This circuit was especially designed for those with strong hearts and ankles and who can truly take advantage of the 8½ hours of difficult hiking which unites El Fuerte (Samaipata´s main attraction) with the alluring and challenging Mesa del Inca. During the incredible journey which leads us eventually to the Cuevas waterfalls, we will find ourselves amidst verdant valleys and hilltops with spectacular landscapes which where the backdrop for encounters between many diverse cultures, including the imperial Incans, the Amazonian Chané farmers, and the mystic Chiriguana cannibals.

Day 1: A 30 min. trip up a dirt road takes you to the most Important archeological site in eastern : El Fuerte. Spend 1½ hours getting to know these ruins, recognized by UNESCO as a historical and cultural Heritage Site, which includes one of the world’s largest carved monolith. For thousands of years this site served as a ceremonial center of various pre-Colombian cultures, ultimately including the Inca who erected great temples and turned the site into the capital of the eastern most province of their empire. After a 1½ hrs guided visit, we have lunch on the mountain crest with a view of Amboro National Park and the Devil´s Tooth Mountain. To get to our campsite on Cerro Colorado, we will be descending for 7 hours with backpacks until Jucumari Pass. The trip along the length of Totoral Ridge takes us past the Cincho del Cóndor or ¨Condor’s Cliff¨ (where we see condors in 80% of our tours), to the tree ferns at Cedar Tree Pass and the nearby swamp. We will then take a break at the headwaters of the El Fuerte River and enjoy the 360° view towards: Loma Larga, La Pajcha Waterfall, Mesa del Inca, Cuevas Waterfalls, Volcanes mountain range, The Devils Tooth, and La Mina. We continue on to see the abandoned cemetery in the cedar forest and a small lagoon before we arrive at a lookout over the Pajchita, and Palermo Valleys . Form there we spiral down to the Abra del Jucumari. Finally we hike up to the top of Colorado hill, where we camp taking care to protect ourselves from the winds. Nightfall here is unforgettable. Evening meal by campfire.

Day 2: We have breakfast accompanied by a spectacular daybreak and pack up camp while flocks of parakeets swoop by just above our tents. A one-hour hike takes us to the peak of Colorado Hill where we are once again rewarded with spectacular views, which just happen to be photograph best between 8:00 and 9:00 am. It’s well worth to stay up there for an hour. We descend with backpacks for 2½ hours along headwaters of the River Cuevas. Once we reach the bottom of the valley, we will have a snack, and leaving our backpacks behind, begin a 4-hour adventure to conquer the terrain few dare to traverse. Here is where the condor soars, and the Inca Mesa Hill dominates its surroundings. From the foot of its level peak extends a vast landscape of verdant hills and lush valleys, where various pre-Colombian cultures once met. The Incans arrived here expanding their Andean empire, the Chané, Amazonian farmers reached these valleys from the North, and the Chiriguana, migrant Guaraníes from disputed the Incan´s reign over this dominion and eventually culturally absorbed the Chané. As you can see from the archaeological pieces shown in Samaipata´s museum, this region is rich in archaeological sites, many of which can be seen from this peak. Here at the summit we will break for lunch and triumphant photos. Once back at River Cuevas, we continue with backpacks alongside the river until reaching Jacuzzi Canyon , where we can cool off by taking a well-deserved hydro-massage in the pools´ bubbly currents. We will wade through the canyon for ½ hour (at times up to waist-deep) using teamwork to carry across our shoes, socks, and packs dry. After this adventure we nejoy ¾ hour of refreshing shallow wading before arriving at the three Cuevas waterfalls where we can rest, sunbathe, and swim for as long as we like. A vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Samaipata.