The Inca Valley adventure September 2010

Day 1 - September 12th Arriving to Cusco City (3600 m.a.s.l /11811 ft.)

Upon arrival to Cusco city airport our private shuttle will be waiting and taking us to our Hotel for relaxing time and brief welcome. This day we will just stay in the City of Cusco (3600 m.a.s.l) getting acclimatize to the altitude, enjoying the beautiful surroundings this city offers.

Day 2 - September 13th Cusco City Tour and Ruins

Today we will start our adventure with the visit of Inca sacred ruins located in the surrounding of Cusco city. We will visit Inca ruins as “Sacsayhuaman” (Once an Inca fortress where the actual Inti raymi or sun festival is celebrated every year), “Awanacancha” (Alpaca farm) and “Pisac Ruins” and Market in the Sacred Valley (2600 m.a.s.l/ 8530ft.) This afternoon we will return to our Hotel in Cusco to spend second night, so then next early morning departs toward the Apurimac River where the Rafting experience will begin.

Apurimac River 3n/4d

The Apurimac River (a Quechua word meaning "the voice of God") is the most distant source of the world's deepest river, the mighty Amazon. Cascading off majestic snow covered peaks, The Apurimac carves through the Andes as it flows northward eventually joining several other Peruvian rivers before crossing into Brazil. The Apurimac along with the Cotahuasi and Colca, are among the deepest river canyons in the world and are all found in Southern Peru.

In its final thrust through the Andes into the jungle, the waters of the Apurimac flow through a deep forming countless Class III, IV and V rapids. This inner canyon with its imposing sheer granite walls, impressive geological formations, clear aquamarine water, and beautiful sand beaches creates the gem of the Andes and one of the most sought after river expeditions on Earth.

Day 3 - September 14th Cusco to Huallpachaca and Rafting

Departure from the city of Cusco, heading southwest to the bridge of Huallpachaca (elevation: 2000 m.a.s.l – 6600 ft.). The road to the river passes through rural farm lands with impressive views of the Apurimac Valley. At the put in to the river, lunch is served while the rafts are loaded. In the afternoon, we paddle for about one and a half hours down Class III and IV rapids and reach our first campsite.

Our team of guides travel ahead to prepare camp and set up tents. Once in camp we will be able to relax with a beer, hot tea, coffee, and appetizers while a gourmet multi-course dinner is prepared.

Day 4 - September 15th Rafting

The morning begins with a nutritious breakfast. We then raft down the deepest section of the canyon and through one of the most beautiful parts of the trip: a stretch of Class III rapids between towering walls of granite strikingly carved and sculpted by the eternal flow of water. Rafting the river is the only way to explore these incredible canyons. The guides prepare lunch around mid-day at one of the many white sand beaches. In the afternoon we portage (walk through) around two very difficult rapids and then navigate a bunch of fun Class IV whitewater rapids before arriving at our second camp. With all the tents set up, another evening of deluxe food and time spent around the campfire will let the sun to set.

Day 5 - September 16th Rafting

After a leisurely and filling breakfast we’ll run several Class III and IV rapids with picturesque names such as "Trinche" (Meat Fork) and "Mesa" ("Table"). These rapids work as the training ground for the trip highlight: the celebrated Class V rapid known by the very appropriate name of "Dolor de Muela" ("Toothache"). This rapid is big and must be portaged at certain water levels. The trips final camp is located just downstream.

Day 6 - September 17th Rafting – Puente Cunyac- Cusco

Another day of Class IV and V rapids with names such as "Babalua" and "La Ultima Sonrisa" ("The Last Smile"). The wind down is a wonderful Class II and III section that leads to our take-out at Puente Cunyac (Cunyac Bridge). Here we meet our transport back to Cusco. Prior to departure a hot lunch with choice of beverage will be served in a shaded shelter at the take out. We will return to our Hotel in Cusco city and spend one more night, so then next early morning depart towards our hiking start point aiming the sacred Inca site of “Choquequirao”

Choquequirao 5d/4n

Choquequirao “Cradle of gold” (elev.: 3,103 m.a.s.l /1017 ft.) is a large archaeological complex which is still undergoing clearing and restoration. It is located up the right bank of the Apurimac River Canyon, west of Cusco and about 50-60kms west of the great snowcapped peak of Salkantay (elev.: 6,271m.a.s.l /20659ft.). This trek affords remarkable landscapes and mountain scenery as well as abundant sub tropical Andean flora and fauna.

Day 7 - September 18th Cusco to Chiquisca

We depart early in the morning by private transport heading to Cachora, Andean community located in the vicinity of Apurimac River’s left bank, approximately 5 hours ride from Cusco city. After more or less half trip we will stop and visit Tarawasi which was a sacred Inca sanctuary. The "cellular" polygonal stone masonry walling, naturally decorated with bright reddish orange lichens, constitutes a particularly noteworthy feature of the site.

