DISCOVER THE LOST CITY OF CHOQUEQUIRAO AND MACHU PICCHU 12D

Welcome to Peru. Depending on your arrival time at Lima International Airport, our representative will be waiting for you. They will transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores. They will assist you with exchanging dollars, provide recommendations, and provide information about your tour for the following days. Then, you will begin a walking tour of the most touristic sites in Miraflores. We will also head to the Green Coast, where you will have incredible views of the Peruvian Ocean.

It's time to fly to the Peruvian Andes. 3 hours before the departure time of your domestic flight to the historic city of Cusco, a shuttle will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to the Lima airport, from where you will board your flight to Cusco's Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport. After a 60-minute flight, you will arrive in Cusco, located at an altitude of 3,310 meters above sea level/10,860 feet. Upon departure, a shuttle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the historic center to settle in. In the afternoon at 3:00 pm, we will walk to the San Pedro Market. Depending on the location of your hotel, we will be there in 5 to 10 minutes. We will learn about the living culture of the population inside and around the market. Inside the San Pedro Market, you will find a variety of products, including fresh juices, cheese, chuta bread (circular bread in large sizes), coffee, coca leaves, and handicrafts that are representative of the city, such as ponchos, chullos, and alpaca sweaters. If you would like, you can try some of the food items sold at the various stands.
We will continue our tour and a few minutes away is the Santa Clara Arch. Beautiful for its design and architecture, it is one of the arches that surrounds the city of Cusco. We will pass by San Francisco Square, where we will be able to observe a botanical garden displaying the native Andean flora of the region. We will walk along Marqués Street until we reach Cusco's main square, located at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level (11,151 feet). It is also known as Aucaypata, a Quechua name meaning "important place." Today, this place is surrounded by beautiful cobblestone streets, portals, and many tourists of different nationalities who visit the imperial city daily. It is also a favorite spot for visitors to enjoy the restaurants surrounding the square.
We will walk along Av. el Sol, the main avenue, and here are the banks, ATMs, and currency exchange offices, providing access to various attractions. Continuing our walk, we will arrive at the Coricancha Temple of the Sun. Its architectural beauty was a very important religious structure during the Inca Empire. We will visit this temple from the outside. Today, it is one of Cusco's main tourist attractions. Every year on June 24th, the "INTI RAYMI" sun festival is celebrated on the Coricancha esplanade.

Our last stop will be very close to the Qoricancha temple. It's time to experience preparing a delicious Pisco Sour. Our bartender will explain the ingredients we'll be using and the quantities to use, such as pisco, lemon, egg white, and others. After a brief explanation, everyone can prepare their own drink, always under the supervision of our team. It's time to try our drinks. If you're happy with the preparation, you can do it at home. We'll be finishing around 6:00 p.m.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Cusco, your guide will pick you up at 8:00 am. You will head to the Maras Salt Mines (3,200 masl/10,499 ft). This journey takes approximately 1 hour. The road is paved and near the Maras Salt Mines is a dirt road, but don't worry, the transportation will be adequate for your trip. During the trip, we will observe fields of wheat, potatoes, barley, and other crops. During the rainy season, the landscape is impressive, as everything turns green. The inhabitants of these areas are dedicated to agriculture and animal grazing. There are more than 3,000 salt ponds located in this place. From the top, an incredible landscape can be seen. According to researchers, this product was formerly used to dehydrate food and make it last longer. Currently, this type of dehydration is used in remote communities. The residents who own the wells extract the salt every week. During the dry season, it is extracted every 2 to 3 days. This product is selected in layers and used for human, medicinal, and animal consumption. To generate salt, the wells are fed by springs found in the area's mountains. We will then continue to the archaeological site of Moray (3,500 meters above sea level/11,483 feet). This site was once an agricultural laboratory where crops were grown in different altitudes. The circular terraces create a unique natural landscape. It's time to return to Chinchero, specifically to the town of Pongobamba, where we will take part in an Andean experience preparing PACHAMANCA, an ancestral dish prepared in a unique way. Layered with meats, potatoes, and vegetables, the dishes are layered with aromatic herbs. All of these ingredients are cooked underground with hot stones and covered with leaves of local plants, infusing this ancestral dish with a multitude of flavors.
At the end of our incredible experience, we will return to Cusco, taking with us memories of music, dance, unique cuisine, and the vibrant traditions of Chinchero.

