Trekking in the mountains of Peru is beautiful and awe-inspiring, but it can also come at a price.  Most tourist agencies will inconvenience you from the beginning; having you wake-up before dawn to begin the four-hour drive, stopping for a quick breakfast to then promptly start the trek.  This itinerary can leave many exhausted from the outset.    We don’t agree with these limited options given to tourists in planning their trek. By booking with us, you’ll enjoy spending the night in a comfortable bed, a hot shower and a meal prepared by our professional chef, before and after your trek.  From our hostel, you can enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains while dining.  After a good night’s sleep, you’ll be ready to start your challenging and adventurous trek.  And when you get back, you can share with others your delightful experience at Los Tres Balcones. Just take a look at our TESTIMONIALS.          Itinerary Days Cachora to Santa Rosa: We serve breakfast, then load equipment and luggage with the porters.  We then begin the two hour walk to Capuliyoc, which is located at 2912 meters above sea level.  This will be your first encounter with the magnificent mountain range and spectacular view of the entire canyon.  Witnessing a native condor flying by is not uncommon.  From there begins the descent to Chikisca located at 1950 meters above sea level, where we stop to have lunch.  We continue the trek, reaching the Apurimac River and begin the ascent on the other side of the canyon.  (This may be considered the most challenging part of the trek.)  We reach Santa Rosa, where porters set up the camping site. We rest and have a delicious dinner. 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 until we reach the archaeological complex.  Here you encounter terraced hillsides, magnificent views of the mountains, until finally reaching the main complex itself. 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 in Marampata, and dinner will be waiting. Choquequirau to Chikisca: First thing in the morning, we’ll further explore the incredible complex with a guide giving an insightful tour of the ruins.  You’ll also be able to explore the ruins on your own.  After lunch, we begin the descent to Playa Rosalina near the impressive Apurimac River.  We continue on to Chikisca where we enjoy dinner and spend the night. Chikisca to Cachora: After breakfast, we ascend up to the Capuliyoc Pass one more time to take in the amazing panoramic view and watch for condors flying overhead.  From there, we enter into the town of Cachora where a delicious lunch will be waiting at Los Tres Balcones.  You will want to celebrate your great accomplishment. Then you may decide to stay some extra time in beautiful Cachora, or depart to Cuzco.

Testimonials Imagine arriving late in the evening to Cachora, while the moon is setting over the beautiful peaks that surround it, and entering a quaint little Hostel called Los Tres Balcones. In the corner of this lovely little Hostel sits an adobe wood oven and inside you can smell the fresh baking of personalized handmade pizzas by one of Peru best chefs, Francisco. Not only did I get some of the best food I have had in the mountains of Peru, I had the hottest shower I have taken. To top it all off Oscar and Francisco arranged a journey of a lifetime to Choquequirau and on to Machu Picchu, a 7 day adventure not to be topped by any of the treks in Peru. We traveled with some of the most well organized, thoughtful and friendly guides and horsemen who took very good care of us and joined us in the evenings for games and meals. The trek takes you over mountain peaks, across the wild Apurimac river, through high cloud forests full of Orchids and to a Inca ceremonial site that time has forgotten. We sat alone on the lower terraces near the ceremonial bath, listening to the sound of Peruvian flutes and watching the skies as two condors fly overhead. Los Tres Balcones and there trekking agency support the local community members of Cachora and you can too by going with them today to the magical lands.  -Tammy Leland -Seattle, USA   Challenging Terrain, beautiful scenery, excellent food, and friendly, helpful porters. -Silbermans & Roumells   The service and food was excellent. The trek is challenging and beautiful and the ruins are fascinating. -Susan Silberman   I had a lot of fun on this trip I love riding the horses and I loved the food. It was also fun to sleep in tents at night. Porters were very helpful. Thank you! -Anna Ramoz   The trip was challenging & tough, but well worth it. Spectacular service and scenery. A hard climb but great experience. The food was an unbelievably great meal every time! Thanks Fransisco! -Loren Roumell (Teacher)   Fabulous service all the way. Make sure you are in shape, its a tough hike. -Eric R.   My stay at the Los Tres balcones Hostel and the amazing excursion to Choquequirau was truly one the most amazing experiences of my life. The hostel itself was beautiful full of exquisite detail and comfort. From the garden to the pizza's cooked in the wood burning fire my time in the hostel was relaxing and wonderful in the unique and tranquil small town. The trek was a lifetime experience that changed my life. It was so beautiful that you truly understood why the Inca's worshiped the mountains as Gods. Each campsite was comfortable and a special place and the arrival in Choquequirau was inspiring and incredible! The tour was magic. The guide was wonderful giving me full confidence in the trip and the food was gourmet, delicious, and healthy. I would recommend and encourage any one to partake in this adventure and I look forward to returning in the future with my family and friends. -Amy Drucker   Colorado USA   December 28, 2005 This trip was truly one of the greatest adventures of my life. It was challenging; it had beautiful scenery; we saw Condors; the mystery of this place that people built and lived in long ago was fascinating; overall, it was a wonderful experience. ........Peru is the greatest!! By the way, I celebrated my 60th birthday on this trip. -Robert Gowins   Lakewood, Colorado, USA