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Welcome to Adventure Specialists - a small, educational, adventure group focusing on Andean archaeology, discovery expeditions, and adventures by foot and horseback. Gary and Edwin organize and lead research expeditions locating lost Inca sites annually. During this expedition to Choquequirao, the Royal Inca Estate, they will happily explain in detail what they have learned from several decades of fieldwork there. Don't worry about having to compromise with your comfort. The team will take care of you throughout the journey. Stay in a comfortable four-person deluxe camp and enjoy fresh near-gourmet meals as you go. This is a life-changing holiday that you don't want to miss!
On the first night, you will stay at the comfortable Casa Salkantay Lodge at Cachora. You will spend the rest of the nights in a deluxe camp for four people prepared by Adventure Specialists team.
The team will pick you up from your Cusco hotel in a private vehicle to drive four hours, with another two or so hours looking at ruins, to the small community of Cachora. This is the main central highway with interesting ruins you visit along the way; the ceremonial sites of Quillarumiyoq and Saywite. You will stay overnight at the comfortable Casa Salkantay Lodge near Cachora.
Drive to Capilloc Pass. You will have your first view of the immense Apurimac drainage far below. This deep canyon with its powerful river is one of the great geographic wonders of the Americas. The Apurimac which means “voice of god or mighty speaker” in Quechua, thunders hundreds of miles through the remotest part of the Andes to eventually, along with a multitude of sister rivers, become the Amazon. You will hike a winding trail down some 3000 feet to set camp at a developed campground with toilets and a cold shower beside the river.
You will travel by foot or on horseback with accompanying mule pack train (estimated five to six hours of hiking/riding and a stop for lunch). The staff sets up a large dining tent with tables and chairs. One or two persons are assigned a four-person sleeping tent.
Disclaimer: Having done this hike many times Gary and/or Edwin will likely be riding most of the way on mules.
Trek up to Choque. After tea and coffee served in bed along with a tub of warm washing water, you have breakfast in the large tent then head out around 8:30 a.m. or so. You climb another 4,500 feet to your objective, some five to six hours with a stop for lunch.
By late afternoon, you have reached a spectacular campsite among massive stone constructions and jungle tangle near the imposing walls of the ancient ceremonial city.
Following a leisurely breakfast, the day is dedicated to an extensive exploration of the main groups led by Gary and/or Edwin Duenas. They explain in detail what they have learned from several decades of fieldwork there. The discussion continues over the camp happy hour as the Andean sun settles behind sacred Apu Ampato to the west.
You have ample have time to revisit the main groups before departing to then descend the winding steep trail some 4,500 feet back down to the Apurimac River. Crossing over the newly rebuilt bridge above the rapids, you will again overnight at the riverside camp.
Completing the trek out to the road head, sadly bidding mules, cooks, and wranglers goodbye. You will toast the staff and the successful completion of a magical journey back through time. You will travel back by bus to Cusco, with luck, arriving by early evening.
Gary Ziegler, Adventure Specialist's founder and co-owner, is a field archaeologist with a geology background. He is a mountaineer and explorer who has spent a lifetime finding and studying remote Inca sites in the Vilcabamba range of Peru’s Southern Andes. Gary is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Explorers Club. He has featured in documentary films for the BBC, Discovery Channel, Science and History Channels. In 2013, he was awarded the title “Distinguished Lecturer” at NASA’s Marshal Space Center. He has taught at Colorado College and Peru’s National University.
Edwin Duenas is a Quechua speaking Cusco native. Edwin holds a Doctor of Law degree and practiced law before catching the ancient mysteries bug. Edwin became the expedition Maestre del Campo, expertly organizing porters, camp staff, wranglers and heading up logistical operations. Edwin guides most of the custom programs including his 'much in demand' interpretive talks at Machu Picchu. He pursues ethnohistory and field research with a passion. Each dry season, the team launches a new exploration together dedicated to unraveling ancient Andean mysteries with the ongoing Andean Research Project.
Nestled at 10,000 feet on a prominent ridge overlooking the profound Apurimac chasm with the backdrop of ice sculptured mountain cathedrals, this mythical lost city rivals Machu Picchu in beauty and importance. Adventure Specialists team is learning more every year of this major, seldom visited, Inca site.
Meals are prepared from fresh meats, grains, and vegetables. The seasoned cooks are well experienced in catering to vegetarian diets for those of that calling. Before the evening meal, you enjoy happy hour with popcorn, assorted hot beverages, and, for those who imbibe, the famous expedition vodka martini or select Chilean wine.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
94 km
Transfer not provided
Please book your flight to arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). You need to arrange your own transportation to Cusco. The team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco.
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