Day 1: Cuzco - Chicquisqa, Peru
Departure Time: 05:00 hrs
Depart Cuzco and camp at Chicquisqa (1836m)
We depart Cuzco around 5:00 am in a private car. If there is time, we will visit the archaeological site of Saywite before descending to the mountain village of Cachora (2909m), a last-minute opportunity to buy supplies. After lunch, it is a 2-hour hike to Capuliyoc (2915m) from where we have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley stretching below as well as the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Chicquisqa - Choquequirao, Peru
Hike to Choquequirao archaeological site (3110m)
After an early departure, we descend to Playa Rosalina and the magnificent Apurimac River (1550m) about 1 hour of hiking where we begin our steep climb to Santa Rosa (2095m). Here we can take a refreshing break, rest and buy water. Then we continue upwards, towards Marampata (2913m), a plateau where we will eat lunch and rest enjoying a splendid view of Choquequirao. After lunch, we will hike for about 2 more hours to reach the archaeological site of Choquequirao (3110m) where we will spend the evening exploring the site and watching condors fly overhead at sunset.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Choquequirao - Santa Rosa, Peru
Explore Choquequirao archaeological site and hike down to Santa Rosa (2095m)
Today, we will have a chance to explore the Inca site more in-depth and with some free time to rest in the morning. In the afternoon we return along the edge of the Apurimac canyon, descending to our tropical campsite at Santa Rosa.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Santa Rosa - Cuzco, Peru
Hike to Cachora village and return to Cuzco
Early in the morning, in order to escape the heat of the Apurimac Canyon, we descend to the raging river and then begin an arduous climb that is rewarded with spectacular views. We climb for about four hours and have lunch in Capuliyoc (2915m). The final two hours of our hike we will continue the trail into the village of Cachora along a refreshingly flat and picturesque trail through the pretty farming countryside where our private car will be waiting to take us back to Cuzco (4-hour drive). We will arrive in Cuzco between 7 or 8 pm.
Meals: B