Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchu

Begins at: 06.00 am
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Start point: Cusco
Itinerary: Cusco / Huaroncondor / Raphcca / Corimarca / Chancachuco / Qeuñacancha / Intiwatana / Choquetacarpo / Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calietnes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo / Cusco

More information about Machu Picchu

Program

The Cachicata Trek is a new exciting trek through the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo. The Cachicata trek will take you past high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful scenery. Since this trek is new, it is not yet as popular as many of the other treks around Cusco. This means that you will have less crowds and a more peaceful trekking experience.

Day 01

We will drive from Cusco to Pachar located in the Sacred Valley. In Huaroncondor we will meet the muleteer and horses and will prepare the camping equipment, then we will climb up the stairs and visit the Huarocondor terraces. After that we'll continue the trek to Raphcca, 2,900 m.a.s.l (9,514ft.) From there we will hike up the valley, we will see the inka's terraces, water channels, Quechua comunities and endemic flora and fauna. We will follow the steep trail that will eventually bring us to a tall waterfall where we will make a stop to refresh our body and mind. Walking further, we will visit the little known Inka site of Corimarca, our first campsite.

Day 02

We will climb across open meadows, reaching a zone of high altitude shrubland known as Puna, approaching the pass of Chancachuco 4,400 m.a.s.l (14,435ft). This part of the trek offers panoramic views of the highest peaks in Cusco region. Our route continues across a high plateau, we will pass mountain lakes where we may see andean and wetland birds, descending to Qeuñacancha, 4080 m.a.s.l (13,385ft).

Day 03

We will hike downhill following the trail until we reach the Inka water channel which comes from Maracocha lake. We will visit the temple called Intiwatana, which is located on the cliff of the mountain called Apu Alambre, in front of the Veronica snow peak. Then we will continue downhill to Choquetacarpo - an archaeological site, which was most likely the residence of architects who administered the Incas' quarries and performed ceremonies at Intipunku. After lunch we will wend downward, exploring different sectors of one of the biggest Inkas' quarries, where massive carved blocks of pink rhyolite lie scattered in disarray. The quarried stones, testimony to a great building project that has been destined for the Inka's site of Ollyantaytambo but that has never been finished. We will spend this night in a Hotel in Ollantaytambo where we will have access to the toilets, hot showers and where we will enjoy a warmer climate.

Day 04

We will wake up very early and after breakfast we will take a train to Aguas Calietnes town, where our guide will be waiting for us to take us to Machu Picchu. He will give us a tour around Machu Picchu and after that we will have some spare time to explore this astounding and mysterious Inca site by ourselves. In the evening we take a train back to Ollantaytambo where a car will pick us up and will take us to our hotel in Cusco.

What to bring:

• Passport
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
• Cash in soles no dollars
• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites).