Choquequirao Tour

Choquequirao Tour – Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chiquiskala – Santa Rosa

We begin at 5:00 a.m and will pick you up in private transport at your hotel in Cusco. We then drive 4 hours to the trailhead at Capuliyoc (3200m). This scenic drive brings you through the beautiful Vilcabamba mountain range in the Limbatambo Valley, just north of Cusco. Once we arrive, we will share breakfast and get to know one another. Your trekking guide will introduce the team, who includes: chefs, horsemen, and our beautiful horses.

Then we take our first steps of the Choquequirao Tour, beginning with a 3 hour descent to our lunch spot. Through our entire trek today we are surrounded by snowcapped mountains, beautiful landscapes, and all the while looking over the powerfully flowing Apurimac river. The trail can be a bit dusty and slippery, however with good trekking shoes and trekking poles, you will be prepared.

After we enjoy our afternoon meal and take advantage of the many photo opportunities, we continue on to our camp for the evening. We have approximately 2 more hours till we arrive at La Playa, which is at the bottom of the Valley. Looking up to the top, where we began, is quite rewarding!

At La Playa, we get to explore a bit and then enjoy a beautifully prepared dinner by our trekking chef.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 2,915 m /9,564 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1,900 m / 6,270ft
• Walking Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Approximate walking Time: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Chiquiska – Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao.

We wake up to views of the gorgeous valley and enjoy a nourishing breakfast. We then prepare for the most challenging day of the trek, which involves ascending approximately 800 meters/ 2624 ft which is a distance of 8.7 miles or 14 kilometers up the opposite side of the Apurimac Valley. The weather can be hot and humid, so we be sure to take plenty of breaks and support one another with much encouragement.

Also encouraging and making all the work well worth it, is our experience of what surrounds us. Throughout the day, you will see a wide variety of vibrant plant life such as: bromeliads, orchids, and stalks of bamboo. We will also get to experience native wildlife such as Quetzals, Toucans, and several different species of hummingbirds.

After about 5 hours, we will arrive to our campsite situated very close to Choquequirao (3050 m/ 10,005 ft). If it’s a clear day, we get here just in time to see the spectacular sunset over the mountains and quite possibly spot a Condor soaring over the valley below. Andean condor wingspan can reach up to 10 feet and are the largest bird of the Andes. After setting into our home for the night, we will enjoy a well deserved dinner and relax under the stars.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 2,850 m/ 9,350 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1800 m /5905 ft
• Walking Distance: 14 km /9 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours

Day 3: Choquequirao – Marampata – Chiquiska

Today is dedicated to exploring Choquequirao. After a relaxing morning with a lovely breakfast, you will head off on a guided tour with your expert and well versed guide! We will visit all the most significant sites taking you to temples, terraces, and Usnos (ceremonial platforms). You will learn about the incredible ingenuity of the  Incas and how these massive stone structures were constructed high up in the mountains thousands of years ago. Also, you will learn of the relation this site has to Machu Picchu.

Many aspects of this site still remain a mystery and even though it had been discovered prior, in comparison to Machu Picchu, little is know about Choquequirao. After it was conquered in the 17th century by the Spaniards, due to it’s remote location it had laid abandoned and forgotten until recent years. During the rise of tourism, came the heightening of interest, however only 25% of this vast ancient citadel has been explored, with many secrets waiting to be uncovered.

After your extensive tour, you will begin trekking back to Cachora, the route we came from. Our camp for the night is Chiquiska (1800m/ 5905 ft), just on the base of the valley by the beautiful Apurimac River.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 2,850 m/9,350 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1800m / 5905 ft
• Walking Distance: 14 km / 9 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours

Day 4: Chiquiska – Capuliyoc – Saywite – Conoc – Cusco

On our last day we start early, beginning with a warm and lovely breakfast to prepare for our return to Cusco. Starting with a 3 hour uphill hike to arrive at the end of our trek, with our final views of Choquequiraro and Capuliyoc Pass in the distance. This is a perfect moment to capture a memorable photo!

Once we arrive, we will have private transport awaiting and head to the archeological site of Saywite. Here we have an informative tour, exploring Inca built water fountains and monoliths.

We then head to the most relaxing portion of our trek, the Conoc Hot Springs! After trekking for several days, this is lovely way to rejuvenate  and soak in the totality of your experience of the Choquequiraro trek. We will have time to enjoy our last meal together and then head back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast-Lunch
• Maximum Altitude: 2,850 m/9,407 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1900 m/6,270 ft
• Walking Distance: 8 km/5 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Choquequirao Tour Includes

• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
• Pre trek briefing 1 or 2 days before your Choquequirao Tour
• Transfer upon arrival from airport or bus station in Cusco to your Hotel
• 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)
• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary  such as vegetarian food please let us know,and request with no cost at all.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• a 4-men tent for every 2 trekkers
• Sleeping mattress
• Oxygen bottle
• First aid kit

Choquequirao Tour Does Not Include

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
• Dinner on Day 4
• Tips for the crew
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

What you need to take for Choquequirao Tour

• Original Passport
• Valid STUDENT CARD(if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Torch
• Spare batteries

Choquequirao Tour Prices:

• 2 people US$600 per person
• 3 people US$580 per person
• 4+ people US$560 per person

Discounts

• Student Discount: US$20 (Requires Valid STUDENT CARD to qualify)
• Under 15 years Discount: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

Optional Extras

• Hiking Poles US$15
• Sleeping Bag US$25
• Single Tent Supplement US$25

SPECIAL ADDITIONALS:

• Inflatable Mattress (Included)
• Pillow (Included)
• Blanket (Included)
• Extra 7 kg of personal items (Included).All of our treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your trek. This duffel can not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.