Distance: 110 km // Duration: 8 days // When to go: Best from April to October // Altitude: 2,700 masl to 4,600 masl // Difficulty: Moderate // Daily Departures for our Private tours. // BOOK EARLY ... to avoid disappointments. Remember just recently since July 20th there are a limited number of spaces available for Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain for each day so call us now with your questions or book online to reserve your spot.
Private Service info: The price of ou Imperial (private) service (depends very much on the number of people in your group (more people, less price).In this service NO other people you don't know/want will be part of your group unlike the in which you can be a part of a group of up to 16 people from different countries, ages, gender, level of fitness, etc, etc.Private service is generally recommended for families traveling with children, honeymooners, older people, group of friends, etc, etc
What are the benefits of doing a private trek?- One of the main reasons why the private option is sought after is because you do not need to worry about which dates we have departures set for or if our departures have enough space…Your only concern is whether or not there are permits available…You can choose almost any date that you want if permits are available… In addition to the convenience and flexibility in booking, the private option provides a more personal trip experience for your group. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel….The guide will focus all of his energy and attention on your group. You can also be more specific about the foods that you would like to be served during the trek. It is a truly wonderful experience to go on such an amazing journey with only your friends and loved ones. Ask a South Adventure Peru Tours Rep how you can arrange your own private tour..
Last Minute Information.- If you are wanting to include an ascent of Huayna Picchu in your visit to Machu Picchu beware that there are new regulations and permits have to be bought in advance. The cost to have a Machu Picchu entrance that includes the permits to climb Huayna Picchu is $10 extra and you need to indicate yes to this in your web reservation at the time of your booking….There is a limit of only 400 permits for climbing Huayna Picchu and only 200 people are permitted to enter for each of the 2 sessions scheduled for 7am and 10 am. The guide will organize the tour of Machu Picchu around people’s climb of Huayna Picchu depending on how many in the group have permits. Please note your entrance to Machu Picchu and permit for Huayna Picchu are with your name and passport details so are non transferable and non refundable.
A brief history to Choquequirao..- Choquequirao Complex is very interesting and one of the most popular treks in Cusco area. Choquequiraw is situated in the spur of the mountain range of Salkantay, over 3030m surrounded by the Apus of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of Apurimac river. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. The reasons are many: The fantastic nature with valleys, snow-capped mountains and great variety of plants, birds and animals. Choquequiraw is considered as "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors can view a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequirao in reference to other complexes of the same period would tend to indicate that its function was that of an Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurimac River. There are many similarities between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
The latter was a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the Inca Pachacutec; Choquequirao was also a sacred site, but one dedicated to other functions that could have had to do with war or with the surrounding apus. Each is located beside Mt. Salcantay and both are situated above, far above, a great river: in the case of Machupicchu, the Urubamba and in that of Choquequirao, the Apurimac…The ecotourism, fulfilling all the norms of conservation and control, will lead a sustainable development of the zone. The Inca trail to Choquequirao is encounters with the nature area that is without disturbance or contaminating, with a specific abject of admire and enjoy the landscapes along with sylvester plants, wild animals and cultural manifestations
Day01: Cusco - Cachora – Playa Rosalina- (Apurimac River) At 5am we will pick up our customers from their hotels, and then we will transfer by our private van to Cachora (4 hours), once we will meet the rest of team ( Arrieros and horses). Then we will begin trek go uphill, passing through the high pass of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors and great view of the Apurimac Canyon. Finally we descend through Cactus forest to playa Rosalina on the banks of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon River. Camping at playa Rosalina (1550m) Meals: Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day02: Playa Rosalina - Maranpata – Choquequirao. - (Golden Cradle) After early breakfast strenuous 5 hours of uphill trek through a long and narrow trail, surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Half way up stop for lunch at Maranpata, then continue hiking to more hours to Chokekirao (Golden Cradle), is considered the sister city of Machu Picchu, because of several similarities, it hangs 1500m above the Apurimac Canyon, and Machu Picchu hang above the Urubamba canyon. The view of the canyon is spectacular; it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Camping near of Chokekirao (3050m) Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day03: Choquequirao Pass - Rio Blanco – Maizal.- Breakfast will at 7am and then start our trek passing the Choquequirao ruins, up hill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Chokekirao pass. After 5 hours trekking the trail continue through agricultural terraces called Pinchinoyoc which means (water jumping forward - 2750m). There will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations. 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. Camping at 3000m Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day04: Maizal – Minas Victoria – Yamana.Early morning trek around the Corihuarachina glacier, important due to some archaeological remains such as Inca channels. From here 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 amazingly beautiful area - first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known Ichu grass. Then we pass through Minas Victoria, a place that during the colony, silver was extracted from a mine. Almost on the top we can apreciate original paved Inca trails. We take our box lunch at the pass
in 4200m with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, while we had lunch we will be able to appreciate the flight of the condors depending on the climate, and finally descend to our campsite at Yamana, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3800m) Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day05: Yayamana - Mountain Range Totoral.
Today the trekking will be 7 hours, descending 2000m into Totora River. We will observe the natural wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, many species of orchids and begonias. Then we descend the trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee. On the way will stop at small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird the climate and vegetations have changed totally. 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. Campsite at 2125m Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day06: Totoral – Cloud Forest – La Plata.- Today the trekking will be 7 hours, descending 2000m into Totora River. We will observe the natural wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, many species of orchids and begonias. Then we descend the trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River where we will see small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee. On the way will stop at small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird the climate and vegetations have changed totally. 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. Campsite at 2125m Meals: Breakfast, Snack, Buffet lunch and Dinner.