Continuing after Tarawasi, crossing the Apurimac River, we keep on until we get to “Saywite”, where we will stop and visit the archeological site with the same name, consisting of a large carved boulder believed to represent a plan or chart plotting the general layout of the “Tawantinsuyo” (the "Realm of the Four Quarters", as the Inca Empire was known) and which includes along with its cartographical features, a remarkable array of zoomorphic carvings representative of deities and totemic beings.

Leaving Saywite we will continue for another 30 minutes or so to the community of Cachora (elevation 2800m.a.s.l /9184ft) where we will stop to have a break and enjoy our lunch box that will be provided. This afternoon we will start hiking heading to the Abra Capuliyoc or pass Capuliyoc (2750 m.a.s.l /9020ft). Reaching the top we will be able to view some snowcapped peaks of the “Cordillera Vilcabamba” and the Apurimac River Canyon. After a load of amazing views and nature we will continue to descend for another two more hours until we get to the town of Chiquisca, where we will camp for the night. Meals: L, D

Day 8 - September 19th Chiquisca to Choquequirao

Departing Chiquisca very early in the morning we will start descending heading Rosalina Beach by the Apurimac River (elevation 1450m.a.s.l/4756ft.) From Rosalina we will cross over to the right bank of the Apurimac River and promptly begin a steeply zigzagging ascent to Santa Rosa. Reaching Santa Rosa, we will take a well deserved half hour break where we will be able to enjoy –those that may wish to do so- a sample of a local sugarcane extract known as "Cambray". After a good recovery break we will follow ascending for another 2 to 3 hours until successfully arriving at our lunch spot in Marampata, from where, when lunch is finished and digested, we will hike for another 2 hours until we get in to the Inca site of Choquequirao. Here we will camp and enjoy of the afternoon views of River Apurimac and the sacred site. As the sun sets it’s most worthwhile to sit and contemplate the Grand Canyon of the Apurimac where soaring Condor (largest flying birds in western hemisphere) are very often sighted. Meals: B.L, D

Day 9 - September 20th Choquequirao (3,103 m.a.s.l /1017 ft)

Today we will have the amazing opportunity of getting a guided tour around the citadel. We will be able to see around Choquequirao and appreciate the upper area or Hanan and the lower area or Urin as well as various areas that remain covered by foliage and have yet to undergo the cleanup and restoration work required to reinstate the general appearance and character that it bore in Inca times. Meals: B, L, D

Day 10 - September 21st Choquequirao to Chiquisca

We start out on our return hike to Santa Rosa and then to Chiquisca.

From now on we will continue our return through basically the same route we used to come, stopping for snacks breaks and meals. Meals: B.L,D

Day 11 - September 22nd Chiquisca to Cachora to Ollantaytambo

From Chiquisca, we are going to continue on our backtracking to Abra Capuliyoc, in the vicinity of which we will indulge lunch. This afternoon, we will follow our original route to Cachora where our private transport will take us back to Ollantaytambo (2800 m.a.s.l/9160 ft.) in the Sacred Valley. We will spend the night in Ollantaytambo town in a beautiful hotel by the train station with the same name. Early next morning we will visit Ollantaytambo ruins which were used for cultivation and surveillance in times of the Inca Empire. This afternoon we take the train to Aguas Calientes, train station town where the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu is located. Meals: B.L

Day 12 - September 23rd Aguas Calientes (2040 m.a.s.l/ 6700 ft.)

This evening we will arrive to Aguas Calientes and go straight to our hotel where we will be able to take a rest before we get together for diner and get brief information of what we will find in Machu Picchu.

Day 13 - September 24th Machu Picchu (2430 m.a.s.l/8000 ft.)

Finally today we will have the unique opportunity of visiting the sacred citadel and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Depending on our stamina and adventure spirit there will be two ways of reaching up the sacred site. We can take an early shuttle which will drive us up to the site in 30 minutes aprox. Or we can start a very early 1hour and 30 minutes climb this morning up to the citadel. The climb up to Machu Picchu is very safe and steep, highly recommended due to the amazing sunrise that will be waiting for us in the top.

This afternoon after some hours enjoying Machu Picchu we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our private shuttle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, spend our last night and say goodbye with fancy diner.

Day 14 – September 25th

Transport to Airport Our private shuttle will take us to the airport.

Services included

  • Private transport
  • Tour Leaders, Guides and porters during the trip
  • Hotels
  • Casa Andina Plaza (Cusco 4 nights) http://www.casa-andina.com/peru/hotels/cusco-hotels/cusco-hotels.php
  • El Albergue (Ollantaytambo 1 night), www.elalbergue.com
  • Andina Luxury (Aguas Calientes 1 night), no web page published yet.
  • Tours tickets

Tents while camping:

  • Meals mentioned in the program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Diner)
  • Kayaks and Rafting equipments
  • Train tickets
  • Archaeological site tickets
  • Snacks

Services not included

  • Meals that are not described on "services included"
  • Air tickets
  • Tips
  • Sleeping Bags & Mats