Moon Stone Trek 5 Days

Trekking the Moonstone Trail in Peru is A Brilliant Alternative to the Inca Trail in 2025 - on this remote route you see few if any other trekkers moon stone trek is off the beaten path of peru, so you have this spectacular eastern extension of the Inca Trail all to yourself. No permits are necessary. You follow the footsteps of the Incas who built a high route from their capital city Cusco westward through the rugged cordillera and filled their empire with amazing temples and royal residences.You also explore amazing Inca stonework in an enormous 15th-century quarry site of Cachiqata. This is an isolated route with unexplored ruins, discovery at every turn and great mountain views – an excellent introduction to high wild andes. 

Day 1: Cusco – Killarumuyoq – Chillipawa

moonstone trek killarumiyoqWe take a private minibus to the trailhead, stopping first to explore Killarumiyoq. This is an ANCIENT ENIGMATIC MEGALITHIC “SUN CALENDAR”. The Moonstone itself is a large carving on an enormous natural rock probably used for astronomical purposes. We then continue to Huarocondo village and finally through the Pomatales narrow valley we arrive to Mollinoyoc. The trailhead is in a quiet, dusty valley and we soon climb high enough from the floor to enjoy some great views. At around lunch time we stop to explore the imposing Wari pre-Incan fortress of Wata. The ruin located in the most stunning spot. The path then traverses along a green side valley and Andean native trees as we make our way above a few tiny villages before entering the village of Chillipawa, where we camp.

Day 2: Chillipawa – Ancascocha Valley– Chancachuco

Moonstone trek Ancascocha valleyA long, steady climb with plenty of rest stops to aid acclimatisation takes us above the villages and into the high pampas – rugged meadows of long grass. We normally stop for lunch shortly before the crest of the Accoccosa Pass (and the very rare Andean Flicker is sometimes seen (although often heard!). The last leg of the pass is on loose red scree, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile: a broad, hidden valley surrounded by snowy peaks – the Huayanay Range on the left, the Urubamba Range straight ahead and beautiful, triangular Mt Veronica (5,800m) to the right. We have time to explore this plateau and experience walking in the high altiplano before returning to our camp for a well-deserved hot dinner. The camp’s isolation, well away from any settlements, results in spectacular night skies when clear.

Day 3: Chancachuco – Qachiqata 

Moonstone trek Veronica glacierWe start after breakfast by following the stream from down this hidden valley into a narrow canyon. Rare polylepis trees grow here and we pass through a small grove as we leave the canyon. Our path then turns north and traverses very high above a deep and steep valley separating us from the Huayanay Mountains. This is probably the most spectacular section of the trek and we roughly follow a (now defunct) Inca aqueduct spectacularly carved out of the cliffs to take water from the hidden valley of our campsite to the Sacred Valley several miles away. At the end of the traverse we have a short but steep climb up to our lunch spot, a flat, ridge-top meadow facing straight across the Sacred Valley to the snowy Urubamba Range. After lunch we walk down to Huayraqpunku. Meaning “Gate of the Wind”, this is a ridge-top Inca shrine oriented to Mt Veronica, of which it has a simply incredible view. Finally a short walk brings us to our final campsite in amongst the granite stones of theQachiiqata Quarry. It was here that huge blocks were cut from the rose-coloured granite before being dragged down the mountainside and across the river to the Sun Temple at Ollantaytambo

Day 4: Qachiqata – Ollantaytambo

Moonstone trek sungatePhotographers are advised to wake up before dawn this morning, to watch the sun rise over the Sacred Valley from our campsite high above it. The sun’s first rays catching the glaciers of Veronica glaciers. This is our last day on the trek and we descend from the pampas down into the lush valley floor along the enormous stone ramps on which the Incas dragged the stones. We cross the river and explore the huge Sun Temple located at Ollantaytambo complex to see where the stones ended and what use they were put to. Our trek ends as we board the train to Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Moonstone trek Machu PicchuAfter spending the previous night in a comfortable hotel, we can take the earliest bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, arriving around 6:00 am. After having an interesting 3 hours guided tour of the ruins, you will have some extra time to explore the ruins on your own. After enjoying the citadel, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will board a train in the afternoon that will take you back to Cusco, arriving to in the evening.

Price per person: US$750  (Minimum 2 persons; departures all year) 

* We include duffle bags 8kls and a horse that will carry your personal belongings in all of our treks at no additional cost.

*Emergency horse available throughout the trek, in the event someone is not feeling well.

Discounts

• Student Discount (with valid ISIC card) – $25
• Under 15 Discount – $25
• Under 7 Discount – $35

Rentals

• Hiking poles - US$15.00 (pair)
• Sleeping bag -4 season - US$30.00
• Private Tent - US$30.00
• Air mattress -$15

THE EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU® DIFFERENCE - DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
Explore Adventures Peru® has been setting the standard for Trekking Peruvian Andes since 2010. As one of the few specialist companies organizing high quality expeditions, we are recognized as one of the best operators on the Peruvian Andes. Come see why we are the premier Andes outfitter. When you travel with us, you gain access to people and places. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by local experts we meet along the way. And you give back. Simply by taking a trip with Explore Adventures Peru, you support the work of our explorers and indigenous Quechuas villages.

WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE!
Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-Hiking survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment, and food.

LOCAL GUIDES
KNOWLEDGE: LET OUR EXPERTS GUIDE YOU
• Professional, experienced, licensed local Quechuan guides
• Our guides are formed by expert Photographers, Explorers, History teachers, Archaeologists
• Honest, hardworking, team oriented support staff
• Over 600 times hikes on Inca Trail success experiences and client satisfaction

QUALITY EQUIPMENT
HIGH QUALITY EQUIPMENT & SERVICE.
• Rugged, four season North face, Mountain Hardwear, Doite, Vango tents
• Super warm North face, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear -30F sleeping bags
• Spacious mess tents and private toilets
• Outdoor utensils in stainless steel

FANTASTIC MEALS
• Delicious meals made from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with Water Guard
• we customize our menus depending on the preferences of the group,
• we never use freeze-dried backpacking meals
• Hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip!
• We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, non-gluten and other specialty diets

FOCUSED ON SAFETY
WE HAVE MANY LAYERS OF SAFETY BUILT INTO OUR OPERATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ON INCA TRAIL AND BEYOND .
• We have established protocols for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Certified of the oficial firemen of Peru
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• We provide evacuation by helicopter Andes Corp. For hikers seriously injured or sick.
• Emergency oxygen, portable stretchers and medical kits
• Emergency horse available in all our Alternatives treks

RESPONSIBLE TREKKING
GIVE BACK: WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH US, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Environmentally and socially responsible company
• Member of Inca Trail Porters Welfare
• Member of Leave No Trace
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Empowering Peruvian women

EXPLORE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Instead of local buses, which other companies use to reduce their costs,
we always provide private transportation. This service allows our clients
flexibility and privacy.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS
• "Great experience!"
• "Very well planned & organized"
• "Excellent service all around"
• "A solid company"
• "Highly recommended!"
• "Genuine, authentic, and flexible with deep local knowledge!"
• "Absolutely Amazing!"

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