENDED BASIC HOTELS
LIMA San Antonio, Runcu, Faraona or similar
CUSCO La Posada del Viajero, El Andariego, El Triunfo
AGUAS CALIENTES/MACHUPICCHU Andino, Flower's House, Killa Inn, Pequena Casita
CITY/TOWN HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MEDIUM HOTELS
LIMA Tierra Viva Larco or similar
CUSCO Tierra Viva hotels: Saphi, San Blas or Centro
AGUAS CALIENTES/MACHUPICCHU Golden Sunrise, Casa Andina or similar
CITY/TOWN BEST RECOMMENDED 1ST CLASS HOTELS
LIMA Libertador or similar
CUSCO Hilton Garden Inn, Aranwa
AGUAS CALIENTES/MACHUPICCHU Sumaq, Inkaterra Pueblo

ADDITIONAL TOURS IN CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY
Customize this Trip by adding extra days to any location. Please explore below or contact one of our  local  expert travel advisors

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