Day 1: Cuzco – Chikiska

We leave the city of Cuzco early, driving along the road which goes north-west across the famous Pampas de Anta or Yawar Pampa (Blood Pampa, because of the ferocious battle between the Inkas and the Chankas over possession of Cuzco city). We cross the mountains and descend to the warm town of Limatambo (2600m / 8530ft), where the archaeological site of Tarawasi is found.

We continue in the direction of the Cunyac Bridge over the Apurimac River, the natural border between the Cuzco and Apurimac regions. We follow the road to the settlement of Curahuasi, famous for its aromatic liquor: Macerado de Anis. Our next stop is the enigmatic and famous Stone of Saywite. All these places can be visited on our last day, on our way back to the city of Cuzco.

Our final stop is the town of San Pedro de Cachora (2909m / 9543ft), in the Apurimac region. We leave our motorized transport for the next 4 days. We have lunch. Here in Cachora, as it is usually called, we can buy any last things we want to take.

Day 2: Chikisca – Choqekiraw

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.

Day 3: Choquekiraw

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.

Day 4: Choqekiraw – Pinchaunuyoq

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.

Day 5: Pinchaunuyoq – Rio Blanco – Maizal

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.

Day 6: Maizal – Highpass Mina Victoria – Yanama

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.

Day 7: Yanama – Yuthupata

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.

Day 8: Yuthupata – Qelqamachay

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.

Day 9: Qelqamachay – Huancacalle

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.

Day 10: Huancacalle – Rosaspata – Vitcos – Ñusta Hispana – Huancacalle – Cuzco

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.

Services included

• Private tourist transportation Cuzco – Cochayoq
• Guide service in Spanish/ English
• Sleeping bag per person (-10 ºC – Eureka – Cimarron – mummy form, our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use)
• Sleeping liner
• Pillow
• Inflatable sleeping pad (Therm A Rest)
• Cook and assistant
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables (Travel Chair)
• Cooking, eating and bathroom (The Pett) tents
• Portable enviromental toilet (The Pett)
• Food (2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner) – nutritionally balanced menu
• Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
• Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles – Eureka – K2 XT – 4 seasons)
• Single tents available for extra cost
• Mule-handlers