choquequirao to MP in may 2013 -- looking for trekkers
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Jan 24, 2013 3:02 PM Last Post By: smm
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choquequirao to MP in may 2013 -- looking for trekkers
A friend and I, two 40 year olds, are making a 7 day trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu in May starting on May 22nd. It will be a camping trek with 7kg of your luggage (including sleeping bag) carried on a horse. After doing some research we decided to book with Apus Peru. Of the recommended trekking agencies, they came closest to offering the trip we want.The 7 day trek starts with a descent to the Apurimac River which will be crossed by cable car. On the second day we ascend to Choquequirao, Machu Picchu's sister city that is still half engulfed by the forest. After exploring Choquequirao, we trek for several days until we meet a car for a short ride to Aguas Calientes. A tour of Machu Picchu the next morning is followed by a train ride back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
I have trekked in a number of places around the world (Nepal, Corsica, Sikkim, the high sierras of California, the Grand Canyon in Arizona), and my friend is a good hiker but new to multi-day trips. We would enjoy meeting friendly travelers and outdoors people of any nationality.
We are looking for other travellers to join our trek. We'd like to meet like-minded travelers who enjoy the outdoors. If you might be interested in this trip, check out the link at http://www.apus-peru.com/treks/choquequirao_machu_picchu_7days.html . If you click on their Trekkers Wanted link, you'll find our departure date with 2 people confirmed on May 22, 2013.
We hope to see you on the trail!
Sarah
4
I don't know if Apus Peru posts on thorn tree. I only recently started my research, and the thorntree was down. If you look at my profile, however, you can see that I've been a member since 2002, and I post on a variety of topics (if they are still online).Yes, we could hike to Choquequirao independently, but my travel companion hasn't made overnight trips previously; he is a day hiker. Also, we want to continue onwards to Machu Picchu, not make an out-and-back trip. Since the bridge over the Apurimac washed out a couple years ago, you have to cross in a cable car. It may be challenging to arrange for an Arriero to meet on the other side and agree to continue onwards with us. We have a limited time frame. And, after all, it's our choice whether we go with an outfitter or go independently. This is the choice we are making.
If there are others who would like to join us, that would be great. In Sikkim last year a friend and I ended up hiking with a french couple, a german mother and son, and a guy from central India. Along with some of our guides, we ended up playing Farkle and cards every night. We all got to know each other, and it was a great time hearing about each others' travel experience. I am hoping for something like that on this trip.
Sarah
5
I want to respond in general to comments people make pretty frequently telling people they can or should (!) do multi-day treks in Peru alone. Of course there are some routes this makes sense for, and some people more well-suited than others, but this is dangerous advice as a general statement. No matter how many people post things along these lines, the fact is that people die every year trekking in the Cusco area. Hiking in the Andes is not something that should be taken lightly, especially along a remote route like Choquequirao-Machu Picchu (not just going to the ruins and returning). There are a great deal of things that guides are useful for, but one of the most important is that an experienced guide knows the area and the locals, plus should have emergency medical training.Beside adding to the safety of a trek, a guide can add to the enjoyment of a trip by supplyiing information about the area and ruins that solo hikers probably would not.
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I was searching for pictures of the cable car crossing the Apurimac on this trek, something I understand to be necessary since the bridge washed out a couple years ago. I found these pictures on a blog; I don't know the bloggers, but the pictures are good! Thought I'd share them.http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/7125619
