USD $500 / per person

Choquequirao Trekking 5 days

Overview

Choquequirao Trekking, Bird Watching, Stargazing.

Choquequirao. The complex nestles at 3200 meters above sea level (10498 feet) high up in the Corihuayrachina mountain. The trekking is an off the beaten path Adventure a gem of escapism. The trek offers enchanting views of the Apurimac river snaking through the canyons. You will also get to see the flight of the Andean condors.

The name in Quechua means Cradle of Gold. Both Sacred Sisters Choquequirao and Machu Picchu were built in the same era by Inca emperor Pachacutec. Both Inca sites have more or less similar architecture.

When the Spanish invaded South America, the Incas left the city abandoned. Due to its remote location, they could not invade Choquequirao Cusco Peru.

Most of the complex is covered in dense vegetation. In fact, only half of the complex is now cleared and is open to tourism.

Hiram Bingham, the American professor who rediscovered Machu Picchu was in search of Vilcabamba and Choquequirao but he accidentally reached Machu Picchu and claimed it to be the last refuge of the Incas.

The choquequira trekking 5 days give Us the oportunity to Explore this hiden gem and do the most of the night by stargazing but not before admiring the hummingbirds. With a wide variety of flora and fauna Choquequirao Trek is the adventure of a lifetime.

Useful Information

Starting Altitude – 2900m / 9515ft.
Highest Altitude – 3050m / 10,005ft.
Walking Distance – 64 km / 40 miles.
Longest Day – Day 1, approximately 25 km/15.5 miles.
Overall Difficulty – Difficult.

5D/4N

Choquequirao - Cusco

12+ age

Departure:

Pick up from your Hotel
Destination:

Choquequirao
Tour duration

5 Days
Clothing required for the tour:

Bring sturdy boots, quick-dry clothes, a rain jacket, hat, gloves, and swimwear. Pack a daypack with essentials like a light, camera, sunscreen, and basic toiletries. Consider trekking poles and a sleeping bag, and ensure you have travel insurance for emergencies. Adapt clothing based on weather and tour recommendations.
Included:

Ceremonial experience, transport, English guides, cook, mules, meals, tents, entrance fees, emergency horse, sleeping bags.
Not included:

Personal porter, specific backpack, tips (optional but appreciated), Puma Path provides duffel bag for personal mule.

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – COCA MASANA – CHIKISKA CAMP.

We’ll leave Cusco at 6:00 am for the four hour drive to Cachora in our private transportation. On the way we will make a breakfast stop and admire the wonderful Limatambo Canyon, to the right the great Apu –Salkantay and Humantay Mountains. We then we will continue to the little village of Cachora. After meeting our expedition support crew, known as “arrieros”, we’ll arrange our equipment on the pack mules. We begin a gentle hike through this historically rich territory. It is a three hour hike to Capuliyoc (2915m) from where we have our first views of the Apurimac valley below. We may also see the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora. We then descend toward Coca Masana (2330m) where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. It is essential to bring a high deet mosquito repellent. Finally we’ll arrive at Playa Rosalina (Rosalina Beach) at 1550m beside the raging “Speaker God” Apurimac River, famous for class five rafting rapids. Here we will set up camp and spend the night. Walking poles or wooden sticks are very highly recommended.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping (2 people per tent).
Maximum Altitude: 3000m (Capulichayoc).
Minimum Altitude: 1500m (Rosalina).
Distance Travelled: 17 Km.
Approximate Walking Time: 7 – 8 Hours.

Day 2: PLAYA ROSALINA, MARAMPATA, CHOQUEQUIRAO

After an early breakfast, we will walk for approx. one hour to arrive to Playa Rosalina near the Apurimac River (1500 m), where we will cross a typical holding bridge, a forest of cactus, agaves and exotic local fruit trees. Here we’ll start a gentle 3-4 hours gradual climb of 1,400 meters from the shores of the Apurimac river to Marampata (2900m). We’ll stop for lunch surrounded by this beautiful landscape. At the end of this path, we’ll see for the first time the archaeological complex of Choquequirao. It’s an easy two hour walk to Choquequirao ruins from here! When we arrive to this Inca complex, we will visit the farming terraces of Paqchayoc and the house of the waterfall. We will spend the night camping near Choquequirao. Here you can taste “Cambric”, a local cognac made from sugar cane!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping (2 people per tent).
Maximum Altitude: 2800m (Marampata).
Minimum Altitude: 1500m (Playa Rosalina).
Distance Travelled: 14 km.
Approximate Walking Time: 7- 8 Hours.

