Cachora to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

 Days

 

1.     Cachora to Santa Rosa:

We serve breakfast, then load equipment and luggage with the porters.  We begin the two-hour walk to Capuliyoc.   This will be your first encounter with the magnificent mountain range and view of the entire canyon.  From there begins the descent to Chikisca, where we stop for lunch.  We continue the trek, reaching the Apurimac River and begin the ascent on the other side of the canyon.  We reach Santa Rosa, where the porters set up the camping site.  There we rest and have a delicious dinner.

 

2.     Santa Rosa to Choquequirau:

This section of the trek becomes very lush with tropical vegetation; a variety of flora and fauna can be spotted.   We walk about three hours to reach the archeological complex.  Here you encounter terraced hillsides, magnificent views of the mountains, until reaching the main complex.  The entire afternoon is left to explore the citadel, and lunch will be served.  After an afternoon of visiting the ruins, camp is set-up by the porters at Marampata and dinner will be waiting.

 

3.     Marampata to Pinchaynuyoc: 

At the Choquequirau citadel, you follow the Inca water canal and walk through forests and highlands with spectacular views of the Vilcabamba mountain range.  During the trek, lunch will be served.  Trekking time is about 6-7 hours to reach Pinchaynuyoc, where your camp will be set and dinner served.

 

4.     Pinchaynuyoc to Maizal:

This is a beautiful part of the trek, which descends into the Rio Blanco Valley.  From the river, there is a steep ascent to Maizal.  During the day long trek lunch will be served as you admire the mountain peaks of Salkantay and Padreyoc, called Apus by the locals, meaning ‘mountain gods.’  You will camp and eat dinner at Maizal.

 

5.     Maizal to Yanama:

This section of the trek is dry and the San Juan Pass is more than 4000m in altitude.  You will be able to see other original Inca trails and ruins of the Victoria mines.  The second pass is almost 4000m and from there there is a descent to Yanama.  You will sleep and have dinner at Yanama.

    

6.     Yanama to Totora:

You will trek alongside the snowline as you reach almost 4500m going over the Yanama Pass.  There are spectacular views of snow-capped peaks of the Salkantay mountain range, as well as lakes, which you can admire while you trek and also rest during lunch.  Then there is a descent into Totora, where you will camp and have dinner.

 

7.     Totora to Playa:

On this day, you get an extra hour of sleep.  After a good breakfast, you will begin a 2000m descent from the highlands.  You will begin to notice a change in ecosystems as the vegetation becomes lush, and you encounter waterfalls, exotic birds and orchids.  You arrive in the village of Playa, where you will spend the night.

 

8.     Playa to Aguas Calientes:

This is the last day of trekking, and from Playa you will encounter beautiful sub-tropical flora and fauna and the remote Llactapata ruins.  During your trek you will experience your first view of the Machu Picchu citadel.  Reaching the hydroelectric dam along the Urubamba River, you will depart from the porters and mules and take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you may enjoy a restaurant and sleep at the hostel of your choice.  (We can give recommendations.)

 

     9.  Machu Picchu to Cuzco: 

You will take an early bus to Machu Picchu and have the entire morning to explore the impressive ruins with a tour guide, climb Huayna Picchu with breathtaking views, if you choose, and have lunch.  There will be ample time to fully experience one of the world’s greatest seven wonders before taking the afternoon train to Cuzco.