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  6. Peru from Cuzco to the Cordillera Blanca - Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu and Santa Cruz trek

Peru from Cuzco to the Cordillera Blanca - Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu and Santa Cruz trek

Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu and Santa Cruz trek / 17 days in the heart of the Andes.

In stock: 15

3 120,00€ inc. tax

hiking Peru vacations

Video of the Santa Cruz trek and meeting place :

Product Information - Description

Trek Choquequirao Huaraz v1

Specifications

# Choquequirao / Machu Picchu Santa Cruz Total
Active days of trek Day 4 to 10 Day 12 to 15 11 days
Level of difficulty 5/5 4/5 5/5
Distance traveled 42,25 miles 32,31 miles 74,56 miles
Cumulative positive elevation +6766m +1697m +8463m
Cumulative negative elevation -5802m -2536m -8338m
Nature 5/5 5/5 5/5
Culture 5/5 1/5 3/5
Meeting 3/5 3/5 3/5
Recommended minimum age 18 years old 18 years old 18 years old
Comfort Tent + hotel Tent Tent + hotel

We will start our stay with visiting several ancient cities for "stretching our legs", then we will visit two the most emblematic cities of Peru, taking the Inca route which connects them. This is not commonly used route, but it is no less impressive than Saltankay or the Gate of the Sun.

We will take the opportunity to move to the north of Peru and reach to the Cordillera Blanca. From there we will continue our trip to Huaraz, one of the most magnificent national parks in Peru.

 

Difficulty levels :

(Click on the pictograms for more information)

Technique : Effort : Risk :

Technique lvl 4

Effort lvl 5

Risque lvl 5

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, night in Miraflores

Arrival in Lima according to the schedule of your international flight. Meeting with a member of our team and transfer to a hotel in the Miraflores area, where we will spend the first night.

  • Hotel in Miraflores Standard
  • French-speaking guide for the transfer
  • Transfer

Day 2: Visit of Cuzco and four surrounding ruins

Morning flight to Cuzco.

Discovery of the colonial city of Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire.

Visit of Koricancha, the temple of the sun, which represented the most sacred place of the Inca Empire. Then we will discover the four neighboring ruins of Qenqo, Pukara, Tambomachay and finally Saqsaywaman, the fabulous rampart above the city. End of free day in Cuzco. Overnight in Cuzco.

  • Hotel in Cuzco
  • French-speaking guide
  • Entrance ticket to Koricancha
  • Entrance tickets to the four ruins mentioned in the program
  • Private transport to get to the four ruins
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish

Day 3: Maras, Moray, Chinchero, Cuzco.

We will start our day with discovery of the open-air saltworks of Maras, whose salt exploitation dates back to the time of the Incas. This landscape of thousands of man-made terraces is very impressive. The Maras site is still currently operated by locals in the form of a cooperative and Maras salt has become renowned in gastronomy.

Then we will visit the site of Moray, a veritable agronomic laboratory. The Incas had recreated different microclimates there thanks to a system of terraces, which allowed them to study the seeds and their yield according to the altitude.

And finally, we will stop in a typical Peruvian village of Chinchero, where we can admire some of the most beautiful traditional costumes of Peru. Chinchero has a rich cultural heritage, it is believed that this is one of the few places fully planned by Incas, it is entirely built on the site of the Inca’s settlement.

Return to Cuzco with night in Cuzco.

  • Hotel in Cuzco
  • French-speaking guide
  • Entrance – tickets to all attractions according to the program
  • Private transport for getting attractions
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish

Choquequirao is an Inca site, the remnant of a huge city lost in the Vilcabamba Valley (Plain of Spirits), and whose access is earned: neither car nor other type of transport allows you to get there. A magnificent trek during which the concept of adventure will take on its full meaning.
The physical effort generated to reach this destination is intense - significant elevation changes, steep paths - but largely rewarded by the beauty of the scenery that will accompany us during these few days of walking, among the richest in biodiversity in the whole country.
Perched on a mountain and on the edge of the Amazonian forest, the “Cradle of Gold” (in queshua) would have been the last refuge of the Incas against the Spanish occupation. We invite you to discover the “Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu” via an itinerant trek which will then take you to Machu Picchu, passing at the foot of snow-capped mountains then plunging into humid forests passing through one of the deepest canyons of the world, the Apurimac canyon.
We will leave Cuzco to reach the village of Cachora by road, on the heights of the Apurimac canyon. The vehicle will drop us off not far from the Capuliyoc pass (2880m) where our first walk will begin.
A long descent will take us to the Chiquisqa camp (1840m), in the depths of the Apurimac canyon, where we will spend our first night.

