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DAY 1: CUSCO - LIMATAMBO - CACHORA
After an 8:00am pickup from your hotel, we'll make our way to Limatambo and enjoy a guided tour at Tarawasi - an archaeological center dedicated to the life and agriculture of the region. Along the way, we will pass through the towns of Conoc, Crahuasi, and Saywite (Ceremonial Stone). From Saywite, we'll begin our descent to Cachora, which will be our campsite for the evening and the starting point of our hike on day two
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DAY 2: CACHORA - PLAYA ROSALINA
We will begin our trek toward the Apurimac Canyon, passing through Colmena and Capuliyuc before descenng to Rosalina Beach on the Apurimac River at 1,500 meters/4,921 feet above sea level.
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DAY 3: PLAYA ROSALINA - CHOQUEQUIRAO
Day 3 is an arduous ascent as we climb from 1,500 meters/4,921 feet up to Choquequirao, which is at 3,000 meters/9,843 feet above sea level. Along the way, we'll pass through the towns of Santa Rosa and Marampata before arriving at our campsite in Raqaypata and the nearby city of Choquequirao.
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DAY 4: CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHIUNUYUC - RIO BLANCO
After a guided tour of the Choquequirao archeological complex, we'll hike to the Choquequirao Pass (3,300 meters/10,827 feet) and later descend to Pinchiunuyuc, where we'll have lunch before continuing our descent to the White River at 1,800 meters/5,906 feet above sea level. We'll make camp along the river for the evening.
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DAY 5: RIO BLANCO - MINA VICTORIA
Day 5 is a difficult ascent to approximately 4,000 meters/13,123 feet above sea level where we will find the Victoria Mine near San Juan Pass, a mine abandoned shortly after the colonial period. From the mine, we will be able to catch a glimpse of the Apurimac Canyon - one of Peru's many geographic marvels.
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DAY 6: MINA VICTORIA - YANAMA
On Day 6, we will ascend to Victoria Pass and gaze upon the snowy summits of Salkantay, Corihuaynachina, and Humantay (the closest) mountains. We'll pass along patches of agricultural landscape before arriving at our campsite near the local high school at Yanama, situated in a picturesque valley at 3,400 meters/11,155 feet above sea level.
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DAY 7: YANAMA - CHOQUETAKARPO - KELKAMACHAY
Having camped for the night in the village of Yanama, we'll begin our trek again with an ascent to the Choquetakarpo Pass via a trail blanketed with vegetation and then changing to mountain tundra. Later, we will descend to Kelkamachay and make camp for the evening.
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DAY 8: KELKAMACHAY - KOLLPAQ
On Day 8, we will hike along the Kalkamachay Valley, where we can view the Vilcabamba mountain range and the imposing peak of Choquetacarpo Mountain directly in front of us. From the trail we'll also see the Vilcabamba Trail as we make our way to an altitude of between 3,500 - 3,800 meters/11,483 - 12,467 feet. We will arrive in Kollpaq in the early evening and make camp.
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DAY 9: KOLLPAQ - WANKAKALLI
After a nourishing breakfast, Day 9 begins with beautiful vistas of inter-Andean valleys. We'll descend to Huancacalle, an important location in this region because it represents the starting point of the Vilcabamba trailhead. In our case, it will also serve as the base camp for our return trip to the Vilcabamba Valley.
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DAY 10: WANKAKALLI - VITCOS - ÑUSTA HISP´ANAN - QOLLPAQ'ASA
On Day 10, we'll visit the Vitcosa site found on the upper portion of Huancacalle. From here, we will be able to view the entire Chaullay Valley and the Vilcabamba River below. After another hour of trekking, we'll arrive at Nustahipanan, where we'll enjoy a guided tour before returning to base camp.
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DAY 11: WANKAKALLI - QOLLPAQ'ASA
On Day 11, we'll trek to the archaeological center at the summit of Rosapata, where we will be able to view Pucyura's snowy peak along the adjacent sierra. Later, we'll visit Nusta hisp'anan (Yurac Rumi) while enjoying the beautiful countryside along the way. In the evening, we'll make our way to Qollpaq'sa, where we'll make camp for the night.
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DAY 12: QOLLPAQ'ASA - UTUTO
We'll begin Day 12 by making our way to the Maukachaka region and then pass through Pampaconas before descending to Ututo, where we'll make camp and take the opportunity to do some fishing.
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DAY 13: UTUTO - VISTA ALEGRE
Day 13 marks the beginning of our return descent. We will begin to see the vegetation of the temperate jungle while viewing the Pampaconas River below. We'll enjoy lunch on the shores of the river, and after a short rest, continue our trek to Vista Alegre where we'll make camp for the evening.
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DAY 14: VISTA ALEGRE - CONCEVIDAYOC
After breakfast on Day 14, we'll trek into the Vilcabamba Valley, and in the heat we'll make the ascent to Cruz Q'asa, a popular site from which we can appreciate abundant flora and fauna -- for example, the Gallitos de las Rocas. Hiking across the valley, we'll arrive at Tunkimayu before hiking to Concebidayoc.
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DAY 15: CONCEBIDAYOC - ESPIRITU PAMPA
On Day 15, we'll make our way to the east in the direction of the Pampaconas River, whose rapids will direct us to Espiritu Pampa. Renowned as a natural scenic lookout, the base of the Espiritu Pampas mountain range forms a triangle with the Pampaconas and Chomtabamba rivers. From here, we'll be able to view the Andes sierra and Rumichaca - a marvelous stone bridge dating from the Inca period. After a guided visit of the site, we'll make camp for the night.
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DAY 16: ESPIRITU PAMPA - CHIWANKIRI
Day 16 is our last day of hiking. We'll enter tropical and humid climate as we move along the Valley of Espiritu Pampa before arriving in Chiwankirir, the site of our last evening in the outdoors.
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DAY 17: CHIWANKIRI - KITENI - CUSCO
Our return on Day 17 will be by private van. Our trip will take us through the city of Kiteni, the Lares Valley, Amparaes, and Calca. Finally, we'll make the steep ascent to the city of Cusco.
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INCLUDES:
- Transportation in and out: Cusco - Limatambo / Chiwankiri - Cusco
- Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; 2 guides for groups over 12 people
- Cook: In charge of meal preparation
- Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 15 kilos/ 33 lbs per person)
- Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help
- Meals: 16 Breakfasts/17 Lunches/16 Dinners/Snacks and afternoon tea
- Equipment: tents ( 2 people in each 3-person-capacity ), Therm-a-rest sleeping pad, dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, shower tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
DOESN’T INCLUDE:
- Breakfast the 1st day, usually hotels offer this service
- Sleeping bag
EXTRAS:
- US$22 Sleeping bag rental(-10°C) for the whole trek:
- US$25 single accommodation