Choquequirao Trek Express 4 Days / 03 Nights
High on the Qoriwayrachina mountain range of Peru lies the Choquequirao archaeological site, and the only way in or out is on foot. Now, this trek is not for the fainthearted, but it’s almost unsurpassed in Peru. If the idea of authentic exploration excites you, consider the Choquequirao trek, the best alternative to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.
The Choquequirao route takes you through the steep Apurimac canyon; as you descend down into this plunging valley, and hike back out the steep other side, you will pass through several microclimates that vary with the altitude. With sweeping views of the Andes and opportunities to observe local plant and wild life, including the sacred Andean condor, this trek is a must for any serious hiker.
Surrounded by lush rainforest and snow-capped peaks, the Choquequirao route has new views at every turn and it should come as no surprise that this mountain-top city is being lauded as the “new Machu Picchu” and is widely considered one of the finest treks in South America.
With the country’s popularity growing among international tourists, it is becoming difficult to find an authentic, uncrowded adventure in Peru. The Choquequirao trek is just this.
Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Santa Rosa
We pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) and drive four hours to the small and picturesque town of Cachora (2,900 m / 9,514 ft). This is where you will begin one of the most incredible treks in Peru, but firstly you’ll have a nutritious breakfast. From here, you’ll drive for half an hour more to get to the trailhead at Capuliyoc (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), to meet the rest of our crew and start trekking there. From the Capuliyoc viewpoint, you’ll make a steep descent into Apurimac canyon via a long series of switchbacks and incredible dropp-offs. As you walk, you’ll get views of Padreyoc and the river below.
The first campsite you’ll pass is Cocamasana (2,330 m / 7,644 ft), and onward is our lunch spot nestled between the trees called Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,233 ft), where you’ll enjoy a just prepared fresh lunch.
After that, you’ll continue towards the roaring Apurímac river. Just before the bridge over the Apurímac river, you will come upon another campsite called Playa Rosalina (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), the lowest point of the trek. Here the trek gets more challenging to the campsite at Santa Rosa (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), the uphill is tough after a long day of hiking, but it will cut some of the altitude gains off of your next day.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
- Minimum altitude: 1,500 m / 4,921 ft
- Campsite altitude: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
- Distance hiked: 13.00 km / 8.07 ml
- Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours
Day 2: Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao
After a delightful breakfast, you’ll have an early start, one more time, since we aim to get the best out of this second day, it will be a tough climb to Choquequirao. Before getting to the ruins, you’ll hit the tiny mountain-top town of Marampata (2,940 m / 9,646 ft).
While it’s only 3 hours of hiking from Santa Rosa to Marampata, this part is tough because of switchbacks, false summits, limited tree cover, and an altitude gain of over 800 m. there you’ll have an impressing view of the valley and the first glimpses of Choquequirao, after resting and contemplating these marvels you’ll continue on to the campgrounds located just beneath the ruins to have lunch there. From Marampata, it’s a gradual incline towards the Choquequirao campsite (2,900 m / 9,514 ft).
After a three course meal in our camp, you’ll head out to the fabulous Inca site of Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,006 ft) where a private guided tour awaits us in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Main Plaza, the Inca Palaces, the terraces of the Llamas, the Storehouses, and the Ceremonial platform where you can take the classic postcard pictures and spend time gazing at the splendid sunset in the heart of the Andes. With a bit of luck you might spot a Condor gliding over the ruins before returning to our campsite for the night.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 3,050 m / 10,006 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
- Campsite altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
- Distance hiked: 14.00 km / 8.69 ml
- Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Day 3: Choquequirao – Marampata – Santa Rosa – Chiquisca
On day 3 you wake up with a beautiful morning view to the valley from your tent, enjoying the firts sunbeams, and after a nutritious breakfast you’ll continue to explore other stunning sections on the east part of Choquequirao, like the House of the Waterfall and the terraces of the Waterfall (2,600 m / 8,530 ft). The enclave in which these platforms are located is impressive, since they are almost literally hanging on the edge of a deep abyss at the bottom of which the Chunchumayo stream descends to join the Apurimac river. These platforms seem like a daring challenge to heights and vertigo.
You’ll spend around 2 hours visiting these kind of recently discovered places. Then you’ll hike back to our campsite, once there you`ll head out back to Santa Rosa (2,100 m / 6,890 ft) to have lunch there, the return trip to our lunch spot is easy enough to navigate; you’ll just return back the way you came the day before. The switchbacks and steep downhill towards the Apurimac river make the descent almost as physically challenging as the way up.
After a filling buffet lunch prepared by our Chef you`ll be ready for the last slope down to the river and finally you’ll walk up a moderate hill for one hour to our third campsite at Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,233 ft).
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 2,940 m / 9,646 ft
- Minimum altitude: 1,500 m / 4,921 ft
- Campsite altitude: 1,900 m / 6,233 ft
- Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Day 4: Chiquisca – Capuliyoc – Cachora – Cusco
Your last breakfast of the trek will be served this morning, after which you’ll start the 4 hour ascent to the Capuliyoc viewpoint, while much of the hike to Capuliyoc (2,950 m / 9,678 ft) is an easy climb along the side of the canyon, it finishes with the same series of sharp switchbacks that you started with. Once you’ve finally reached the Capuliyoc viewpoint, you’ll be rewarded again with a spectacular view of the snowy mountains and the Apurimac canyon, while resting you can enjoy a well deserved cold drink and wait for your farewell lunch.
After saying bye bye to our horsemen our private bus will take you all the way back to Cusco passing by Cachora town (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) and other beautiful villages alongside the road, and finally drop you off in your hotel in a 4 hour ride.
- Meals included: breakfast & lunch
- Maximum altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
- Minimum altitude: 1,900 m / 6,233 ft
- Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Distance hiked: 8.00 km / 4.97 ml
- Approximate walking time: 4 – 5 hours
Transportation and tickets
- Transfer in from the airport to your hotel in Cusco
- Hotel pick up in Cusco
- Private transport to the trailhead in Capuliyoc
- Entrance fee ticket to the Choquequirao trail
- Entrance fee ticket to Choquequirao ruins
- Private transport from Capuliyoc back to Cusco
- Hotel drop off in Cusco
- Transfer out from your hotel to the airport
Camping equipment
- Comfortable 4-season sleeping tent
- Three nights camping
- Foam mattress
- Outdoor dining and cooking tents
- Food and drink utensils
- Portable chemical toilet tent
- Emergency medical first aid kit
- Emergency oxigen bottle
- Duffle bag for your personal items up to 8 Kg / 17 Lb
- Biodegradable soap and hand towels
- Portable transmitter-receiver radio
- Satellite telephone
Team
- Pre-departure Salkantay Trek briefing
- Professional trekking Tour Guide
- Personalized service
- Small tour group max 8 people
- Private walking tour in Choquequirao
- Professional and well trained Trek Chef
- Horsemen and mules to carry provided equipment and food
- Extra horse for emergencies only
- Guaranteed departure
Food
- High quality meals while on the trek 4B, 4L, 3D & snacks
- Drinking water to refill bottles from first day lunch onwards
- Classic afternoon tea before dinner
- This tour offers vegetarian and vegan food options on request simply let us know the food option that you prefer
- Dinner in Cusco
- Personal sleeping tent (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag polar liner
- Insulated air sleeping pad (available for rent)
- Hiking poles (available for rent)
- Rain poncho
- Extra expenses
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- International or local airfare
- Hotel in Cusco
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