Chaquicocha

Posted On: 15 April 2020 #TierrasVivas 426

The Chaquicocha Campsite is a recently restored unique Inca settlement, located at 3,650m / 11,808ft. This Camp is one of the most picturesque although frigid, with a fantastic view of the night sky to observe the stars.

The Chaquicocha Campsite is located 16 kilometers from Ayapata, with spectacular views of the Peruvian Andes, where we will have dinner and spend the night in tents or tents.

The Chaquicocha Campsite, like the other camp areas, are permanently protected by the guards, you will be safe, without annoying noises. The surveillance staff will be in charge of controlling any risk that may arise.

In the camps, remember that there should be no trace of your passage, do not leave traces of your stay, all the garbage must be delivered to the agency staff, have your own garbage bag and when you finish the walk, deliver it; The support staff will be in charge of selecting organic and inorganic solid waste and removing it from the Inca Trail.

Do not tread on mosses, die quickly, do not pluck flowers, leaves, branches, etc. If any animal visits it, do not approach it, do not disturb it, observe from afar and thank, good luck to see it.

Do not leave food residues, scattered, on the floor, in addition to dirtying the camping site, it can alter the natural diet of wildlife.

If any waste is found, that has been left by someone else, please collect it and hand it over to the agency staff, it will be an action that all the walkers will thank you for, because they will be collaborating with the maintenance of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will be an activist to avoid the environmental impact on this natural and cultural historical attraction.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by Chaquicocha

There are thousands of kilometers of "Inca Trail" throughout Peru; however we focus on the 4-day Inca Trail Trek, which begins at km 82 of the railway to Machu Picchu.

It is a route that joins varied ecosystems with a sequence of monuments of the finest Inca architecture, ending in the classic postcard view of Machu Picchu seen from above. It is for that that this path was designed, a pilgrimage and purification route to access the sacred plain of Pachacútec; there are 35 kilometers that run through the Cusichaca River valley, the Warmihuañusca pass, the Pacaymayo gorge, passes through the archaeological sites of Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna; along the way you can see tunnels dug out of live rock.

¿How is the tour of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

The Inca Trail shows rugged geographies with ascents and descents next to cliffs. The mountains reach great heights with rugged stretches. In the jungle areas you will see the variety of shades of green tropical forests.

Day 1: Cusco - Wayllabamba (13 kilometers)

The Inca Trail begins at kilometer 82 of the railway that leads to Machu Picchu (2 hours and 30 minutes by bus from the city of Cusco). Then the ascent to the Cusichaca valley will begin. The visitor will go through the Llactapata ruins (2,840 masl) until reaching the town of Huayllabamba (3,057 masl).

Day 2: Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo (11 kilometers)

The second day is the most difficult due to physical demand. The tourist will ascend to the Warmiwañuska ('Dead Woman's Pass'). This is the highest point of the route (4,215 m.a.s.l.). From this point it is possible to see the Runkurakay archaeological site (3,760 masl).

Day 3: Pacaymayo - Wiñay Huayna (16 kilometers)

On the third day, the descent will be vertiginous to the Pacaymayo river valley. The section goes down a steep slope of almost 1,600 meters to the Sayaqmarca compound (3,625 masl). Here the view is extraordinary.

Day 4: Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu (3 kilometers)

The last day hides some of the best Inca samples: Phuyupatamarka, Wiñaywayna. Upon leaving these ruins, a gradual descent will be undertaken which will become more complicated in the end. Finally, you will arrive at Intipunku or Sun Gate. From there you will walk for another 30 minutes to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

After visiting Machu Picchu, the visitor returns to Cusco through a train and bus service. The duration of the trip is approximately 3 hours. These services are included in the tours to the Inca Trail.

Factors that determine the route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Time, there are two options of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu; Classic Inca Trail 4 days / 3 nights, Short Inca Trail 2 days / 1 night, 2 day Inca Trail with camping, Machu Picchu 3 day hike or Inca Trail 1 day. You need to plan your trip several months in advance; We recommend that you secure your space 6 months in advance.
Price is relative to the provision of services on the chosen route.
Limited Access, many people choose to do this Inca route, which makes it difficult to get an available space, since the availability of spaces offered is a minimum of 500 spaces per day (Including support staff, porters, cooks, guides, etc.). However, there are other alternative routes to the Traditional Inca Trail.