Choquequirao & Machu Picchu 8 Days

After a hearty breakfast, we journeyed to La Playa Rosalinas. Next, we ascended to Marampata, a picturesque Andean village. Although the trail became challenging, the spectacular views of the Apurimac River canyon and the Amazon River’s tributaries were worth every step.

On a lucky day, a majestic condor might grace the sky. We paused for lunch in Marampata. Subsequently, by early afternoon, we arrived at Choquequirao. This ancient Inca site, perched at 3,000 meters, is grander than Machu Picchu. Nestled amongst the clouds, it presents breathtaking mountain panoramas and a deep dive into the Inca civilization.

We leave Maizal camp early. Our goal is the Victoria pass at 4,200 meters. Reaching the top, we see snow-capped peaks. Pumasillo is 6,070 meters high. Choquetacarpo is 4,467 meters and is special to locals.

On our way up, we walk on an ancient Inca trail. It’s well-preserved. We also find old silver and lead mines. These hint at the region’s rich past. We end our day by descending to Yanama. It’s our campsite at 3,800 meters.

We aim for the Yanama Pass, also called Mariano llamoja. It’s 4,668 meters high. The climb is tough but offers great views. We see the snow-covered peaks of Sacrachayoc and Padreyoc. They’re breathtaking.

Condors might fly above us. They soar through the mountain air. Waterfalls surround us on both sides. The valley is lush and refreshing.

At the pass, we find a cairn. It’s a pile of stones. Travelers leave these as offerings to the mountain spirits. They hope for safety and good luck. Our day ends at the peaceful Totora campsite.

As dawn breaks, we eat a hearty breakfast. Then, we enter the valley’s thick forest. Tall trees and bamboo thickets surround us. It’s a great place for bird-watching.

Wild strawberries cover the ground. Passion fruit trees grow above us. We see begonias and purple orchids. After a 4-hour walk, we reach Wayracpunco. There, we eat a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, we hike slowly. We admire the cloud forest and its many orchids. We learn about the crops grown here: coffee, coca leaves, and various fruits. At sunset, we camp at La Playa, ready for the next day’s journey.

At dawn, we began a three-hour climb on an Inca trail. The valley views were stunning. Our destination was Llactapata’s Inca ruins.

From there, we saw Machu Picchu. This rare view felt magical. Then, we started a 2.5-hour descent. The forest around us grew denser.

Birdwatchers would love this place. By noon, we reached the hydroelectric town and had lunch. Later, we followed the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes. We stayed the night in a cozy hostel.

After breakfast, we took an early bus to Machu Picchu. We arrived early, avoiding the crowds. This made for great photos.

We explored and learned about the ancient city. Then, we headed back to Aguas Calientes. We took a train to Ollantaytambo. Finally, a bus brought us back to Cusco, our hearts full of memories.