The Choquequirao trek is a magical adventure in Cusco. Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua. Although three times larger, this city is similar in importance to Machupicchu, and is considered its sister city. It’s located on a high ridge above the Apurimac River. It was one of the last refuges for the Incas who continued to resist Spanish occupation after the conquest.
The diverse species of exotic flora and fauna and wildlife attract many to this hike. One can see condors in its natural habitat, gigantic cactuses, and numerous species of orchids.
- Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek
- Collection from your hotel
- Private bus transport to starting point of the trek
- 7kg Personal luggage allowance to put on the horses –extra clothes, sleeping bag (you just need to carry a small daypack with everything you will need during the day).
- Personal Duffle Bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
- Spacious tents / Thermarest Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- English speaking professional guide
- Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, snacks on the trail)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
- Dining tent with tables and stools
- Cook, cooking tent, and cooking equipment
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents/food/cooking equipment)
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Hot water every morning/evening for hand washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill water bottles every morning/afternoon
- Entry ticket to Choquequirao Archaeological Complex
- Services not included:
- Sleeping bags
- walking poles
- Gratuities
- Sleeping bags (can be rented from us)
- walking poles (can be rented from us)
- Gratuities.
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca
We pick you up at your hotel and drive 4 hours to Capuliyou (2,850m / 9,350ft.). We’ll continue to Cachora where we’ll meet our horsemen who will ready the equipment.
Afterwards, we will enjoy the glaciers and lofty peaks from the Apurimac Valley lookout point. We will descend for 2 hours to Chiquisca where we will spend the night. It is considerably warmer here as compared to the starting point of our trip as we enter a new climatic zone.
❊ Meals: Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Maximum altitude: 2,915 m/9,564 ft.
❊ Minimum altitude: 1,900 m/6,270 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 7 km/4.3 miles
❊ Estimated time: 4 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 02: Chiquisca – Maranpata – Choquequirao
This is the most difficult part of the trek. After an early breakfast we will start descending to the Apurimac River (1,550m / 5,085ft.), and then walk uphill to the rural village of Maranpata (2,850m / 9,350ft.) all the while enjoying all the flowers, parrots and hummingbirds that nature offers us. We will have lunch overlooking the archeological site of Choquequirao. After lunch we will continue our ascent to Choquequirao for another 2 hours.
In Choquequirao we will see if we are lucky enough to witness the flight of a condor. We will leave the exploration of the archaeological complex and its history for the next day, and will rest after a hard day of hiking. We will set our camp in the vicinity of Choquequirao archaeological complex.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Maximum altitude: 3,035 m/9,957 ft
❊ Minimum altitude: 1,461 m/4,793 ft
❊ Total distance to walk: 17 km/10.5 miles
❊ Estimated time: 8-9 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: challenging
Day 03: Choquequirao Archaeological Complex
After breakfast our trek leader will give us a proper tour of the Choquequirao complex. We will visit the high sections (Hanan) and the low sections (Urin). Some areas are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored as in Incan times. We will have the full day to explore the site and relax, enjoying the spectacular views that surround the area.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping at Choquequirao
❊ Elevation: 3,150 m/10,335 ft.
Day 04: Choquequirao - Chiquisca
This morning we will say good-bye to Choquequirao and prepare ourselves for the return to Cusco. We start our walk back heading towards Santa Rosa Alto where we will eat lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach.
Finally, we walk up a moderate hill for 1 hour to our third evening’s campsite, the backyard of a local family at Chiquisca.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❇︎ Accommodation: Camping
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 3,035 m/9,957 ft.
❇︎ Minimum altitude: 1,461 m/4,793 ft.
❇︎ Total distance to walk: 17 km/10.5miles
❇︎ Estimated time: 8-9 hours
❇︎ Level of Difficulty: challenging
Day 05: Chiquisca – Capuliyoc – Cusco
After an early breakfast we will hike the last 4 hours uphill to Capuliyoc. Once there, we will enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac Canyon. Here, we take our private transportation back to Cusco. Along the way we will stop at the archaeological site at Saihuite to explore and have lunch. Four more hours will take you to your hotel in Cusco.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❇︎ Accommodation: Camping
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 2,915 m/9,564 ft.
❇︎ Minimum altitude: 1,900 m/6,270 ft.
❇︎ Total distance to walk: 7 km/4.3 miles
❇︎ Estimated time: 4 hours
❇︎ Level of Difficulty: moderate
