Trans Andes Trek - Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
Choquequirao - one of the most enigmatic of all Inca cities, perched high on a ridge amidst virgin cloud forest and overlooking the raging glacier-fed gorge of the Apurimac river; Choquequirao is a place of mystery and intrigue. In the shadow of the towering glacial peaks of the Andes mountains it was one of the last refuges of the Inca's as they fled the Spanish Conquistadors. The site remains so inaccessible that even now, in the 21st century, over two thirds of the city sits silently beneath dense jungle waiting to be explored. There are reportedly less than 150 people said to have visited Choquequirao during the last 100 years; a site which is still slowly giving up it’s secrets to the archaeologists, who now believe that it may prove to be a larger and ultimately more important site to the Incas than Machu Picchu.
The Sacred Valley and Cusco
To allow a steady acclimatisation to the altitude we spend the first few days of our adventure by exploring Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, the shape of the sleeping panther that the Inca's used when they built Cusco can still be seen today. Much of the precise stonework that the Inca's are celebrated for is still in evidence all over Cusco today, as foundations for the Spanish colonial architecture. The Inca's used no means of bonding their stones together, they were cut to such intricate precision, some of the finest is at the base of Santo Domingo. A short hike from the centre of Cusco is Sacsayhuaman, the magnificent stone sanctuary which the Spanish Conquistadors made their home until Manco Inca raised an army and began the epic struggle to regain the Inca Empire.
Discovering Choquequirao
The Vilcabamba range was the last refuge of Manco Inca and the people of the Inca Empire, nestled deep within the protective walls of the surrounding Andean peaks lies Choquequirao, beyond the reach of the Conquistadors, it was the inaccessability and elevation of the site that made it so perfect for the Inca's to continue their way of life decades after the Spanish conquest. This enigmatic city has seen few visitors since Hiram Bingham hacked his way to it in 1910, prior to re-discovering Machu Picchu. Today Choquequirao still hides many secrets that are gradually being discovered by the dedicated team of archaeologists, there are still many secrets yet to be told by this truly 'Lost City'. We camp at this magical spot for 2 nights to fully explore the site.
Onward to Machu Picchu
From Choquequirao we continue our challenging traverse of the Cordillera Vilcambamba through the canyons of the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers; following paths and passing settlements created by the Inca's so many years ago all now deserted, with an air of waiting to give up their secrets. Our trek will take us past some of the most stunning scenery in the Andes range at a height of up to 4500m, we may see the elusive Spectacled Bear or Condors and Toucans or a myriad of other fauna and flora, before arriving at our journey's end - the legend that is Machu Picchu.
Up for it?
Places on this trip are limited, to secure your place simply download and complete the Booking Form below and post to us with your deposit of £250.00, we will ask you to pay the remainder of the balance by 31 March 2008. Our Terms and Conditions that apply to all Outer Limits Explore bookings can be found by clicking on the link at the foot of this page.
Here's the day by day itinerary , kit list and key information for you.
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