We will start this adventure very early, pick you up from your hotel at approximately 4:30 a.m., and then head off on our tourist transportation for 5 hours until we reach Capuliyoc (altitude: 2,890 masl/9,482 ft). At this location, we will meet some of the staff who will accompany us for 4 days. The cook, the horses, and the muleteer will be in charge of transporting equipment and supplies for each day. We will repack our personal belongings to begin this journey. The hike starts off easy, but as the hours pass, we will feel a little tired. During this journey, we will be accompanied by surprising landscapes and the incredible view of the Apurimac Canyon. Also, in front of us, we will have a panoramic view of the Vilcabamba (Padreyoc) mountain range. We will continue and begin to descend for 3 hours through landscapes and surrounded by medicinal plants such as muña, chilca, among others. We will descend until we reach Chiquisca (altitude: 1900 masl / 6234 ft), where we will have our lunch prepared by our chef who accompanies us on this adventure. We'll then take a 30-minute break and continue descending until we reach Rosalinas Beach (altitude: 1,500 meters above sea level/4,921 feet). Then, we'll begin ascending to our first campsite in Santa Rosa (altitude: 1,970 meters above sea level/6,463 feet). Prepare for dinner, then enjoy the silence of the darkness.

Enjoy morning tea and start organizing your things until breakfast time. Be prepared. This day is the most challenging, as we will have to climb uphill for approximately 4 hours until we reach Marampata. Along the way, we will stop to visit the locals who produce the alcoholic beverage, cañazo, from sugarcane. We will stop to enjoy lunch prepared by our mountain chef. From here, we will have spectacular views of the valleys. Prepare again and for another 2 hours, we will continue uphill until we reach Choquequirao (altitude: 3,050 meters above sea level/10,007 feet). Here, we will have a breathtaking view and tour the most important sites of the archaeological site. With your guide, learn about its history and why it is considered the lost city. Choquequirao was one of the last cities built in the cloud forest and was abandoned during the Spanish invasion. It is said to have been a checkpoint for entering Vilcabamba.
Explore important sites such as the llama sector, the astronomical sector, and its terraces.
After enjoying the landscape of the local flora and fauna, it's time to descend to our second camp located in Marampata. Enjoy the afternoon surrounded by nature and then prepare for dinner.

Wake up early and have breakfast at camp. Hydrate well, as you'll need strength for the return trip. We begin the approximately 3-hour downhill hike until we reach Playa Rosalinas (altitude: 1,500 meters above sea level/4,921 feet). Here we can refresh ourselves in the waters of the Apurímac River. After a short rest, we will begin our 2-hour ascent to Chiquisca (190 meters above sea level/6234 feet), where we will have lunch. This is a perfect day to enjoy the flora, as if your trip is during the rainy season, the entire area will be covered in orchids and flowers accompanied by birdsong. We will also see waterfalls in the distance. During this day's hike, if we are lucky, we may even see condors soaring overhead.

Enjoy a spectacular last night surrounded by mountains and incredible landscapes.
The next day, we will begin our return journey.

Enjoy your last breakfast on the trail. Get ready for the return to Cusco. We'll start early to avoid the heat of the day. We'll hike the last 4 hours until we reach Capuliyoc (2,890 meters above sea level / 9,482 feet). Here we say goodbye to some of the team that accompanied us on the trek. The muleteers and horses have finished their work as a thank you, and depending on the work they did, you can leave a tip.

