CHOQUEQUIRAW / VILCABAMBA / ESPIRITU PAMAPA – 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

Choquequirao - Vilcabamba

Choquequirao - Vilcabamba

The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAO is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba and Espiritu Pampa or Vilcabamba la Nueva (New Vilcabamba) in the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with MACHU PICCHU by a complex network of trails. After visit this place Choquequirao we continued to explore other valleys, this route is one of the last unexplored routes although nowadays there are more people exploring it more often to the landscape and the closest contact with the Andean settlers who dress in really typical and unique customs in the world.

Day 1

Cachora

Cachora

Leave from Cusco at o’clock in the morning by bus arriving at Cachora town approximately at 8:00 am in the morning where we will have walk and here after we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. From this place we can observe the Majestic Padreyoq snow-covered peak 5482 masl the hike on this first day is 21.50 Km. 3 hours flat from Cachora to Mirador Capuliyoq and 4 hours downhill until camp site 1580 masl.

Day 2

Early in the morning 6:00 am after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. We will arrive to archaeological place Choquequirao after 6 hours, good time to enjoy that majestic place, we will observe three levels of the excavated ruins, we will appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this Inca town (depending of the weather we´ll observe the flight of the Condors)

Day 3

Choquequirao

Choquequirao

We will depart at around 7:00 am. In the direction of Maizal along a climbing trail to the pass of the Choquequirao 3,300 masl and from which we will have impressive views of the Apurimac Canyon, we will immediately descend towards the Pinchiunuyoq small archaeological complex and Rio Blanco for the lunch, and in the afternoon we will climb 3 hour until Maizal.

Day 4

We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start the four hour steep climb towards the Yanama Pass (4,500 masl) and from which we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak, we will take a rest after descend towards the Yanama community (3,400 masl). We will camp at this place.

Day 5

Huancalle

Huancalle

We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start the seven hours steep climb towards the Choquetacarpo pass (4,720m), the highest of the entire trail, in the route we appreciate the cloud forest and bears eating the bambu. From the pass we will have impressive views of the Vilcabamba district, and other mountains, we will immediately descend towards the camp.

Day 6

We will depart around 8:00 am all downhill until Huancacalle, on the way down we will descend differents levels and along we will see groups of the persons working in the farm potatoes, corn and other products. After arrive to Huancacalle camp.

Day 7

Rosaspata

Rosaspata

Early in the morning after breakfast we visit the archaeological complex of the Rosaspata, Vitkos and Ñusta Hisp’ana 3 hours after the lunch, we will depart at around 1:00pm. In the direction of Vilcabamba la Vieja (old Vicabamba) along a climbing trail with many levels variations and along which we will see little groups of houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views, after approximately 4 hours of walking we will arrive at our campsite.

Day 8

We will wake up at around 7:00 am and after breakfast we will leave to Otuto, this day we will ascend to the Qollpaqasa pass from this point we will see all valley of the Concevidayoq, after the pass we will descend observing the landscape to Otuto camp.

Day 9

The journey is down hill, this day we will appreciate vegetation of cloud forest, whose climate is template-hot and we will appreciate the Concevidayoq river, we will eat lunch on the river shore, after a rest, the walk is continued until we arrive to the place called Vista Alegre, where we will camp.

Day 10

The journey is down hill, this day we will appreciate vegetation of cloud forest, whose climate is template-hot and we will appreciate the Concevidayoq river, we will eat lunch on the river shore, after a rest, the walk is continued until we arrive to the place called Vista Alegre, where we will camp.

Day 11

On this day we will get up at 5:00 am to leave Concevidayoq and 2 hours later we arrive to Espiritu Pampa situated into the highland jungle it constitute our last day of walk, the climate is tropical and humid in this valley, after we will visit and appreciate the last refugee of Manco Inca or Manco II and a lust flora and Fauna, we arrive to Chuanquiry place of our seventh camp.

Day 12

Our journey of this day is by a land road, in a bus toward the city of Kiteni, we travel the Alto Urubamba Valley river-up 6 hours after we will arrive to Quillabamba and then we take the bus to Cusco.

* Departures and arrival times are approximated.

WHATS INCLUDED

  • All transfer in/out
  • Fully escorted tour – Contacto Aventura SAC tour leader and driver
  • All activities, sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • All national parks and reserve entrance fees as per itinerary
  • High quality tents and equipment (includes dining tent, kitchen tent)
  • Meals (Vegetarian option available)
  • Professional, English-speaking guide and camp staff
  • Pack animals (mules and llamas) to carry baggage and equipment
  • Oxygen bottle
  • All taxes

TRANSPORT

  • Contacto Aventura Overland bus On Foot

WHATS NOT INCLUDED

  • Breakfast on the first day.
  • Dinner on the last day.
  • Tips.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING AND CARRY

  • Backpack or duffle bag
  • Sleeping bag
  • Warm clothing/thermals
  • Insect repellent
  • Trekking shoes/wool
  • Socks
  • Water bottle
  • Rain gear Day pack
  • Sunscreen and hat Personal medical kit
  • Flashlight Bathing suit and towel