Choquequirao Trek 5 Days
Trip Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture and nature
Trip Length: 5 Days/4 Nights
Group Size: 2-12 Hikers
Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging, but rewarding hike.
Weather: Dry season (Cold & sunny days) – Rainy season (Changeable weather)
Hiking Distance: 50 km
OVERVIEW
Discover Peru through the eyes of the Incas, hiking one of Cuzco’s most picturesque natural wonders.
Choquequirao, which means “Cradle of Gold”, is located to the northeast of Cuzco and surrounded by sacred mountains, the glacier-fed Apurimac River and seated on a high ridge within the Southern Andes. Located at 3,100m.a.s.l Choquequirao is isolated deep within the mystical Vilcambamba mountain range. This trek is also known as the “Sister of Machu Picchu” and is considered the other “Lost City of the Incas”.
The Choquequirao Trek is for those serious hikers who want to enjoy an “off the beaten path” adventure. This long trek is for those who are in excellent physical shape/fit and have strong endurance. On this adventurous trek you will walk on Inca highways, hike through contrasting Andean landscapes with majestic glaciers, see unspoiled Incan sites and behold the elusive Condor in flight. You will also see several other species of birds, insects and cactus covered cliffs and lush rainforest vegetation. On the journey back to Cuzco, you will also get to enjoy the thermal baths in Conoc.
This trip is supported by horses for your convenience, and we provide you with top quality camping equipment and a very balanced, energy rich diet.
Would you like a remote experience in the Andes? If so, this is the trek for you!
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Cuzco – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca -Playa Rosalina/ Pajonal
Early morning pick up from your hotel or accommodation in Cusco at approx. 4:30 A.M. You will then begin the 4-hour drive to the trail head in Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). You’ll pass through the small town of Cachora and continue to Capuliyoc for breakfast, also, you will meet your horsemen here. Following, your trek will start by descending all the way down to Chiquisca for around 3 hours, where you will have lunch. Along the way, you will enjoy great views of Apurimac Canyon, snow-capped mountains such as Padreyoc (5,571m/18,387ft). After lunch, you will keep going for two hours downhill to our first campsite at Playa Rosalina or Pajonal, where you will spend the night.
Hiking Distance: 11 Km /6.8 miles (5 to 6 hours) downhill
Campsites Altitude: Night 1: 1,600 m (5,250 ft)
Day 2: Playa Rosalina/ Pajonal-Maranpata-Choquequirao
After your delish breakfast, you will cross the bridge and hike for the next 4 hours all the way up to Marampata village (2,850m/9,350ft), where you will have lunch here and will enjoy the view of Choquequirao Inca ruins. After lunch, you will walk for 2 hours to your campsite that is located just 20 minutes away from the ruins. Here, you can enjoy our view of the ruins into the late evening and watch for condors flying over the mountains.
Note: Our campsite could be around Sunchupata or nearest to Choquequirao site
Hiking Distance: 9 km/5.6 miles (6-7 hours) uphill
Campsites Altitude: Night 2: 3,033 m (9,950 ft)
Day 3: Full day exploring Choquequirao
After a healthy breakfast, you will complete exploring at the stunning sections of Choquequirao ruins. You will enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful city sections: temples, terraces, palaces, llamas’ quarters, and others more. Then, you will come back to the same campsite for *lunch and dinner and to spend the night. Choquequirao (Cradle of Gold) is also another “Lost City of the Incas” rediscovered officially late in the 20th century. It is located high on a ridge spur almost 1750 meters/5741 feet above the raging, glacier-fed Apurimac River and is surrounded by the towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks.
*Lunch: You will also have choice for Lunch to go in our walking Tour in Choquequirao since this day is busy day and you would be tired to come back to our campground.
Hiking Distance: 7 km (Full day exploring)
Campsites Altitude: Night 3: 3,033 m (9,950 ft)
Day 4: Choquequirao-Marampata- Chiquisca
Like previous mornings, after your delicious breakfast you will prepare your journey back to Cuzco. It will take 2 hours back down to Marampata. You will continue enjoying all the landscapes along the way the Valley. From Marampata, you will begin the 4 hour steep downhill hike to La Playa. Once you reach La Playa (Pajonal), you will enjoy your lunch here. Following, it will be another two hours, uphill to Chikiska Camp, which is in the backyard of a family’s home or similar one.
Hiking Distance: 16 km /9.9 miles (8-9 hours) downhill
Campsites Altitude: Night 4: 2,100 m (6,889 ft)
Day 5: Chiquisca-Capuliyoc-Conoc hot spring- Cusco
After an early breakfast, you will get ready to return to Cusco. It will be a four-hour uphill hike until you arrive at the end of the trek, where you will enjoy your last lunch with Inca Vision team. You will say goodbye to your team and then will continue with your tour guide to Conoc hot spring. After this deserved bath you will head to Cusco for about three hours more by car. You will drive through Curawasi, where the famous local Anis tea (aniseed tea) is farmed. You will arrive in Cusco at around 7:30 p.m. Finally you will be dropped you off at your hotel.
Hiking Distance: 7 km/ 4.3 miles (3-4 hours) uphill
- According to Lonely Planet Magazine, Choquequirao is considered to be the best region in the world to travel year round.
- Witness the panoramic views of the Andean mountains, and experience the breathtaking Incan ruin undisturbed by large crowds (Day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).
- Visit what many have deemed the sister city of Machu Picchu for its appearance and historical significance and the other last Inca Kingdom (Day 2).
