Our journeys take you on an exploration of Peru in all its extraordinary
diversity, from the arid desert coast with its vineyards, colonial
cities and ancient remains of pre-Inca cultures, to the Inca heartland
of the Andes and the unparalleled biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.
A truly spectacular trek with all the elements of an unforgettable
experience: Incredible scenery, villages untouched by the modern world and, due to the
altitudinal range of the route, an enormous variety of Andean flora and fauna, from
orchids to herds of llamas. And to end the trek, a chance to relax in southern
Peru’s best natural thermal pools.
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This “lost city” fascinated 19th century explorers
and Hiram Bingham visited it two years before he discovered Machu Picchu.
The more famous ruins of Machu Picchu are situated on the eastern slope of the
Cordillera Vilcabamba, and Choquekirau, located on the western slope at about
the same parallel, forms what could almost be described as their mirror image.
Both cities are located half-way up steep, densely-forested mountain slopes,
overlooking major rivers.
The southern approach to Choquekirau from Cachora requires a steep descent from
almost 3200 metres down to the Apurímac river at 1200 metres, followed
by an even steeper ascent to the ruins. The site is perched a magnificent 1150
metres above the Apurímac, surrounded by densely-forested mountain slopes
in the shadow of massive, snow covered peaks.
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For centuries, these great mountains have been central to
Andean religion as the two most important Apus, or mountain gods, of the Inca
empire, and in fact Cusco itself lies on a direct line between them.
The white peak of the sacred mountain of Salkantay (6,271 metres), wreathed in
the white clouds which rise from the jungle lowlands, dominates Machu Picchu and
its approach via the world famous Inca Trail, accompanying hikers for much of
the four day trek to this enigmatic lost city.
Dominating the horizon south of Cusco, the magnificent peak of Ausangate
(6,333 metres) is the highest and most sacred mountain in southern Peru.
For centuries it has been central to the religious beliefs of the Andean
people and pilgrimages to its icy slopes - which since the Spanish conquest
have become a hybrid of indigenous and Catholic rites - are still made by local
people.
Treks in the Ausangate area take from eight to twelve days. The scenery is
spectacular. Snowcapped peaks and glaciers look down impassively on seemingly
endless grasslands studded with turquoise lakes and thermal pools.
Herds of llamas and alpacas graze under the watchful eyes of their owners, who
live in the same isolated and picturesque villages their ancestors founded
countless generations ago.
[ See Detailed Information ]
For centuries, these great mountains have been central to
Andean religion as the two most important Apus, or mountain gods, of the Inca
empire, and in fact Cusco itself lies on a direct line between them.
The white peak of the sacred mountain of Salkantay (6,271 metres), wreathed in
the white clouds which rise from the jungle lowlands, dominates Machu Picchu and
its approach via the world famous Inca Trail, accompanying hikers for much of the
four day trek to this enigmatic lost city.
Dominating the horizon south of Cusco, the magnificent peak of Ausangate
(6,333 metres) is the highest and most sacred mountain in southern Peru.
For centuries it has been central to the religious beliefs of the Andean people
and pilgrimages to its icy slopes - which since the Spanish conquest have become
a hybrid of indigenous and Catholic rites - are still made by local people.
Treks in the Ausangate area take from eight to twelve days. The scenery is
spectacular. Snowcapped peaks and glaciers look down impassively on seemingly
endless grasslands studded with turquoise lakes and thermal pools.
Herds of llamas and alpacas graze under the watchful eyes of their owners, who
live in the same isolated and picturesque villages their ancestors founded
countless generations ago.
[ See Detailed Information ]
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