We leave Cusco at around 7.00 am in our private transport and drive towards Cachora; an Andean community located 4-5h from Cusco. After driving for two and a half hours, we stop in Tarawasi, where we visit the archaeological remains of an Inca Usno, a place were ceremonies and celebrations to mother earth were conducted. We leave Tarawasi and continue along the road, across the Apurimac River and up again through Curawasi and to Saywite, our second stop an hour and a half later. Here we visit the famous Inca rock that was believed to be the construction plan for the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, with carvings of animals representing the main deities. From Saywite, we continue on to Cachora only 30 minutes away and at 2800m/9184ft, where we will enjoy our box lunch. In the afternoon we start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoq at 2750m/9020ft, where may we enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac River Canyon. We then continue descending for two more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our camp and spend the night. (L, D)
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted. (B, L, D)
Today, we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex during the morning: we will visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in side the forest and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. After the tour, we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We camp and dine here. (B, L, D)
We leave camp after breakfast to start the two or three hours climb to Chiquisca, then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoq, close to which we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we continue on our two-hour return route to Cachora, where a private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. We arrive approximately around 9.00pm, (B, L)
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress.
Peru Cloud Forest Adventures
Cusco - Peru
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