overview
This trekking experience will take you to one of the Inca cities located across the Apurimac Canyon and the Vilcabamba Mountain range. Choquequirao (the golden cradle) is an Inca site considered to be a sister of Machu Picchu by its similar significance and have religious, political and agricultural purposes, surrounded by Apurimac River (Talking God) one of the deepest river gorges in South America. It combines beautiful mountain scenery, archaeological site, ecological zones with exuberant and diversified of flora and fauna. The trek start in Cachora (2800 m. / 9186 ft.) and end at the same place. This trek is perfect for those who want to experience the nature and exploring the less popular trails.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Trekking through the quiet remote Apurimac Canyon
- Spectacular landscapes and snow-capped peaks
- Full day at Choquequirao
- Amazing archaeological site at Choquequirao and chance to watch condors soaring through the sky.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISQA.
We pick you up early in the morning from the hotel, taking the bus to Cachora; on the way we will see the bridge Cunyac that is the frontier from Cusco and Apurimac, finally get to the beginning of the hike, from this place we will start our walk along a gently path to reach the pass of Capuliyoc (2800 m. / 9186 ft.) place for our lunch, then we will continue walking to Chiquisqa (1930 m. / 6332 ft.) place where will be the camp site.
Approach distance: 17.5 Km / 10.87 miles
Base camp altitude: 1878 m / 6161 ft.
DAY 2: CHIQUISQA – PLAYA ROSALINA – SUNCHUPATA.
After breakfast, we will continue with our trekking towards Playa Rosalina (1470 m. / 4822 ft.), then we start to climb up towards to Santa Rosa (1960 m. / 6430 ft.), this section is the most difficult of the trail, then ascend to Maranpata (2200 m. / 7218 ft.) which is a less slope gradient, during this journey you can see all the way from the first day and Apurimac canyon, we will travel a straight stretch on direction of Sunchupata (2820 m. / 9252 ft.) that is located one hour away from Choquekiraw and will be the camp site.
Approach distance: 8 Km / 4.97 miles
Base camp altitude: 2820 m / 9252 ft.
DAY 3: SUNCHUPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO – SUNCHUPATA.
This is the great day, early in the morning after breakfast we go to visit and explore Choquequirao which is 3.5 km away from the camp site, we will go with the tour Guide who will explain the history, religion, and function about this important Inka remains, expending a nice time, visiting little by little all the place with lunch in Choquekiraw after this we will continue enjoining exploring the Inka site; we come back to Sunchupata where the camp site is located.
Approach distance: 7 Km / 4.35 miles (round trip)
Base camp altitude: 2820 m / 9252 ft.
DAY 4: SUNCHUPATA – CHIQUISQA
After breakfast we start to walk down to Playa Rosalina place where we will take a break after cross the bridge; it is considered like the easy day, because we have 6 Km of walk down and only 2 Km for walk up to camp site.
Approach distance: 8 Km / 4.97 miles
Base camp altitude: 1878 m / 6161 ft.
DAY 5: CHIQUISQA – CAPULIYOC – CACHORA – CUSCO
Early in the morning after breakfast we start to walk back up from Chiquisqa to Capuliyoc pass, from here we use a gentle way until Cachora, on the way we appreciate flora and fauna, views of imposing snow-capped mountains and the impressive Apurimac canyon. In the afternoon we will continue to Cusco, where we finish and be able to end of our services.
Included
Items that are included in the tour price:
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Private transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the trek and private transportation at the end of the trek.
- Choquequirao entrance fees
- Professionally licensed bilingual tour guides
- Personal tents: two person capacity with plenty of room for personal gear
- One inflatable sleeping pad per person
- A duffle bag for personal belongings provided at the briefing
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Kitchen tent and cooking equipment
- Pack horses to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment
- Pack horses to carry up to 7 kg of personal gear per traveler
- Saddled horses for emergency in case someone is not able to keep hiking
- Meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners), daily snack, and hot drinks (vegetarian and special diets are available)
- Warm water every morning and afternoon for bathing
- Filtered boiled water for drinking from the second day on
- Biodegradable hand soap
- Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen
Items that are not included in the tour price:
- Breakfast on the first day
- Dinner on the last day
- Sleeping bag (you can rent one from our company for $25)
- Tips and extra spending
Price
Group Tour
- Price from 510 USD per person
Private Tour
Private tours are available and priced by party size
- Price for 2-3 guests: 895 USD per person
- Price for 4-5 guests: 695 USD per person
- Price for 6-7 guests: 580 USD per person
- Price for 8 or more guests: 510 USD per person
PACKING LIST
WHAT WE RECOMMEND BRINGING:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting your tour, bring both the old and new passports!
- Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece, thermals, wool socks, lightweight pants, warm hat
- Small pack to carry things that you will need during the day
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, film and batteries (batteries die faster in cold conditions)
- Hydrating face and body lotion
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Water bottles (Nalgene or metal ones are required, plastic bottles are not allowed)
- Toilet paper and tissues
