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CACHICATA
TREK INCA QUARRY MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N
DAY 1: TO
RAPHCCA/CORIMARCA
We drive to Pachar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and follow
the Huarocondo gorge a short way upstream to our trailhead at
the village of Raphcca, 2900m/9510ft. From here we hike up a
lush side valley of scattered farmhouses and crop terraces,
where Andean bird species such as the giant hummingbird and
golden-billed saltator flit among abundant native trees and
shrubs. We eat a picnic lunch by a rushing mountain stream,
before deciding whether to take an easier route, or an optional
steep trail via a tall waterfall where we can pause to refresh
ourselves amidst the cool spray, or enjoy an alfresco shower and
dip beneath the falls.
Climbing further, we visit the little-known Inca ruin of
Corimarca, perched at mid-altitude on a shelf high above the
Soccma valley. An Inca-built channel still carries water rushing
past this small, elegantly designed settlement, which was
probably built by the Incas to collect and control the
agricultural production of the surrounding valley. We camp here,
or at a spacious set of Inca terraces a short distance upvalley.
DAY 2: TO CHANCACHUCU PASS/Q’EUÑACANCHA
We climb across open meadows, before reaching a zone of high
altitude shrubland, which in turn gives way to treeless
grasslands known as puna as our trail winds gently around
mountain spurs following an undulating approach to the pass of
Chancachucu (4,400m/14,430ft). In clear weather this section of
our journey offers dramatic panoramas of every major snowpeak in
the region. We gaze east across the distant town of Chinchero
toward mighty snowcapped Ausangate and the Qoyllur Rit’i range,
while the jagged peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba rear across
the Sacred Valley to the north. The scenic drama reaches new
heights as we cross the pass and confront the glaciers of
Verónica (5,750m/18,850ft),looming vastly in the near-distance
to the north-west.
Our route continues across a rolling, sparsely inhabited plateau
with views of the tip of Salcantay and the Huayanays. We pass
mountain lakes where we may see wetland birds such as Andean
geese, crested ducks and puna ibis, before we descend to our
second camp at Q’euñacancha (4080m/13,380ft).
DAY 3: TO PUNKUYOC/CACHICATA
With luck we may see Andean condors today. We set off on one of
two routes. Fitter, more experienced groups will follow the
Chancachucu valley downstream, following the broken remains of
an Inca water channel that once carried water to the ancient
quarries. The stream plunges through Punkuyoc, a narrow ravine
enclosed by vertical cliffs draped in ferns and orchids, and
emerges amidst a small woods of native Q’euña trees. A narrow
trail zig-zags steeply down open, grassy slopes, offering
spectacular views of the Camicancha valley, its river a silver
ribbon far below us. We climb once more, and again pick up the
Inca water channel, which has traversed a near-vertical cliff
far above us. Now we follow the channel on a gentler path,
enountering stunning views of Ollantaytambo and the Sacred
Valley as we reach the imposing gateway of Intipunku, an Inca
temple apparently dedicated to worship of snowcapped Verónica.
The alternative, easier route for this day climbs gently from
our second camp across rolling grassland to the south flank of
Yana Orco, a rocky crag high above the Sacred Valley and the
Inca quarries. Viewpoints allow us to look straight down on
Ollantaytambo and its valleys 1,400m/4600ft below us, as if from
an airplane. We wind our way along the rim of the valley,
reaching a pass where we descend a steep draw through native
Q’euna woodland, leveling off as we approach the Inca site of
Intipunku.
We lunch facing a breathtaking mountain and valley panorama,
near the well-preserved Inca complex of Choquetacarpo. This site
was most likely the residence of architects, masons and visiting
dignitaries who managed the Inca quarries and performed
ceremonies at Intipunku.
After lunch we wend our way downward, exploring different
sectors of the Inca quarries, a natural rockfall, where massive
carved blocks of pink rhyolite lie scattered in disarray. The
quarried stones, testimony to a great building project that was
never finished, were destined for the Inca temple at
Ollantaytambo, (6km/4 miles) away on the north bank of the
Urubamba river.
We descend to our third and last camp, located on Inca terraces
topped by small burial towers known as chullpas, near the
village of Cachicata. Here we enjoy toilets, hot showers and a
warmer climate, as we relax in preparation for our train ride
and visit to Machu Picchu next morning.
DAY 4: TO OLLANTAYTAMBO/MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
After and early breakfast, we will return to Cusco or take the
high recommended extension to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu,
spending most of the day at this bewitching place, with both a
guided experience of the highlights and then time to explore the
ruins on our own. In the afternoon we complete our journey,
traveling by train to Cusco.
What we include: 4 day / 3 night
trek
•A licensed, well-trained, English speaking guide, who visit the
clients the evening before departure
to explain the trek and answer any question.
•Camping Equipment: Spacious The North Face tents, dinning tent,
toilet ten, tables and chairs,
oxygen bottle and cooking equipment. Trekkers need only bring sleeping
bags.
•Chef preparing healthy, hearty meals cooked with fresh, local
ingredients.
•Well-paid and well-treated porters. We supply the appropriate
duffel for you to pack and them to
carry. You carry a light daypack.
•Transportation from Cusco to start of the trail and back to
Cusco.
•Special offer: For the first 4 clients InkaNatura will provide
our high quality North face Sleeping bags
(Polarguard - SnowShoe OF -18C ) at not cost.
FD Machu
Picchu extension
•First class train-the Vista dome- Ollanta/Aguas Clientes (Machu
Picchu)/Cusco.
•Entrance fees and roundtrip bus transportation from Aguas
Calientes to Machu Picchu archaeological sanctuary.
•Guided service.
•Lunch at Aguas calientes.
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