This spectacular  trek crosses the majestic Vilcacamba range and connects the two  dramatically located, lost Inca cities of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. En route you will pass through a vast range of ecosystems, ranging from the snow capped peaks of the Andes through lush cloud forests and subtropical vegetation. Here it is possible to see the spectacled bear and the majestic condor.

General information
One should be in  good physical condition. Additionally, it is absolutely necessary to acclimatize for at least three days at altitudes above 3000m in order to avoid mountain sickness.
The trail is between 4600m and 1500m and therefore temperatures vary tremendously. It can be cold ( at night it can freeze at high altitudes ) and be very hot near the Rio Apurimac and in the Santa Teresa valley.
In case of emergency, the nearest hospital or doctor is far away.
During the trek all food is included and your luggage, except for your daypack, will be carried by mules.

Day 1: Cusco- Sayhuite-Cachora-Chiquisca
(6 hours of walking). 
We leave early in the morning  by bus and visit  the unique rock sculptures at Sayhuite before arriving by midday at the village of Cachora (2875m). Here the trek starts. The first part of the trail is quite level and leads to a viewpoint. From here , in a far distance, you can make out the ruins of Choquequirao, situated 1500m above the Rio Apurimac. From here we make a steep descent into the Apurimac Canyon to our camp at Chiquisaca (1930m).

Day 2: Chiquisaca- Choquequirao  (7 hours).
First we descend  and cross the bridge over the Rio Apurimac (1650m), where we can swim. Then we start a strenuous hike uphill for about 4 hours to our lunch spot at Maranpata (2850m). The last 90 minutes is relatively flat walking and the trail passes through lush cloud forest before arriving at the citadel of Choquequirao (3050m). In the afternoon and following morning you can explore this magnificent Inca religious and administrative center. We camp at the ruins.

Day 3 : Choquequirao- Maizal (8 hours).
After our early morning visit of the ruins we continue our trek through lush cloud forest to the Choquequirao pass (3150m). We  descend towards the Rio Blanco (1900m) and on the way, we visit  another Inca site, the agricultural terraces of Pinchihunuyoc. From here we climb up for 4 hours to arrive at our camp at Maizal, (4100m), which consists of one house, and is situated in a very remote valley of the high Andes.

Day 4: Maizal- Yanama  (8 hours).
In the morning we pass through another archaeological site, Coralpata (Basecamp for the 2003 National Geographic expedition to the Inca settlement of Qoriwayrachina),  before arriving at the entrance of an Inca, and later colonial, (silver/ lead) mine. From here a beautifully constructed Inca road leads to Victoria pass(4130m), from where there is a spectacular view of the peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and opportunities to see the Andean the condor. Next we follow the well constructed Inca road down to the beautifully located settlement of Yanama (3480m), where we camp..

Day 5: Yanama- Totora  (7 hours).
We start with a strenuous climb towards the highest pass of this trek, the Yanama pass (4712m) and en route you will have good views over the very nearby glaciers of the Pumasillo massif. On the other side of the pass there are good views of the highest mountain of the Vilcabamba range, the mighty Salcantay (6264m).The path descends all the way to the beautifully situated settlement of Totora (3500m), surrounded by several snow capped peaks. Here we camp.

Day 6: Totora- Winaypoco  (7 hours).
Today we hike once more through cloud forest with the chance of seeing orchids. We pass through the settlement of Collpapampa and follow the river Santa Teresa downstream. The climate becomes more hot and humid and the type of vegetation changes. After passing an impressive waterfall we arrive at the settlement of Winaypoco (2680m), were we camp.

Day 7: Winay Poco- Santa Teresa- Aguas Calientes (4380m) (4 hours).
 Our last trekking day is easy as we descend for 3 hours along the Rio Teresa to the settlement of La Playa (2200m). Here we board a truck, which takes us on a spectacular road through coffee and banana plantations, to the Rio Urubamba. We can walk or go by truck to the train station of the hydroelectric plant, before taking the short train ride  to Aguas Calientes. Here we stay at a hotel.

Day 8: Early in the morning we go by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu (30 min). Here we will have a 2 hour- guided tour. Afterwards you have time for yourself to explore, including the opportunity to climb to the nearby mountain top Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon we return to Cusco by train. 

Print out program-

What to bring:
Warm sleeping bag (it can be freezing), warm clothes, bathing- suit (for thermal baths), raingear, mosquito repellant, flashlight, toilet paper, sun protection, water purifying tablets, first- aid kit, daypack.

After the tour
We can arrange:
- Hotel in Cusco and Lima 
- Ticket for flight Cusco- Lima.
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  Tour Extensions:

Dates of departure and prices 2007

Tour dates are on request and can leave any day between July and October 2007. 

Prices start at $299,-

Included:
-Transportation from Cusco to Cachora   -Professional, English speaking guide 
-6 nights camping, 1 night hotel (Aguas Calientes)
-Horses/ Mules (for equipment and luggage ),  muleteer
-Meals,  (6 breakfast, 6 lunch, 6 dinners), cook
-Equipment (tent for two, tent for dining, tent for cooking, tables, chairs, mattress, first aid & emergency oxygen bottle.

Not included:
- Sleeping bag (to rent for $5,- per night)
-Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu    
- Train ticket Aguas Calientes- Cusco.    

Contact us:  info@chakanatours.com