Day 1: CUSCO - CACHORA - COCAMASANA - PLAYA ROSALINA.
We will pick you up at your hotel in a private bus. We start from Cusco, then we go to the town of Cachora (3100 masl), here we find the carriers and support staff, in Cachora we’ll start our walk, after 2 hours of walking we reach Capuliyoc (2915 m) from there we’ll have a beautiful view of the snowy peaks Padrayoc, Wayna Cachora and the Apurimac valley. Then we’ll descend toward Coca Masana (2330m) where the climate becomes warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we reach the Rosalina beach (1550m) located on the bank of the Apurimac River where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 2: PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.
This day is the hardest of the five days, we will get up very early. After breakfast, we begin our trek by a steep road for about 5 hours until we reach Raqaypata where we will have lunch. Throughout the walk we will observe many orchids and wild flowers, many birds. From Raqaypata we’ll walk for about two hours to the archaeological site of Choquequirao and there we will observe the sunset and the flight of the condor. Our campsite will be installed outside the ruins.
Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO - MAIZAL
After breakfast. We dedicate this mornig to explore the Choquequirao, and then start our trek passing for Choquequirao Ruins, uphill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass. There will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations. then we will continue our trek until we reach the Blanco river where we will have lunch and you can dip your feet in the cool waters, we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal (3000 m / 9842 f.) The climb is 3- 4 hours long.
Day 4: MAIZAL - YANAMA.
Due to the ecosystem’s constant changes, this day is both the most ardous and the most spectacular one. After breakfast, we will begin our walk where you can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape. Since the Inca trail in this region is not in good conditions during the rainy season, we ask you to watch your steps carefully. In San Juan (4170m/13681f) we will enjoy the beautiful view of the valleys, the mountains and the glaciers, from which some of the latter peak more than 5000m/16404f. Our camping place will be in the little village of Yanama (3530m/11581f).
Day 5: YANAMA - TOTORA
Early in the morning, we will head for the highest pass of this trip - Yanama (4670m). If we are lucky we will even see a condor flying. During the day, we will enjoy frequently the view of snow capped mountains such as Salkantay (6264m) and Pintuyu (5450m). Our camping place will be in the valley of Totora pampa (3100m).
Day 6: TOTORA - PLAYA - SANTA TERESA
At Totora pampa we will get the chance to meet Quechua-speaking Andean people who live from agriculture and cattle breeding. The vegetation on our way gets more and more bizarre and reveals its diversity of orchids, bromelains and other plants. We will also see some plantations for coffee, papaya, passion fruit and avocado. Our camping site will be in La Playa (2100m/6890f) or in Santa Teres (1600m/5249f). Note: According to the group’s whishes, it is possible to change the itinerary a bit and visit the hot springs in Santa Teresa this day.
Day 7: SANTA TERESA - AGUAS CALIENTES
The last breakfast with our crew, after drive to hydroelectric 40 min where is the start point for hike to Aguas Calientes 3 hours, on the trail is clear to appreciate a lot type of orchid and birds, the big scenery is the view to Machu Picchu city is situated dense a bizarre vegetation and offers an exceptional view of the mountain Machu Picchu, for sick or tired kickers optional train service (US $ 18.00) there we will spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 8: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we walk uphill to Machu Picchu at 5:00 am. or take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Optional bus $16 each way), upon arrival at the Citadel we can appreciate the enigmatic beauty and the incomparable example of architectural perfection and hydraulics of one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, we will have a guided tour of about 2 hours, where we can appreciate the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, Intihuatana, The Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemetery, you are then given free time to stroll around the citadel . You will have all morning in Machu Picchu to take pictures, maybe to climb the Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, enjoy this mystical place. Then we´ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then calmly return by train to Ollantaytambo where our tourist transport to the city of Cusco will be expecting us, and will later transfer you to your hotel.
