Ultimate Raft and Trek 13 Days

These 13 days begin with a flight from Lima to Cusco then continue to the Apurimac river for 3 days of rafting and riverside camping followed by an epic trekking journey to the ruins of Choquequirao, the mystical Maizal, Yanama and finally concluding with a visit to Machu Picchu.


13 Days
Lima - Lima
From
$1,570 USD
Code: PA2G2

This trip is:

Active

This trip includes a total of 3 days rafting on class 3 - 5 rapids followed by 7 days trekking on steep difficult inclines.

Standard

Expedition train, bus tickets and entrances included. Rafting and Trekking is catered and include all rafting/camping equipment (tents).

Difficult

Steep rocky inclines at a moderate pace. Donkeys or horses provided carry your pack. Emergency (riding) donkey included.

Private / Pooled Tours

Your group may join another rafting group on the Apurimac while the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek is Private and your group only.

Lesser-Known

Apurimac rafting is lesser known while Choquequirao to Machu Picchu is rarely travelled.

Overview

Day 1    Arrival in Lima
We will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. From there we will transfer to your hotel in Lima.
Includes Airport Transfer / Accommodation


Day 2    Flight Lima to Cusco - Free Time
Pickup at your hotel early morning and transfer to the airport in Lima - Flight to Cusco (40 mins) - Free Time in Cusco
Includes Meals B / Transfers / Flight / Accommodation


Day 3    Huallpachaca - Apurimac River
Transfer from Cusco to the Apurimac river for rafting training on class 3 rapids. Night camping at the Apurimac river.
Includes Meals BLD / Entrances / Transfers / Bus / Ica Tours / Accommodation


Day 4    Sandy Beach Class IV and V
We float down rapids class 4 and 5 for about 5 hours. Around noon we'll stop for lunch then continue floating for another 2 hours to our second camp.
Includes Meals BLD / Transfers / Flight / Entrances / Bus


Day 5    Sandy Beach - Cachora
Today we raft for 3 hours to Cunyac which is the final point of our rafting portion then transfer to Cachora. Tonight, enjoy the small pueblo of Cachora. Night in a basic hostal.
Includes Meals BL / Transfers / Accommodation


Day 6    Cachora - Playa Rosalinda
The hike on this first day is 22 km to "Playa Rosalina" (1550 m) next to the same Apurimac river. BBQs and campfires permitted here with proper bathrooms and showers.
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment


Day 7    Playa Rosalinda - Choquequirao
Today is a difficult day uphill. We'll stop for lunch before finally reaching Marampata and Choquequirao in the afternoon. Dinner and camping in Choquequirao Park.
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment


Day 8    Choquequirao - Pinchi Unuyoc
Guided Tour of Choquequirao this morning then lunch followed by a 5 hr trek to the ruins of Pinchi Unuyoc and our next campsite.
Includes Meals BLD / Entrance / Camping Equipment


Day 9    Pinchi Unuyoc - Rio Blanco - Maizal
Short walk downhill to the Rio Blanco river. We'll have lunch here then begin uphill until we reach Maizal in the afternoon.
Includes Meals BLD / Camping Equipment


Day 10    Maizal - Yanama
We'll have lunch at the pass where we have beautiful panoramic views. In the afternoon we descend along cliffs and mines until we reach Yanama.
Includes Meals BLD / Entrance / Camping Equipment


Day 11    Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
We'll take a morning passenger van 4 hrs to Santa Teresa. From there we transfer to Hidroelectrica followed by a 2 hr afternoon walk to Aguas Calientes and our hostal. Celebration Dinner at Toto's House included.
Includes Meals BLD / Transfers / Accommodation


Day 12    Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning we'll take a bus up to Machu Picchu and have all day with our expert guide to explore this Inca enigmatic treasure. In the afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then have a private transfer to Cusco and your hotel. What a trek!
Includes Entrances / Guide / Train Tickets / Accommodation


Day 13    Flight Cusco to Lima - Departure
Transfer to Airport in Cusco - Flight to Lima - INTL Return Flight
Includes Meals B / Transfer / Flight to Lima

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrival in Lima - Hotel in Lima
We will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with your name on it. From there we will transfer to your hotel in Lima. Enjoy free time exploring the city. Night in Hotel.

Free Time

Free Time
Explore Lima on your own after checking into your hotel.

Hotel

Accommodation
Night in Lima "Hotel Stefanos" (or similar).

Includes Transfer / Accommodation

Day 2    Flight Lima - Cusco - Afternoon City Tour of Cusco's Ruins
Enjoy free time to relax or explore Cusco's San Pedro Market, Plaza de Armas or Museums. Night in Cusco "El Balcon" (or similar).