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX : – Raqaypata or Playa Rosalina

This day is dedicated to exploring the incredible ruins of Choquequirao. Our guide will explain the history and importance of the site. After you will have free time to visit the many sectors of the complex. Late in the afternoon we will start the return trek and camp the night at Raqaypata.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping at Raqaypata or Playa Rosalina.
Maximum Altitude: 3200m (Choquequirao).
Minimum Altitude: 1500m (Playa Rosalina).
Distance Travelled: 4 km.
Approximate Walking Time: 3-4 Hours.

DAY 4: RAQAYPATA – COCA MASANA OR CAPULICHAYUC

After breakfast we’ll continue our return trek with a steep descent towards the Apurimac River where we will stop and have lunch. In the afternoon we will climb for approximately four hours to our final campsite at Coca Masana.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Camping (2 people per tent).
Maximum Altitude: 3000m.
Distance Travelled: 15 km.
Approximate Walking Time: 7 – 8 Hours.

DAY 5: COCA MASANA – CACHORA – CUSCO

After a 3 hour climb we’ll reach Capuliyoc. From then on, it is a fairly flat trail back to the village of Cachora. We will say goodbye to our arieros (horse guides) and take the bus back to Cusco. We will stop at the archaeological site of Saihuite for chance to rest and have lunch. A further four hours by bus bring us back to Cusco. After a luxurious hot shower it’s time to enjoy a much deserved beer and a good meal!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Distance Travelled:14 Km.
Approximate Walking Time: 4 – 5 Hours.

Inclusions

What is included?

Ceremony with your tour guide and locals.
Private Transport to Cachora (the trailhead) and return to Cusco.
Excellent English speaking tour guides.
Experienced Cook and assistant, mule herders.
Horses/mules to transport camping equipment.
Full 3 meals per day, tea time and snacks.
2 person per tent (new, spacious and comfortable igloo tents).
Dining tent , Kitchen tent.
Entrance fees to the Archaeological Park.
Emergency horse.
First aid kid.
Sleeping bags.

What is not included?

Personal porter 7 Kg US$ 75.
45 Lt back pack.
Tips for the guide, cook, arrieros– this is a custom, but not mandatory–though is a great gesture of gratitude.
Puma Path WILL provide a duffel bag to transport your belongings when you hire a personal mule.

What to bring

What we recommend that your bring :

Backpack & Daypack :(if you hire a personal porter, Puma Path will provide a duffel bag).
Insect repellent.
Hiking boots.
Trekking Poles.
Clothes– layers for variable temperatures, especially at night.
T-shirts and trekking pants, zipoff pants for a comfortable day walks.
Flash light/head torch.
Camera and extra batteries.
Sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
Personal medical kit.
Rain Gear: poncho/a good rain jacket for wet season.
Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel.
2 liter water bottle, water purifying tablets optional.
Copy of your passport.
Extra money for drinks, tips, souvenirs etc (soles or dollars).
Emergency money (at least 200 extra soles).

Prices

Prices 2023 – 2024

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Optional Extras per Trip

Sleeping Bag $ 25.
Walking Pole $25.
Inflatable Mattress $20.
Single Tent Supplement $75.
Extra Mule 7kg of personal items $75.
Extra Mule 14kg of personal items $150.

HIRE POLICY:

When calculating costs for hire of walking stick, sleeping bag, calculate using the length of the tour. Even though you won’t use the equipment on the final day it will still be ‘on the road’ and ‘occupied.’
If you hire equipment and break it – you are responsible for price of replacement /or repair. (please do the right thing!)

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS (these discounts are not cumulative)

Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
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