Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquiska.
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 will reach our first camp at the Chiquiska oasis (1950 meters / 6000 feet).
Day 2: Chiquiska – Choquequirao.
This day is the hardest of the five days, we will get up very early. After breakfast, we will continue our descent to Playa Rosalinda, where we will cross the Apurimac River (1495 meters / 5000 feet). From here we will start 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
We dedicate this day to explore the ruins of Choquequirao. Our guide will explain the history and importance of this archaeological complex. You will then have free time to visit different areas of the archaeological complex. Much work has been done in recent years to excavate, clear and restore the site. After lunch, those who choose to can visit the Cascade House(restored buildings and terraces some 300 meters (1000 feet) below the main structures of Choquequirao). Later, our evening meal will consist of a typical Peruvian “pachamanca” (traditional Andean ingredients cooked in the earth). Volunteers to help with the preparation will be welcome! From the highest point of the archaeological site (the “usno”, or ceremonial platform) there are fine views of the Apurimac canyonfar below, and if we are fortunate we may even see a great Andean condor soar above us.
Day 4: Choquequirao – Coca Masana.
After breakfast we continue our strenuous trek back down a steep path toward the Apurimac River where we will stop and have lunch. In the afternoon we will climb about 4 hours to reach Coca Masana. There we will have dinner and camp.
Day 5: Coca Masana - Cachora – Cusco.
After breakfast, we return by the same path until the Capuliyoc Pass and from here it’s two more hours to the town of Cachora. Then we get the bus which will take us to Cusco
