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DAY 1 CUSCO
/ SANTA ROSA (l/d)
We arrive at the town of Cachora at 07.00am where we will
have our breakfast while we arrange the equipment on mules
and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe
the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482
m.a.s.l. On the way we will again observe Padrayoc and Wayna
Cachora snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful
change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains.
The walk starts quite flat with views of snow covered peaks
and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint
of Capuliyoc, from where we might see condors, the descent
towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation
is changing from Agave and Tunacactus forest to dwarf tree
forest we have lunch break at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l). From
here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac
River at 1550 m.a.s.l in the impressing deep canyon of the
same name. After a short break at the river we start the steep
climb towards Santa Rosa, where we camp for the night in a
small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l).
(Km 21.70 / 10 hours)
DAY 2 SANTA
ROSA / CHOQUEQUIRAO OR RAQAYPATA (b/l/d)
 At
05.00am we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. The
first 2-3 hours are going up steep, but then it will change
between flat and climb the rest of the way in beautiful vegetation
with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological
site Choquequirao after 5 hours. We have enough time to enjoy
this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels
of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces
and other parts of this late Inca-town. In addition, we see
the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored
- which can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed
Inca Empire. Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends
on the weather) we can appreciate "the flight of the
Condors". The guide will decide where to set our camp,
it can be in Choquequirao or Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l).
DAY 3 CHOQUEQUIRAO
OR RAQAYPATA / MAIZAL (b/l/d)
After breakfast we walk through Choquequirao, where we again
look at the condors that pass early in the morning on their
way out to get food. We follow the old water canal for a while
before we start the 3 hour walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found
in 1998. These ruins are something very special. All of a
sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because
of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers
it. We will spend some time exploring the place before we
continue towards the river Victoria. We cross walking through
the river, since there are no bridges. After our lunch we
start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high
over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas.
DAY 4
MAIZAL / YANAMA (b/l/d)
We leave our camp in Maizal and walk towards the San Juan
pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in an amazingly beautiful
area - first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with
the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria
mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration
of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk
on very well-preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics
with the classic zigzag. We take lunch at the pass in 4000
m.a.s.l. with a view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before
we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement
at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.
DAY 5
YANAMA / TOTORA (b/l/d)
We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the
highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass at 4500 m.a.s.l.
On the way we have a good view of the snow capped peaks of
Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors,
and this morning's smooth climb brings us through new landscapes
- especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that
distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the
pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy
hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small
wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora,
where we spend the night.
DAY 6
TOTORA / LA PLAYA (b/l/d)
We now walk about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations
to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours
walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and take a refreshing
natural bath. The area also has a big variety of bird life
and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetation have
changed totally, and now we see plants recognisable from the
living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa
is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some
small shops to buy snacks, etc. In this area we can see small
plantations of coffee and banana.
 DAY
7 LA PLAYA / AGUAS CALIENTES
(b/l/d)
From the Playa to the Hydroelectric at the Urubamba River.
This morning we have an alternative to take the school truck
down through the coffee- and fruit plantations with a short
view to one newfound Inca trail being restored at the moment.
We cross the river in cable chair, and hereafter we walk along
the river until the Hydroelectric. Here we wait for the train
or continue walking to Aguas Calientes. We relax in the afternoon
or climb up the hill from where we will have a beautiful and
impressing view of Machu Picchu. We spend the night in a nice
hotel.
DAY 8 AGUAS
CALIENTES / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO (b)
From Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu.
We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will
bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological
site and the guide will tell us about the great importance
Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center.
The rest of the day is spent at this amazing ruin and you
will have the chance to climp Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful
moon temple. We meet in the afternoon at Aguas Calientes where
we take the train to Ollantaytambo and from here a bus to
Cusco. In Cusco we go to a centralized hotel, close to the
colonial style Plaza de Armas.
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