Hanan sector from the Usnu
Day 1: Cuzco - Tarawasi - Saywite - Cachora
Day 5: Choqekiraw - Pinchaunuyoq
Day 6: Pinchaunuyoq - Rio Blanco - Maizal
Day 7: Maizal – Highpass Mina Victoria – Yanama
Day 8: Yanama - Abra Apacheta - Totora
Day 9: Totora - Colpapampa - Playa Santa Teresa
Day 10: Playa Santa Teresa - Llaqtapata - Hidro - Aguas Calientes
Day 11: Tour of Machu Picchu – Return to Cuzco
Stone flowers – Inca decorated wall in Tarawasi
Please ask the price for this service, the price per person depends on the group size.
View of the snow-capped peak of Padreyoq on the way to Choqekiraw
It is important to remember that this trek is classified as challenging, and so it is necessary to be in good physical condition, as well as having two days to acclimatise in the city of Cuzco.
Hydraulic in Pinchaunuyoq sector
Apu Salkantay from Abra Apacheta
Splitting the mountain range in two
Patallaqta and Apu Salkantay under a beautiful mountain sky
Majestic Machu Picchu
The depth of Pacchayoq
June solstice sunset. Apu Wiraqochan
Water channel to the Urin sector
Gift in the rainy season
Architecture developed by the Incas
Beautiful vertical terraces in Llamachayoq
Machu Picchu
When faced with the Spanish invasion, Inka rebels lead by Manco Inka II travelled to the Vilcabamba mountain range, using it as their last hiding place during the resistence, and staying hidden for almost 40 years. The site of Choqekiraw was possibly used by this last Inka dynasty.
The Archaeological parks of Choqekiraw and Machu Picchu are located in a chain of mountains dominated by the Apu (Sacred Mountain) Salkantay, linked by a spectacular trail full of history, geography, flora and fauna. The scenery will take our breath away.
For this alternative Inka trail it is necessary to be in good shape, as the walk is classified as CHALLENGING, including steep climbs, long descents and high mountain passes over 4600 masl/ 15091 ft. The path takes us over muddy and rocky terrain.
The best time of year to visit this area is between the months of March and November; is it mainly dry, nights are cold (0ºC / 32ºF), and solar radiation is strong during the day (25ºC / 77ºF). We also operate during the rainy season as we have the equipment to face an adverse climate.
We leave the city of Cuzco early heading north west, towards the Apurimac region. We cross the pampa of Anta or Yawarpampa (“Blood pampa” – so called because of the fierce battle that took place here between the Inkas and the Chankas, from which the Inka Cusi Yupanqui, later known as Pachacutek, emerged victorious). Then we cross the mountains to access the Limatambo valley and its famous archaeological site of Tarawasi.
We follow the Apurimac River to the town of Curahuasi which is known for its famous aniseed liquor.
An unmissable site to visit is the enigmatic Saywite rock, possibly a representation of the Andean Kay Pacha. We continue on our route, which brings us to the town of San Pedro de Cachora, where we spend the night.
Meals: lunch and dinner
We begin our walk early in the morning crossing the Cachora valley, to reach the dirt-track which will lead us to the Capuliyoc lookout, where we will have a spectacular view of the Apurimac Canyon and of Choqekiraw. After a snack and a short reast, we begin our descent, to a place called Cocamasana where we will have lunch. We continue our descent, crossing a forest of native trees named Phati full of bromeliads and spectacular flora. We arrive at the campsite of Chikiska, which has toilet facilities and a cold shower. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
2900 masl / 9514 ft
1836 masl / 6024 ft
19 km / 11.80 miles
6 hrs
We leave very early in the morning to avoid the blazing midday sun. We descend to the Apurimac River to cross over the Playa Rosalinda brigde. Here our climb to Choqekiraw begins. We pass by Santa Rosa, where we will meet our good friend Julian who owns agricultural land and a small shop where we can buy anything from water to rehydrating drinks.
