Day 1    Cusco - Cachora - Playa Rosalinda
We will leave your hotel in Cusco at 6 am in our private van and head west towards Abancay. After 4 hrs we'll arrive in the pueblo of Cachora where we will meet up with our mulateer and mules which will carry our gear (5 kilos max/person). We will spend the day first descending towards the Apurimac river and along trails to the mirador of Capuliyoc and Cocamasana where we could possibly hear and see landslides in the distance or see nearby condors. We will continue past overcrowded campsites and finally arrive in Playa Rosalina (2200m/7215ft). Tent camping, park bathrooms and showers provided.

Meals LD

Day 2    Marampata - Choquequirao
After breakfast we'll cross the Apurimac river by bridge and begin our hike from 1400m/4593ft to 3000m/10006ft. We'll pass by the campsites of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta finally leveling off at Marampata where we'll have lunch. After a couple of hours we have reached the park and campsite of Choquequirao in the cloud forest. Dinner and camping at Choquequirao park's site with bathrooms and showers provided.

Meals BLD

Day 3    Choquequirao Ruins - Pinchiunuyoc Ruins
This morning after a hearty breakfast we'll explore the ruins of Choquequirao. We'll learn about the significance of the Inca's construction of double niches and window placement. We'll visit the main plaza, Haran, Pikiwasi and Llama sector. If time allows some may go downhill to see the overgrown Agricultural Sector where a lonely house of stone faces a waterfall. After lunch we'll continue on further up and over to Choquequirao's backside, mirador and finally arriving at more ruins and Pinchiunuyoc (2427m/7963ft) where we will have dinner at the ruins and make our campsite for the night.

Meals BLD

Day 4    Rio Blanco - Maizal
Leaving Pinchiunuyoc we'll descend to 1869m/6134ft and the Rio Blanco, "White River" named for the continual whitewater breaking over boulders. We can cool off in pristine clean water and rest a while before beginning another uphill hike. This day is very similar to our first day climbing to Choquequirao. We'll soon find ourselves in the Bosque Relicto "Relic Forest" where it is possible to find wild fruits such as tomatillos, bean pods, vibrant butterflies and even Walking Stick insects. Long sleeves work best here. Soon we pass through this ecological niche and find ourselves again heading for the clouds until we reach Maizal at 3032m/9946ft. The view here tonight from your tent is surreal and it feels like sleeping in the clouds when the mist moves in and becomes lit by the moon "Mama Quilla".

Meals BLD

Day 5    Yanama Pass - Yanama
This morning after breakfast we'll again head upwards through cloud forest finding copper mines along the way. We'll reach the pass at 4108 m/13480ft around lunch time where we can relax and take in the panorama. Then we'll begin a 2 hr descent to Yanama (3547m/11638ft), again passing by mines cut straight into the mountain. The views here are more crisp at this higher "Altiplano" elevation. We leave behind the humid jungle setting and embrace for a colder night near a campfire and we can see that Yanama gets pure glacier water and excellent pressure. This night marks the end of our difficult portion of the trek. Tonight we can celebrate with a soda or beer from the nearby tienda. Night camping with full / basic facilities.

Meals BLD

Day 6    Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Today we begin with a passenger van ride through altiplano backcountry ~4 hrs. We'll first head up he valley to the Totora Pass where we may have to do some light maintenance where the river intersects with the road. This is a nice break from the duration and gives us a chance to snap photos of the surrounding landscape. After crossing the pass by car we head down towards Totora where it becomes greener and warmer. We continue by car through Cocalpampa (Salkantay Trek intersection) and down into jungle, watching the Santa Teresa River wind it's way along the road. Finally we reach Santa Teresa around 11 am and take a transfer with our backpacks to the Hydroelectric station "Hidroelectrica". After a short 10 min ride we begin a 2 hr walk along flat ground a follow the tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes early afternoon. Soon we're checked in to our hotel, cleaned up and ready to explore this very touristic town. Night in hostal.

Meals BLD

Day 7    Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning we'll walk 1.5 - 2 hrs up to Machu Picchu for a 1.5 hr tour followed by 1.5 hrs free time to explore more or take photos. In the afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then transfer to Cusco and your hotel. What a trek!

Meals B (Boxed Lunch)