Code: XA-20
Route: Closed
Altitude: 155 0 - 4600meters
High Season: May - November
Duration: 08 days - 07 nights
The trek that will lead us from the archeological site of Vilcabamba to the ruins of Choquequirao is one of the richest in majestic landscapes and Inca history this part of the Andes has to offer us.
This is a physical trek because of the large change of altitude during the trek, sometimes in hot temperatures and with heavy climates as can be found there.
We'll hike trough a lot of different landscapes that will take your breath away Going from deep canons, cloud-forests or snow-peaks through high fields, the entrances of the jungle, lakes and a lot more The whole is covered with signs of Inca-presence, ruins of different importance that rely Vilcabamba with Choquequirao.
This trek is a lot less known, more adventurous and with a lot less people and rules than the famous and very tourist cal Inca Trail that leads from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu We won't be hiking so much a trail as head through the landscape in a direction, crossing valleys, hiking different trails and passing by several archeological complexes
We'll have the opportunity to visit some of these Tambos (resting-places and food supplies along the Inca Trail) on the way such as for example Vitcos Rosaspata, Ñustahispana, the Cave of Quellqamachay or Inca Tambo.
Because of all these different altitudes and therefore climates, we'll come upon an incredible variety of fauna and especially flora with some plants yet unknown to science.
The occidental light of the Cordillera of Vilcabamba bathes the landscapes in a beautiful emerald shine at certain hours of the day. Hidden in foggy clouds appears now and then before our eyes great constructions of impressive Inca walls and terraces with perfectly curved stones seem to reach for the sky.
The trek that leads us from Vilcabamba to Choquequirao is an absolute must for all those who love to explore in an attempt to rediscover some of the Incas lost past in these miraculous sites while hiking through some of the most beautiful landscapes this part of the Andes has to offer us.
1 st Day - Cusco - Abra de Málaga - Chaullay -Vilcabamba (3350 - 4317 - 1200 -3100m)
Dawn over Cusco (3350m) is just the sight we need to start our journey going west from this Inca archeological capital. During our trek we'll see magnificent snow-peaks such as Salkantay, Chicon, Veronica and etcetera. Once in the Sacred Valley of the Incas we'll arrive at Ollantaytambo (2850m) and a little bit further we'll cross the high pass of Abra de Malaga (4317m) and go down from there to the cloud forest called Valley of Amaibamba and its deepest part called Chaullay (1200m). From there we'll immediately hike up again to Vilcabamba, the Incas last refuge, a place with a large net of Inca trails where of leaves the one for the archeological complex of Choquequirao.
Arriving at Vilcabamba we'll visit some important archeological sites such as Vitcos Rosaspata, Ñustahispana and recent excavations within that zone. After a 2 hours walk we'll arrive at our campsite in the town of Huancacalle (3100m).
Our transport-time is about 8 hours and our hiking time will be about 2 hours. Included are the lunch-box and diner.
2 nd Day - Vilcabamba - Choquetacarpu pass - Chichicara (3100 - 4600 - 3700m)
At dawn we'll begin by walking up halfway an Inca trail up to the pass of the glacier Choquetacarpu (4600m) where we'll see an enclosure of Inca construction called Huaywas with a function of Tambo (resting place along the Inca Trail). From this peak you have wonderful panoramic sights of hills and snow-peaks such as Corihuarachina and Sacsarayoc within the Vilcabamba Cordillera. Continuing we'll walk down halfway an Inca trail to the Quewiñaytankay Valley where we'll see an Inca construction called "The Cave of Quellqamachay". This place is near our campsite called Chichicara (3700m).
We'll be hiking about 8 hours. Included are breakfast, lunch-box and diner.
3 rd Day - Chichicara - Yutupata - Yanama (3700 - 3350 - 3530m)
This day we'll hike downwards then upwards halfway the Yutupata Valley , with a very gentle climate, while visiting local communities. We're going to be close to the Yanama community (3530m), surrounded by majestic snow-peaks. This will be the time and place to set up our camping equipment.
