- CACHICATA
- CACHIQHATA
If you love nature, Andean landscapes, unknown routes and quiet places; then the Cachicata circuit with the Perolniyoc waterfall, and its archaeological centers of Ñaupa Iglesia (the Inca portal to another dimension), Raqaypata, Intipunku and Cachicata; is the best option. To access you must take a walk and unlike many attractions in Cusco, in this place you will not find many people. This place is 100% recommended for lovers of nature and pre-Hispanic archaeological sites.
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION - 04 DAYS:
DAY 01: CUSCO – ÑAUPA CHURCH – PEROLNIYOC WATERFALL – RAQAYPATA
The trip begins with the pick up from your hotel or starting point at 7:00 in the morning in our private vehicle. Then we go to the town of Pachar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we will visit our first Archaeological Center (Naupa Inglesia). “Naupa Inglesia” is an enigmatic and mystical place, a ceremonial temple of worship to the moon; In this place you feel a great spiritual energy, with a lot of peace and tranquility that is why it is believed that Ñaupa Iglesia is a very special huaca, considered as an Inca portal to other dimensions. Getting to Naupa Inglesia will take us thirty minutes walking uphill. Then we will return to our Mobility and continue to the town of "Socma" (walking option). In Socma and with all our equipment, the walk to the Perolniyoc waterfall or cataract begins, the journey lasts approximately one hour until reaching the foot of this beautiful waterfall that has a drop of more than one hundred meters, an incredible natural wonder and source Inca ceremonial.
In the upper part of the Perolniyoc waterfall, a thirty-minute walk (ascent), is the interesting Inca archaeological center of "Raqaypata". Raqaypata is an archaeological complex from the Inca period (1,100 AD – 1,352 AD), located at 3,646 meters above sea level. Where the cataract originate from, this place was a granary or warehouse (Tanpu) and administrative place during the Inca period; It also has a sophisticated agricultural hydraulic system, which is still in operation today. On the tour you will see people practicing agriculture in these beautiful places; as well as a great variety of flora and fauna. On the day we will have time to take pictures. Then we will settle in our first camp.
DAY 02: RAQAYPATA – PASS OR OPEN OF CHANCACHUCO – CACHICATA
This day of hiking to Cachicata, we will climb open places before reaching a high altitude scrub area. The bush will soon give way to the treeless grasslands known as Puna, as our trail winds gently towards the Chancachuco Pass, (4,200m/13,780ft). With a bit of luck, we will be able to see birds such as the Andean condors among others.
We will then continue down the Chancachuco valley river, following the remains of an Inca water channel that once brought water to the ancient Inca quarry, enjoying the view with narrow ravines with vertical cliffs covered in ferns and orchids. We will follow the canal along a path along the edge of the valley, descending steeply through native Q'euna forest, leveling off as we approach the Inca site of Intipunku, near the well-preserved Inca complex of Choquetacarpo. This site was probably the residence of visiting architects, masons and dignitaries who managed the Inca quarries and performed ceremonies at the Intipunku. After lunch, we will descend to our second and last camp, located on the Inca terraces topped by small funerary towers known as chullpas, near the town of Cachicata.
DAY 03: CACHICATA – OLLANTAYTAMBO- AGUAS CALIENTES
After an energetic breakfast, we will explore the different sectors of the Cachicata Inca quarries and natural rock falls. The rocks from these quarries were destined for the construction of the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo. We will also see many of these rocks on the way down to Ollantaytambo (the so-called tired rocks), in Ollantaytambo we will have time to rest and explore the historic city. After our time in Ollantaytambo, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the third night and we will be able to visit the hot springs of the place.
If you opt for the 03-day tour, after free time to rest and explore Ollantaytambo, you will proceed with the return trip to Cusco city.
DAY 04: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
On the last day of the Cachicata circuit, you will get up early and walk for an hour and a half to the main gate of Machupicchu, or take the bus. You will arrive just in time to witness the sunrise over this magnificent city. Once inside Machupicchu, you will have a 2-hour guided tour of this world wonder. After the tour, you will have free time for your own exploration. Finally, after the tour of Machu Picchu and to finish the Cachicata trek, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes. You can have lunch here before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus back to Cusco city.
THE SERVICE INCLUDES:
THE SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
WHAT TO TAKE ON THE TRIP:
Note: this circuit can also be done in 03 days, which means avoiding the visit to Machupicchu, the tour would be in 03 days, DETAILS.
MAP - CACHICATA TOURS - PERU MYSTERIES
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