Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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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
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
PETER FROST
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
DATES
Jul 24-Aug 5, 2017
Aug 11-23
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
BRIAN MCGILLOWAY