Choquequirao
Entrancingly off the increasingly trod track, Choquequirao (“Cradle of Gold” in Quechua—“The Other Machu Picchu”, as a 2007 article in the New York Times called it) is an amazingly preserved Inca outpost, dramatically perched on a promontory nearly 1800 m / 6000 feet above the roaring Apurimac River Gorge.
Choquequirao (3.103m/10178ft), considered to be a sister city of similar significance to that of Machupicchu and built along similar lines, although harder to reach, was also presumed to have had about the same size and to have served the same religious, political and agricultural functions. However, because archaeologists long underestimated the importance of Choquequirao, the city’s existence was known for almost 300 years before the first restoration was begun in 1993 and it has only recently been accessible to nonacademics, since then quickly joining the ranks of the world’s great Lost Cities.
In this spectacular 60-km trek we drive to the charming village of Cachora, our starting point, and reach this huge archaeological complex still under cleaning and restoration process located in the surroundings of the Salkantay sacred mountain (6.271m/20569ft) and the Apurimac River canyon. The beauty of the Inca citadel, still partially covered by the weeds cumulated by the passing of centuries, its astonishing location and surrounding mountain scenery, as well as lots of Andean flora and fauna, with the chance to spot condors in its natural habitat are some of the most appreciated attractions of this program.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Chiquiska
We leave Cusco at 4.00 am in our private transport and drive towards Cachora, an Andean community located 4-5h from Cusco at 2800m/9184ft, the starting point of the trek where we meet our horsemen and horses. We start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750m/9020ft, where may we enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac River Canyon. We then continue descending for two more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our camp and spend the night. Meals L, D
Day 2: Chiquiska to Choquequirao
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted.
Meals B, L, D
Day 3: Collpapampa to Aguas Calientes
This morning we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex: we will visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. After the tour, we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We camp and dine here.
Meals B, L, D
Day 4: – Aguas Calientes
We leave camp after breakfast to start the two to three hour climb to Chiquisca, to then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoc, close to which we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we continue on our two-hour return route to Cachora, where a private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Estimated arrival time around 9.00pm.
Meals B, L
Notes:
- Departure and arrival times are approximated.
- Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the evolution of the group.
- Alternative Options: A hotel room in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu can be booked for you for the fourth night, as an alternative to the campsite at Puente Ruinas, close to the village of Aguas Calientes. Please beware that in case of choosing this option, the hotel expenses will be charged as extras, and the dinner on the fourth night as well as the breakfast on day 5 will not be included in the program. Please check the “Optional services to be hired” section in this program.
Discounts
Students: US$ 6.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
Teenagers: US$ 6.00 (up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Teenagers: US$ 6.00 (up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
Additional discounts (that may be added to the above-mentioned)
Early bookings: 5% on full program price for all bookings confirmed at least 6 months in advance. This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered
SAE: 5% on full program price (valid South American Explorers Club membership card required). This discount may not be applicable in case a promotional price is offered
Departure dates
Daily departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season.
All private service departure dates are adapted to your request.
Group size To suit group requirements.
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Cachora, starting point of the trek
- Choquequirao entrance fee for visitors and agency staff
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
- Flashlight and batteries
- Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 9.00 / day)
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs
- Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
- Original passport
- 24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit
Not Included
- Sleeping bag per person: our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
- Pillow per person
- Breakfast on the first day
- Dinner on the last day
- Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
Recommendations
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight and batteries
- Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 9.00 / day)
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs
- Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
- Original passport
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
