Fixed departures: every Sunday and Wednesday with a minimum of 2 participants

Season: March - December

This short trek enables you to get a first hand view of a unique Inca settlement perched above the Apurimac canyon – a mighty river “The talking god”. Here a series of impressive Inca sites have been found. The trek starts in the village of Cachora and returns to the same area. The trail heads down to the river and has a steep ascent to the site where we spend the night and return.

Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Apurimac

Leaving Cusco due north on the main highway towards Lima, we leave the city behind, cross into Antapampa with views of Mt. Salkantay and Humantay at first and as we leave this high meadow area, the Pitusiray, Chicon and Veronica come into view. Once we begin to descend into Limatambo we will visit the Inca site of Tarawasi located in the outskirts. The road continues until we reach the Apurimac River, an impressive gorge. Past the village of Curawasi and onto the Sayhuite- stone – a carved map of the Inca empire it is said. A small side road over a ridge brings us down to the village of Cachora, where we start today’s hike. Taking our day packs we start walking along the edge of the mountain. At Capuliyoc we get our first view of the Apurimac canyon and the trail that lies ahead. We begin our descent and camp by the river at 2,450m (8,036 ft) at a small campsite next to the river (Distance: 8 km, Time: 7-8 hrs hiking)
BL, D

Day 2: APURIMAC RIVER / CHOQUEQUIRAO

The crossing of the river on a footbridge marks the start of the day. From here an uphill walk of half the day brings us to a small meadow where we have lunch. As we ascend on the steep trail we begin to appreciate the canyonland vegetation and environment on both sides of the Apurimac canyon. The afternoon hike is not as steep as we approach the hanging valley where the site of Choquequirao is found. We camp at an available flat part at Marampampa – as we begin to explore the isolated Inca sites and the surrounding thin cloudforest. (Distance: 7 km, Time: 6 hrs.)
B, BL, D

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO / MARAMPAMPA

We spend all morning visiting the central complex, situated on a ridge overlooking the Canyon and some of the outlying buildings working our way through the terracing. We have our lunch and in the afternoon we descend to Marampampa where we camp. (Distance: 2.5km, Time: 2hrs.)
B, BL, D

Day 4: MARAMPAMPA / COCAMASANA

We begin our descent all the way to the river and have lunch at the bottom. From here we start our ascent towards Cachora, camping in a small pampa called Cocamasana. (Distance: 6 km, Time: 6hrs).
D, BL, D

Day 5: COCAMASANA / CACHORA / CUSCO

A last ascent to Capuliyoc and from here its relatively even until reaching the village of Cachora. Our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, where we arrive in the evening on the same road we took at the beginning.

RATES FOR 2010 - on request

For further information and booking inquiries, please contact Sacred Earth.