"LAS CIUDADES HERMANAS" (the sister cities), in 6 days and 5 nights

DESCRIPTION

We will visit Saywite, Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) and Machu Picchu, combining hiking with the traditional tour. For people that don't like long and hard walks.

ALTITUDES AND DISTANCES / CLIMATE.

The hike is 34 Kilometers long; Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) is the higher point, 3.100 m.a.s.l. and Playa San Ignacio (1.450 m.a.s.l.) is the lower point of the route. For more details see the map click here.

Throughout the journey you will experience different climates and microclimates, depending on the altitude. Also be aware that the rainy season is from January to the end of March.

ITINERARY

First day. - Cusco - Saywite - "Villa Los Loros" lodge

After picking up the passengers from their hotels, we leave Cusco at 6:30 a.m. in a private bus, arriving at the Archeological Park of Saywite (click here), where we will see the mysterious monolith and other nearby ruins. Continuing the trip, we descend in the Huanipaca valley until we reach "Villa Los Loros" lodge. After settling into our rooms we have lunch, and in the afternoon we'll have a briefing on the next day's trek.

Second day. - "Villa Los Loros" lodge - Playa San Ignacio - Choqekiraw (Choquequirao)

We leave after breakfast, at 5:30 am, and walk until we reach the riverbank of the noisy river Apurimac (in the native Quechua language, Apu Rimac means "God that speaks"). Crossing the hanging San Ignacio Bridge, we'll begin the ascent from the river (1,450 meters) until we reach the Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) campsite at 2,900 meters above sea level.

Along the route you can soak in the beauty of the natural surroundings, especially the great variety of flora and fauna. After lunch, we will visit the Cultivated Terraces of Phaqchayoq and the House of Waterfalls. Finally, we return to the campsite where we have dinner and spend the night.

Third day. - Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) all day

Today we have the entire day to visit the best sectors of the Archeological Park of Choqekiraw (Choquequirao). We will have lunch near the collection, as not to interrupt such a nice view, and with any luck we will be able to witness the flight of the majestic Andean Condor over the deep canyon of Apurimac. Finally, we will return to our campsite where dinner will be served and we will spend the night.

Fourth day.-Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) - Hacienda San Ignacio - "Villa Los Loros" lodge

After breakfast, we will begin the return, descending into the imposing canyon of the Apurimac River until we reach San Ignacio Beach, and from there we will continue on horses. Arriving at the San Ignacio ex-estate, we will rest and have lunch, then continue on horse until we reach "Villa Los Loros" lodge. After that, we will have dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Fifth day / "Villa Los Loros" lodge - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

After breakfast we'll take the bus to reach Ollantaytambo, which will take approximately 5 hours. There we'll have lunch and then we'll take the train to Machu Picchu village. After getting situated in the hotel, people who want can enjoy a bath in the famous aguas calientes. After that, some dinner and a time to relax.

Sixth day / Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

We will leave the hotel early to take the first bus up to the Inca sanctuary, which is situated high above the canyon of the Urubamba River in the heart of the highland forest below Mount Salkantay. We will have the rest of the day to visit this wonder of the world, with a chance to make an optional visit to the imposing mountain known as Wayna Picchu, or the Sun Gate (Intipunku). After this we will return to the village of Machu Picchu to have a buffet lunch and then take the return train to Cusco, where you will be transferred from the train station to the hotel.

THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD BRING

• Hiking shoes
• T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts
• Short pants or sports wear
• A cap for the sun and a hat for the cold
• A sweater and a jacket
• Insect repellent
• Sun block
• Personal care items

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

• All transportation (bus and train)
• A bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
• Two nights lodging at "Villa Los Loros"
• One night at a hotel in Machu Picchu village
• Two nights camping in the Archeological Park of Choqekiraw (Choquequirao)
• High quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mattress, cooking tent, dining tent, camping tables and chairs, cooking equipment and dining items, lighting, etc.)
• Radio communication throughout the trek
• First-aid kit
• All the meals and drinks (6 lunch, 5 dinner, 5 breakfast)
• Muleteers, mules or llamas to carry equipment and supplies, a camp chef,
• Entrance fees to the archeological sites of Saywite, Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) and Machu Picchu
• Saddled horse from Playa San Ignacio to "Villa Los Loros" lodge

PRICES AND GROUPS

The program cost varies according to the number of people, so we invite you to ask about the price. We travel with a maximum group of 15 people.

Apurimac's spectacular panoramic sight, Huanipaca valley is viewed to the bottom

Choqekiraw, on of the sister cities, await for you

Choqekiraw, the sector of the sixteen ceremonial sources, at the Inca city's high sector

Machu Picchu, the temple of the three windows, proud example of the Andean architecture

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu's Inca city; Twin town of Choqekiraw

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