DAY 01 CUSCO - SANTA ROSA (B,L,D)
We will pick you up in the morning and travel for 5 hours. When we arrive at the entrance control (Capulilloq), we will start with the walk, and after a couple of minutes, the undulating path will take us to the viewpoint of the Apurímac canyon, and the imposing presence of the Andes will give us the best opening of our adventure. Glaciers will appear in our sight, Choquequirao in the distance, distant mountains, and hopefully, we will see condors above us. From there, we will descend to the Apurimac river, and we will learn why they gave this name to the river. It will be very hot, and the weather will be dry. From the river, the ascent to the Santa Rosa camp begins, and the night will be unique with the Milky Way illuminating the sky.
- Distance: 176 km driving, 12 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 2850 m.s.a.l Capulilloc.
- Minimum Altitude: 1550 m.a.s.l base of Apurimac canyon.
- Feasibility: Transportation and trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape, bird watching (condor) and cultural.
- Overnight: Camp in Santa Rosa village.
DAY 02 SANTA ROSA - CHOQUEQUIRAO (B,L,D)
Our ascent walk will take us through varied landscapes, arriving at Marampata where a vast landscape awaits us, and the best feeling of knowing that we’ve made it through the extreme ascent. We will continue heading to Choquequirao through a path of ascents and descents that will allow us to appreciate our destination from different angles. The landscapes are getting greener and greener. In the afternoon, we will explore the Inka city Choquequirao. Its name in Quechua means ‘cradle of gold,’ and it was one of the last cities that served as a refuge for the Inkas. At present, this place is three times bigger than Machu Picchu, and only 20% of it has been discovered. It is a place of many mysteries that the surrounding people still talk about. Indeed, it is one of the few experiences where you and nature will be in direct contact since there are not many people.
- Distance: 12 km hiking for Choquequirao exploration.
- Maximum Altitude: 3050 m.a.s.l Choquequirao.
- Minimum Altitude: 2100 m.a.s.l Santa Rosa.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape, cultural, historical and mystical.
- Overnight: Camp in Choquequirao.
DAY 03 CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHAUNUYOC (B,L,D)
We will continue exploring the lost city of Choquequiraw. After lunch, we will continue with our adventure and ascend to the Choquequiraw pass. The landscape will show us the course of our next days. From that point, the walk is a descent through a terrain of dry and shrubby climate. Very close to the camp, we will find pre-Inka walls in ruins and more vegetation. Upon reaching the Pinchaunuyoc camp, we will find a vast number of terraces and a canalized spring with various water sources.
- Distance: 6 km hiking and second exploration in Choquequirao.
- Maximum Altitude: 3350 m.s.a.l Choquequirao.
- Minimum Altitude: 2100 m.s.a.l Pinchaunuyoc.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape and mystic.
- Overnight: Camp in Pinchaunuyoc.
DAY 04 PINCHAUNUYOC - MAIZAL (B,L)
We will descend through dry land to the bank of the Yuraq Mayu river, which we will follow for a short distance. If we are very lucky, we will find gold seeds! After this section, the path is all uphill and mostly through bush forests. In this section, it will be very comforting to turn around and enjoy the scenery that we will gain step by step. Upon arrival at the Maizal camp, we will rest and have the afternoon free to enjoy our experience.
- Distance: 7 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 3000 m.a.s.l Maizal.
- Minimum Altitude: 1800 m.a.s.l Yuracmayo river.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape, cultural.
- Overnight: Camp in Maizal.
DAY 05 MAIZAL - YANAMA (B,L)
On this day, we will ascend to the Yanama Pass. During the tour, we will pass through cloud forests and see several remains of artisanal mining. In this part, we will follow the original Inka path that has survived time. When we finish ascending the cloud forest, we will enter a very typical region of the Andes with shrubby vegetation that will become scarce as we go further up with plenty of straw. Upon reaching the pass, a spectacular view will be presented, and perhaps a condor will come to greet us. It will be the last time we see this panorama because when we pass the pass, we will enter the high mountains of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
- Distance: 12 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 4550 m.a.s.l step yanama.
