Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Choquequirao: Trek to the Cradle of Gold EXPLORING THE LOST CITIES OF THE INCAS INCLUDING MACHU PICCHU

Perched on a knife-edged promontory at 10,000 feet and ringed by the snow-capped Vilcabamba Mountains, Choquequirao is a true “lost city of the Incas.” For its absolutely stunning location, it is often compared to Machu Picchu, yet this hidden Inca city has no road

access, few visitors, and a haunting ambiance unmatched at other sites. In the company of our archaeologist Trip Leader, who has done extensive research and excavations in the region, our spectacular and challenging trek brings us to these breathtaking ruins, with their mysterious plazas and shrines, and onward across the entire

PETER FROST

Vilcabamba range through deep-cut canyons and over high passes. Our final campsite offers stunning views of Machu Picchu, and our grand finale is an overnight at the Sanctuary Lodge, right at these celebrated ruins. Days 1-2 Cusco / Saqsayhuaman / Tambo Machay We meet in Cusco, where we acclimate and enjoy a walking tour of the city, the ceremonial heart of the Inca Empire, and explore the magnificent nearby Inca sites on foot, including Saqsayhuaman, the majestic Inca fortress overlooking Cusco. Days 3-6 Cachora / Choquequirao From the village of San Pedro de Cachora (9,500'), we hike to a lookout where we enjoy our first views down into the deep, forested canyon of the Apurimac River. Descending into the canyon, we cross the river on a footbridge and hike into a cloud forest that leads us to Choquequirao at 10,000 feet. The site is gradually being restored by a team of Peruvian archaeologists, and we’ll explore this extraordinary complex, with its ceremonial buildings and grand staircase. Days 7-10 Pincha Unuyoc / Qoriwayrachina / Minas Victoria / Lucmabamba Climbing to a pass just above Choquequirao, we descend to the Inca site of Pincha Unuyoc, with its fascinating shrine, and trek on to Qoriwayrachina, a site discovered by a WT Trip Leader. We follow an Inca road to Minas Victoria Pass (14,500'), with its soaring condors and stupendous views, and head to picturesque Yanama (12,000'), where we get a glimpse into life in a remote Andean village. A winding trail leads to the windy heights of Puerto Yanama (15,400'), and brings us to the town of Lucmabamba. Days 11-13 Machu Picchu / Cusco A steep hike brings us to a lookout over Santa Teresa Valley where we can see Machu Picchu in the distance. After a short train ride, we spend a day at the renowned site, exploring the reconstructed staircases, altars, temples, and fountains, and enjoying the incredible setting. Our overnight is just steps away from the ruins at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. An afternoon train whisks us to Cusco, and we depart on Day 13.

Discover a lost city of the Incas with our expert Trip Leader. PHOTO: JON ARNOLD

HIGHLIGHTS • Challenging trek to a hidden Incan city that sees few visitors • Camp along remote mountainsides, where we can savor peaceful nights beneath a star-filled sky • Explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a specialist guide

DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Cusco • 4 nights hotels, 8 nights camping • All meals included except 2 dinners

TRIP COST $4695 (10-15 members) $4995 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $1250

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8-day trek on moderate to strenuous trails, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes between 9,500-14,000 feet

DATES Jul 24-Aug 5, 2017 Aug 11-23

BRIAN MCGILLOWAY

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL LATIN-AMERICA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 127