A visitor to Choquequirao explores the ruins

Choquequirao – Machu Picchu 8D/7N

In Quechua language, Choquequirao or Choquekiraw means “Cradle of Gold”. It is another “Lost City of the Inkas” “Choquequirao is the city which demonstrates the inspiring Inca ceremonial center. A city dedicated the adoration of the “Pachamama” the Andean mother Earth “the Apus” Mountain gods and divinities like the water and the elements of Nature.”
Now our focus in this Area is the Andean people, who are living in these amazing mountains, with ancestral traditions, the Inca’s descendants. The Choquequirao trail is for real trekkers who want to get into the remote western Vilcabamba range and still end up at Machu Picchu.

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Choquequirao Trek, Sky High Andes tours

Choquequirao – Vilcabamba – Machu Picchu (9 Days 8 Nights)

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Level: Basic

In Quechua language, Choquequirao or Choquekiraw means “Cradle of Gold”. It is another “Lost City of the Inkas”. Choquequirao is dedicated to the adoration of the “Pachamama” the Andean mother Earth, “the Apus” Mountain gods and divinities like the water and the elements of Nature.”

Now our focus in this area is to hike on well preserved Inka trails and see the last stronghold of the Inca after the Spanish took over Cusco. Many Andean people, who are living in these amazing mountains have ancestral traditions from the Incas. We will cross the Vilcabamba mountains from the Apurimac to Urubamba river, visiting the most important cities of the Incas: Machu Picchu, Choquequirao and Vilcabamba.

Morning at 20,939 foot summit of Ausangate

Climb Ausangate (6,384m/20,939ft)

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights (Can also be done in 4 days)
Level: Basic / Intermediate (AD)

Nevado Ausangate is the 5th highest peak in Peru at 6,384m, and the highest mountain in the Cusco region. Ausangate is the most well-known peak for mountaineering in Cusco and can be seen from many places in the city. The first ascent to the summit in 1953 was led by the famous Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. He was part of the first team to conquer the north face of the Eiger and protagonist of the book/movie “Seven Years in Tibet”. The normal route is moderately technical and you need good stamina to break trail on the summit plateau. We are experts in climbing this iconic mountain where I have made the summit twelve times to date. If you are thinking to climb Ausangate, we have a proven record to get you to the top!

Ausangate Half Circuit Trek (3 days 2 Nights)

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Level: Beginner

This route is half of the Ausangate full circuit trek. Perfect if you want to see the these incredible mountains, but do not have time to do the full trek. Our shorter route takes you to the highlights of this trail and finishes at the village of Pacchanta. Enjoy the thermal baths at night, as the alpenglow fades on Ausangate and the stars of the milky way shine brightly.

Nevados Callangate behind the village of Pacchanta

Ausangate Front Range Trek (4 days / 3 Nights)

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Level: Beginner

This trek is a shorter alternative to the normal Ausangate circuit trek. The Front Range Trek gives you impressive views of Mount Ausangate and Callangate while on a rarely traveled trail. You can experience all the highlights of the Vilcanota mountain range, including the thermal baths in Pacchanta. To finish, we camp by the large turquoise Lagoon Singrenacocha, more impressive than any lagoon on the normal circuit trek.

Hikers on the Vilcanota Circuit Trek with Sky High Andes

Vilcanota Circuit Trek (7 days / 6 Nights)

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level: Beginner

On this rugged trek you explore deeply into the remote Vilcanota mountain range. Our trail circles the 20,000ft mountains anchoring the center of the range, instead of just Ausangate like the normal trek. This route is longer than the normal trek but better because we get far off the beaten path. You hike between the big glaciers of the range, and visit the most impressive lagoons: Sibinacocha and Singrenacocha. You will see vicuñas and many bird species that are not seen on the normal Ausangate trek. The Vilcanota Trek is similar to the Huayhuash Trek in length and beauty.

You can combine this trek with easy climbing peaks like Campa (5,500m) or Chumpe (6,110m).

Ausangate Trek (5 days / 4 Nights)

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Level: Beginner

Our five day trek around Ausangate (6,384m/20,939ft) takes you through turquoise lagoons and snow capped peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range. This is an authentic Andean experience because you will see the local Quechua Indians and their way of life as alpaca herders. Our compadre Luis Crispin lives in the picturesque village of Pacchanta, nestled at the foot of the high Andes mountains. His family is our team of locals who will take you with their horses on the trail. Another highlight of this route is to enjoy a bath in the the thermal springs at the start and the end of the trek. Don’t miss this timeless landscape!

This is the perfect opportunity to climb an easy summit! You can add on a climb of Campa peak, one of the easiest mountains to climb in Cusco!

Salkantay pass (4,650m)

Salkantay – Santa Teresa – Machu Picchu Trek (5 Days / 4 Nights)

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Level: Beginner

Nevado Salkantay is the highest mountain close to Machu Picchu in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Since ancient times people hold this mountain sacred as a giver of life for the jungle below. This trail is great for your first time in altitude because the high pass on the trail, Salkantay pass (4,650m = 15,252ft) is relatively easy. After that the trail descends into the lower elevations of cloud forest. On this trek you will stay in comfortable cabins after hiking each day.

Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek. The Salkantay trek is the most popular alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail, with many groups going each day. But our opinion is that the Salkantay Ahobamba Trek is the best of them all.

Salkantay above Ahobamba valley

Salkantay – Ahobamba Trek (6 days 5 Nights)

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Level: Beginner

The Salkantay Ahobamba Trek is for the stronger trekkers who want a more adventurous route to Machu Picchu. It passes the east side of Nevado Salkantay instead of the west like the normal Salkantay Trek. The route crosses two passes, one at Abra Inkachillaska (5,000mts) and the other at Abra Palqay (4,700m). The trail then descends into the wild Ahobamba Valley, where we have a cabin in a beautiful place above the jungle.  There are very few people who get to travel by this face of Salkantay with spectacular views; it offers the perfect way to avoid the crowds on the way to Machu Picchu.