Peru

Starting Price:	$4,087.00
Trip Length:	12 days
Includes airfare allowance from Miami (US)

Choquequirao Ruins

Choquequirao

Lima

Choquequirao Ruins with Cuzco and Machu Picchu

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

An amazing 60 kilometer/40 mile trek will take you to the enigmatic last refuge of the Incas, Choquequirao. Occasionally referred to as the “sister” of Machu Picchu because of their striking similarity in structure and architecture, Choquequirao is a very large archaeological complex still undergoing cleaning and restoration. The complex is located in the vicinity of the Salkantay sacred mountain and the Apurimac River canyon. During this unique excursion, you will enjoy inspiring mountain scenery and an abundance of local Andean flora and fauna. Choquequirao is a perfect alternative to the sometimes overcrowded destination Machu Picchu.

Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, 5-star and deluxe hotels. The Deluxe option comes with the following Orient Express hotels: the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu, Monasterio in Cuzco and the Park Plaza in Lima. You may also choose to upgrade to the luxury Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.

This tour includes airfare allowance from Miami (US), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
02 November - 11 May
Visited Cities:
Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu

Day 1

Overnight flight to Lima.

Day 2

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Lima—always one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martín and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, and visit San Francisco Convent, religious building from the late 16th century, and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Note: check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).

Day 3

Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to acclimatize.

Day 4

City tour of Cuzco, visit the Korikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral and its Art Museum. After your visits, you will continue to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), the amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. After the tour, return to your hotel.
Note: Because of the altitude in Cuzco, we recommend that this tour be done privately at your own pace, at an additional cost of $28 per person, based on two people.

Day 5

Cusco to Chiquisca
We leave Cusco at 6 am in our private transportion and drive towards Cachora, an Andean community located about 5 hours from Cusco, at 2800m/9184ft. This is the starting point of the trek and where we will meet our horsemen and horses. We start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750m/9020ft, where we will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac River Canyon. We then continue descending for two more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our camp and spend the night.

Day 6

Chiquisca to Choquequirao
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6 am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take approximately 2 hours, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it too difficult. In Santa Rosa, we take a half hour break. Afterwards, we continue our hike climbing slowly for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot at Marampata. From here we will walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft. Here, we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted.

Day 7

Choquequirao to Rosalina Beach
This morning we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex: we will visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas lived here. After the tour, we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we will have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. This will be our camp base for the night.

Day 8

Rosalina Beach to Cachora
We leave camp after breakfast to start the two to three hour climb to Chiquisca, then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoc, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we continue on our two-hour return route to Cachora, where our private transportion will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. We will arrive in Cuzco late in the evening. Overnight in Cuzco.

Day 9

Morning transfer to the train station. The train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marshes of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cuzco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Aguas Calientes.

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins.

Day 10

Day at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, train station reception and transfer to your hotel.

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please contact your Yampu travel consultant if you think you would like to go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability).

Day 11

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon shopping tour of Lima, taking you to the famous handicraft markets accompanied by our guides.

Day 12

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home, or overlap with the add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Lima
3-star	Casa Andina, Allpa, or similar.
4-star	San Agustin Exclusive, Antigua Miraflores or similar.
5-star	Casa Andina PC, Radisson Decapolis or similar.
Airport	Ramada Costa del Sol airport hotel.
Deluxe	Miraflores Park Plaza (Orient Express), JW Marriott, Lima Country Club or similar.
Cuzco
3-star	Casa Andina Classic, San Agustin El Dorado, Rumi Punku or similar.
4-star	Costa del Sol Picoaga, Novotel, Casa Andina Private Collection (oxygen available) or similar.
5-star	Inkaterra La Casona, Libertador, or Suite at the Casa Andina Private Collection inc. oxygen, matrimonial beds only, or similar.
Deluxe	Monasterio (Orient Express), Casa Cartagena or similar.
Machu Picchu
3-star	El MaPi or similar.
4-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (this is a free upgrade to all 4 star clients). Yampu guests enjoy special benefits: welcome drink, tea time, dinner and cooking lessons.
5-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (see above for special benefits) OR Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Yampu guests enjoy dinner and a choice of a 25 min massage, a wine bottle or chocolate truffles
Deluxe	Sanctuary Lodge (Orient Express - includes all meals), or Junior Suite at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

12 days , from $4087

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$4087	$4563	$5063	$5790
Single	$5974	$6722	$7464	$8876

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price includes:
Air transportation from Miami to Lima in economy class (surcharge applicable from other cities)
Air transportation from Lima to Cuzco return
Hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast
All transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling
Guided tours in English including all entrance fees
Meals where specified
Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote)

Trek includes: all meals, personal tents for 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks (our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field); one foamy sleeping pad per person; dining tent with tables and chairs; kitchen and toilet tent; English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people); chef and cooking equipment;
horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment); 1 emergency horse every 6 persons; hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night; first-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

Difficulty degree of this hike is challenging: The route has steep ups and downs, with changes of altitude in one day of over 1600m/5200ft and usually warm weather during the day due to the lower altitude compared to Cuzco. Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress

Note: Cost includes Expedition train for 3-star category, and Vistadome train for 4-star category and above. Expedition train features comfortable seats, fixed tables, backpack storage, panoramic windows as well as heating and air conditioning. Vistadome is ideal for travelers who want a personalized immersion of Andean culture with traditional dances and music along the way. This train features panoramic windows, leather seats, new table design as well as heating and air conditioning. Upgrades available from Expedition to Vistadome; please add $46 per person.

Deluxe service Hiram Bingham train features an observation wagon with a bar and two dining cars. In addition, this train includes a gourmet brunch on board, exclusive bus return to Machu Picchu, entrance to Machu Picchu as well as a guided tour. Afternoon tea in the Sanctuary Lodge, pre-dinner cocktails and a 4-course, a la carte dinner is also included. Does not operate on Sundays. Upgrades available from Vistadome to Hiram Bingham Deluxe; please add $575 per person.

This is a private trek. If you are able to travel on one of the following dates and join a group, there will be a deduction of $ 475 per person based on two people traveling and $ 950 per person based on one person traveling. Date corresponds with the first day of the trek (day 5 in the itinerary below):

A group may also be opened on any date requested provided the minimum group size is achieved (5 pax) and a minimum of 3 weeks notice is given.
2012 DEPARTURE DATES One Friday per month through summer.
May 18th, June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, September 14th

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