Mural decoration at Tarawasi
Day 1: Cuzco - Tarawasi - Saywite - Cachora
Day 5: Choqekiraw - Pinchaunuyoq
Day 6: Pinchaunuyoq - Rio Blanco - Maizal
Day 7: Maizal – Highpass Mina Victoria – Yanama
Day 9: Yuthupata – Qelqamachay
Day 10: Qelqamachay – Huancacalle
Day 11: Huancacalle – Rosaspata – Vitcos – Ñusta Hispana – Huancacalle - Cuzco
Stone of Saywite
Please ask the price for this service, the price per person depends on the group size.
Detail in the stone of Saywite
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.
Mist over Choqekiraw
View from Choqekiraw
Water channel
Urin Sector
Padreyoq snow-capped peak
Flowering Chachacomo
Yanama River
Pinchiunuyoq
Agricultural terraces at Pinchiunuyoq
Blanco River
Vilcabamba mountain range
Choquetacarpo snow-capped peak
The Inka trail used by Manco Inka II and his rebel army, in their escape from the Spanish, passes by these two magnificent archaeological sites located in the Vilcabamba mountain range. This trek covers ancient pathways through spectacular scenery. Ecological levels such as quechua, puna, and high jungle will make us enjoy our adventure, among beautiful scenery and little known history.
The climate in this area varies from cold to warm nights, and hot days. Part of the trip is through the jungle, and so we must be prepared for rain, as it can start without warning. The altitude also varies, with our highest point being approximately 4600 masl / 15091 ft. and our lowest point at approximately 1500 masl / 4921 ft.
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.
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 east, 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 ml
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
We leave the community of Yanama, following the river of the same name downstream. We enjoy our trek through an environment of dense vegetation where beautiful orchids stand out among local flora. We will take a rest close to the river, and then trek up to our campsite at Llutupata, which has a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains, including a view of the back of the Choqekiraw hill. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
3140 masl / 10299 ft
2500 masl / 8202 ft
10 km / 6.21 ml
6 hr
We continue our uphill climb crossing a small canyon with steep sides, part of the Pumasillo mountain range. We continue on to a small valley to reach our campsite at Qelqamachay. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3852 masl / 12635 ft
3140 masl / 10299 ft
5 km / 3.10 ml
5 hr
We begin our ascent to reach the Choqetacarpo pass with a spectacular view of the Pumasillo mountain range. From here our trek will be all downhill, crossing ecological levels which impress us with their beauty. Arriving at the town of Huancacalle we will take a well deserved rest. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4643 masl / 15230 ft
3010 masl / 9870 ft
15 km / 9.32 ml
8 hr
We will spend today visiting the important archaeological sites where the last days of Inka resistance against the Spanish invasion were played out.
At this site the White Rock or Yuraq Rumi stands out; a carved rock used for ceremonies. We cross stone paths made by the Incas which demonstrate the importance of this place. Upon our return to Huancacalle, we have lunch and begin our journey back to the city of Cusco.
Meals: breakfast and lunch
3200 masl / 10498 ft
3010 masl / 9870 ft
6.5 km / 4.03 ml
5 hr
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