VILCABAMBA TREK
CHOQUEQUIRAO - VILCABAMBA- HUANCACALLE
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Introduction
The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAW is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas, itwas united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails.
CHOQUEQUIRAW is situated in the spurs of the mountain range of Salcantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l, surrounded by the snowcapped Apus of Yanama, Ampay, Choquecarpu, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, The Convention province of the departament of Cusco.
Choquequiraw is an Inca town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructs a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name Choquequiraw.

Expedition Program
DAY 1
CUSCO- SANTA ROSA
We leave from Cusco at 4:00am in the morning. Arriving at Cachora town at 6:30 in the morning where we will have our breakfast. Hereafter we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. From that place we can observe the majestic PADRAYOC snow-covered peaks, it is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km of distance. On the way we will observe PADRAYOC Y WAYNA CACHORA snow-covered peaks, we can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains.
We have our lunch in a place called Playa Rosalina at 1:00 pm. On the way we will observe APURIMAC canyon with its impressive depth and in SANTA ROSA we will set up our campsite.
The approximate time of the hike is about 10 h. On this day we will pass the samall settlements: La Colmena (2870masl), La Aguada (2915masl), Capuliyoc (2915masl) impressive look out point where we can see all Apurimac Valley, Huayhuacalle (2970masl), Tinajayoc (2630masl), Mirador (2370masl), Cocamasana (2330masl), Torowisqana (2285masl), Chiquisqa (1950masl) grove place where we can find water, Playa Rosalina (camp in 1550 masl), La Huerta (2705masl) and finally we arrive in Santa Rosa (2115masl).

DAY 2
SANTA ROSA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
 
Early morning (5:00 am) after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequiraw. We will arrive to the archaeological place CHOQUEQUIRAW after 5 hours. Good time to enjoy that majestic place. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire. Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) we can appreciate "the flight of the Condors". Our bilingual guide will explain the history and importance of the site after the Spanish arrived to Peru. We will continue to Cochequirao campsite. In  the afternoon you will visit oll  choquequirao.

DAY 3
CHOQUEQUIRAO - PINCHIUNUYUC - RIO BLANCO
After a guided tour of the Choquequirao archeological complex, we'll hike to the Choquequirao Pass (3,300 meters/10,827 feet) and later descend to Pinchiunuyuc, where we'll have lunch before continuing our descent to the White River at 1,800 meters/5,906 feet above sea level. We'll make camp along the river for the evening.

DAY 4
RIO BLANCO - MINA VICTORIA
Day 5 is a difficult ascent to approximately 4,000 meters/13,123 feet above sea level where we will find the Victoria Mine near San Juan Pass, a mine abandoned shortly after the colonial period. From the mine, we will be able to catch a glimpse of the Apurimac Canyon - one of Peru's many geographic marvels.

DAY 5
MINA VICTORIA – YANAMA
On Day 6, we will ascend to Victoria Pass and gaze upon the snowy summits of Salkantay, Corihuaynachina, and Humantay (the closest) mountains. We'll pass along patches of agricultural landscape before arriving at our campsite near the local high school at Yanama, situated in a picturesque valley at 3,400 meters/11,155 feet above sea level.

DAY 6
YANAMA - CHOQUETAKARPO – KELKAMACHAY

Having camped for the night in the village of Yanama, we'll begin our trek again with an ascent to the Choquetakarpo Pass via a trail blanketed with vegetation and then changing to mountain tundra. Later, we will descend to Kelkamachay and make camp for the evening

DAY 7
KELKAMACHAY – KOLLPAQ
On Day 8, we will hike along the Kalkamachay Valley, where we can view the Vilcabamba mountain range and the imposing peak of Choquetacarpo Mountain directly in front of us. From the trail we'll also see the Vilcabamba Trail as we make our way to an altitude of between 3,500 - 3,800 meters/11,483 - 12,467 feet.  We will arrive in Kollpaq in the early evening and make camp.

DAY 8
KOLLPAQ – HUANCACALLE
After a nourishing breakfast, Day 9 begins with beautiful vistas of inter-Andean valleys. We'll descend to Huancacalle, an important location in this region because it represents the starting point of the Vilcabamba trailhead. In our case, it will also serve as the base camp for our return trip to the Vilcabamba Valley.

DAY 9
HUACALLE – QUILLABAMBA – CUSCO

After breakfast we board our transport directly to Quillabamba. As we advance the vegetation becomes denser. We arrive in Quillabamba at 10 am and then have some free time. At the determined time we continue by bus to the Pass of Malaga, where the climate changes as we enter the mountain region.  We pass some Andean communities on this leg of the trip. We arrive in Cusco at approximately 8 pm and you will be transfered to your hotel.

THE SERVICES INCLUDES:

• An Expert Guide with expert knowledge of the area and its customs.
• Assistant guide depending on the numbers of passengers greater than 8 passengers
• Warm meals during the trip. Meal schedule is as follows:
• Breakfast, snack, lunch, tea, dinner
• Personal tents. (with double floor)
• Bath tent
• Kitchen tent
• Water boiled after the second day
• Dining tent
• Cooks and kitchen personnel
• Tables
• Benches
• Packhorses  (to carry the tents, food and cooking equipment)
• Entrance ticket to Choquequirao
• Private bus  to Cachora  
• Private bus  Huancacalle to Cusco   
• Packhorses for your personal equipment personal (10kg)
• Riding horses
• First-aid kit
• Oxygen 
• Duffel bag  
• Radio communications  
• Satellite Phone
• Mattress  air thermarest

DOESN`T INCLUDES:

• Tips
• Dinner 9th day
• Sleeping bag

WE RECOMMEND TO TAKE 

• Sleeping bag
• Rain Coat (plastic)
• Thick Jumper
• Coat (parka)
• Cream protector against the sun
• Cap or hat
• Glasses for the sun
• You bounce or slipper for walk
• T Shirts
• Wool stockings or sport
• Canteen or bottle of water
• Lantern
• Photographic camera
• Personal medications suggested by their doctor.

Options:
We can rent

• Hire walking sticks for US $2.50 per day.
• Goose down sleeping bag (good up to 18 degrees below zero) for US $5 per day.

Private Service
Any day of the week

Trek Grade: moderate - difficult

Hiking Season

From March to November
The months of December, January, February are not recommended because it is the wet season.

Conditions for your reservation