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Choquequirao The Sister City Trek 5D/4N
Description
Two miles above the Apurimac Gorge stands
the imposing fort and town of Chokequirao. Hiram
Bingham was brought here by a treasure-hunting
provincial official, and so unexpectedly began
his adventures in the highlands that led to the
discovery of Machu Picchu. Bingham wrote: ''Magnificent
precipices guard the ruins on every side Every
avenue of ascent, except such as the engineers
determined to leave open, was closed, and every
strategic spot was elaborately fortified.'' Come
see the terrifying canyon of the Apurimac (''Thunder
Under the Mountain'') and the ancient fortress
that controlled it.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco - Cachora
We go by bus to the town of Cachora, which
is located in the department of Apurimac, on the
south bank of the Apurimac River. We head east
across the plains of Anta and cross the
watershed from the high puna to high tropical
valleys running into the Apurimac. We cross the
river and travel among the fertile valleys of
the province of Apurimac, where the river has
been bridged directly below Chokequirao. On the
way we will visit the complexes of Sawite and
Tarawasi. The Rosalina beach at the bottom of
the gorge is also an optional place to camp.
Day 2 Climb up to the ruins. Condors.
We descend 7000 feet to the river, cross the
suspension bridge over the raging Apurimac River,
climb back up to a pass that is 6000 feet above
the river, and then navigate to the ruins, 5800
feet above the river. This will take all day. In
the evening we encounter a refreshing cataract
of glacial water and know we are nearly at the
end. At night we camp among the ruins. Bingham
writes, As we mounted, the view of the valley
became more and more magnificent. Nowhere had I
ever witnessed such beauty and grandeur as was
here displayed. The white torrent of the
Apurimac raged through the canyon thousands of
feet below us. Where its sides were not sheer
precipices or scarred by recent avalanches, the
steep slopes were covered with green foliage and
luxuriant flowers. From the hilltops near us
other slopes rose six thousand feet above to
glaciers and snow-capped summits
Day 3 Outlying buildings.
The guide will give an explanatory lecture
about what we see. We will go on excursions to
the outlying buildings. Bingham writes, At the
top of the southern and outer precipice, five
thousand eight hundred feet immediately above
the river, stands a parapet, and the walls of
two buildings without windows. The view from
here, both up and down the valley, surpasses the
possibilities of language for adequate
description The ruins have two main sectors,
one above and NW of the other, reminiscent of
Machu Picchu, and many outlying suburbs.
Day 4 Descend to the Apurimac river
Today we return to Cachora. We may see
Condors or high jungle vegetation. Bingham says,
Far down the gigantic canyon one catches little
glimpses of the Apurimac, a white stream shut in
between guardian mountains, so narrowed by the
distance that it seems like a mere brooklet.
Here and there through the valley are marvellous
cataracts, one of which has a clear fall of over
one thousand feet. The panorama in every
direction is wonderful in variety, contrast,
beauty, and grandeur.
Day 5 Cachora - Cusco.
We will take the bus to Cusco. Once we
re-cross the river, we pass Limatambo, whose
ruins may have been the main communication point
between Choquequirao and Cusco.
Included :
Private service
Professional English/Spanish Speaking guide
Private Bus in and out to the beginning of the
trail (Cusco-Cachora,)
Round-trip Transfers
Doubles Occupancy Tents
Camping Equipment: Bathroom tent, kitchen tent,
dining tent, stools, tables and comfortable
mattresses
Cook
Muleteer
Horses and Mules to carry our equipment
Coffee breaks in the afternoons
All meals during the trek
First aid kit/Oxygen
We Recommend Bringing:
Personal Sleeping Bag
Backpack and Daypack
Hiking shoes or boots
Water bottle, flashlight, hat, sun block,
sunglasses
Warm/Thermal clothes, Raincoat
Chocolates, candies or other snacks
Camera + Film, Binoculars
Prices:
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SERVICIO PRIVADO |
Collective Service |
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Duration |
1 PAX |
2 PAX |
4 PAX |
6 PAX |
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5 Days |
955 |
545 |
480 |
410 |
380 |
*Prices For a Person in US Dollars
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