CHOQUEQUIRAO TREKKING TO MACHU PICCHU 9d/8n

About Choquequirao

The Manco Inca dynasty resisted the Spanish conquerors during 40 years (1536 to 1572) from this fortress in the Vilcabamaba area. The Spanish conquerors were never able to expel them from it.

The building of Chocquequirao is the work of Inca Pachacutec successors Tupac Inca Yupanqui (1471-1 493) and Wayna Capac (1493-1527). Household and ceremonial pottery has been found here that bears both the classic Cusco style and also from other populations who came to live here to build and permanently populate the area. Most likely, they were experienced farmers who knew how to build and use farming terraces in high Amazon forest areas. Located at 3 050 masl on the border with department of Apurímac, the Choquequirao archeological compound was not built to be a place of easy access. Reaching it demands two days of disciplined march, largely compensated by the beauty of the landscape that wayfarers cross from the beginning of their expedition.

The road starts at Cachora (2300 masl), a small town in the Apurímac department, after traveling four hours on the mostly paved road from Cusco (145 km paved and 10 km of dirt road). Mule packers can be contacted there who can also act as guides. A local family offers accommodation and the only telephone in town. Approximately 40% of the Choquequirao Inca ceremonial center has been cleared of vegetation. The remaining area is formed by a complex terrace system built on extremely steep slopes. A very impressive stairway of 180 terraces has been recently spotted. It descends from one of the ceremonial center flanks and reaches the river open to swimming.

Choquequirao was probably one of the entrance check point to the Vilcabamba region, and also an administrative hub serving political, social and economic functions. Its urban design has followed the symbolic patterns of the imperial capital, with ritual places dedicated to the Sun (Inti) and the ancestors, to the earth, water and other divinities, with mansions for administrators and houses for artisans, warehouses, large dormitories or kallankas and farming terraces belonging to the Inca or the local people. Spreading over 700 meters, the ceremonial area drops as much as 65 meters from the elevated areas to the main square.

Note: At the end of this trekking you will arrive to Machu Picchu after be walking 120 Kms aprox.

Itenirary

First day: Cachora – Coca masana – Playa Rosalina

We leave from Cusco early in the morning. Approx. at 7:30 we arrive in Cachora (2,900m asl), a typical Andean town where we meet the rest of our trekking team. After a well deserved breakfast we start a two-hour trek to Capuliyoc (2,915m). On the way we get our first views of the Apurimac Valley stretching below and of the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora (5,482m). Afterwards we descend through the eastern slopes of the Andes to reach Coca Masana (2,330m). The temperature becomes higher and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we arrive at Playa Rosalina (Rosalina Beach) at 1,550m, where we camp beside the raging Apurimac River.

Second day: Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao

Again we get up very early to start, after the breakfast, our walk to reach Choquequirao.
Before midday we reach the archaeological site and we get to know it step by step, the great abilities and intelligence which had the people who constructed this archaeological site which makes us seeing again the glorious time of Inca empire.
Admiring the beauty and with our heads full of ideas, we observe impressed the flyig condors, which around 3 p.m. appear in area of Choquequirao when they fly to higher zones.
Later we take a route to Raqypata where we camp and after dinner we pass the night.

Third day: Choquequirao all day

That day we dedicate ourselves exclusively to enjoy all the magic of history and splendor of Choquequirao, with a guided visit and time to know whole the site with its 8 sectors, like food deposits, qolqas, houses, sun ceremonial houses, terraces. Again, in the morning and afternoon we have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic flight of condors which with big luck will pass very close to you. In the afternoon we will return to our campsite to have our lunch and then rest and enjoy the quietness of Choquequirao.

Fourth day: Choquequirao – Maizal

We leave early in the morning, crossing the ruins and we go out through the other part, walking in a humid forest till the Choquequirao Pass. Then we continue through terraces called Pinchiyoc which means “where the water jumps”. These terraces have an interesting ritual water channels. It seems that here the Incas used to cultivate their products for daily use in Choquequirao.
We continue descending till Rio Blanco where we stop for lunch. After that we start walking up till we reach our campsite in Maizal.

Fifth day: Maizal – Yanama

We leave our campsite and take the direction to the San Juan Pass. Again we walk uphill but the way is more and more beautiful, first we are in the cloud forest and then we find ourselves in the Andean high land with its grass called ichu. we take a brake in the silver mines of Victoria to start after that enjoying the fabulous Inca trail made of stones which shine in the sun and are in the perfect conditions, with the classical zigzag. we take a breakfast in the pass on 3900masl. with the view of the Mt. Choquetakarpo. From this place we descend till reaching Yanama where we pass the night, in the beautiful mountians.

Sixth day: Yanama – Collpapampa

After enjoying our breakfast we hike to reach the highest point of whole the trek, the Yanma Pass, which is located 4678m asl. We take a deserved rest there, we see on the right side a gorgeous snow-capped mountain and maybe we have luck to see condors again. From there we start descending till reaching Collpapampa where we camp.

Seventh day: Collpapampa – La Playa

This day we continue the walk downhill crossing beautiful rivers and small waterfalls where the flora cahnges almost completely, we see banana and coffee plantations, where we also can buy fresh passion fruit as a snack. After hours we arrive in La Playa where we camp.

Eight day: La Playa – Hyroelectric- Machu Picchu.

This day we take a route which takes us along an inca trail till we reach hidroelectrica town where we take our lunch. In the afternoon we take a train which takes us to the town Aguas Calientes, where we stay in a nice hostel.

Nineth day: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu-Cusco

This day we walk up or take a bus to reach Machupicchu where our guide tells us about the time and the history of Incas, about the religion and astronomy for about three hours, when we have a chance to admire Machupicchu in whole its splendor.
In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. Fro there we continue our journey to Cusco.

Direccion: Cusco-Peru Av.Livertadores Telefono:984219144 Email:Rlandoss_19@hotmail.com