Not only it offers you the magnificent andean scenery that you may expect on any trek in the Cuzco region, but it also visits three lesser known archaeological sites on the way.
The likelihood of running into other travellers is very small, which adds to the remoteness and the experience of the hike.
This trek passes by two local communities which offer great opportunities to communicate with native people and grasp a better understanding of the harshness of living in the Andes.
It’s not a walk in the park! While anyone of reasonable fitness can complete this trek, it also offers that challenging element and sense of achievement that makes it all worth at the end.
GROUP SIZE: Small Groups from 2 – 8 people (could be 2, 4, 5…), a small group will make your experience different with a personalized attention from the whole team, where you can also enjoy the route according to its rate hike.
Private transport Cusco-Rafqa, bilingual guide, cook, mule drivers, mules and support saddle horses, camping equipment (double-, dining-, kitchen- and toilet tents, mats, etc.), meals, 1 night’s hotel in Aguas Calientes, bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, entrance fees to the archeological sites and to Machu Picchu , train round trip Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Sleeping bag, meals not mentioned in itinerary, extra services such as tips and entrance fee to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes – Optional upgrades
We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive for 2 hours to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas used to venerate the moon. A short drive from here takes us to Rafq’a, the starting point of our trek and the meeting point with the horsemen that will join us during the hike. After an 1hour walk, we reach the small community of Socma. A further 60min walk takes us to the Perolniyoc cascade. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack.
From here we continue on to our campsite at 3700 meters above sea level. All going well, we should reach our campsite by lunch time. In the afternoon we set off to explore the Q’orimarca archaeological site which used to serve as a check point during the times of the Incas.
This is the most challenging but most rewarding day of the hike. A 3 hour walk leads us to the top of the first pass, known as Puccaqasa (approx 4370mts). After enjoying the great view of the valley below, we walk down for 30min to our lunch spot. Rested and full of energy again, we take on a 2 hour hike to the highest pass of the trek: Kuychicasa (4450mts). From here we head down for 2 hours to a site that the Incas called Inti Punku,(meaning Sun Gate) with imposing views over the valley below and the Veronica Mountain raising over the horizon. Our campsite is a stone throw away at Choquetacarpo (3600mts)
Today is all downhill hiking. The first stop is at the Kachiqata quarry where we witness the work the Incas could not complete due to the Spanish conquest. Approximately at midday we finally arrive to the town of Kachiqata, the end of this challenging and fascinating trek. From here we visit Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon we travel by train to Aguas Calientes where we overnight at a private hostel.
We leave our hostel after a very early breakfast to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu vestiges. Once inside the citadel, we are provided with a 3 hour guided tour with plenty of free time for further exploring, taking photos and eventually climbing Huayna Picchu or going up to the Sun Gate. Then we head back to Aguas Calientes and at 2:55 or 4.22pm, we take our return train to Ollantaytambo with a bus connection to Cusco, arriving at your hotel in the evening.
PERSONAL PORTER INCLUDED
The prices INCLUDES the MACHU PICCHU entrance fee of 179 Peruvian Soles (S/.152 + S/.27 sales tax) which is about US$60, bus from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (US$12), round-trip tourist train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo Expedition Service (US$140), Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (US$15), Hotel at Aguas Calientes (US$57), portable camping TOILET and all local sales taxes (18%).
SAM Travel Peru does not have hidden charges in the trek prices
If there are at least 4 people in your group, you will automatically get $30 per person group discount.