40 mins

Flight to Cusco
Enjoy a 40 min flight up into the clouds.

full day

Free Time
Free time in Cusco to acclimate and explore.

Hostal

Accommodation
Night in Cusco "El Balcon" (or similar).

Includes Meals B / Transfer / Accommodation

Day 3    Huallpachaca - Apurimac River Class III
We will pick you up around 8:30 am from your hotel in Cusco and we'll start our journey for 4 hours by bus passing by impressive mountains and a beautiful natural landscape. Right after we arrive to Huallpachaca Apurimac we will provide the necessary equipment for the next 3 days. We will have lunch and after a short break we'll have a briefing on safety and navigational techniques. This first day we are going to train for two hours in class 3 and 3+ rapids and after completing our first day's rafting trip we'll head to our campsite located at a beautiful and relaxing sandy beach.

4 hrs

Transfer
Transfer from your hotel in Cusco to our beginning point on the Apurimac.

2 hrs

Rafting
Training on class 3 and 3+ rapids.

Tent - Catered

Sandy Beach Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 4    Sandy Beach Class IV and V
Early in the morning and after an energetic breakfast we'll start rafting downstream where we can enjoy rapids class 4 and 5 for about 5 hours. Around noon we'll stop at another beautiful beach to enjoy our delicious lunch and after a break we'll continue floating for another 2 hours to our second camp.

7 hrs

Full Day's Rafting Tour
We tackle class 4 and 5 rapids today!

Tent - Catered

Sandy Beach Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 5    Sandy Beach - Cunyac - Cusco
After breakfast we are going to raft for 3 hours to Cunyac which is the final point of our adventure. There, a delicious lunch will be waiting for us. From here will will transfer to Cachora, our starting point for tomorrow's trek. Night in a basic hostal.

3 hrs

Rafting
Morning rafting to Cunyac our final destination.

40 mins

Transfer
Transfer from ending point on the Apurimac to Cachora.

Hostal

Accommodation
Night in basic hostal in Cachora.

Meals BLD

Day 6    Cusco - Cachora - Playa Rosalinda
We will leave your hotel in Cusco at 6 am in our private van and head west towards Abancay. After 4 hrs we'll arrive in the pueblo of Cachora where we will meet up with our mulateer and mules which will carry our gear (5 kilos max/person). We will spend the day first descending towards the Apurimac river and along trails to the mirador of Capuliyoc and Cocamasana where we could possibly hear and see landslides in the distance or see nearby condors. We will continue past overcrowded campsites and finally arrive in Playa Rosalina (2200m/7215ft). Tent camping, park bathrooms and showers provided.

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Mostly downhill hike with beautiful views of Apurimac Canyon

Tent - Catered

Playa Rosalinda Campsite
This campground is equipped with nice bathrooms and firepits.

Meals LD

Optional

Extra Mule
Rent an extra mule if considering riding more than walking. Note that mules cannot carry riders going down steep inclines.

Day 7    Marampata - Choquequirao
After breakfast we'll cross the Apurimac river by bridge and begin our hike from 1400m/4593ft to 3000m/10006ft. We'll pass by the campsites of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta finally leveling off at Marampata where we'll have lunch. After a couple of hours we have reached the park and campsite of Choquequirao in the cloud forest. Dinner and camping at Choquequirao park's site with bathrooms and showers provided.

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Difficult day with rewarding scenery

Tent - Catered

Choquequirao Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 8    Choquequirao Ruins - Pinchiunuyoc Ruins
This morning after a hearty breakfast we'll explore the ruins of Choquequirao. We'll learn about the significance of the Inca's construction of double niches and window placement. We'll visit the main plaza, Haran, Pikiwasi and Llama sector. If time allows some may go downhill to see the overgrown Agricultural Sector where a lonely house of stone faces a waterfall. After lunch we'll continue on further up and over to Choquequirao's backside, mirador and finally arriving at more ruins and Pinchiunuyoc (2427m/7963ft) where we will have dinner at the ruins and make our campsite for the night.

3 hrs

Guided Tour of Choquequirao
1.5 hr guided tour of Choquequirao followed by 1.5 hrs free time

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Today is downhill all day with more views of the spectacular mountain ranges through waves of mist.

Tent - Catered

Pinchiunuyoc Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 9    Rio Blanco - Maizal
Leaving Pinchiunuyoc we'll descend to 1869m/6134ft and the Rio Blanco, "White River" named for the continual whitewater breaking over boulders. We can cool off in pristine clean water and rest a while before beginning another uphill hike. This day is very similar to our first day climbing to Choquequirao. We'll soon find ourselves in the Bosque Relicto "Relic Forest" where it is possible to find wild fruits such as tomatillos, bean pods, vibrant butterflies and even Walking Stick insects. Long sleeves work best here. Soon we pass through this ecological niche and find ourselves again heading for the clouds until we reach Maizal at 3032m/9946ft. The view here tonight from your tent is surreal and it feels like sleeping in the clouds when the mist moves in and becomes lit by the moon "Mama Quilla".