Day07: La Playa – Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes.- Alter a good breakfast will took a transport that takes us until the town of Santa Teresa, we cross a river of the Vilcanota. Where we will take a transport to Planta de Hidroeléctrica, place where we will have an excellent view of a different angle of Machu Picchu and the Aobamba canyon, where another Inca trail can be seen, also here we will have our last lunch. Overnight in Aguas Calientes in a comfortable hotel (3 stars) Hotel LA CABAÑA www.lacabanamachupicchu..com with private bathroom, hot shower and next day breakfast...Afternoon free time to wander around the markets and settle in. Dinner will be provided. If you would like you can go to walk the plaza, where artists and handicraft vendors settled..
Day08.- Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Cusco 1st OPTION..At 4:30am breakfast and begin of 2 hours climb to Machu Picchu archaeological site (2500m) .2nd OPTION…At 5am breakfast and half hour later aboard the first tourist bus to drop us to Machu Picchu main door, and to be the first visitors Inside Machu Picchu archaeological site you will have complete guided tour of this spectacular and mystical place. The guided tour include walk through the different section such as the urban sector, the agriculture sector, and the religions zone was used by the Inca Culture. According with the time and your feeling you can coordinating with the tour guide climb to Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) this climbing take around 1 hour to get the summit from where you can have the best panoramic view for photos of all Machu Picchu and of deep green canyon surrounding the sacred Inca City. At according time descend to Machu Picchu and then free time to explorer on your own. At mentioned time aboard a tourist bus to descend to Aguas Calientes town. Lunch will be in the town of Aguas Calientes and around 4pm we will aboard the backpacker train to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) and from here we take a private van to drop us to the hotel in Cusco about 8:30 PM. ( Breakfast and Special Box Lunch to take to Machu Picchu and spend whole day around the mountain )
Optional.- After complete guide tour of Machu Picchu, you can desire to ascend to Huaynapichu at 7am or 10am. Another new option for climbers is the Machu Picchu Mountain, this is another highest mountain from you can have a better view of Machu Picchu ruins and Waynapichu. South Adventure Peru Tours recommend ascending to Machu Picchu Mountain and skipping the Wayna Picchu Mountain but since the 20th of July, 2011 the entrance has been limited to 4000 per day and everybody will have to pay another entrance cost which is S/25 per person and must be booked in advance!!
Stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes townStay an extra night at Aguas Calientes? Yes, if you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after the trek this can easily be arranged. We will purchase your train ticket to return to Cusco the following day. You need to let us know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve your train tickets in advance. Obviously if you stay an extra night then you will have to pay for your accommodation which is US$ 70 per person at HOTEL LA CABAÑA the hotel is rated as 3stars with private bath and hot shower and next day breakfast)
Our PRIVATE 8 Days Choquequirao trek and Machu Picchu Includes:
- Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 participants)
- Transfer by private van from Cusco to Cachora ( Beginning of the hike )
- Entrance to Machu Picchu ruins ( on Day 8 )
- Porters to carry food and camping equipment
- Experienced cook
- Cooking equipment
- Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
- 4 capacity tent - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
- Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
- All meals on the trail (7 breakfast - 7 lunches - 7 dinners)
- Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast
- One night lodging at Hotel LA CABAÑA in Aguas Calientes , The hotel is rated with 3 stars
- Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (backpacker train) Upgrade to Vista dome US$45 per person.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes village (Not all tour operators include this service)
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Accommodation and meals for our porters
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff
Our PRIVATE hike not Included:
- Optional entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes ($4 USD last day)
- 4 soles for towel to use in the hot spring and Alcoholic drinks
- Porters to carry your personal items ( 9 Kilos US$ 120 / 18 Kilos US$ 240 for whole trip )
- Sleeping Bag can be hired in our local office in Cusco US$5 per day X 7 Nights = US$ 35.
- Breakfast on the first day before to be collected from your hotel, if your hotel don't offer early breakfast service, we stop at Ollantaytambo village to have breakfast a for additional cost
- Dinner on the last day in Aguas Calientes but the box lunch will be provided to take up to Machu Picchu.
- Tips for guide and camp staff / Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily.
What you need to bring / Carry
- Backpack 65Lt, if you plan to hire a horse take a big plastic bag to cover your personal backpack
- Personal horse for ride and Sleeping bag -20ºC (can be hired from our office for $5 USD per day)
- Rain jacket or poncho (December - April) and Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
- One complete change of clothing and Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Bottle of water and purification tablets ( Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
- Flashlight and batteries / Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream) // Insect repellent // Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
- You also need to bring your original passport on the trek because you well need to show before enter to Machu Picchu
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail) cab be hired at the office.
IMPORTANT: Every night keep everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with robberies
Weather in Choquequirao and in Inca Trail : For more information about the weather in Choquekirao, the Trail To Machu Picchu and around Cusco region http://www.senamhi.gob.pe.
Advice for Hikers. Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared...It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.
Local Kids and Adults. Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don't recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don't speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if
is possible to have picture of them. Local people don't permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
4D/3N PRIVATE trek to Choquequirao Service price for 2011-2012:
Nº of People Price per person $USA |
If you are interested in any of the tours we have on offer then simply e-mail us at info@southadventureperutours.com or reservas@southadventureperutours.com Indicate which tour you are interested in, when and we will send you relevant trip dossier outlining the itinerary with availability, tour price, terms and conditions. For contacting us regarding any of the tours or general issues fill in the form mentioned below. Fields mark with are required for processing the form correctly. We will response you as soon as possible.