  • Night in tent
  • Private transportation to Cachora
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
On the road

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 1/7
Level of difficulty 4/5
Distance traveled 4,35 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +61 m
Cumulative negative elevation -1140 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time 4h30
Walking time 3h

We will start this day with the end of the descent to the bottom of the Apurimac canyon (1480m), cross the river and then make the steep climb to the archaeological site of Choquequirao (2840m). The camp will be set up in the place provided for this purpose, within the archaeological site itself.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
En arrivant sur Choquequirao View of the terraces of Choquequirao

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 2/7
Level of difficulty 5/5
Distance traveled 6,83 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +1642 m
Cumulative negative elevation -621 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time 7h

Few of us on Earth have dared to reach this lost place. And therefore, today we have a whole day of rest dedicated to the study of the archaeological excavations of Choquequirao. The city was the ceremonial center of the Inca elite, honoring and praising their gods - patrons of mountains, rivers and various natural phenomena. This is one of the most unique «Places of Power» where we can purify ourselves and recharge with virgin energy. The area of the city is quite large, but we have time to explore it at our own pace and based on personal preferences.
We will have a privileged and dizzying view of the canyon below.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
House of Choquequiaro Choquequirao Plateau Choquequirao 4 Choquequirao 3 Llama Choquequirao

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 3/7
Level of difficulty 3/5
Distance traveled 6.21 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +1045 m (maximum but according to your wishes)
Cumulative negative elevation -1045 m (maximum but according to your wishes)
Nature 5/5
Culture 5/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time 3 to 5 hours (maximum but according to your wishes)

Today we have a long challenging day for reaching to the Maizal camp. We will start it with an ascent to the Abra-Choquequirao pass (3300 m), then make the first descent to the bottom of the Rio Blanco valley (1910 m) and climb to the other side to reach the Maizal camp (3010 m).

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Choquequirao 1

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 4/7
Level of difficulty 5/5
Distance traveled 8,7 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +1635 m
Cumulative negative elevation -1450 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 2/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time approx. 8-9h

In the morning we will leave the Mazal camp and crossing the San Juan Pass at 4150 meters above sea level from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Choquetacarpo Valley.
Then we will go down to the village of Yanama (3550m). The camp will be established in this small isolated village on the banks of the Yanama River.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
San Juan tunnel

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 5/7
Level of difficulty 4/5
Distance traveled 4,97 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +1200 m
Cumulative negative elevation -641 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 2/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time 6-7h

Today, one vehicle will take us from Yanama to Santa Teresa and then to the Hidroelectrica checkpoint. A track of about 60 km with the passage of a pass at more than 4600 meters before descending in the tropical part to Hidroelectrica (1800m).
Then, after a good meal we will walk to the village of Aguas Calientes along the railway line. We will be surrounded by tropical mountains and will be able to observe many birds as well as an extraordinary flora.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • French-speaking guide
  • Transfer from Yanama to Hidroelectrica
  • Breakfast and lunch included
  • Free evening meal in Aguas Calientes
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Aguas Calientes Train Station

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 6/7
Level of difficulty 2/5
Distance traveled 6,21 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +510 m
Cumulative negative elevation -232 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Hotel
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time 3h
Walking time 3h

We will leave our hotel after breakfast around 5:30 am and head towards Machu Picchu by bus.
We will leave early because at this time the site is less crowded and the morning is a good time to enjoy the peace and the ancient spirit of the most famous archaeological site on the continent.
After arriving at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give you detailed information about Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Inca.
After that we will be able to climb the Machu Picchu, which offers an incredible panoramic view. Then a bus will take us to Aguas Calientes and finally we will return to Cuzco by train.

  • Hotel in Cuzco
  • Train back to Cuzco
  • French-speaking guide
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu with Montaña Machu Picchu
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Arriving at Machu Pichu from Montana Arriving at Machu Pichu from Montana Machu diapo Sunrise over the Andes

 

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Choquequirao 7/7
Level of difficulty 3/5
Distance traveled 1,24 miles / 1,86 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +106 m / + 567 m
Cumulative negative elevation -106 m / -567 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 5/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Hotel
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time 1 hour
Walking time 3 - 4 h

Morning transfer to Cuzco airport to take a flight to Lima.
Transfer to the bus terminal then comfortable day bus to Huaraz, where we will arrive at the end of the day.
Arrival in Huaraz then transfer to your hotel.

