Choquequirao Trek

This tour and hike to CHOQUEQUIRAO has a moderate-high difficulty, including camps, transportation. Professional guidance throughout the route.

Day 1: CUSCO – SAN JOSE DE CACHORA – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINA

The Bus will pick us up at the hotel at 6am and will transport us to the disctrict of San Jose De Cachora (3 hours) where we will begin the walk. This will be the first section of ascending until we reach the Chikiska zone. After lunch we will descend until our first campsite at the shores of the Apurimac River known as the Rosalinas beach. On this day we will walk for between 5 and 6 hours according to the speed of the group.

Day 2. PLAYA ROSALINA – SANTA ROSA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

Again veru early and after breakfast, we will begin a physical day of hiking which will also be very rewarding. The path takes us to the top of the mountain to Marampata (3000m.s.n.m.) where we will have lunch and regain energy which will allow us to reach the summit of Choquequirao (3650 m.s.n.m). Here we will rest for the night hopefully witnessing a beautiful sunset from our comfortable tents. This day contains 10kms of walking.

Day 3. CHOQUEQUIRAO – SANTA ROSA – CHIQUISCA

We will begin the day at 5am where, after breakfast, we will visit the archaelogical complex of Choquequirao, the most important and furthest point of this excursión. After the visit and we have had time to explore, we will come back to Cusco via the same route. Along the route we will hike up to Chiquisca where we will camp overnight for our last camp spot. This day will contain about 5 hours of hiking.

Day 4. CHIQUISCA – CAPULIYUC – CACHORA – CUSCO

The days activities start at 7am for the final leg of the trip. There will be a final viewpoint that we hike up to called Wayna Qalli. From here we will be able to appreciate the Apurimac River Canyon rated by many as being the most spectacular in South America. Completing the journey, we arrive at the town of San Jose de Cachora where our transport will bring us back to Cusco. We will arrive back at around 5pm. The days walking will take about 3 hours.

Included 

• Entrance ticket to Choquequirao

• Professional Chef

• Professional bilingual guide

• Transfer from Cusco to San Jose de Cachora

• Transfer from San Jose de Cachora to Cusco Shop Camp Colchoneta

• Camp and Colchoneta 

• Briefing one day before the tour 

• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners ( vegetarian option available).

Does not include 

• Sleeping Bag

• Walking Stick

• Breakfast on the first day

• Dinner of the final day.

Recommendations

Bring your passport or a copy.

Your full name, passport number, country and expiration date of your passport will be required upon booking.

We suggest bringing 

• Original Passport

• Sleeping bag

• Walking / Hiking boots

• Rain jacket

• Thermal Clothing

• Lantern or head torch

• 40 litre backpack

• Mosquito repellent

• Sunscreen

• Extra battery for your camera

• Extra cash +/- 300 Soles (USD 100 aprox.)

Day 1 - Drive to Capuliyoc and descend to Chiquisca  Pick up from the hotel at 06:00 am and transfer to the head of the trail at Capuliyoc (2,920m/9,580ft), where we meet our horse riders and pack all our equipment onto the horses. The drive takes roughly four hours.  Stop visiting an Inca monolith, several water faucets, and ceremonial platforms at the Saywite archeological site. Then on to Capuliyoc, where we will first see the stunning Apurimac Valley below us while the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Huayna Cachora tower above us!. We meet our horse riders, pack all our equipment onto the horses, and have a delicious lunch before starting the hike.  After a fantastic view, we will start our descent for 3 hours to Chiquisca (1,850m/6,070ft) through beautiful landscapes and see many medicinal plants our ancestors used. If we are lucky, we will see the famous Apurimac Canon.  At Capuliyoc, we can share, cohabitate, and stay with a local family. The family prepares dinner and will also provide us with clean bedrooms and toilet facilities.  Distance estimate: 6 km (3, 73 miles), Estimated walking time: 3-4 hours  Overnight at Local Family House (Homestay).  Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner. 

