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Itinerary:
Day 1
We leave Cusco in the early morning to journey by road to the small village of Cachora. On the way we will have an opportunity to visit Saywite, a fascinating and unique Inca site some 47 kilometres from Abancay. Saywite is a limestone outcrop about four metres in diameter on which the Incas carved a model of their empire, Tawantinsuyo. The stone, upon which images of the flora, fauna, topography and customs of the empire of the sun were traced, was used in ceremonies dedicated to the worship of water. Several other similar rock outcrops lie scattered across the surrounding area, along the vestiges of an Inca highway.
On arriving in Cachora we will be met by our mule drivers, who will load our gear on the horses and mules before we begin our first day's hike. With the great Salkantay massif in front of us on the other side of the canyon, we will head along the edge of the Apuri?mac canyon, with the river almost 2000 metres below us. About half-way through the day we will begin our winding descent to the river. As we descend the heat becomes intense, and we will arrive hot and tired at the bridge which crosses the river, where we will be able to bathe to refresh ourselves. We will camp at the river's edge that night.
Day 2:
Today we will make the steep 1800 metre ascent up to the ruins of Choquekirau. The path will lead us through dense cloud forest for about two hours, when we will finally get our first view of the citadel on a spur ahead of us. Another two hours walk, with Choquekirau now almost constantly in sight, leads us to our destination. Here we will have the rest of the day to relax, explore the ruins and, hopefully, see some condors. These great Andean birds, with a wingspan of up to three metres, tend to rise up from the floor of the canyon on the afternoon thermals, providing visitors on the central plaza of Choquekirau with a magnificent show. That night, after an unforgettable sunset and a good meal, we will camp close to the ruins.
Day 3:
Today we bid farewell to Choquekirau and begin our descent to the Apurimac river, crossing the bridge again and beginning the ascent to Cachora before camping for the night above the river in a small glade of trees.
Day 4:
An early start today will help us to avoid the worst of the heat in the canyon and guarantee us some magnificent views of the Apurimac and the surrounding peaks. We will arrive in Cachora around lunchtime, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Transfer to hotel.
Included:
- Transport Cusco/ San Pedro de Cachora/ Cusco
- Meals 4 breakfasts/ 4 lunches/ 3 dinners and snacks
- Mules Transport of equipments and personal luggage
- Emergency horse in case of illness or else of participants.
- Horse-men Responsible of the horses.
- Guide Professional bilingual (English/Spanish) guide.
- Cook Responsible of the meals
- Equipment Tents, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, tables, chairs, mattresses, first aid kit and radio communication.
- Entrance to Choquequirao
- Therm-a-Rest self-inflating mattress
Not included:
- Tips for the guide and other staff
- Sleeping bag
For rent:
- Trekking poles: Leki and Black Diamond, 1 for US $ 7.00 and 2 for US $ 10.00.
- Sleeping bag (may be rented for USD $ 15.00) Our sleeping bags are a mummy model and rated -11 Celsius (12 Fahrenheit).
Departure:
- Departures on request from April through November
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