Hiking the Choquequirao Trek

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Hiking the Choquequirao Trek

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Choquequirao trek
Choquequirao trek

Hiking the Choquequirao Trek

$790.00 $690.00 Per Person

This amazing Cusco trek invites you to visit Choquequirao, a spectacular architectural complex, known as “Machu Picchu´s sister” for the similarity of their structures and architecture.

Choquequirao is at 3,103 m/10,178 ft. above the Apurimac River and the Cordillera Vilcabamba, in a strategic geographical area between Andean mountains and the edge of the jungle. Considered as “The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire”, is an excellent choice for those people who want to experiment a different trek without too many people, with great variety of flora and fauna.

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Description

DAY 01 / CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – LA PLAYA (L/D)

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4 a.m. You will ride our private van with your tour guide and drive about three hours until you get to the trailhead, called Capuliyoc (3,200 m). You will meet your horses and horsemen. Your trekking chef will provide the first breakfast, and your trekking guide will introduce the team. The views of the snow-capped mountains are beautiful.

 

After a group photo, you will start the expedition to Choquequirao. It will be a three hour, downhill hike with a few stops, as needed until you arrive at your first lunch spot. The trail can be dusty and slippery, but with good trekking shoes and trekking poles, you won’t have a problem. There will be spectacular views of the Apurimac river, landscapes, and beautiful flora and fauna. After lunch, you will hike another three hours until you reach your campsite, which is at the bottom of a valley, called La Playa (1,800 m).

 

Distance: 16 km/9.16 miles

Campsite altitude: 1600 masl/5250 ft

Weather: Hot

 

 

DAY 02 / LA PLAYA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO (B/S/L/D)

After an early breakfast, you will get ready for the day. You will begin the day by crossing the breach, and then it will be four hours uphill, with zigzags. Along the way, you will pass by some sugar cane farms, more great views of the valley from the opposite hill, possibly some condors above and beautiful flora and fauna. This climb is one of the most challenging parts of the Choquequirao Trek, so we will have an emergency horse in case you get tired and want a ride.

Once you arrive at Marampata, you will be done with the uphill portion. You will have time to enjoy your lunch at 3,350 m high. After lunch, you can take a nap, and then we will continue on the last two-hour section until Choquequirao. This will be the most impressive section of your entire trek because you will have amazing views from the summit to the canyon of Apurimac. You will also be able to see Choquequirao, where you will see the whole Inca site, orchids, among other flowers and black bears.

Upon your arrival at the campsite, our porters will set you up in your tents. This campsite is amazing because it will be right at the foot of the Inca site. If you still have some energy left, you will be able to take a 30-minute walk to enjoy the sunset from the Choquequirao Inca site.

 

Distance: 13 km/8.8 miles

Campsite altitude: 3033 masl/9950 ft

Weather: Hot

 

 

DAY 03 / CHOQUEQUIRAO (B/S/L/D)

After an early breakfast, you will prepare for the most spectacular day exploring Choquequirao. It will take about 30 minutes to get there. Once you arrive, you will then begin your history lesson and tour of this impressive Inca site. Choquequirao is considered to be bigger than Machu Picchu, although it is almost all hidden by the forest. This Inca site is extremely spread out because the Incas had to study which areas of the mountain to build various buildings, terraces, and houses. The most impressive sections of this site are the temples, astronomical observatories, and water channels.

After touring around for about four hours, you will head back to camp for lunch and a rest. You will have more time afterward to continue exploring the site with our expert tour guides. You will get to explore areas of the site like the llama area, which is a steep downhill 30-minute walk where you will see narrow farming terraces. All of the llama depictions on the terrace walls are from white stones. These were probably built by the Incas to represent the llama constellation in the Milky Way. You will also get to visit the Usno area, where you will enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Following, you will walk back to your campsite for the second night at Choquequirao.

 

 

DAY 04 / CHOQUEQUIRAO – MARAMPATA – LA PLAYA – CHIKISKA (B/S/L/D)

After another early breakfast, we will prepare for our journey back to Cusco. It will be two hours back to Marampata, and you will see views of the canyon of Apurimac along the way. The tour guide will point out the beautiful flora and fauna you might have missed on your way to the Inca site. You will see impressive waterfalls in the distance, as well as the clouds lifting from the bottom of the canyon. Also, if the weather is pleasant, you will get to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andes.

From Marampata, you will begin the 4 hour steep downhill hike to La Playa. This section requires trekking poles. Halfway down, you will have a break to enjoy some fruit farmed in the area. Cactus fruit is the main attraction. Finally, you will reach La Playa for lunch.

Following, it will be another two hours, uphill to Chikiska Camp, which is in the backyard of a family’s home. You may also see some Spectacled Bears, Condors, Humming Birds, and more.

 

Distance: 18 km/11.32 miles

Campsite altitude: 2100 masl/6889 ft

Weather: Hot with mosquitoes

 

 

DAY 05 / CHIKISKA – CAPULIYOC – CUSCO (B/S/L)

After an early breakfast, you will get ready to return to Cusco. It will be a four-hour uphill hike until you arrive at the end of the trek, where you will enjoy your last lunch with your tour guide, porters and horsemen. You will say goodbye to your team and then continue with your tour guide to Cusco for about three more hours by car. You will drive through Curawasi, where the famous local tea Anis is farmed. You will arrive in Cusco at around 6 p.m. We will drop you off at your hotel.

 

Distance: 8 km/4.17 miles

Weather: Hot

 

END OF OUR SERVICES

B= Breakfast / L= Lunch / D= Dinner / S= Snack

 

INCLUDED

  • Pre-departure briefing at your hotel.
  • Transfer in private transport to the trailhead and back to Cusco.
  • Spanish / English speaking professional tour guide.
  • Porters and horsemen.
  • Horses to carry the camping gear, food and your belongings (up to 8kg).
  • Chef and cooking equipment.
  • 04 breakfasts, 05 lunches, and 04 dinners.
  • Happy hour of Coca tea and snacks.
  • Drinking water three times a day.
  • First – Aid Kit.
  • Choquequirao entrance.
  • Private portable toilets.
  • Sleeping tents.
  • Foam sleeping mats.
  • Emergency horse to ride in case you feel tired.
  • Satellite phones.

 

NOT INCLUDED

  • Domestic and International flights.
  • Airport taxes.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Hotel accommodation.
  • Tips.
  • Personal trekking equipment (Sleeping bag, inflatable air mattress and walking poles).
  • Hiking boots, clothing or other personal items.
  • Machu Picchu entrance.
  • Huayna Picchu entrance.
  • Additional tours.

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