Ecological Sustainable Adventure Travel Tours
Quechuas Expeditions Authorized Inca Trail Adventure Tour Operator
Under Local Mountain-Jungle & Cultural Multilingual Guides Management
QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS Highly Recommended By:

SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORERS / LONELY PLANET / FROMMERS / NYTIMES / TRIP ADVISOR / REAL TRAVELERS REVIEWS. SPECIAL DISCOUNTS 2013 (for tour that Includes Machupicchu only ( By Quechuas Expeditions) • SAE MEMBERS: US$20.00 discount on full program price (valid South American Explorers Club membership card required). This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered • STUDENTS DISCOUNTS: US$20.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Green Card (ISIC) ( click here to get your isic card) and must be below 26 years of age. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid). If the trips go to Machupicchu only. • TEENAGERS: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings). • CHILDREN: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings). 1.-QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS GROUP TOP QUALITY SERVICE: (GROUP SIZE 02 Min - 08 Max) our most popular trek and offers to visitors the most economical method to trek the Inca Trail and alternative Inca Trails to Machu Picchu. you'll be joining a group of other hikkers like you coming from overseas, a great opportunity to have fun and make new friends. 2.-PRIVATE SERVICE: (GROUP SIZE UPON REQUEST) for Families, Honeymooners and Couples. special trek program just for you, and you can depart any day you wish and choose the group size, we don´t add any people, is arranged just for you. All private groups include additional services, such as: extra porters, horses to ride and to carry your personal gear( for alternate treks), First class Vistadome train, Machupicchu bus up & down, 1st breakfast & last lunch, sleeping bags, walking poles and among others.      Write us at: privateservice@quechuasexpeditions.com 3.-LARGE GROUPS SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: 02 Guides Over 08 people If you are a group  of 06 people or more Please contact us at: info@quechuasexpeditions.com VERY IMPORTANT !!!: If you are using a SPAM filter, Our E-mails could be caught in your filter. Please check your filter if you do not receive the E-mail within 5 minutes.Some of our passengers E-mail us saying our confirmation E-mails are placed to their spam folder rather than their inbox. We recommend to modify your JUNK or SPAM FILTER SETTINGS to receive our E-mails of Quechuas Expeditions: info@quechuasexpeditions.com, reservations@quechuasexpeditions.com, quechuasexpeditions@hotmail.com on the correct inbox. You may also want to add this email address to your list of known contacts. This will prevent our responses from being filtered into your Junk or Spam mail folder.

CHOQUEQUIRAO MACHU PICCHU INFORMATION
This expeditions will take you to two of the major archaeological sites in the Cusco-area and Peru: CHOQUEQUIRAO and MACHU PICCHU. The legends and knowledge of the Machu Picchu ruin are already all over the world. Since its re-discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in July 1911, the ruin has been a topic of discussions and research about the Incas, and finally in 1981 the Peruvian government established The Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, same that in 1983 where honored by UNESCO as World Heritage. As much one can find of writings and histories about Machu Picchu, the little one can find about the latter, but not less interesting ruin complex of Choquequirao. 

The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAO is part of the complex system of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. Choquekiraw is situated in the spurs of the mountain range of Salcantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l., surrounded by the snow capped Apus of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, the Convention province of the department of Cusco. Choquekiraw is an Inca town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructs a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name- Choquequirao.

 DAY BY DAY CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHU PICCHU ITINERARY

ITINERARY:

	FIRST CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY : Arriving at Cachora town at 7.00 in the morning where we will have our breakfast while we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km or 10 hours. On the way we will observe Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views to snow covered peaks and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tunacactus forest to dwarftree forest we have lunch brake at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l.). From here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short brake at the river we start the steep climb towards Santa Rosa, where we camp for the night in a small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l.).
SECOND CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: Early morning after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquekiraw. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep, but then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological place CHOQUEKIRAO after 5 hours. After a good lunch and a little break we will walk to the main square of Choquekirao, to enjoy this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin. Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) • we can be lucky to appreciate "the flight of the Condors". The guide will decide where to set our camp in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.).
	THIRD CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: After breakfast we have good time to enjoy the majestic archaeological place. We can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town. Besides we see the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored- that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed Inca empire. After the lunch we walk through Choquekirao, with all equipment going to our next camp. We follow the old water canal for a while before we start the 3 hours walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found in 1998. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. Pinchinoyoc - these ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. Here we spend the night basically on the old Inca Terraces.
FOURTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: This morning we walk down through an interesting vegetation know as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants here look different to what we have seen before. We arrive to the river Victoria after a few hours and use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. On the way up we catch our breath in the shade of small trees and other vegetations on the way up. In Maizal we have our lunch and enjoy, that we can relax this afternoon- with only optional physical activity. Maizal is properly the camp in the most beautiful location of them all. From here we see 3 valleys and a great snow peak right across from us. A good place to lean back and think.
	FIFTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: We leave our camp in Maizal and walk towards the San Juan pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area- first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We take lunch at the pass in 4000 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.
SIXTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY : We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes- especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the night.
	SEVENTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: We now walk the about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas.
EIGHTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: From the Playa to the Hydroelectric at the Urubamba River. This morning we will work up one newly opened Inca trail. This trail originally was used to transport agricultural products to the population on Machu Picchu and it takes us through an area with coffee plantations and subtropical fruits and crops. As we come up higher the trail the vegetations changes between dry and grassy with flowers and moist cloud forest. In the pass we are suddenly in a cool dense wood full of trees covered with thick mosses. Shortly hereafter we see for the first time the impressing Machu Picchu on a mountain saddle further into the valley. 10 minutes more and we arrive to our lunch spot called Llactapata. He we have our lunch while enjoying the views of Machu Picchu and the beautiful mountains. Then we walk the last part downhill and along the river to the Hydroelectric. Here we can visit on fine Intihuatana while waiting for the train or continue walking to Aguas Calientes where we arrive in the afternoon. We spend the night in a nice hotel.
	NINTH CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DAY: From Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take the train to Ollantaytambo, and from here bus to Cusco. In Cusco we go to at central placed hotel close to the colonial style Plaza de Armas.

