Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Soyrococha (6 km/3.7 miles
We will pick you up from your hotel the morning of our first day and begin our journey by observing the Moonstone Temple (Killarumiyuc, in Quechua) located at Pampa de Anta, 3,391 meters above sea level (masl). We will continue on to Wata, the beginning of our 8 – 9 hour trek, which will wind up the mountainside past pre-Inca construction at 3,850 meters about sea level. Before continuing to base camp, we will take a moment to practice the tradition of leaving an offering (kh’inthu) of coca leaves to the mountains. On our way to our base camp, Chillipawa, at 3,750 meters about sea level, we will enjoy stunning landscapes of high altitude medicinal and native plants, alongside locals using the land for agricultural purpose and to graze their livestock. At Chillipawa, hot showers will be available in the evening. MEALS Lunch/tea time/dinner+snacks Lowest Elevation: 3,230 meters Highest Elevation: 3,750 meters Approximate walking time 8 hours Distance to walk: 11 km Difficulty: Moderate trek Campnig: Chillipawa village.
Day 2: Chillipawa – Chancachuco Pampa (8 km/5 miles, 7 hours)
The second day of our trek is a gentle zigzag up the mountainside, passing farmlands and tree-speckled slopes until we arrive at our lunch site, Pukaccasa Pampa, and the highest point of our trek at 4,535 meters about sea level. As we make our way down to our campsite in Chancachuco Pampa at 3,900 meters about sea level after a 7 hour walk, we will be surrounded by snow-capped peaks and glaciers with red and black mountain rocks in the background of grassy pastures with llamas and horses. MEALS Breakfast/lunch/tea time/dinner+snacks Lowest Elevation: 3,750 meters Highest Elevation: 4,535 meters Distance to walk: 10 km Approximate walking time: 7 hours Difficulty: challenging Camping: Chancachuco pampa.
Day 3: Chancachuco Pampa – Choquetacarpa Pampa (11 km/6.8 miles, 9 – 10 hours)
The third day of our trek, an 7 – 8 hour walk, follows a river into a breathtaking Canyon of Cchuro at 3,700 meters about sea level, lined with steep cliffs of black rocks and water trickling down the sides. As we leave the canyon, our view opens into a dramatic landscape of rolling pastures of the Sacred Valley with the snow-capped mountains on the horizon, Arequipa, Veronica, and Onura Punta, regarded by locals as deities. Our final ascent of approximately an hour will lead us to the Temple for the Mountain Veronica at 3,900 meters about sea level, known as Wakaywillka in Quechua, or Sacred Tears in English. Cchosikhasa, a small plateau in view of the temple and icy peaks, will be our lunch area. An hour descent will lead us to our campsite at Choquetacarpo Pampa, 3,750 meters about sea level, with a spectacular view of ancient ruins to one side, and the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the sprawling mountain range, to the other. Here, too, there will be hot showers available in the evening. MEALS Breakfast/lunch/tea time/dinner+snack Lowest Elevation: 3,700 meters Highest Elevation: 3,900 meters Distance to walk: 11 km Approximate time: 8 hours Difficulty: challenging and moderate Campnig: choketacarpo cachiccata.
Day 4: Choquetacarpo Pampa – Cachiccata – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (8 km/5 miles, 4 hours)
From our campsite, we will descend through the Quarries of Cachiccata, where the pink granite rock was harvested for construction of the Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo, several kilometers away. Here we will learn about the process of cutting and transporting these rocks over such challenging distances and terrain. In Ollantaytambo at 2,800 meters about sea level, we will have time to explore markets and Inka-era buildings, which are still used today, before boarding the train for Aguas Calientes Town, 2,040 meters about sea level, where we will stay for one night. MEALS Breakfast/ Box lunch/ dinner Lowest Elevation: 3,670 meters Lowest Elevation: 2,929 meters Approximate walking time: 5 hours Difficulty. easy Area: ollantaytambo town to (aguas calientes town by train).
Day 5: Aguas Calientes Town – Machu Picchu – Cusco
The best time to go to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary is early in the morning, when we will have a guided tour of about 2.5 hours. You will have time to freely explore the sanctuary and the option of walking up to one of the overlooks, Wayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, with picturesque views of Machu Picchu Sanctuary below. After returning to Aguas Calientes Town by bus, we will board the train for Ollantaytambo, and transfer to our bus, headed back to Cusco.