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Today we trek down to the river then up again on established trails.

Tent - Catered

Maizal Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 10    Yanama Pass - Yanama
This morning after breakfast we'll again head upwards through cloud forest finding copper mines along the way. We'll reach the pass at 4108 m/13480ft around lunch time where we can relax and take in the panorama. Then we'll begin a 2 hr descent to Yanama (3547m/11638ft), again passing by mines cut straight into the mountain. The views here are more crisp at this higher "Altiplano" elevation. We leave behind the humid jungle setting and embrace for a colder night near a campfire and we can see that Yanama gets pure glacier water and excellent pressure. This night marks the end of our difficult portion of the trek. Tonight we can celebrate with a soda or beer from the nearby tienda. Night camping with full / basic facilities.

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Today we trek down to the river then up again on established trails.

Tent - Catered

Yanama Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 11    Santa Teresa - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Today we begin with a passenger van ride through altiplano backcountry ~4 hrs. We'll first head up he valley to the Totora Pass where we may have to do some light maintenance where the river intersects with the road. This is a nice break from the duration and gives us a chance to snap photos of the surrounding landscape. After crossing the pass by car we head down towards Totora where it becomes greener and warmer. We continue by car through Cocalpampa (Salkantay Trek intersection) and down into jungle, watching the Santa Teresa River wind it's way along the road. Finally we reach Santa Teresa around 11 am and take a transfer with our backpacks to the Hydroelectric station "Hidroelectrica". After a short 10 min ride we begin a 2 hr walk along flat ground a follow the tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes early afternoon. After settling into our hotel we'll meet as a group at Tot's House next to the river for dinner (included). Night in hostal.

4 hrs

Bus to Hidroelectrica
See more of the countryside from Yanama up through the Totora Pass (4500m/14763ft) to Totora and Santa Teresa.

Congrats!

Celebratory Dinner
Dinner at Tot's House on the Urubamba river included.

Hostal

Accommodation
Basic Hostal in Aguas Calientes

Meals BLD

Day 12    Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning we'll walk 1.5 - 2 hrs up to Machu Picchu for a 1.5 hr tour followed by 1.5 hrs free time to explore more or take photos. In the afternoon we'll return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then transfer to Cusco and your hotel. What a trek!

3 hrs

Guided tour of Machu Picchu
1.5 hr guided tour of Machu Picchu followed by 1.5 hrs free time

1.5 hrs

Train Ride
Experience an uphill train ride through Peruvian jungle along the Urubamba river.

Meals B (Boxed Lunch)

Optional

Bus Tickets up to Machu Picchu
If feeling tired from the trek, choose the bus to Machu Picchu instead of the 1.5 - 2 hr hike up.

Train Upgrade
Ride the Vistadome or Hiram Bingham train

Huayna Picchu
Climb to a unique and picturesque viewpoint above Machu Picchu * Book 3 months in advance!

Montaña
Get a unique view of Machu Picchu from a neighboring mountain which offers the best possible photo opportunity of Machu Picchu.

Day 13    Flight Cusco to Lima - Departure
Transfer to Airport in Cusco - Flight to Lima - INTL Return Flight.

40 mins

Flight Cuz-Lima
Enjoy a short flight in the morning allowing time for your connecting INTL departure flight in the afternoon.

Includes Meals B / Transfer / Flights

Group Size Price/Person Group Type Extras
1 $1840 Pooled --
2 - 3 $1570 Pooled --
4 - 5 $1545 Pooled --
6 - 7 $1388 Pooled --
8 - 12 $1345 Pooled --

Included Not Included
* RT Flights Lima-Cusco
* Airport Pickup and Transfer to Hotel in Lima
* 2 Basic Hostal Stays (Cachora/Aguas Calientes)
* 3 Hotel Stays (Lima/Cusco)
* Machu Picchu Entrance
* Return Train Ticket Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
* Transfer Ollantaytambo - Cusco
* All Camping and Rafting Gear
* All Rafting and Trail Guides and in Machu Picchu
* Dinner in Aguas Calientes
* Bus Ticket RT Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
* Meals not mentioned
* Water Bottle
* Sleeping Bag

To Bring Optional
* Original Passport
* ISIC Card (for Students)
* Trekking Shoes
* Swimsuit / Bathing Suit
* Water Bottle
* Sleeping Bag
* Long Pants / Long Sleeve Shirt
* Bug Repellent (DEET)
* Backpack with Change of Clothes
* Rain Protection (Poncho)
* Sunblock / Sunglasses / Hat or Cap
* Binoculars
* Afterbite


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