The Choquequirao trek is a truly spectacular hike that plunges down into the Apurimac canyon and then up again to the fascinating Inca city of Choquequirao. While this is a quite tough trek, you are rewarded with spectacular views the whole way. The Choquequirao in Depth trek enables you to visit the interesting sites of Tarawasi and Sayhuite on day one and stay in a basic hostal on the first night. This extra day also helps with altitude acclimatisation. As you get an early trekking start on Day 2 you will ultimately have more time at Choquequirao ruins on Day 3.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc
We depart Cusco around 7am in a private car. First we will take a break to visit the ruins of Tarawasi Limatambo in the lower valley and then continue in our bus we will pass through the village of cachora, after half an hour we will arrive to capuliyoc there we will meet the rest of the team, our horsemen and horses. In this place we will have our lunch enjoying the beautiful and stunning snow-capped mountains like Padreyoc (5,571m/18,387ft).
From where we have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley stretching below as well as the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora and then onto Chiccisqa (1836m / 6023ft). We descend to Playa Rosalinas and the magnificent Apurimac River (1550 metres/ 5084 feet)
Day 2: Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao
After our delicious breakfast we will begin our walk passing the river apurimac by the suspension bridge from this place all way up We will have 4 hours of challenging hiking up and we will pass by the little hamlets of santa rosa baja and santa rosa alta continuing untill marampata(2850m/9350f) Here we will have lunch with impressive views of the apurimac canyon and the view of the Inca citadel of choquequirao After lunch we continue our trek for two more hours, always having the view of the imprisoned canyon of the Apurimac and the Inca town. We will be camping in choquequirao. We enjoy the entire afternoon and evening at the site.
Day 3: Choquequirao
The expected day arrived visit to the last city of the Inca resistance choquequirao, Only about 30% of the Inca remains of Choquequirao have been excavated. What can be seen today however, is most impressive and very much worth the challenging trek to get here. The stonework in Choquequirao is not as sophisticated as that found in Machu Picchu, because the stone found here is very difficult to carve, but the buildings are impressive and suggest a site of high status. from this mystical place we can see condors time reminding us of our ancestors, feeling the energy around the place will visit holy sites, dedicated to the Andean deities such as mother earth (pachamama),sun(inti), moon(quilla) mountains(apus),ETC
Day 4: Choquequirao – Santa Rosa
We have a chance to more fully explore the ruins and have a little rest in the morning. In the afternoon we return along the edge of the Apurimac canyon, descending to our tropical campsite at Santa Rosa. (5 hours hiking) Accommodation: Camping at Santa Rosa (2095m / 6873ft) Depending on the progress of the group, the guide may elect to camp at Chiccisqa (1836m / 6023ft).
Day 5: Santa Rosa – Cachora – Cusco
Early in the morning, in order to escape the heat of the canyon of the Apurimac, we descend to the raging river, and then begin an arduous climb that is rewarded with spectacular views. We climb for about four hours, and have lunch in Capuliyoc (2915 metres/ 9561 feet). There our private car will be waiting to take us back to Cusco (4 hours drive). We will arrive in Cusco between 5 and 6pm.
**Optional extra (no extra cost, but must be booked at the time of booking or at the latest during your briefing) About 3 hours from Cusco we will take a small detour to the hot springs of Conoq… a little known hot spring popular with local people. You can take a soak there before getting back in the private van for the rest of the drive back to Cusco.
Inclusions
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to and from Cachora
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
Not included:
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4
- Tips
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What you need to take
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
