Apurimac Expedition Itinerary

Day 1:  We will meet you at the Cusco airport mid-day and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we have an orientation dinner where we‘ll distribute river dry bags and discuss the upcoming week’s activities.

Day 2:  We meet at 9:00 am. From Cusco we drive 4 hours through the Andes to the put-in at mile-high Huallpachaca Bridge. We’ll spend a few hours preparing our equipment, including the self-bailing rafts, oars, paddles, coolers, personal gear, helmets, lifejackets, and wet suits. We’ll warm up with a safety talk and rafting drills. On the water, we’ll float through several Class II-III rapids, emphasizing a thorough training, including re-entering the raft after a swim, flipping the raft, and swimming a rapid. We’ll pull over and spend our first river night in the narrow gorge backed by the roar of the river. The guides will prepare an awesome dinner while participants explore a side canyon and waterfall or relax in camp.

Day 3:  This morning we’ll rise as daylight makes its way down the canyon and energize with a hot breakfast and beverages. Today we plan to launch early as we have a 6-7 hour day ahead of us. We’ll encounter our first Class IV rapids and will make plenty of time for marveling at the sheer gorge through which we pass. One portage awaits at an impassible stretch of the river. At midday we’ll refuel on an abundant riverside lunch; and we hope to arrive at our spectacular camp by 4 p.m., where we’ll share happy hour cocktails and appetizers. Setting camp and partaking of another great dinner and stories all around, we’ll pass the night gazing out of tents and sleeping bags two miles out of the Apurimac River Canyon and into the Peruvian sky.

Day 4:  After a great hot breakfast we gear up to paddle the most challenging whitewater of the expedition. Class V rapids “Toothache,” “C-U First,” and ”Last Laugh” will rock our boats as we cruise downstream through the colossal, smooth, water-sculpted, vertical walls. Tonight will be our final night on the river and in this amazing canyon.

Days 5:  After a nice breakfast and hot coffee, we raft a short distance to our take-out, where we pack all the equipment and drive back the ancient Incan city of Cusco, arriving in the early afternoon. Some may choose to prepare for the following day’s trek, relaxing by shopping or sampling Cusco’s amazing restaurants and coffee houses. This afternoon we’ll transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and check into the celebrated Mirador de los Incas, where we‘ll also enjoy a fabulous dinner.

Day 6:  Piskacuchu - Wayllabamba

Sometime between 9:00 and 9:30 am, we’ll leave the hotel in route to Piskacuchu (2700 meters), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco -Machu Pichu railroad. Using this point as a starting point for our trek, we’ll cross the bridge and hike along the left shore of the Urubamba River as it flows northwest through the Sacred Valley. Following a generally flat trail, we’ll make our way to Miskay (2800 meters). At Miskay we‘re able to see the Inca city of Patallacta (2750 meters). We’ll continue our trek through the Kusichaca River Valley, climbing gradually (+/- 5 hours) until we reach our first campsite at the village of Wayllabamba (3000 meters). The valley offers spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level; and the phenomenal diversity of flora and fauna trailside will keep us captivated throughout the duration of today‘s hike!

Day 7:  Wayllabamba - Pacaymayo

We’ll awaken early to a hearty breakfast and hot drinks. Soon thereafter we’ll leave Wayllabamba behind and begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt, steep ascent that stretches for 5 miles. As we ascend, the landscape transforms from sierra (forested alpine environment) to puna (alpine desert.) Enroute to our first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihua“usca (Dead Woman’s Pass), we’ll witness domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude. We’ll also cross through the mysterious “cloud forest,” the habitat of a plethora of bird species and also of the peculiar Spectacled Andean Bear. In the afternoon we’ll descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3600 meters,) where we’ll make camp. Today’s hike is one of the most spectacular you’ll ever do, and will take approximately 6 hours.

Day 8:  Pacaymayo - Wi“aywayna

Today will be our longest day, but our reward is that we will behold one of the most impressive displays of Incan archaeological sites in South America! From Pacaymayo we’ll climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 meters). Half way up our ascent, we’ll stop and peruse the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 meters, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower. After crossing the pass, we descend in the direction of Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest, where we’ll encounter our second arch site of the day, Sayacmarca (3624 meters). Sayacmarca is constructed in a semi-circle and consists of multi-leveled enclosures, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios, and irrigation canals. After a visit and a snack, we’ll begin a second, gradual climb to our third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 meters). We’ll ascend this section via ancient Inca trails constructed of stone, semi-detached from the mountain, and smoothing out the irregular Andean geography. We’ll also pass through an Incan tunnel enroute to the Phuyupatamarca complex below the pass. This is one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites on the trail. Located at the summit of a mountain, Phuyupatamarca translates as “town over the clouds!” We’ll observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, backed by impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we’ll continue on to Wi“aywayna (2700 meters). At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, a bar, and bathrooms with hot showers. We’ll have plenty of time to check out the Wi”aywayna complex, as well, located only five minutes from the lodge. Wi“aywayna is an impressive complex consisting of a terraced agricultural center, a religious sector, and an urban sector.

Day 9: Wi“aywayna - Machu Pichu
Machu Picchu/Inca trail Video

On this fourth and final day we’ll awaken at 4:00 am to leave Wi“aywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, the “Sun Gate,” an hour’s hike along an ancient trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot we’ll watch the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Pichu. From Intipunku we descend into Machu Pichu, entering the citadel forty minutes later through the “House of the Guardians.“ We’ll then descend to the control point where we register and leave our backpacks. We’ll commence a comprehensive guided tour of Machu Pichu that lasts two hours. After our tour, we’ll all have time to further explore the ruins; scale nearby Huayna Pichu Mountain, from where one can experience spectacular views of the complex in its entirety; or check out the Temple of the Moon or the amazing Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we’ll reconvene in the neighboring town of Aguas Calientes where, we have the option of visiting and relaxing in the thermal baths. We’ll share a spectacular dinner and spend the night in at a hotel in the shadow of Machu Pichu.

Day 10:

Today we’re free to wander the Machu Pichu ruins, relax at the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, or visit the Orchid Garden in Aguas Calientes. After a tranquil morning and early afternoon, we’ll load aboard a train that will transport us back to the Sacred Valley and the Mirador de los Incas, where we’ll arrive around 6 p.m. Tonight we’ll enjoy our final banquet and celebration, and toast all around to our spectacular journey through the ancient Incan world!

Day 11: This morning we leave early for the Cusco airport or on to your next destination!