Itinerary

• Day 1: Cusco- Ñaupa Templo-Raphcca- Rayan
• Day 2: Rayan -Chancachuco / Punkuyoc / Cachicata
• Day 3: Cachicata – Ollantaytambo- Aguas calientes
• Day 4: Aguas calientes -Machu picchu- Cusco

The Cachicata Trek is one of the newest trekking routes on offer in the Cusco region. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo the Cachicata trek takes you past high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful scenery.

All Treks services include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco

DAY 1

Cusco- Ñaupa Templo-Raphcca- Rayan

We will begin the Cachicata Trek by driving to Pachar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From here, we  start to hike uphill to see Ñaupa Templo, an archeological Inca site where we will have a guided tour. After the inriching tour, we will continue to walk to Socma, (2900 m/9,510 ft). From here, we hike up a lush valley of scattered farmhouses and crop terraces, where Andean bird species such as the giant hummingbird and golden-billed saltator flit among the abundant native trees and shrubs. We will eat a picnic lunch by a rushing mountain stream before deciding which route we will take next. We may 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 along the Cachicata Trek, we will visit the little-known Inca ruin of Corimarca (perolniyoc), perched at mid-altitude on a shelf high above the Socma 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 produce of the surrounding valley. We will camp here for the night, or at a spacious set of Inca terraces a short distance up the valley.

DAY 2

Rayan -Chancachuco / Punkuyoc / Cachicata

On day two of the Cachicata Trek, we will climb across open meadows before reaching a zone of high altitude shrubland. This shrubland soon 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, (4,400 m/14,430 ft).
With any luck, we may be able to see Andean Condors today. We will 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 Inca quarry. The stream plunges through Punkuyoc, a narrow ravine enclosed by vertical cliffs draped in ferns and orchids.  It then emerges amidst a small wood 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 will 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 dedicated to the worship of snowcapped Verónica.

The alternative, an 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 will wind our way along the rim of the valley, reaching a pass where we descend steeply through native Q’euna woodland, leveling off as we approach the Inca site of Intipunku.

We will have 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 a hearty lunch, we will descend to our second and last camp, located on Inca terraces topped by small burial towers known as chullpas, near the village of Cachicata.

DAY 3

Cachicata – Ollantaytambo- Aguas calientes

After an energetic breakfast, we will explore different sectors of the Inca quarries and natural rock falls. The rocks from the quarry were destined to be used for building an Inca temple in Ollantaytambo. We will see a lot of rocks on our descending path to Ollantaytambo, where you will have some time to rest and explore the historic town. After our time in Ollantaytambo, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we can visit the hot springs and enjoy a nice dinner and a night in a hotel. We will need a good night’s rest for our tour of Machu Picchu early the next morning.

DAY 4

Aguas calientes -Machu picchu- Cusco

On the final day of the Cachicata Trek, you will wake up early and either hike for one and a half hours to the front gate of Machu Picchu, or take the bus to the gate from Aguas Calientes. You will arrive just in time to witness the sun rise over this magnificent city. Once inside Machu Picchu, you will have a 2 hour guided tour of this ancient city. After the tour, you will have free time for your own exploration.Finally, after the tour of Machu Picchu and to end the Cachicata Trek, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes. You can have lunch here before you board the train back to Cusco.

Cachicata Trek Includes:

• Professional guide who is fluent in English
• Private bus to the start of the trail
• Entrance fees
• Two-person tents with plenty of room for your backpacks
• Sleeping mattress
• Meals cooked by an experienced chef: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and snacks!
• Delicious food rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking
• All our food is prepared from organic vegetables and fresh ingredients
• Vegetarian/special diet options available
• Water (We will provide you with boiled and filtered cold water during the trek after lunch on the first day). You
• will need to bring a container to carry your water in. Also, you need to ensure that you pack a sufficient amount of water for the first half-day of the trek
• Pachacutec supplys an appropriate duffel bag for your belongings to be carried by horses.  The weight limit is (8 Kilograms /16 pounds) per trekker
• First Aid Kit including an emergency oxygen bottle and an extra horse that you may ride on if the altitude makes you unfit to continue the trek
• Round-trip train ticket from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Not Included in the Cachicata Trek:

• A tip for you guide, cook and wranglers are well apreciated

Price: US$ 540 per person.
Minimun 2 peolpe required
Group Size: 2-8 people

Note:

Cachicata Trek services include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco. This is an additional service that we provide, that sets us apart from other tour providers.
For all group bookings larger 3 people, we would offer you a free city tour or tour of the Sacred Valley.
Note: all our tour services include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco. This is an additional service that we provide, that sets us apart from other tour providers.
Pachacutec Expeditions does not have any hidden fees. We include a porter that will carry your personal belongings on  all of our Machu Picchu Treks at no additional cost.
We will provide you with a duffel bag to put all of your belongings in. The duffel bags easily fit (8 Kilograms /17 pounds) per person including your sleeping bags.
However, you will still need to carry your day pack with all of your essentials like water, sunscreen, passport, etc
We offer a discount of US $20 to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and to children under the age of 16 years old. Scanned copies of your ISIC card or child’s passport must be provided at the time of paymet of the deposit for the trek in order to qualify for the international discount.

Train for the end of your Trek

We suggest our tourists 6:45 p.m. train, This departure time will allow you to spend more time at Machu Picchu and do more activities like climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu mountain (which can be booked additionally) also you can walk to the sun gate , the inca bridge, and enjoy the hot springs or some cervezas after a long trek.
The 6:45 p.m. train will arrive in Ollantaytambo train station at 8:20 p.m. where you will be picked up by your driver outside of the train station. The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it so that there will be no confusion. If you do not see the driver initially, just wait for them outside of the train station. Once the driver has picked you up, then you will travel for 1 1/2 hours in a van before you arrive back at your hotel/hostel. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 10:00 p.m.
Also, we suggest 2:55pm train for travelers who are planning to leave Cusco city early in the morning the next day to continue with their travel plans.
Important: We guarantee the early Expedition departures, as per the itinerary, if you book your tours 2 months in advance. Otherwise, we may be forced to offer the Expedition train that departs at 6:45 p.m. only.

There is an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train at an extra US $35 per person. Please let us your preference at the time of booking.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If you are thinking of climbing Huayna picchu mountain you must book in advance. Only 400 people are permitted to hike Huayna Picchu per day. You will climb it on your own after the walking tour of Machu Picchu at around 10.00 a.m. we recomend that you book your ticket in advance because Huayna Picchu Mountain is often booked full. Machu Picchu Mountain also offers amazing views of the city and is an alternative to Huayna Picchu. We recomend it, if huayna Picchu mountain is overbook.

Rentals
Hiking poles: US$ 1o.00 (pair)

Sleeping bag US$ 2o.00

Air Matress US$ 15.00

For treks that includes accommodation at Aguas Calientes, we will stay in a hotel. In comparison to accommodations arranged by other companies, we will not be staying in basic shared rooms or sharing showers.

Cachicata Trek