OVERVIEW
The Choquequirao Expedition is one of the most incredible hiking experiences in Cusco region and it will allow you to discover one of the secret wonders of Peru.
Choquequirao (cradle of gold) is a 15th century Inca citadel, located on the slopes of the eastern Andes mountain range, above the waters of the roaring Apurímac River, protected by a deep canyon and the impressive snow-capped mountains, Choquequirao is a city built by the ninth emperor (Pachacuteq) and it is a clear example of a high level of architectural knowledge reached by the Inca civilization.
This expedition will undoubtedly be a unique and unforgettable experience that you can’t miss…!
“ONCE A YEAR, GO SOMEPLACE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE”
Dalai Lama
4:00 am We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, then we travel with our tour guide for approximately four hours to Capuliyoc, which is the starting point of our trek and the place where our tour guide will introduce us to the expedition team muleteers and their horses who will carry our luggage during these 4 days of adventure, the view of the snowy mountains is incredible, after preparing ourselves and taking a group photo, we will start our expedition to Choquequirao.
The first part invites us to follow a zigzagging path descending for approximately four hours, of course doing stops to enjoy the surroundings of this beautiful landscape, taking photos, drinking water and resting, later we will get closer to the river and also to the place where we enjoy a delicious lunch, on this expedition the road can be dusty and slippery in some sections, but with good boots and trekking poles we will have no problems.
This circuit is unique and offers a spectacular landscape with a great abundance of flora and fauna.
After enough rest, we continue with our adventure, it will take us two more hours to reach the first camp known as Rosaspata, the place for us to relax the muscles and then enjoy dinner, after it our tour guide will give us the briefing for the next day hike and then we can go to sleep.
First day
Hiking time: Approximately 7-8 hours
Trek Length: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Hiking start altitude: 3190 m / 10,466 feet
Lowest point: 1,500 meters / 4,920 feet
Camp altitude: 2700 m / 8858 feet
Meals: Lunch, snack, tea time, and dinner
Hike rating: Moderate
This day will be very exciting, after breakfast, we will be ready to enjoy the adventure, today’s route consists of ascending in a zigzagging path for approximately 3 hours, while we hike we can delight ourselves with this incredible landscape full of panoramic views, then the ascent is one of the most challenging parts of the expedition to Choquequirao.
From Marampata, the trail will be semi-flat until we reach the camp located right at the foot of the Inca archaeological complex and of course this will be the most impressive part of our entire trek, because the view is truly incredible from the summit to the Apurímac river canyon as well as, the impressive Citadel cradle of gold.
Once in Choquequirao camp we get a delicious lunch, later on there is free time to explore the lower part of the campsite, where an Inca temple is located, surrounded by terraces which was dedicated to water, this place is perfect since we will be able to experience a fantastic moment, in addition to enjoying the beautiful sunset, and then we return to the campsite, to have dinner and rest.
Second Day
Hiking time: 8 hours Approximately
Trek Length: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Lowest point: 2700 m / 8,858 feet
Choquequirao Campsite Altitude: 3050 m / 10,006 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snack, tea time, and dinner
Hike rating: Challenge
This day we will have a fantastic and unique sunrise, besides of a nice breakfast on the foot of this beautiful Citadel of the Inca Empire
after that, we will be ready to explore the archaeological complex CHOQUEQUIRAO, we visit all the important areas and discover the hidden secrets behind this impressive place, admiring and appreciating the challenging work that the man of the Andes made.
There is enough time to record in our memory the experience of exploring this magical place, as well as to record all the corners and passages with the lens of our cameras.
At the end of the visit we start our return adventure, and the first place to stop is Marampata where we enjoy a delicious lunch, then everybody will be ready to take the descent trail, a challenging path that will take us to the Apurímac River, we cross a bridge and after it begins the ascent on the opposite side of the mountain, until we reach Chiquiska, the place for our dinner and camping of the third night.
Third day
Hiking time: 8-9 hours approximately
Trek Length: 16 km / 10 miles
Lowest point: 1,500m / 4,921 feet
Chikiska campsite altitude: 2100 meter / 6889 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, snack, tea time, and dinner
Hike rating: Moderate
This day after breakfast we prepare ourselves to start the uphill part, it takes approximately four hours adopting the famous mountain rhythm, a slow and adequate pace with breaks to take photos and rehydrate ourselves, once we reach the end of the hike we have the last lunch with our expedition team, at the end of it we can say goodbye to them, then we continue with our tour guide to back to the Cusco city, this journey will last approximately three hours, on the way we stop for a moment to visit the Sayhuite rock, a beautiful sculpture worked in high and low relief.
Finally we will arrive in Cusco around 6:00 p.m. and it will be the end of our Expedition to Choquequirao.
Fourth day
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours Approximately
Trek Length: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Lowest point: 1,500m / 4,921 feet
Chikiska campsite altitude: 2100 m / 6889 feet
Feeding: Breakfast, lunch and snack
Hike rating: Difficult
4 days Choquequirao hiking expedition includes
What is not included?
What do we need to bring? Peru Ultimate Expedition will provide you with a duffle backpack where you can take all your things that are mentioned below:
For a good acclimatization you must be in Cusco at least 2 days before the excursion
It would be better if you come from another high place, such as (Arequipa, Puno or Bolivia)
Booking a tour that involves physical activity in height (Trekking, Mountain Biking) check our programs
Wear appropriate clothing for hikes
Drinking coca tea during the day helps to reduce the effect of altitude (avoid drinking it before sleeping)
Inform us if you have setbacks or delays when arriving in Cusco
Leave your heavy suitcase in Cusco
OPTIONAL SERVICES
These services are not included in our prices. If you want to add some of them, please let us know at the booking time
THE SUPERIOR SERVICE is Private and the tour will be exclusive for you.
THE STANDARD SERVICE shares a group with other participants from different countries.
The times quoted in this itinerary are approximate.
The tour guide can change the lunch and camp sites depending on how the group progresses.
If you need an extra horse to ride or for your extra rucksacks, you can rent it for a reasonable price.
We do not recommend to do it in periods of heavy rain (December – March).
Very good physical preparation is required.
Size of the average group: 4 people, maximum 10 per group.
We go out any day with a minimum of 2 participants.
If you rent equipment and damage it, you are responsible for the price of replacement/repair (Please do the right thing).
The price of the 4 Days CHOQUEQUIRAO HIKING EXPEDITION is expressed in US dollars.
The price we show on our website is per person and varies according to the number of people who book it together.
If you pay through PayPal, the price of the excursion does not include transfer fees.
(semi private service
This service is consider semi private because we only shared the tourist van to get to the canyon, then the rest of the service is private exactly for those who do not wish to hike in big groups with people from other nationalities, so the hiking expedition will be exclusive only for your group so that you can fully enjoy this adventure
If you like to be out of the ordinary and regular excursions, let us know to send you our secrets trips.
Our group of experts is prepared to develop the trip on the way that you prefer, if there is any special activity that you want to do, contact us that we will kindly answer you.
We are experts in Mountaineering, Rafting, Mountain biking trekking in the deepest canyons in the world Colca and Cotahuasi, we also develop horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, and visits to the largest petroglyph deposit in the world, cave paintings or any other excursion that we can combine to create the best experience that you deserve.
We operate in Lima, Pisco, Paracas, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco Puerto Maldonado among others to obtain an immediate response from our travel agent, contact us at whatsapp number +51939394105 or write to our corporate emails:
Send us your personal information, as well as details of your trip
Send us at least 40% of the total deposit to confirm your trip.
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