IMPORTANT:

Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.

CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure choquequirao & machu picchu briefing at Hotel or Office *Give us details of the place you are going to stay in cusco please.
• Professional Quechua Spanish and English speaking choquequirao & machu picchu tour guide
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) from 4:30 to 5:00 am
• Private Transportation Van Cusco to Cachora ( trailhead) molle pata
• Local Transportation from la playa to Santa Teresa (2 hours aprox. )
•Tourist train (cerrojo-backpacker ) back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (2 hours aprox.) and then bus back to Cusco(1 and half hours aprox. )
• Entrance fees to Choquequirao and Machu picchu
• Food: *8 breakfasts,8 lunches, 8 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 8 dinners (click here to see a sample of quechuas expeditions food)
• 4 season HIGH QUALITY PROPER MOUNTAIN TENT (Best Mountain Hardwear & kayla Doite Tents ) (We use only the finest quality aluminum tent poles)4 man tent for 2-people so there will be plenty of space to set up your backpacks (click here to see details of quechuas expeditions Camping Equipment)
• Camping equipment (tent for the staff, cooking and eating tents. portable chairs and tables )
• THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.)(click here to see details of quechuas expeditions Camping Equipment)
• Cook who is in charge of making the food,
• Horsemen, mules or porters Weight allowance: Our horses will carry up to 24 pounds or 12 kilograms of your personal belongings.
If you would like to hire a private horse, ( let us know at the time of booking)(they also carry cooking stuff and camping equipment )
• 1 emergency horse to ride every 3 persons - days 1 to 5
• 1 night accommodation in a hostel Aguas Calientes (click here to see the hostal in aguas calientes town)
• Health Insurance for our porters, cooks,guides, field crew and Quechuas Expeditions staff
• Wake up coca tea each morning in your tent for a gentle start
• Quechuas Expeditions Free duffel bag for your personal stuff
• Oxygen balloon for any emergency
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes 
• Boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• Two-hours guided tour upon your arrival in Machu Picchu( to explore every important temple of the Santuary).
• Single Tents and vegetarian meals available upon request with no extra cost
• Free "I survived " T-shirt and certificate (only for PEOPLE who successfully complete the trek!!)
• Transfer train or bus station-hotel in Cusco
• First Aid kit for Emergencies.
• Free Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco.
Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our Quechuas Expeditions office.

Quechuas Expeditions Additional Things Include From March 2012 - January 2013

• Portables Tent & Biodegradable Toilet (toilet waste bags) Quechuas Expeditions allows you to bring the comforts of home along for an enjoyable trip.Having a toilet in your home away from home may be convenience at its finest. Camping. so you don't have to go out into the woods in the middle of the night to do your business.( Click here to see inca treks toilets)
• Responsible Tourism and Well-paid and well-treated porters(HOW YOU CAN HELP ENSURE PROPER TREATMENT)(Click here to see a detailed page)
• Quechuas Expeditions Bottle for free. Get one for free at the office.

NOTE: Train included in all tours is the Cerrojo-backpacker (Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo) Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 14:00 and being the 9:00 pm the last train. quechuas expeditions will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).

Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on www.perurail.com click here to see timestable and availability.If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpaker cerrojo train to ollantaytambo ) for an increased price.of US$ 60 let us know please.

(click Below to see Train details)
| Backpacker Train | Vistadome Train | Hiram Bigham Train |

CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU DOESN'T INCLUDE:

• Breakfast on the first morning (ask at your hotel)
• Entrance to the hot springs water Santa Teresa / Colcalmayo 15 soles or Aguas Calientes 10 soles(click here to see hot springs)
• Sleeping bag (goose down) -15ºC-extreme it can be hired from us US$ 40 for all trek mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 25 trips
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (optional/ instead of walking) ( one way US$8 and you can Buy it at the Aguas Calientes bus station) aguas calientes to Machupicchu.
• Last Lunch in aguas calientes town
• Bus down tickets from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town US$8 one way
• Travel and health insurance.(bring copies with you please):Quechuas Expeditions highly recommend to get an insurance of trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment. Included with your pre-departure package, bring your travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss and delay, emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense insurance.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU :

• Original passport and copies (and Student card (ISIC) green card if you are student ). Note ( you have to bring your student card to machu picchu because you are going to be required to show at the Machupicchu control point
• Travel Insurance card is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included)
• hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Sun hat and gloves
• T-shirts / shirts
• Comfortable hiking zip off trousers
• Rain pants
• Bathing suit (for hot springs in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes)
• Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong
• Insect Repellent ( for mosquitos )15 % of deet at least
• Water bottle.
• Water purifying tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries (flashlight) we recommend headlights
• Extra contribution suggested in soles money for tipping horseman, cook and guide. and for any emergency.
 

OPTIONAL ITEMS TO BRING ON CHOQUEQUIRAO & MACHU PICCHU :

• Short pants , Plaster and bandages
• Walking poles (with rubber tips) they can also be hired from us
NOTE walking poles are not allowed into machu picchu city.

Antes de imprimir seleccione solo lo necesario y piense en el MEDIO AMBIENTE / Think of our environment and select only what is necessary before printing.