Choquequirao Salkantay Sacred Valley – 10 days trip
Choquequirao Salkantay sacred valley, is 10 days trip leaving from cusco, starting in cachora town and ending in the sacred valley; the route takes us through several landscapes, microclimates, and and settlements.
We have decided to created this combo trekking tour, thinking of our most adventurous clients, a combo trip, in a multi day program, that will amaze you by the beauty of both sites and the incredible scenic views along the trail.
Choquequirao sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge, 3000m./10,000 ft. above sea level and 1,500m./5,000 ft. above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River . Ringed by spectacular snow-capped peaks and flanked by plunging, thickly forested slopes, the city is an inspiring example of an elite Inca ceremonial center, dedicated to the worship of the mountain gods, the river and the elements of nature.
Choquequirao has been called ” Machu Picchu’s sacred sister”, because of the striking similarities of design and ceremonial architecture to its famous counterpart above the Urubamba Gorge. Yet it remains an enigmatic place whose history is a matter of speculation. This hike is a unique, for nature lovers and for those who wants to challenge by themselves because, the choquequirao and achu picchu is one of the most difficult trails in Peru..
- Cusco to Capuliyoc – Private transport.
- Complete meals during trek.
- Inflatable mattresses.
- Park fee.
- English speaking tour guide.
- cook, cook helpers.
- Horses to carry equipment.
- Muleteers.
- First Aid Kit.
- Return Transport.
- Sleeping Bags.
- Souvenirs.
Itinerary
Early departure from Cusco at around 05:00 hrs, then drive for about 4.5 hours up to arriving at huancalle, with a previous stop at Cachora, the last town in the trek, then continue driving up to huancalle, a place with nice view of the majestic padrayoc mountain is seen from the trail and Wayna Cachora snow capped peaks, the hike give us the beautiful change of the landscapes, from precipices to snowy mountains.
We will observe the Apurimac canyon with its impressive depth, from this site also you can see at very large distance the famous Choquequirao; the trail leads by downhill up to playa Rosalina where we can have lunch, after lunch climb up to santa rosa baja where we can set up out tents and camp.
After breakfast we can climb upon switchbacks trail up to maranpata, a nice site with views to the canyon, the villages at the other site of the canyon and the view of path, which is going to be part of our next day, after taking a break, we will continue for 2 more hours and finally arrive to Choquequirao and have lunch, after lunch we can climb up to chquequirao park and enjoy the sightseeing.
Our guide is going to show you all sectors, including the llama terraces, usnu, upper residential area, the main plaza and etc, then after sunset, return to the camp and spend the night.
Wake up at 05:30 hrs, then have breakfast at 06:30 hrs, and at 07:30 in the morning continue the trek, reach the little pass at 3299 masl, then the trail leads by a large downhill to an inca site named pincha-unuyoc, then continue to rio blanco where we can lunch at the river back, have opportunity to take the feet out of shoes and refresh in the water, after lunch we can climb up between trees and get maizal alto, an spot with view of snow mountains. The camp is at 3000 masl.
From camp site we start walking uphill, passing by the impressive inca mines called Minas Victoria, A long climb by amazingly beautiful area leads in to the cloud forest, then we gain altitude and be above the trees line, and finally reach the majestic view point at the pass named Victoria, where we can see original paved inca trails. We lunch at this spot, then enjoy the nice view of mountain such as: Choquetakarpo, and if lucky we can see the soar of condors.
Then we continue the walk, this time the trail goes all downhill towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement, at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. Our camp is at 3800 masl.
After breakfast we start climbing slowly to our higher pass 4668 masl, again the view is amazing, we are surrounded by snow capped mountains the Mt. Sacsarayoj and Mt. Padrayoc. We continue from Yanama through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l.
On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. New landscape is seeing at the other site, we can see the cloud forest areas, a downhill trail will take us to totora a settlement of farmers, then finally reach the campsite at collpapama, this is a could forest and the weather at night is very fresh.
After breakfast we start the trail on backward of the Salkantay trek people, it is their 2nd day path, the trail runs by the cloud forest, surrounded by flowers and dense vegetation, we will have lunch at rrayanpata, then climb up 3 more hours and camp by wayracpampa, the hike on this day is shorted, the idea is to safe energy and enjoy the views as well. The camp is at 3800 meters below Palkay Mountain.
is time to summit the salkantay pass which is 4.657 masl, a great view from summit, lunch at noon on a small lake, after lunch descent to salkantaypampa, then from it about 2 hours slow trek to reach the camp at ichupata just meter from salkantay mountain. Dinner and camp.
The cooler morning temperatures will be excellent to ascend and summit the highest and toughest part of this trail section. the highest point “inka chiriaska pass” located over 5.100 masl near the majestic snow peaks, we also have the most amazing view of Salkantay and other snow mountains, then the trail leads smoothly downhill until canal inca, (Incas irrigation channels), we will see some of the original inca paths, then reach the camp site, at 3600 masl, the hiking time will be about 8 hours.
a nice trek, mostly downhill, you will walk through a valley, little by little will get vegetation and temperatures will change in to warmer weather, then after some time reach a place named paucarcancha, here we can see the inca site, then reach a small village named Huayllabmaba, is a place by which the inca trail hikers camp on their 1st day, it will be our last day, then set up our tents and spend the night.
After breakfast, walk by Kusi-chaca river, then walk by the inca trail stop at willca raqay and visit the inca site, then walk for 3 hours 2.5 hours to reach the km 82, where we can meet our transport that can take us back to cusco.
This choquequirao salkantay sacred valley trek, is passes over 5 high summits, and show the most impressive canyons and mountains. you may only want to hike the Salkantay trek, tehn follow the link.