We continue uphill until we reach Marampata; now we are getting close to Choqekiraw. We will have lunch here and rest, enjoying the wonderful view of the Apurimac River and Choqekiraw, to then continue on a path of short uphill and downhill sections until we arrive at the INC campsite. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
3061 masl / 10043 ft
1836 masl / 6024 ft
14 km / 8.69 ml
8 hrs
After a good rest and a delicious breakfast, we will have the whole day to explore the ruins of Choqekiraw, visiting the principal complex for around 6 hours. We will then return to the campsite to have lunch, and in the afternoon we will visit the lower part of the complex. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
We will have a short extra visit to the principal complex, and then continue our walk towards Pinchiunuyoq. After an uphill stretch climbing through a wood of native trees, we arrive at a pampa before the descent to Pinchiunuyoq, where we will have lunch and in the afternoon we will visit this archaeological site. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
3300 masl / 10826 ft
2500 masl / 8202 ft
4.50 km / 2.97 ml
6 hrs
We leave very early in the morning, and descend to the Rio Blanco. We cross the river and climb up to the small village of Maizal, through a wood of native trees, where we have the chance to observe various species of birds.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
3012 masl / 9881 ft
1500 masl / 4921 ft
5.20 km / 3.23 ml
6 hrs
We leave our campsite and continue uphill, crossing a beautiful forest of native trees on a stone path before arriving at the high-pass Mina Victoria, where we will have a spectacular view of the cordillera of the snow-capped peaks of Choqetacarpo and Pumasillo. We descend to our lunch spot and after a brief rest, we continue on to the community of Yanama, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
4200 masl / 13779 ft
3800 masl / 12467 ft
8 km / 4.97 ml
7 hrs
The big day. We leave early and climb up the ravine of the Yanama River upriver. It begins as a gentle slope and becomes steeper and steeper as we approach the high-pass. We can appreciate a beautiful contrast of ecological levels as we arrive in the puna, to then descend into the Totora River Valley, where we will have dinner and spend the night in the community of Totora.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
4600 masl / 15091 ft
2860 masl / 9383 ft
18.32 km / 11.38 ml
9 hrs
We leave very early in the morning, following the We leave very early in the morning, following the Totora River towards the point where it meets the Chalan River, to then follow it downstream to the Santa Teresa River. Exuberant vegetation and beautiful waterfalls line our path to the playa Santa Teresa.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
2860 masl / 9383 ft
2088 masl / 6850 ft
8 km / 4.97 ml
6 hrs
After breakfast we say goodbye to our mule-handlers, and begin our walk to Lucma area where we will take a path to the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. We climb up through beautiful coffee plantations and native trees, to arrive at this interesting place, from where we can see both Machu Picchu and the Apu Salkantay.
We descend to the Aobamba River valley, to get to the train station at the Hydroelectric plant, and take our train to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation in chosen hotel.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
3000 masl / 9842 ft
1800 masl / 5905 ft
10 km / 6.21 ml
2 hrs (by car)
Early in the morning we take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. We will have the option to climb up the Huayna Picchu mountain, which is difficult, but rewards us with spectacular and different views, it is even possible to see the Apu Salkantay.
The tour of Machu Picchu will allow us to understand what a high level of development the Andean civilization achieved under the Inkas.
A supreme religious site, Machu Picchu demonstrates the superior knowledge achieved in astronomy and astrology. This knowledge is indispensable for measuring weather cycles (rainy and dry seasons) through the solstices, for the development of agricultural activity; the primary means of survival in the Andes. We will try to spend as long as possible in the archaeological complex, depending upon what time our train leaves to return to the city of Cuzco.
Meals: ---
2437 masl / 7995 ft
2070 masl / 6791 ft
1.50 km / 0.93 ml
3 hrs
Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste. We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.
“With the protection of mother earth and the permission of the apus …”
design by Gissel Enriquez - development by Jeronimo Design DDS