  • Flights Cuzco-Lima
  • All transfers in Cuzco, Lima and Huaraz
  • Bus Lima-Huaraz
  • Hotel in Huaraz

We will begin our 12th journey with 5 hours by road/track in a private vehicle to the hamlet of Vaqueria where our muleteer will be waiting for us. Along the way we will see the magnificent Llanganuco lakes and then pass the Portachuelo pass (4767m), from where we can photograph the Huascarán, Huandoy, Pisco mountains, and the Llanganuco valley with its two turquoise lagoons.
We will start our first day of walking, about 3-4 hours up to the Paria Valley and have a spectacular view of Mount Garcilaso.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Base camp Day 1/4 : Santa Cruz

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Santa Cruz 1/4
Level of difficulty 3/5
Distance traveled 6.21 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +404 m
Cumulative negative elevation -256 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time 4h50
Walking time 4-5h

After breakfast, we will begin our walk of about 7 hours (14km) towards the camp of Taullipampa (4100). We will climb to the highest pass of this hike, Punta Unión (4760m) and the reward for our efforts will be the superb view offered on the snow-capped mountains that are on this road : Artesonraju (the mountain of "Paramount Pictures"), Quitaraju, Taulliraju, Alpamayo, Pucajirca, Rinrijirca, Caraz, Aguja. After having immortalized these landscapes in photos, we will descend to the camp for a well-deserved rest.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Taullicocha lake Descent to Lake Taullicocha Punta Union pass Valley of lakes

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Santa Cruz 2/4
Level of difficulty 5/5
Distance traveled 9,32 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +1088 m
Cumulative negative elevation -676 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time 6 - 7h

That day, after a good breakfast, we will start our 6-8 hours walk (18 km). Arriving at the Quisuar junction, we will climb to the Alpamayo base camp (4400) and then we will hike to the Arhueycocha lagoon.
We will then have a view of the Quitaraju and the Pucajirca in addition of course to the Alpamayo. Then we will return to Quisuar to continue the path to the Llamacoral camp. We will see a lot of trees called “queñual”, wild plants such as “Tarhui” and we will be able to observe wild ducks and Andean geese known as “huacha”.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Lama near the camp Laguna Jatuncocha Cairn

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Santa Cruz 3/4
Level of difficulty 4/5
Distance traveled 9,94 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +188 m
Cumulative negative elevation -745 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Tent
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time -----
Walking time 7 - 8h

The last day will give us a quiet walk to Cashapampa village, the descent will take about 2-3 hours and we will be at the exit of the Santa Cruz valley. During this day we will observe typical flowers of the region such as the "zapatitos del diablo" (the devil's shoes), "el machito" (the macho), the "patas de gallo" (the rooster's legs), as well as the Yanapaccha waterfall, formed as a result of snow melting of the summit of the same name. A change of vegetation and landscape in a short time and which makes the charm of trekking in the Peruvian Andes that you could appreciate it..
From Cashapampa we will return to Huaraz in a private vehicle, a trip of about 3 hours. We will spend the night in Huaraz.

  • Night in tent
  • French-speaking guide
  • Logistics with muleteers and cooks
  • All food
  • Tents
  • 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
Day 4/4 : Santa Cruz Base camp

 

Characteristic

Product Trek Santa Cruz 4/4
Level of difficulty 3/5
Distance traveled 5,59 miles
Cumulative elevation gain +17 m
Cumulative negative elevation -859 m
Nature 5/5
Culture 1/5
Meeting 3/5
Comfort Hotel
Minimum Age Recommended 18 years old
Transportation time 3h
Walking time 5 - 6h

Transfer from the hotel to the bus terminal. We will take a comfortable bus to Lima where we will arrive at the end of the day.
Transfer to the hotel in the Miraflores district. 

  • Night in hotel in Lima
  • Transfers in Huaraz and Lima
  • Bus Huaraz-Lima

Unfortunately, our journey is over and we must say goodbye, for this last day you will enjoy your free morning in Lima then transfer to the international airport according to the schedule of your return flight to your country.

