CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK in 4 days
Description
The Choquequirao complex is very fascinating and one of the most popular treks in the Cusco area. And it’s no surprise
with its fantastic natural landscapes with valleys, snow-capped mountains and an amazing variety of plants, birds and animals.
The Choquequirao is situated in the spur of the Salkantay Mountain range, at over 3030 meters,
surrounded by the Apus (mountain gods) of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta,
on the left bank of the Apurimac River.
During the time of the Incas, everything was connected and in communication with Machu Picchu through a complex network of trails.
Choquequirao is considered "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors will have the chance to discover
a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use.
Its geographic location in reference to other religious centers of the same period tends to indicate that its function was that of an
Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between Choquequirao and
Machu Picchu.
| DAY 1 | 6:30 am Bus to Cachora 9 am to 4:00 pm Hike: Lima Tambo Ruins – Cachora – Chiquisca |
|---|---|
| DAY 2 | 7:00 am to 2:00 pm Hike: Chiquisca – Maranpata – Choquequirao Ruins |
| DAY 3 | 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Hike: Choquequirao – Chiquisca |
| DAY 4 | 6:30 am to 7:00 pm Hike: Chiquisca – Cachora Bus to Cusco |
Day 1 | Cusco - Lima Tambo Ruins - Cachora – Chiquisca
At 5:00 am we will pick you up from your hotel and leave Cusco in our private van that takes us to the town
of San Pedro de Cachora (2800m). There you have plenty of time to try a local breakfast (not included
in the package, though the price is fairly reasonable). We will meet the rest of our team (cooks, horses, and horse handlers)
and start our long trek for the day, which takes us between 7 and 8 hours in this mountainous region. Along the way we will
observe diverse landscapes typical to the different climates in the area with views such as the Pedroyoc snow-capped mountain
or even the diverse flora and fauna that enhance our experience.
We will finally arrive at the viewpoint of Capulichayoc from where we will be able to observe the deepest canyon in the world,
the Apurimac, with the Apurimac River at the bottom. It is here we have our first lunch and our first sights of Choquequirao.
Once we have refueled, we continue descending until Chiquisca (1800m) where we set up the tents and spend the night surrounded
by the wonderful surroundings.
Meals:
Lunch – Dinner
Day 2 | Chiquisca - Maranpata - Choquequirao Ruins
After a good breakfast, we start a 5 hour strenuous uphill hike until our lunch stop at Marcapata. Here we will have a guided
tour of Chokequirao (the "Golden Cradle"), considered the Sister City of Machu Picchu for the many similarities they share. Chokequirao
hangs 1500 meters above the Apurimac Canyon while Machu Picchu looks over the Urubamba canyon, they have the same latitude, and both
are large citadels of more than 8 hectares with only one third having been uncovered so far. Archeologists make new discoveries every
day. We will explore the three levels of the excavated ruins, appreciating the various houses, terraces and other elements of this late
Inca town. We will camp next to Marcapata.
Meals:
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner.
Day 3 | Choquequirao Ruins – Chiquisca
We can view the sunrise over the ruins at dawn and after a good breakfast, start back down using the same way we came, until we reach our
camp at Chiquisca.
Meals:
Breakfast - Lunch – Dinner
Day 4 | Chiquisca - Cachora – Cusco
Today we wake up at 6:00 am for an early breakfast accompanied by a sunrise over the Apurimac canyon. We start our walk for the day which
will take 5 to 7 hours, depending on your physical condition, until we reach Cachora where our private van takes us back to Cusco.
Meals:
Breakfast - Lunch .
Included
- Transfers In / Out
- Transportation from Cusco to where we start walking
- Professional bilingual tour guide
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao
- 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Professional Cook: Vegetarian (vegan) food on request at no extra cost! All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- First aid kit
- 1 oxygen tank
- Extra horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
- Quadruple & waterproof camping tent (cap. 4 fitting 2)
- 1 sleeping mattress per person
You Need
- Original passport
- Sleeping bag (not included, but can be rented from us)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
- Water, water purification tablets, or money to buy water along the way
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
Contact for join
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