After picking up the passengers from their respective hotels we will leave the city of Cusco at 8:00 a.m. by private bus. Taking the road to Abancay, we cross the Apurímac River, at 1,600 meters above sea level, and then continue on to the pass of Qorimarca (4,000 meters), from where we will descend into the inter-Andean valley of Huanipaca before finally arriving at "Villa los Loros". After settling into our rooms we will have lunch. Evening meal and overnight.
After breakfast we will begin our trek with a two and a half hour walk to the beach of the rushing Apurímac River (which in Quechua means "the god who speaks"). We then cross the San Ignacio suspension bridge and begin the climb from the level of the river (1,500 meters) to our campsite at Choqekiraw, located at 2,900 meters. Along the way we will be able to enjoy the scenery and a variety of local flora and fauna. After lunch we will visit the Phaqchayoq system of agricultural terraces and the House of the Waterfall, before finally returning to the campsite, where we will be served dinner before resting for the night. (Trekking: 17 kilometers, time 7-8 hours)
Today we have the entire day to visit the best sectors of the Archeological Park of Choqekiraw. We will have lunch near the collection, as not to interrupt such a nice view, and with any luck we will be able to witness the flight of the majestic Andean Condor over the deep canyon of Apurimac. Finally, we will return to our campsite where dinner will be served and we will spend the night.
We begin by ascending from our campsite, going through high altitude woodland rich in epiphytes, bromeliads and beautiful orchids, until we reach the Choqekiraw Pass (3,270 meters), from where we begin a long descent along the western slope of the mountain. We will visit the archeological site of Pincha Unuyoc, a fan-shaped series of agricultural terraces crowned by a small ceremonial site, where we will make our camp.
(Trekking: 8.5 kilometers, time 5 hours)
We will continue to descend into the warm valley of the Blanco (or Yuraqmayo) River (1,875 meters), where we will stop for lunch. Then we will climb the mountain known as Qoriwayrachina as far as Maizal, a natural balcony from where there is an impressive view. We will make camp at this site. Evening meal and overnight camping.
(Trekking: 9.5 kilometers, time 5 hours)
We will climb through a varied forest, passing the old Victoria Mines, until we reach the Yanama (4,200 meters), from where we will be able to enjoy extraordinary views of the Vilcabamba Range. We will then follow a trail along the sheer cliff before arriving at the community of Yanama.
(Trekking: 12.5 kilometers, time 7 hours)(Trekking: 9.5 kilometers, time 5 hours)
Our route will take us up through the grasslands of a high Andean valley, up a moderately steep slope as far as the San Juan Pass (4,620 meters). From the pass we will begin the descent into the Santa Teresa valley, providing imposing views of the mountains of Salkantay (6,270 meters) and Humantay (5,917 meters), which are the highest peaks in the Vilcabamba Range and the slopes of which are home to Machu Picchu. We will descend along a zigzag trail until we reach the place where we will make our next camp, by the side of the river that runs through the village of Totora. (Trekking: 12 kilometers, time 7 hours)
This day's trekking will be downhill, through an undulating path that will take us to the settlement of Collpapampa, where we will reach the start of the Santa Teresa valley. We will have lunch there and also have time to enjoy the nearby thermal baths. After bathing we will continue on our way, passing a pleasant area of woodland and then coffee plantations and tropical orchards of passion fruit, papaya and avocado, with the imposing mountains above us on either side, before reaching the road and La Playa, where we will make camp.
(Trekking: 15 kilometers, time 5 hours)
Today we must decide between two options: to continue trekking as far as the hydroelectric station, from where we can take the train as far as Machu Picchu village; or board a bus or truck from La Playa that will also take us to the hydroelectric station, from where we can take the train to Machu Picchu village. The first option means a six-hour walk, during which we will have a chance to visit the archeological complex of Llactapata (2,590 meters), a ceremonial site related to the sunrise on the winter solstice, which can be seen above Machu Picchu. The second option involves a journey of just 1-2 hours. In both cases the train will take us as far as Machu Picchu village in just 15 minutes. Here we will be able to rest in the hotel or enjoy the relaxing thermal baths of Aguas Calientes.
(Trekking: 15 kilometers, time 6 hours)
We will leave the hotel early to take the first bus up to the Inca sanctuary, which is situated high above the canyon of the Urubamba River in the heart of the highland forest below Mount Salkantay. We will have the rest of the day to visit this wonder of the world, with a chance to make an optional visit to the imposing mountain known as Wayna Picchu, or the Sun Gate (Intipunku). After this we will return to the village of Machu Picchu to have a buffet lunch and then take the return train to Cusco, where you will be transferred from the train station to the hotel.
The tour includes:
2016 Prices per person: Prices are available upon request.