  • Transfer with driver

Additional information :

The price of the trip included :

  • Domestic flights mentioned in the detailed program
  • Line buses mentioned in the detailed program
  • Hotel (with breakfasts)
  • All arrival and departure transfers in the different cities
  • Guide services mentioned in the detailed program
  • Transportation services mentioned in the detailed porgram
  • Entries mentioned in the detailed program
  • Meals mentioned in the detailed programme
  • Services of 2 IDTrek guides speaking French/English/Russian and Spanish
  • First aid kit

For Santa Cruz trek :

  • Hiking guide services
  • Cook
  • Muletier and mules for carrying bivouac material and your belongings
  • Rescue horse
  • Hyperbare caisson
  • All food
  • Foam floor mat
  • Tent (2 people)
  • Satellite Phone

For Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek :

  • Hiking guide services
  • Cook
  • Muletier and mules for carrying bivouac material and your belongings
  • Rescue horse
  • Oxygen
  • All food
  • Foam floor mat
  • Tent (2 people)

The price of the trip does not include :

  • International flights to Peru
  • Guides tips
  • Meals in city (Lima, Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, Huaraz) as well as the meals not mentioned as included in the detailed program
  • Eventual rental of a sleeping bag for trekking
  • Inflatable mattress for trekking from Santa Cruz and Choquequirao
  • Supplement for accommodation in a single room 180 euros, subject to availability
  • Travel conditions
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal care items
  • Services not mentioned as included in the detailed program
  • Any insurance (cancellation, accident, rescue, sickness, repatriation etc.)

Take out IDTrek Travel Insurance with our partner

 

Preparing well for your trek means having the right equipment. Find here the list of the necessary equipment to travel in trek. Attention, when we specify that the tent or/and the mattress are provided, you do not need to bring your own.

Travel sales conditions

Applications for participation are accepted until 27/05. The minimum quantity to confirm the group is 8 people, maximum is 15 people.

Please make sure you have read the conditions of sale by clicking here. Any purchase of the trip immediately validates the conditions. They define in particular the conditions of cancellation and the methods of payment or visa, or even insurance.

Hotel :

Lima-Miraflores BayView-Colonial
Cuzco Hotel Prisma
Aquas Calientes Pachakuteq
Huaraz La Casa de Zarela

 

Precautions to take before a trip to the Andes :

During a trip to the Andes Cordillera, whether in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador or Chile, one is inevitably confronted with high altitudes. And even if IDTrek designs its trips with specialists from the Andes Cordillera, and with a climb in altitude as gradually as possible, at some point you will necessarily have to take the plunge. Cities like Huaraz or Cuzco are more than 3000 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca and La Paz flirt with 4000 meters above sea level.

Precautions : before embarking on a trip to the Andes, it is advisable to consult your doctor to prevent mountain sickness. Especially if you are being treated for heart or blood pressure problems. Your treatments might be a little different before and during the trip.

For people going to hike in the mountains (trekking) over several days, it is recommended to check with a mountain medicine center before your trip.

Mountain sickness...

  • has nothing to do with your age
  • nor with your physical condition
  • just because you didn't get it on a first trip to altitude doesn't mean you'll never get it
  • your state of stress and fatigue, all this added to jet lag are major factors

Take the time to do things calmly.

 

For any questions, do not hesitate to contact by phone/WhatsApp :

+7 916-0735757 Julia

+33 688672423 William

WE WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU IN OUR TEAM !

Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Trek from Santa-Cruz

Product Reviews

Guillaume

Je devais faire le trek avec deux amies, mais elles ont renoncé devant la difficulté. Je me suis retrouvé seul avec 5 autres trekkers, mais je n'étais pas découragé. Le trek est difficile mais bien entraîné c'est faisable ce qui était mon cas. Et malgré une diahrée dès le 2éme jour, j'ai gravit fiérement les 4700m de Punta Union, au point que le guide m'a même félicité. Je crois que je n'oublierais jamais ce moment. Cette vue magnifique sur les lacs en contre bas m'a fait oublié mon mal de ventre. Une super équipe avec le guide, les accompagnateurs et le cuisto qui nous prépare tout à notre arrivée. Au top.

Ashley

Incredible view, lot of lakes, fluffy lama !!! all to be happy and disconnect of the crazy world.

Kurtis

I will never forget this trek, mixte of jungle, plains, and aride place. I has some litle difficulty to breath with altitude, i advice you to adapt your respiration before do it...

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