THE LOST CITY OF CHOQUEQUIRAO

Day 1
Our flight to Cuzco via Madrid and Lima departs this evening and arrives the following day.

Day 2
Our flights arrive in Cuzco this morning. In the afternoon we have a short walking tour of this beautiful colonial city, whose unique fusion of Spanish and Inca architecture makes it an unusual and attractive place to explore on foot.

Day 3
Today has been left free for a range of optional excursions in and around Cuzco, including tours of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, rafting and visits to nearby Inca ruins.

Day 4
We spend today exploring the hills surrounding Cuzco as we walk between several Inca ruins. We start with a short drive to Tambo Machay, an intriguing site with lots of aqueducts and channels running through the terraces. It is a short walk from here to the fortress of Puca Pucara, which offers stunning views of the valley below. The next section of the walk takes us along an Inca road which connected Cuzco with the eastern part of the huge Inca empire. We walk past small villages and agricutural land before reaching the fascinating site of Q'enco. Believed to be the scene of sacrifices and mummification, the main features of the site are the large and intricately carved granite rock at its centre and an amphitheatre where ceremonies are thought to have taken place. Cuzco starts to come into sight as we follow the road to Sacsayhuaman, the vast fortress which dominates the skyline above the city. Its huge stone walls zigzag along the sides of a wide

Day 5
We leave Cuzco this morning and drive to the small town of Cachora where the trek starts. From here it is a two-hour trek to the Capuliyoc Pass (2915m) - from the top of the pass we enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Apurimac River and the surrounding snow-capped peaks, as well as Choquequirao itself. As we descend from the pass, we walk through dry forest and can see the raging waters of the Apurimac below us. Our camp tonight is at Chiquisaca (1750m). Today's walking time is around 8 hours.

Day 6
This morning we cross over the Apurimac River then begin the long and steep climb up to the village of Santa Rosa. After a rest stop we continue climbing to a plateau above Maranpata (2850m). The trail becomes much flatter from here on, as we follow the edge of the Apurimac Canyon towards Choquequirao. The forests here are home to Spectacled bears, and we may catch sight of them as we approach the Inca citadel. After walking through the terraces, we set up camp close to the ruins themselves (3035m). The day's walk should take around 6 hours.

Day 7
We spend the full day exploring the ruins of Choquequirao. Larger than Machu Picchu, the site is made up of nine different areas which each had a distinct role covering religious, political and military functions. The quality of the stonework indicates that it housed important Inca officials or royalty, and in common with other important sites it features ritual baths and temples dedicated to the sun, moon and Pachamama, the earth spirit. Much of Choquequirao is unexcavated and many buildings are still hidden beneath the thick forest which surrounds the main site. There are incredible views of the whole site and the Apurimac valley from the truncated hilltop of Sunch'u Pata, a steep walk up from the main plaza.

Day 8
Today we cross the Choquiquirao Pass (3215m) then descend through cloud forest and open scrubland to the Rio Blanco (1800m), passing the moss-covered ruins of Pinchinoyoc as we approach the river. After lunch we begin a long climb (3-4 hours) up to Maizal at 3000m, where we spend the night camping on Inca terraces.

Day 9
We start the day with a steep climb up the San Juan Pass (4170m) - the effort of ascending the pass is balanced with incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, including Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Sacsarayoc. As we near the top, we stop at the 1000-year-old La Victoria silver mines and catch sight of the Inca ruins of Qorihuayrachina. Crossing the pass, we descend to our camp at Yamana (3400m), following a high trail which affords excellent opportunities to spot the mighty Andean condor as it soars on the thermals.

Day 10
Stunning scenery abounds today as we trek deep in the heart of the Vilcabamba Range, following Inca roads up to the highest point of the trek, the Yamana Pass (4580m). Lofty Sacsarayoc dominates the skyline from the pass, and we walk close to glaciers and snowfields before down to Colpapampa (2850m), a beautiful area with natural hot springs where we spend the night.

Day 11
Today's walk is gentle in comparison to the last few days of tough ascent and steep descent as we follow the Salcantay (Santa Teresa) River. The vegetation becomes increasingly lush and verdant as we lose altitude, and we walk past waterfalls, coffee and fruit plantations before we reach our campsite in the small village of La Playa (2000m).

Day 12
From La Playa we continue walking through plantations and cloud forest to the hamlet of Lucmabamba and take an ancient Inca road to the recently-excavated ruins of Llactapata. On a clear day we will be rewarded by incredible views of Machu Picchu as we approach from its western side. We then descend to the Urubamba River and cross to the hydroelectric station and take a short train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, nestled in a bend of the river below Machu Picchu.

Day 13
We take the bus up to Machu Picchu early this morning for a tour of the ruins at their quietest and most evocative (before the day trippers arrive from Cuzco). After free time to explore individually, we then board the train in the afternoon (though its timings are somewhat erratic and the journey may be partly in the dark). The ride follows the rapids of the Urubamba River, enters the Sacred Valley, then climbs onto the altiplano to Cuzco.

Day 14
Today has been left free for relaxation after the long trek, or for optional excursions.

Day 15
Those on group flights to the UK will be transferred to the airport for the overnight flight to London via Lima and Madrid.

Day 16
The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.