Choquequirao was one of the last Inca cities built in the cloud forest area during the fifteenth century. The route is very difficult and the only way to get there is by foot. This challenging route of 60 km (38 miles) round trip is perhaps only for experienced people ... Fortunately the route allows horses to help you to climb the steep walls of the deep canyon of the Apurimac river.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca
We leave the hotel in Cusco early in the morning and drive for three hours through the highway Cusco-Lima until we reach Saywite. From here we take a detour for one hour to the small town of Cachora (9636 ft / 2920 m). After contacting our horsemen and horses, we will start the trek north for three hours until the first pass Capuliyoc (9900 ft / 3000 m). From here we will already see Choquequirao Inca city in the distance above the mountains and the depth of the impressive Apurimac river canyon. After a little rest, the switchback trail drops down into the valley until we reach the spectacular lookout of Cocasamana (6650 ft / 2015 m) which is small straw shelter built at the base of the hill. From here we may have the opportunity to see Condors, the largest flying bird in the world.
Our camp in Chiquisca (5775 ft / 1700 m) is located about an hour before reaching the Apurimac River.
Day 2: Chiquisca – Choquequirao
We take advantage of the early morning shade to walk down to the river beach called Rosalindayoc or Playa Rosalinas (4785 ft / 1450 m). From this point the steep path goes uphill for five hours until we reach the Marampata pass (10065 ft / 3050 m). En route we will pass through Santa Rosa (6930 ft / 2100 m) a sugar cane distillery owned by the Cobarrubias family. In this small oasis for travelers, we may have the opportunity to learn about the process of distilling sugar cane from the juice to the liquor.
After lunch we walk for an hour and a half along a bumpy trail until reach our camp in Choquequirao (10164 ft / 3080 m).
Day 3: Choquequirao
Today is a special day and we dedicate it strictly to visiting the archaeological complex on a guided tour of Choquequirao including the newly discovered areas of the city.
In the afternoon you may want to sit at the city’s highest point to enjoy the sunset.
Day 4: Choquequirao – Playa Rosalinas (Rosalindayoc)
Today we start our return journey after breakfast and walk for five hours to our next campsite.
In the morning we return to Marampata (10065 ft / 3050 m). Here we begin to descend into the canyon until we reach Santa Rosa (6930 ft / 2100 m) where we rest and lunch. After regaining our energy we walk to our next campsite located on the riverside (4785 ft / 1450 m).
Day 5: Playa Rosalinas – Cachora – Cusco
We wake up very early to start hiking uphill for six hours to the Capuliyoc pass (9900 ft / 3000 m) where we have lunch. In the afternoon we walk to the town of Cachora where our bus is waiting to bring us back to Cusco.
The Choquequirao trek 5d/4n program includes:
• A licensed professional English speaking tour guide, who will visit you at the hotel to give you a pre-departure briefing
• Duffle bag during the whole period of the trail to take all your personal belongings, with 10 Kilos maximum weight per person
• Hotel pick-up and transfer via private transport to Cachora
• Entrance ticket to Choquequirao archaeological site
• A spacious two person, four season tent, we use The North Face or Hard Wear Mountain Equipment tents
• An inflatable mattress and a pillow per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs, cooking tent and toilet tent
• A chef and assistant chef to cook healthy and hearty meals during the whole itinerary with fresh ingredients
• Horse men and horses to carry the camping equipment, cooking equipment, food and client’s duffle bags
• Accommodation for our team of workers
• Meals (04 breakfast, 04 lunch, 04 dinner)
• Snacks, everyday after breakfast
• Boiled cool drinking water during the whole itinerary (morning, afternoon, night)
• First Aid Medical Kit and Emergency Oxygen Tank
• Private transport from Cachora town to Cusco city.
The Choquequirao trail 5d/4n program does not include:
• Sleeping bag during the whole itinerary (can be rented locally)
• Tips
• All that is not specified in what the program includes
We recommend to bring:
• Thermal clothing, it turns very cold after nightfall all year round
• Rain gear
• Hiking boots (water proof)
• Sandals or slippers, to walk more comfortably at the camps sites
• Hat for cold and Cap for the sun or it can be used during rainy days, too
• Sleeping bag
• Convertible pants or zipoff pants
• Long johns
• Sun glasses
• A towel
• Sun cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Snacks, we recommend to bring power bars
• Original passport (may be used in Choquequirao)
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Camera with extra batteries, batteries lose charge easily in cold weather conditions
• Reusable Water Bottle (to avoid unnecessary waste from disposable water bottles)
• Cash, Peruvian Soles or US Dollars
• Walking poles that will allow you to walk with the body upright and avoid exerting pressure on your knees when hiking downhill
