Choquequirao 5D/4N

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Highlights:  The Apurimac Canyon and the chance to appreciate Apu Condors, the mysterious Choquequirao archaeological site, as well as the beautiful wild life, with very few people along the way.

Location: Apurimac and Cusco Region.

Duration: 5 days/4 nights

Level: Difficult, but the altitude is not particularly high. Challenging due to steep ascents and descents.

Adventure Rating: The Choquequirao trek is one of the better known adventurous hikes in Cusco and Apurimac.

Alternative Inca trail: Yes, and the route can be connected with Bilcabamba, where you can see original Inca Trail. One of the most highly recommended alternative treks.

Departure Dates: Any day with two people. We offer affordably-priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart on the date that suits you.

Acclimatization: 2 days at altitude recommended.

Combos & Upgrades: Combine with one of our tours to for a more complete Peru experience. Buy another tour with us and receive a Comfort Camping upgrade for free.

Trekkers dream: If you wish to join a group tour, please see trekkers dream. You can also form your own tour group to be advertised on our page. Maximum group size 12.

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DAY 1: Cusco – Qachora – Chikisqa.

We begin our dayearly by bus to Qachora. We will leave Cusco around 5am for a 4 hour drive to Qachora. On the way we will view the beautiful Limatambo Canyon. If you look at the top right of the Canyon you will be able to see the great Apu Salqantay and Humantay mountains. Then we cross the Apurimaq River by the Cunyac Bridge on the border of the Cusco and Apurimac regions. Here we will pass by incredible landscapes. We get to the district of Qachora where we meet our expedition support know as an arrieros (horsemen).  We then arrange the way in which our equipment will be carried on mules/horses. After breakfast we begin our hike to this little known and very historic jewel know as Choqequirao. We will take approximately 3 hours approximately to get to Capuliyoq (3915m) from where we have our first view of the Apurimac Canyon as well as the snow capped peaks around us. Then we start to descend to Cocamasana (2330m) from where the climate changes noticeably to warmer weather with different flora and fauna. It is necessary to bring high percentage deet mosquito repellent. Finally, we arrive to the first camp Playa Rosalina (1550m). (Hike Duration 8 – 9hours)

DAY 2: Chikiska – Santa Rosa- Choqequirao

This hike is considered one of the hardest of all treks in the region but the views around the canyon (a combination of the Andes, Andean valley and high cloud forest) make up for its difficulty. After having an early breakfast we initiate the climb up to Santa Rosa. There we will meet a family that distills alcohol out of sugar cane. We will continue climbing to Maranpata. Here we will have lunch and then hike the last part, arriving to the archaeological site just in time to enjoy the sunset if we are lucky. In the site we can appreciate the flying of condors and perhaps see some animals such as foxes and the spectacle bear. Our camp will be close to the archaeological site. (Hike duration: 5 – 6 hours)

DAY 3: Choqequirao – Maranpata

This is the day to explore fantastic and charming sites of this incredible, abandoned town. Here you will see interesting, elaborate buildings, guard houses, and terraces that were previously decorated with exotic plants. Late in the afternoon we will start the return trek to the Maranpata campsite.

DAY 4: Maranpata – Chikiska

After breakfast we return by steep descent along the Apurimac Canyon arriving to the Apurimac River below. We’ll eat our lunch with the nice view of the river and canyon. In the afternoon we will climb for approximately 4 hours to our last campsite at Chikiska. (Hike Duration: 6 – 8 hours)

DAY 5: Chikiska – Qachora – Cusco

On our final day we will have breakfast early in the morning and we will climb uphill for about 5 hours to reach Capuliyoq. From this point it is almost flat the rest of the way with small uphill portion at the end where we will say good bay to our friendly arrieros and take the bus buck to Cusco.

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What’s Included?

  • Private transportation to Qachora (day 1) and return to Cusco (day 5)
  • Horses to carry all the camping equipment, food and fuel, cooking equipment, and 8 kilos of luggage per person that needs to be in duffle bag
  • Meals during the trek. If you are vegetarian let us know when you make the trek reservation
  • Expert bilingual guide in English, Spanish and Quechua
  • Cook, horsemen
  • Camping equipment, confortable tents for two people and mattresses
  • Dinning tent
  • Boiled water is provided during the trek
  • First aid kid
  • Entrance fee to the Choquequirao park

What Is Not Included?

  • Breakfast first day (day 1) and the lunch last day (day 5)
  • Hotels and food in Cusco
  • Medical insurance
  • Sleeping bag
  • Walking sticks.
  • Chocolate bars, dried fruit, other snacks
  • Back pack ($15 if you want to rent one)
  • Alcoholic drinks, laundry and any other personal expenses
  • Gratuities for the, (guides, horsemen, cooks, etc)
SUGGESTED ITEMS:
  • Insect repellent (20% deet minimum)
  • A duffle bag to transport your belongings
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking boots, strong footwear
  • Trekking poles: poles with metal tips are allowed on this trek.
  • Layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
  • Wool socks and woolen hat for cold nights (-3 -5 c)
  • T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for a confortable day hike
  • Flash light or torch and batteries
  • Camera and extra batteries (batteries are consumed rapidly under cold conditions)
  • Sun block, sunglasses, and hat to protect you from the sun
  • Personal medical kit
  • Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
  • Toiletries, toilet paper, small towel
  • Two liter water bottle: disposable bottle are not recommended
  • Original passport
  • Extra money for drinks, tips, souvenirs etc. (soles or dollars) and emergency money
  • Bathing suits optional
  • Thermal rest inflatable mattress
  • Snacks, biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, fruit, etc.

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When to book a trek: trek permits are not required for this trek. Departure dates depend on availability of the group.

Group size: minimum 03 people, typical group size 7 – 8 people. Maximum 12 people

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    CHOQUEQUIRAO 5D/4N
    # OF PEOPLE
    2 3 4 – 5 6 – 7 8 + more
    PRICES IN USD (per person)
     $1190  $999  $870  $770  $670

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