CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

5DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

Choquequirao or Choquekiraw means "Cradle of Gold" in Quechua Inca´s language, although this is probably not its original name. It is another "Lost City of the Incas" rediscovered officially late in 20th century located high on a ridge spur almost 1750mts above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and surrounded by towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks. Choquequirao was build during the last days of the Inca Empire in the government of the Inca Pachacutec 1490, by Tupac Inca Yapanqui, and probably after the Spanish invasion in 1532. Almost 40 years the Inca's held stand against the spanish conquerors (between 1536 - 1572).

ITINERARY:

FIRST DAY: CUSCO - CACHORA - COCA MASANA - PLAYA ROSALINA
We will pick up you early from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. and then we will continue by bus about 4 hours and 30 minutes to Cachora town at 8:30 a.m., where we will enjoy breakfast and meet up with our wranglers and arrange our equipment, mules and horses. Where we will start to hiking about 2 hours to Capuliyoc (2,915 meters/9,564 feet above sea level) where we can enjoy our first beautiful views of the Apurimac Valley stretching out below and the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora above. Then we will descend toward Coca Masana (2,330 meters/7,644 feet above sea level) where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we arrive at Playa Rosalina at 1,550 meters/5,085 feet above seal level, right beside the raging Apurimac River, where we will set up camp and spend the night.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

SECOND DAY: PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
We wake up a little early and then we enjoy our breakfast, after that we will continue climb a steep trail. Our 5-hours hike will take us to Raqaypata beside the Chunchullumayo River, where we will enjoy a late lunch and a well-deserved rest. Along the way, we will have the chance to see orchids, wild flowers, and many kinds of bird species. From Raqaypata to Choquequirao (3,035 meters/9,957 feet above sea level) it is a 2-hour and 30 minutes hike, and we will arrive at the Choquequirao archaeological site in time to enjoy the sunset and maybe even to see a condor flying nearby. Our campsite will be just outside the Choquequirao ruins.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

THIRD DAY: CHOQUEQUIRAO – RAQAYPATA
After to enjoy our breakfast we will be dedicated to exploring the incredible Choquequirao archeological complex. Our guide will explain the history and the importance of the site, and afterwards we will have free time to visit the various sectors of the archeological complex and also we have enough time for to take pictures and film and in the afternoon we will start the return trek to Raqaypata, where we make a camp.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

FOURTH DAY: RAQAYPATA – CHIKISCA
After to enjoy a good breakfast we will continue our return journey, beginning with a steep descent down to the Apurimac River where we will stop and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will climb for approximately 4 hours and then make camp at Coca Masana. - chikisca.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

FIFTH DAY: CHIKISCA - CACHORA – CUSCO
Will be the last day of our trek.  We will be able to appreciate the canyon of the Apurimac River as we follow a new trail that crosses the throat of the canyon. We will have an impressive view of the canyon from Wayna Qalli - considered to be one of the most spectacular in South America. We will ultimately arrive at Cachora and take our bus back to Cusco.
Breakfast/Lunch
Campsites are subject to change, depending on the size of the group
 
PRIVATE SERVICE

Group Size: Depends on the client
Fixed departures: Depends on the client

INCLUDES:
Transportation in / out: Cusco - Cachora - Cusco (private bus)
Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; 2 guides for groups over 12 people
Cook: In charge of meal preparation
Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 10 kilos  per person)
Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help
Ticket: Entrance fee to Choquequirao
Meals: 5 Breakfasts/5 Lunches/4 Dinners/Snacks and afternoon tea time
Equipment: tents ( 2 people in each tent 3-person-capacity ), Therm-a-rest sleeping pad, dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, shower tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle

DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Sleeping bag.

NOTE: US$12 Sleeping bag rental in our agency (-10°C) for the whole trek:

WE RECOMMEND TO TAKE:

• Sleeping bag. (If you do not have one, rent one in the office).
• Warm clothing for the first day.
• Light clothing, four pairs of socks.
• Good shoes or boots.
• Flash light.
• Water bottle.
• Camera or video camera (optional).
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hats or hat, mosquito repellent.
• Purifying pills.
• Snacks.

Note: During the walk you must load the sleeping bags, mattresses and personal items.