Description Inca Trail Choquequirao Cusco
With the Choquequirao Tour or Choquequirao Trek, you will be able to walk through an inaccessible route and an incredible adventure, we assure you that it will become something memorable. The Choquequirao Complex was a fortress and ceremonial center. The truth is that due to its hidden location in a high and distant mountain, it was a strategic point for various purposes of the Incas.
The only way to get to Choquequirao trek is walking. It is a 3 day trek (round trip) including a visit to the fortress itself. Which is located at 3,103 meters above sea level in a privileged location: it lies over the impressive canyon of the Urubamba River. Choquequirao means ‘Cradle of gold’ in Quechua. It is considered the ‘Sister City of Machu Picchu’ because of its similarities to the Inca City.
Indeed, its architecture is as impressive as that of Machu Picchu. It has numerous Inca buildings, its most important buildings are made of quartzite, cut with great detail. The rest of the walls are made of rough stone. These walls were covered with clay both inside and out and it is believed that the walls of Choquequirao were painted light orange. Although in reality there are few structures that continue with this coating.
The Choquequirao Trek is rated as one of the best treks in the world along with the Inca Trail, and Salkantay Trek, this merit has earned it from the fascinating natural and cultural beauty that surrounds this trek.
Enjoy the Choquequirao Inca Trail Cusco
MAIN POINTS OF VISIT
- Cusco (3,399 masl)
- Cachora (2, 900 masl)
- Capuliyoc (2,800 masl)
- Chiquisca (1, 930 masl)
- Chiquisca (1, 930 masl)
- Santa Rosa (2, 095 masl)
- Maranpata (2,820 masl)
- Choquequirao (3,030 masl)
Day 1: Cusco – Cahora – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca (17 KM)
- 05.00 hrs Very early we will pick you up from your respective hotel and we will go in our bus to the town of Cachora. We will make a stop to have breakfast in the village (not included).
- Here you will join the group, the cook and the muleteers to continue this adventure, the travel time will be 5 to 6 hours in this mountainous region.
- Along the way we will observe diverse landscapes typical of the different climates of the area with views such as the snow-capped Pedrayoc or even the diversity of flora and fauna that will enhance our experience.
- Finally we will arrive at the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, from where we will be able to observe one of the deepest canyons in the world, the Apurimac with the river of the same name at the bottom. Here we will rest and have lunch.
- Afterwards, we continue descending to Chiquisca where we will set up our tents and spend the first night surrounded by the wonderful landscapes that nature offers us.
Camping – CHIQUISCA
BREAKFAST – PASSENGER / LUNCH and DINNER – AGENCIA
Day 2: Chiquisca – La Playa – Santa Rosa – Maranpata (14 KM)
- After breakfast, we will start descending to the Apurimac River, we arrive at the beach, we can rest and refresh ourselves for a moment and then continue with our hike.
- We will start our 2 hours of steep ascent to Santa Rosa where we will have time to take a refreshing break and buy some water.
- We will continue uphill for another 2 hours until we reach Maranpata, there we will find a flat terrain where we can rest and enjoy a splendid view of the Apurimac Canyon and the famous Choquequirao Archaeological Complex.
- Time for lunch and take advantage of the facilities (toilets and laundry room).
It is important to leave all our belongings in the tents, so we can spend the night quietly and recharge our batteries. Here we will be able to watch the impressive sunset and see condors flying nearby.
Camping – MARANPATA
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner – Agency
Day 3: Maranpata – Choquequirao – Maranpata – Santa Rosa – La Playa (14 KM)
- After breakfast, we will take the Choquequirao tour, we will visit the mysterious Inca site where our guide will explain us about the history of the magnificent Inca city.
- We will also visit the most important places of this Inca archaeological center such as the main square, Alta Choquequirao, ceremonial sector and the famous Llama sector where the Incas represented the sacred animal in their buildings.
- After the guided tour, we will have more time to explore and enjoy the scenery on our own. Then we will head back to the camp for lunch.
- When we return to Maranpata, we will see spectacular views of the canyon along the way where we will be able to identify various flowers, orchids and observe different types of birds that can be found in this area.
- We will start the return, the return hike will be much easier because we will only have to descend towards the place known as the beach. The walking time will be 4 hours of descent, we will arrive to our camp called La Playa, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim in the Apurimac River, here we will spend the night enjoying a beautiful starry sky.
Camping – CHIQUISCA BEACH
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner – Agency
Day 4: Chiquisca – Capuliyoc – Cachora – Cusco (12 KM)
- We will leave the camp very early, to arrive back to Cusco in the evening. From this point of Capuliyoc the hike will be uphill for 4 hours.
- If we are lucky, we will see some Andean condors and eagles flying above us.
- This will be our last stop for lunch in the open air and walk for the last 2 hours until we reach the village of Cachora. We will say goodbye to the muleteers and horses that accompanied us throughout the route. Afterwards, we will board the bus back to Cusco.
Breakfast / Lunch – Agency
INCLUDES:
- Transfers In/ Out
- Transportation Cusco/Cachora/Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide
- Entrance tickets to Choquequirao
- 03 D/ 03 A/ 03 C
- Cook
- First Aid Kit
- Horses and muleteers
- Camping equipment Waterproof tents
- Mattress or Matras
- Dining Tents and Kitchen
NOT INCLUDED:
- First lunch
- Sleeping bags
RECOMMENDATIONS:
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
- Original passport
- Small backpack
- Rain poncho
- Good hiking pants and hiking boots
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera batteries and extra
- 2 liters of water
- Insect repellent
- Sun block
- Trekking poles
- Snacks
- Sleeping bags
- Toiletries
- Snacks: cereal bars, chocolates, cookies, dried fruits.
- Cash: coins and small bills