On the way back, we'll stop at the Conoc hot springs, a natural pool located at the foot of a mountain and on the banks of the river. Take some time to relax your foot muscles after a 4-day adventure and relieve any fatigue. Then, it's time to return to our transportation to return to Cusco. A 3-hour drive to the historic center, we'll drop you off at your hotel for a restful night.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. A shuttle will pick you up at a predetermined time according to your train schedule and transfer you to the Ollantaytambo station. From there, you'll board your Vistadome Observatory train with an onboard show, bound for Aguas Calientes. Along the way, you'll admire the lush vegetation, while the mighty Urubamba River flows alongside the train, providing incredible and unique views.
You'll enjoy this 1-hour and 40-minute train ride, accompanied by music and dancers, making your experience unforgettable. Upon arrival, a staff member will be waiting to assist you at the hotel so you can settle into your room in Aguas Calientes. You have the afternoon free to enjoy the tranquility of the town of Aguas Calientes (2040 masl/6693 ft), go to lunch at the various restaurants in the area, or relax at the hotel.

Today we will leave early to be the first to enjoy the majesty of Machu Picchu. Don't forget to bring your passport.
We will board the first buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The journey takes 35 to 40 minutes. The road zigzags through dense vegetation until we reach the entrance gate to Machu Picchu (altitude: 2,430 meters above sea level/7,972 feet). If you wish, you can use the restrooms, as there are no restrooms inside the sanctuary. Together with our guide, we will begin the tour on the assigned route. The charm and mysticism of Machu Picchu will connect you with the nature and history of this place. You will be amazed by the precision of the stone carvings and the hydraulic system used by the Incas. The guide will make stops to give details of each site we visit, where you can also take photographs.
After a 2.5-hour ride, it's time to return. You'll take the bus down the same route to Aguas Calientes. Here, enjoy lunch at the various restaurants available at your own expense. You can also explore the town on foot, as there is no transportation.
Depending on your return train schedule, you should arrive 30 minutes in advance to the Aguas Calientes station. The return route is the same to the Ollantaytambo station. Upon arrival, a designated shuttle will be waiting for you and will return you to your hotel in Urubamba (altitude: 2,871 meters above sea level/9,420 feet).

This day is free for you to rest and explore the city on foot. You can visit museums, craft centers, and enjoy lunch at the restaurants in the Plaza de Armas on your own.
After the adventure touring Choquequirao and Machu Picchu, it's time to relax. You can enjoy a massage session for an additional fee. Consult your sales representative if you require this service.

We'll start the tour early in the morning, around 4:00 a.m. The guide will pick you up from your hotel. We'll travel for 3 hours to the town of Mollepata, where we'll have breakfast. Then, we'll board the vehicle again and head to Soraypampa (3,900 masl/12,796 ft). The road is dirt and runs through a lot of vegetation, and this journey takes approximately 1 hour. Upon arriving in Soraypampa, we'll have an overview of the hike we'll be doing that day. At this point, we'll give you trekking poles, which will be very useful for the ascent to the lagoon. The trail is approximately 1 hour uphill, and the final section requires some physical effort as it is a bit steep. Along the way, we'll be accompanied by beautiful mountain views and also appreciate the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay (6,271 meters) and Humantay.
Once you reach the summit, you'll be amazed by the landscape and the turquoise waters of Humantay Lagoon (4,200 meters above sea level/13,780 feet). The lagoon is fed by the glaciers that surround the area. Along with the guide, we'll perform a ceremony to thank the sacred Apus for welcoming us and for their protection during our journey. As a sign of achievement, we'll place apachetas, or stones, one on top of the other. We will remain there for approximately 40 minutes, where you can take beautiful photographs that will remain engraved in your camera and in your memories. Then, we will begin descending along the same route to where our transportation will be waiting for us, which will take us back to Mollepata, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco. We will arrive approximately at 5:00 p.m. In the evening, you can opt for a farewell dinner, as this will be your last night in Cusco.

Enjoy your last breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. It's time to say goodbye. At a predetermined time depending on your flight, we will transfer you to the Cusco airport, where you will board your flight to Lima. From Lima, you can connect to your international flight.