choquequirao machu picchu, large trek in cusco"

Day 01: Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca.- For the choquequirao machu picchu hike, or choquequirao to machu picchu trek, is needed an early departure from Cusco at around 05:00 hrs, arriving at Cachora village in approximately of 4hours. Cachora is the last town in the trek, at this site we start our choquequirao to machu picchu / trek choquequirao machu picchu, our equipment will be taken on the mules or horses. A nice view of the majestic padrayoc mountain is seen from the trail and Wayna Cachora snow capped peaks, the hike give us the beautiful change of the landscapes, from precipices to snowy mountains. On the way, we will observe Apurimac canyon with its impressive depth, and the second day up hill hike which makes choquequirao machu picchu, as the hardest trek in Cusco, from this site also you can  see at very large distance the famous choquequirao. from a place called capuliyoc the trail leads by down hill up to Chikisqa "camp ground". The distance is about 8 hours of hiking, and 19 kilometers of distance, along this distance we will pass the small settlement named la Colmena (2870 above sea level), after this there is Cocamasana (2330 above sea level), Torowisqana (2285above sea level )and finally chihisqa (1950) asl. Where were is water, and set up our tents.

Day 02: chiquisca - choquequirao.- This is a hard section of thechoquequirao machu picchu trek, but not the hardest yet, an early morning wake up is needed, where delicious breakfast will be waiting for, soon after the hike starts crossing apurimac river the trek goes by  switch trail uphill untill choquequirao, but do not worry on the trail we make several stops to catch energy and enjoy the nature, on the trail some clear water spring invites to get it, further up lunch is in a wide view point. after lunch enjoyable section leads to choquequirao, a trail with small ups and downs and after 2 more hours the group will get and set up tents, from trail  nice terraces of the lower choquequirao are seen. once arriving if there is time  we may try to summit choquequirao in order to wait and see if lucky the flight of condors.

choquequirao machu picchu

choquequirao machu picchu

choquequirao machu picchu

choquequirao to machu picchu

Day 03: Choquequirao - maizal.- "choquequirao to machu picchu hardest hike" On this day we walk uphill for a while up to 3299 masl considered as a first pass and then descend to Rio Blanco, 1609 masl. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. Pinchaunuyoc - these site is nice and has inca buildings, these are in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. We will have our lunch near the Rio Blanco, we use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. From Rio Blanco we climb up to Maizal for about 3 hrs. Camp at 3000 masl.

Day 04: Maizal - Yanama.-  From camp site we start walking uphill passing by the impressive inca mines called Minas Victoria and towards the Victoria Pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area – first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals, which were later used by miners.

Almost on the top we can appreciate original paved inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass in 4200 m.a.s.l. with nice views mountain such as Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. We pass over 4154 masl and descend to our campsite at 3800 masl.

Day 05: Yanama - Totora.- After breakfast we start climbing slowly to our higher pass 4668 masl, again the view is amazing, we are surrounded by snowcapped mountains the Mt. Sacsarayoj and Mt. Padrayoc. We continue from Yanama through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that  distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas, crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the night. (B-L-D).

Day 06: Totora - La playa.- "choquequirao to machu picchu easiest section", On this day we descend to the Totora river. As we go down the birdlife is very interesting especially with hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many species of orchids and begonias. We walk the about 2000 m.a.s.l. down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.

choquequirao machu picchu

camping and dinner in the choquequirao to machu picchu trek

Day 07: La playa - Aguas Calientes.- After a good breakfast we took a transport that takes to us until the town of Santa Teresa, soon we happened through a Oroya we cross a river of the Vilcanota, where we will take a transport to the Hydroelectric, place where we will have an excellent view to Machu Picchu back site, after the lunch, we walked our last trail that lasts 3 hours until arriving at Aguas Calientes around 4:30pm where our long walk finishes. We'll spend the night in Hostel. (B-L-D).

Day 08: Aguas Calientes -  Machu Picchu - Cusco.- After an early breakfast from Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu. The rest of day is free for leisure and explore some sites such as wayna picchu, moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take our train ticket back to Cusco; where our choquequirao machu picchu hike, choquequirao to machu picchu trek ends.