- You will be given a warm welcome by Condors flying over the mountains (Day 1)
- Explore the other astonishing the lost city of the Incas Choquequirao (Day2).
- Hike along the winding Choquequirao trail with the high cloud forest right before your eyes (Day 2).
- You will enjoy as much as possible your bath in Conoc hot spring (Day 5).
Included
- Pre-departure briefing in our office or your hotel. Time to be determined by the company.
- Private Accommodation: 4 nights camping on the Choquequirao trek.
- Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, Portable toilet tent, tables, chairs, and cooking gears (all carried by the horses).
- Inflatable mattress: Thermarest air mattresses that are 3 inches thick and add a lot of comfort to sleep and rest.
- Pillow, rain ponchos and duffel bag.
- Transportation: You will be provided with all transportation for this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 4: 30 A.M, and brought to the trail head. When you arrive back to the end of your trek, our van will take you back to your hotel in Cuzco (Day 5).
- Professional Guides: English speaking, professionally educated guides. All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in the Cusco region, and are committed to teaching others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and sound and happy so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- Trekking Chef: A chef and his assistant, specialized in cooking on the trail, will prepare all of your delicious meals to replenish your energy along the trail.
- Cargo Mules: On days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cargo mules will carry all camping equipment and your personal baggage allowance (7 kgs/15.4 lbs). On days 1 and 5 your duffel bags will be carried by car to your destination.
- 1 Saddle-horse or emergency horse: This service will only be available on the hard sections of the trek, as those are the most challenging ones.
- Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), 5 Snacks, 4 happy hours. All these meals are prepared by our Chef.
- Water: We will provide you water for your morning hike every day and again during lunch. We suggest to bring your camel bag and extra energy drinks for this trek, because being well hydrated is the key to feeling great in the mountains.
- Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel, soap and hand sanitizer before each meal to clean your hands.
- Entry ticket to Choquequirao Archeological Site.
- Entry fee to the Hot Springs in Conoc.
- First-Aid Kit: Our guides have received training in first aid from physicians. Our guides will bring an emergency oxygen bottle, as well.
Not Included
- Sleeping Bags:You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips. (Cost: USD $20).
- Walking Sticks:You can rent a set from our company if you would like (Cost: USD $15/pair).
- Last Day: Dinner in Cusco.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips for our staff:Tipping is of course 100% voluntary and should only be done if you feel like your guide, porters, horse men and Chef have done an amazing job for you.
- Additional costsor delays out of control of the management (landslides, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, altitude sickness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.).
This Choquequirao trek is available all year around since the geographic terrain of the route enable to do this tour/ expedition. On the other hand, Peru usually celebrates annual festivities, special events, special occasions and activities such as: The Feast of the Sun, Easter Sunday procession, Folkloric Parade, Carnival, Christmas Day, Bullfighting, and so on, occasionally, unforeseen events such as: Solar and Lunar eclipses would be a surprising experience for you. For this reasons, Inca Vision Agency guarantees your departure dates. BOOK now! Only your confirmation is needed.
CLICK here to check your availability for Annual Festivities, Special Events, Choquequirao trek & Machu Picchu.
Availability Dates: All year around.
January 1st.
February or March (Variable Sunday)
March or April 1st to 8th.
June 24th
July 28th and 29th.
October 31st.
November 1ST and 2nd.
December 24th and 25th.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: For this trek you will need one hold-all or duffel bag, which we will provide. However, you will be carrying your small day pack while hiking. Please pack as light as possible. A light backpack is key to feeling great!
- Passport (very important)
- Valid STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- 2L Camelbaks or water bottles
- Water for the beginning of your hike. We will resupply you at lunch.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles) and sandals. (very important)
- 5 Wicking/Hiking T-Shirts & and 2 hiking pants
- Nice shirt and pants for Choquequirao day – remember you will always treasure these photos, wear something you love
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho, warm jacket, down jacket, fleece or sweater, scarf, wool hat, sunglasses, gloves and 5 pairs of socks
- Bathing suits & small towel for the hot springs in Conoc ( It is optional )
- Sun protection cream and sun hat (very important)
- Insect Repellent
- Camera/ Cellphone with extra Power Bank
- iPhone/iPod for music
- Flashlight or head lamp with spare batteries (very important)
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: Band aids, moleskin, etc
We require a deposit of 50% of the total price per person for any tours or treks. The deposit can be made via PayPal or Western Union. If you rent camping and hiking gear, upgrade tours or receive a discount of the total price our sales team will email you the updated remaining balance payable at our Cusco office.
For shared service (Group Tour)
- $ 650 USD per person (3 people minimum)
For private service (Private Tour) are based on group size:
- 2 People: $ 850 USD per person
- 3 People: $ 800 per person
- 4 People: $ 775 USD per person
- 5 People: $ 680 USD per person
- 6 People: $ 650 USD per person
Note.
- If you book this tour for more than 2 people, ask for it and get a discount for this tour.
- 17 years old or less, the discount is $20 USD
According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu to qualify for a discount.
Note: If you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of booking to receive the student discount. Email us a copy at: incavisiontours@gmail.com
Pay with PayPal
Please note that PayPal charge a fee of 5.5 % (only for online deposits) which the client is responsible for. The fee is for the use of PayPal’s secure payment gateway. Please send your deposit to incavisiontours@gmail.com and notify us after payment has made through PayPal.