- Minimum Altitude: 3000 m.a.s.l Maizal.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape, cloud forest, cultural and mystic.
- Overnight: Camp in Yanama.
DAY 06 YANAMA - QOLLPAPAMPA (B,L)
We begin our gradual ascent walk, following the Yanama valley. The mountains will surprise us on both sides with very impressive glaciers. Finally, we will reach the base of the mountains and begin the ascent. This day we will encounter dirt roads, but we will mostly continue on the old paths. Upon reaching the Mariano Llamoc’a pass, we will be at the highest point and we will be rewarded with a wonderful view, and we will be able to appreciate the highest glaciers in the region. The descent is long, with changing landscapes, sightings of condors, and an increase in temperature as well as vegetation. Our day ends with arrival at the Collpapampa camp.
- Distance: 26 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 4660 m.a.s.l at Mariano llamoca’s pass.
- Minimum Altitude: 2900 m.a.s.l at Collpapampa.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, landscape, cultural and mystic.
- Overnight: Camp in Collpapampa.
DAY 07 QOLLPAPAMPA - SANTA TERESA (B,L,D)
On this day, the trail will take us up and down through subtropical forests, allowing us to appreciate orchids and taste wild fruits from the area. Although there are modern roads, we will still follow ancient trails. Upon arriving at Sawayaco, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a transportation that will bring us to the camp in Santa Teresa, followed by a visit to the Cocalmayo hot springs.
- Distance: 15 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 2900 m.a.s.l Collpapampa.
- Minimum Altitude: 1433 m.a.s.l Thermal Baths.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Adventure, trail, tropical and subtropical forest, landscape, local fruits and thermal baths.
- Overnight: Santa Teresa Lodge camp.
DAY 08 SANTA TERESA - LLAQTAPATA (B,L,D)
In the morning, we will have an exciting adventure in the mountains: ZIP-LINE! After this activity, we will travel to Lucmabamba (2000 m.a.s.l) to reach the Inca Trail. The path starts with a visit to the coffee plantations, where we will prepare our own coffee. Then, we will be more than ready for the ascent that will take us to the viewpoints of the most impressive landscapes, including the most important one in this adventure, where we can admire the wonder of the world from a distance: Machupicchu. We can also enjoy the view from our camp.
- Distance: 8 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 1740 m.a.s.l Llactapata
- Minimum Altitude: 1550 m.a.s.l Santa Teresa
- Feasibility: Transportation – Inka Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – difficult.
- Activities: Zip line, coffee plantations, Inka Trail, landscape, visit to Llactapata Inka place.
- Overnight: Lodge in Llactapata.
DAY 09 LLAQTAPATA - AGUAS CALIENTES (B,L,D)
We will have the day clarifying the silhouette of the mountains and Machu Picchu resplendent in the sunlight. With this colorful sunrise, we will start the day with good energy. The walk is a total descent to the Aobamba river, gradual and smooth when walking along the Urubamba river, bordering Machu Picchu. Arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes, we will have accommodations.
- Distance: 14 km hiking.
- Maximum Altitude: 1640 m.a.s.l Llactapata Lodge.
- Minimum Altitude: 2040 m.a.s.l Aguas Calientes.
- Feasibility: Trail.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Activities: Hiking around Machupicchu and along the train track, landscape, cultural, historical, and nature.
- Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town.
DAY 10 MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO (B,L)
The most awaited day has arrived! We will visit Machupicchu, emblem of our culture and we will live an experience that transports us to the time of the Inkas, surrounded by the beauty of the surrounding mountains, with a unique and mystical panorama. We will take one of the buses that will take us to the historic sanctuary of Machupicchu In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train.
- Maximum altitude: 2430 m.a.s.l Machupicchu.
- Minimum Altitude: 2040 m.a.s.l Aguas Calientes.
- Feasibility: Bus and tour in Machupicchu.
- Difficulty level: Easy .
- Activities: Landscape, Machupicchu tour, historical, archaeological and cultural.