Day 2 - Cross the Apurimac Canyon and climb to the Marampata  We depart Chiquisca at 7:00 am to descend to Playa Rosalina (1,520m/4,986ft), which will take around one hour. We reach the roaring Apurimac River, known as "Speaking God."  We next cross the River and begin zigzagging up a steep hill towards Santa Rosa (1,970m/6,463ft). This ascent will take around two hours, and we must go early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than necessary.  In Santa Rosa, we stop for a half-hour to rest and refresh. After that, we continue hiking for another two and a half hours till we reach the Marampata village (2,900m/9,514ft).  As soon as we arrive, the homeless family may offer us lunch.  Afternoon free to relax and explore. We may live with a local family.  The family cooks dinner and provides clean, pleasant rooms with toilet facilities.  Distance estimate: 11 km (6, 83 miles), Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours  Overnight at Local Family House (Homestay).  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 3 - Visit and tour the Choquequirao ruins for a whole day  After breakfast, we trek for another two hours to reach the 3103m/10178ft-high Choquequirao ancient site. These enormous Inca remains have only been partially cleared of undergrowth. When Choquequirao's full splendors are unveiled, it is believed to be just as spectacular as Machu Picchu. The ongoing excavation of the site continues to find fresh archaeological discoveries, some of which are unique to this site. Among the excavated remains are a sizeable sloping bank of excellent terracing, a series of ritual baths, and a central plaza surrounded by formal and high-rank residential structures. We explore the main square, the distinctive llama terraces, and the Usnu (altar). The Choquequirao site is far more extensive than Machu Picchu, yet only 40% has been explored.  The whole day will be spent at the spectacular archeological site of Choquequirao. Enjoy the private guided tour and visit the temples, terraces, castles, and llama sector.  After the tour, we begin walking back to Marampata, where we will spend the evening and eat dinner.  Distance estimate: 8 km (4, 97 miles), Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours  Overnight at Local Family House (Homestay).  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4 - Return to Capuliyoc, Transfer to Ollantaytambo  Early breakfast at 06:00 am today is a more extended day, and we will hike one hour down to Santa Rosa. Then we continue for another hour and a half until we reach Playa Rosalina, where we may cool off in the Apurimac River.  After this, we will continue our ascent to Chiquisca; along the route, we will have the opportunity to bask in the beauty of the Apurimac Canyon again!. One-hour walk up to the Chiquisca, where we will have lunch and rest.  After lunch, we climb for about three hours to Capuliyoc, where our hike ends, saying goodbye to our muleteers.  We will embark on the 4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo and drop off at the hotel.  The approximate arrival time is between 20:00.  Distance estimate: 17 km (10, 56 miles), Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours  Overnight at the hotel in Ollantaytambo.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Day 5 - Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu  Hotel breakfast; pick up at 07:00 am from the hotel and transfer to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes town.  About 09:30 am, take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.  Around 10:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world's spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.  The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.  From 14:00 to 15:00, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.  From 15:00 to 16:20, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.  Later in the day, board the train to return to Cusco. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch. Expedition train --- Ollantaytambo (07:45am) – Aguas Calientes (09:15am) Expedition train --- Aguas Calientes (16:43) – Cusco (20:23) 

Included:

-Lodging: three nights in Chiquisca and Marampata Homestay with local families; basic accommodation, rooms, and beds are simple. We use these houses instead of tents.  

-The itinerary includes all admission costs (Saywite, Choquequirao, and Machu Picchu).  English-speaking local guides lead the tours.  

-All transfers: airport, train station, bus station transfers, Hotel pickup, and drop-offs.  

-Train ticket: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Cusco (Expedition Class).  

-Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available). The meal is prepared by the local families where we lodge.  

-We bring a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.  

-All ground transportation.  

-Sleeping bag.  Pack animals to carry personal gear up to 5kg per person.  24-hour support by our local staff. 

Not Included:

Accommodation; 1 night in Ollantaytambo hotel  The price does not cover domestic or international flights.  VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.  Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).  The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.  Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.