We'll be hiking about 7 hours. Included are breakfast, lunch-box and diner.
4 th Day - Yanama - San Juan pass - Maizal - Rio Silvestre (3530 - 4170 - 3000 - 1900m)
From the community of Yanama (3530m) are leaving different Inca trails where one of that leaves for Machu Picchu, one for Vilcabamba, Vitcos Rosapata, Ñustahispana, Espiritu Pampa, etc.
In the morning we'll be hiking upwards on the pass called San Juan (4170m) with a magnificent view over the majestic snow-peaks such as Corihuayrachina, Sacsarayoc , Sacrachayoc, Choquetacarpo, Panta, Pumasillo and Ampay (in the department of Apurimac). Around the San Juan-pass we'll see a mining-area that, according to the chronics and historians, had been exploited by the Andean culture in order to curve and cut images to honor their gods. Walking down on an Inca trail, halfway a wooded zone is situated the village of Maizal (3000m). Continuing downwards we'll come upon the deepest part of this Cannon called River Silvestre (1900m).
We'll be hiking about 8 hours. Included are breakfast, a lunch-box and diner.
5 th Day - Rio Silvestre - Pinchaunuyoc - Abra Choquequirao - Choquequirao (1900 - 2450 - 3270 - 3033m)
In the morning we'll begin by hiking up to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc that were recently restored by an archeological group. The second part of the trek is in a distinct ecological altitude with a dry climate. The highest point is called the Choquequirao Pass (3270m).
The ruins of Choquequirao are very near now, situated in some sort of enchanted forest incredibly rich in flora and fauna.
One of the main attractions today will be the sunset over the ruins of Choquequirao which is an unforgettable sight. With any luck we'll be able to see also the sacred company-bird of the Incas and messenger of the sun, the Andean Condor.
We'll camp in Choquequirao (3033m) tonight after a 6 hours hike.
6 th Day - Choquequirao - Marampata - Playa Rosalina (3033 - 2850 - 1550m)
Dawn over Choquequirao's "Cradle of Gold" is a breathtaking sight, mystical, colorful, and homage to our planet's beauty It's also a natural phenomenal that allowed the Incas to calculate with precision the constant climatologic changes like can be found in these Cloud Forests The ruins are surrounded by majestic snow-peaks (over 5000meters high) where the Apu's (Mountain Gods) are watching over us.
At the moment only 30% of Choquequirao has been restored where as still 70% remains covered with dense vegetation, with several species of plants still unknown by modern science. Being accompanied by a guide is very important because the ruins are divided in several different levels such as the religious level, the noble sector, graves, Ushno, cemeteries and recent excavations that are being restored by the Copesco Institution.
After visiting the ruins of Choquequirao we'll head towards our next campsite, situated in the Apurímac Cannon, called Playa Rosalina (1550m).
Our trekking time will be about 6 hours.
7 th Day - Playa Rosalina - Capuliyoc Pass - Cachora (1550 - 2800 - 2850m)
We'll be hiking upwards almost all day long. The first and toughest part is going up to the Capuliyoc Pass (2800m). The temperatures in the Cañon are rather warm and the trail serpents upwards the hill. Arriving on top of the pass we'll be able to appreciate the Apu Padreyoc (5771m) in its full splendor where as we can see a river cutting through the landscape in the depths of the Cañon towards Choquequirao.
The last part is a lot easier over a trail that leads us to the village of Cachora (2850m). Here we'll end our exploration through the Cordillera of Vilcabamba, the last Inca Dynasty.
We'll spend the night on a family hostel in Cachora after an 8 hours hike.
8th Day - Cachora - Aguas termales de Cconoc - Cusco.
Dawn over Cachora will be the time for us to take our transport back to the city of Cusco .
On the road we'll have a stop for a refreshing bath in the hot baths of Cconoc and a good lunch. After this we'll continue our road to Cusco .
Our transport time will last for about 5 hours.
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