From the time of the Conquest until 1572 the remnants of the Inca civilization inhabited what is now the zone of Vilcabamba, a region of mountains and jungles between the Urubamba and Apurimac Rivers.The Inca civilization created the most astonishing road network in the world. There were 42,000 km of interconnected the Inca trails in South America. Some of these trails are still in use and are very well preserved. In 1539, the first capital of this region, at Vitcos, was abandoned by Tito Cusiyupanqui after his father Manco Inca death in favor of a more secure site deeper in the jungle. This new capital, called Vilcabamba the Old, was finally taken and sacked by the Spanish in 1572, depopulated and left to the jungle. The archaeological site of
Choquequirao was named in 1710 by Lorenza Huertas Vallejos. It means "cradle of gold." The area is relatively unexplored and it is not well known yet. It’s located high on a ridge spur almost 1750m above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River. Choquequirao is encircled with many snow mountains like, Salcantay (3250 m), Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpuy and Pumasillo. The Choquequirao park is located south in Santa Teresa Valley. It is part of a complex Andean system of towns in the Vilcabamba Valley that includes to Spirit Pampas, Ñusta Hispanan, Concebidayoc, Habas Pampas and Pampaconas. In the time of the Incas all the towns were connected by road with Machu Picchu. It is still in exploration, cleaning and restoration. Copesco has constructed a footbridge over the Apurimac River below the ruins.
Even today the ruins are still rarely visited although, with the enforcement of new regulations on the Inca Trail, Choquequirao is destined to replace the traditional hike as the serious trekker’s alternative.
TREKKING PROGRAM FROM CUSCO TO VILCABAMBA / CHOQUEQUIRAW 10 days / 09 nights
Day 1º- Cusco- Quillabamba – Huancacalle.
Bus ride from Cusco to Huancacalle (12 hrs) passing once of the highest mountains on Puerto Malaga (Veronica). We then descend into the cloud forest and rain forest, passing many villages on the way to Quillabamba. This city is really interesting to people from Cusco because it supplies a lot of fruits to Cusco. We have lunch then continue our bus ride to our destination, Huancacalle.
Day 2º- Huancacalle – Inca Raccaycuchu.
Today really starts our hike on an Inca road. We go up hill very gradually through the valley, up to Ccolpa, where we have lunch. We then walk another couple hours to our camp site. Inca Raccaycuchu, at 3800m.
Day 3º- Inca Raccacuchu – Kelkamachay.
Breakfast early in the morning. After that, back to our road. We see amazing scenery of valleys and mountains. You will walk the cloud forest and see a lot of fauna and flora on the way to the Pass Choquetacarpo (4400msnm). From here we descend down hill to Zaraypampa where we have lunch. After a couples hrs more we arrive at our camp site.
Day 4º- Kelkamachay – Yanama.
Early in the morning breakfast, then walk down hill. It’s pretty flat for 3 hrs to Chinchicara where there’s a little bridge. Further down are the communities of Mezada, Caserio and yuncaypata. After lunch there are 3 hrs more up hill to camp at Yanama.
Day 5º- Yanama – Maizal.
Early in the morning we leave our camp for 3 hrs up hill hike to Minas de Victoria (4100m) once we reach here it is down hill. This hiking is very nice. We see Minas de Victoria where Italian miners have.
Day 6º- Maizal – Pinchinunuyoc.
Today we go down hill for 3 hrs on Mountain Minas de Victoria. It is very nice. We might see a lot of birds and flowers all way to Rio Blanco (1800m). Usually during the day it is very hot but you can have a nice bath in the river while your lunch gets ready. After a nice timing, we got go up for a couple hours to the camp and to enjoy the other side of the valley.
Day 7º- Pinchinunuyoc – Choquequirao.
Today is going to be very easy hiking and you will also enjoy the most beautiful arqueological site of Choquequirao. Today you can get up a little late and then go up very gradually to the pass. It takes 2 hrs down hill. Finally we get to the irrigation system of Inca canals.
Once we get here you will have a nice tour with the English speaking professional guide and he will take you to explore the 7 sectors of Choquequirao. Here you will have your lunch. Then 30 minutes hike to the camp site. DAY 8º- MARAMPAMPA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.
Breakfast at 6 am. Them we visit the incredible ruins of Choquequirao. Our professional guide will explain the history and the importance of the site. Them you will have free time to explore the many sectors of the complex which is very magnificent. Late in the afternoon will go back to camp site.
DAY 9º- MARAMPAMPAB – CHIQUISQA.
After breakfast at 5:00 a.m. we will continue our return trek down a steep trail towards the Apurimac River. It takes 6 hours down to Rosalina Beach where we take a lunch and have a little rest. In the afternoon we will climb for a few hours to our final camp, Chiquisqa.
DAY 10º- CHIQUISQA- CACHORA - CUSCO.
A 3 hour climb up to Capulichayoc. The trail then is fairly flat for a couple hours to the village of Cachora. Here our hiking will finish and we will celebrate our successful trek with cold beer and say good bye to our horsemen. The bus will wait for us to take us back Cusco. We will stop along the way at the archaeological site of Saiwite to rest and have lunch. A further 4 hours by bus bring us back to Cusco. After a luxurious hot thermal springs shower it's time to enjoy a much deserved beer and a good meal!
WHAT IS
INCLUDED
Two
guides for groups over 9 persons; one guide for smaller groups
Bilingual
guides and knowledgeable about of the area and its customs.
Camping
equipment including bathroom, cook and dining tents
Tables,
chairs
Kitchen
personnel
Cook
Transfer
to start trek and from end of trail to Ollantaytambo
ten
hot meals a day tea, hot water and snacks
Horses
Pack animals: horses for camping equipment and your personal items
