CHOQUEQUIRAO 4D/3N

TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO  4D/3N

TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO, the Choquequirao complex trek is very fascinating and one of the most popular tours in the Cusco area. And it is not a surprise, since it is surrounded by fantastic natural landscapes with valleys, snow-capped mountains and an incredible variety of plants, birds and animals.

It is located in the foothills of the Salkantay mountain range, more than 3030 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Apus (mountain gods) of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of the Apurimac River. During the time of the Incas, everything was connected and in communication with Machu Picchu through a complex network of trails.

TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO  4D/3N

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISQA

We leave Cusco at around 6 am to ride towards the village of Cachora (3,100 m/10,171 ft) arriving there at approx. 10 am. We meet up here with our horses, Horseman and Cook. Before we start hiking, we make an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth in Quechua). Afterwards, we start descending slowly getting a first glimpse of the snowy peaks Padrayoc (5,482 m/17,986 ft) and Cachora Wayna. Near the latter, we have lunch.

After that, we continue trekking having a short break at the Capuliyoc Pass (2,900 m/9,514 ft) to appreciate a panoramic view of the astonishing Apurimac Canyon. Then, we descend to a warm valley before getting to Chiquisqa (1,930 m/6,332 ft), a place of our first campsite. We have a delicious drink and dinner there followed by a sleep.

Maximum altitude: 3,100 metres / 10,171 feet
Minimum altitude: 1,930 metres/6,332 feet
Duration of the trek: 6 hours
Trekking distance: 17 km / 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm to temperate

DAY 2: CHIQUISQA – PLAYA ROSALINA – SUNCHUPATA

After very early breakfast (5 am), we continue our trek descending to Playa Rosalina (1,550 m/5,085 ft) to later go uphill towards Santa Rosa (2,100 m/6,890 ft). On the way, we are given many opportunities to observe varieties of orchids and colourful birds. We stop at Santa Rosa to be served lunch. After that, we keep ascending till Maranpata (2,850 m/9,350 ft), a native community with unique traditions. Later on, we overcome a gentle slope while we are able to enjoy the same vegetation and fauna as we did on the first day. Then, we pass through a straight section towards Sunchupata (2,925 m/9,596 ft). This small community has been named after a flower “sunchu” (Viguiera in English) growing there. Our staff build a campsite at the community so we can be later served dinner and go to rest.

Maximum altitude: 2,925 metres / 9,596 feet
Minimum altitude: 1,550 metres/5,085 feet
Duration of the trek: 7 hours
Trekking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm to temperate

DAY 3: SUNCHUPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO – CHUQUISQA

After having breakfast early, we walk to the only 1 hour far away citadel of Choquequirao. On the way, we can appreciate the stunning sunrise above the citadel lying at the altitude of 3,033 m.a.s.l. at the headland of Mount Salkantay, to the north of the Apurimac River valley. Then, our Tour Guide explains to us during a 4-hour long guided visit about the history of Choquequirao, which was erected in the Inca Epoch (between 1438 and 1534 AD) and it served as a cultural, political, economic as well as religious centre.

Presumably, the citadel was used as a checkpoint to ensure access to the Vilcabamba area which connects the high mountain jungle with other important Inca centres such as Pisaq and Machu Picchu. Moreover, it is supposed that the citadel played an important role as a link between the Amazon Rainforest and the imperial city of Cusco.

The archaeological monument of Choquequirao

The archaeological monument of Choquequirao consists of constructions and terraces distributed to various levels and 9 sectors. There are many two-floor buildings with niches in the interior. For its location, it is likely that it used to be a very important religious centre inhabited by priests and those consecrated to the deities. There have been found paintings and cemeteries that confirm this theory. You can find there “Hanan” (a higher square), the main square “Huaqaypata”, “Qolqas” – storehouses, “Hurin” (the lower square), the platform system “Chaqra Anden”, “Ushno” – the ceremonial platform, a temple of the priests and some residential houses of the priests in the lower part of the hill.

The Guide also tells us about the importance of the rivers Apurimac and Rio Blanco. Besides that, we are served lunch there while we can admire a view of the  Vilcabamba mountain range. After lunch, we start our return trail, which is easy as it mostly consists of descending. Firstly, we return to Sunchupata (2,925 m/9,596 ft). Secondly, we descend to Santa Rosa (2,100 m/6,890 ft) to keep descending from there to Playa Rosalina (1,550 m/5,085 ft). Only the last part of the trail includes a slight ascend, which means the route to the Chiquisqa village (1,930 m/6,332 ft), where we camp again. When our campsite is ready, we enjoy our last dinner and sleep.

Maximum altitude: 3,033 metres / 9,951 feet
Minimum altitude: 1,550 metres/5,085 feet
Duration of the trek: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Warm

DAY 4: CHIQUISQA – CACHORA – CUSCO

At 6 am, you are served your last healthy breakfast. So, you are provided energy for the last part of the trek. You return following the same path until you get to the Capuliyoc Pass (2,900 m/9,514 ft). From there, it takes two hours only to get to the Cachora Town (3,100 m/10,171 ft), which is an effortless section. On the way, you enjoy several views of exotic flora and fauna as well as of mountains and the impressive Apurimac Canyon. You reach Cachora at 12 pm (approximately) and you are given the last lunch. Then, a farewell ceremony is performed before you say goodbye to your crew. Afterwards, you get on a private vehicle, which takes you to Cusco City, arriving at your hotel in the afternoon. There, the Choquequirao 4D/3N trek finishes.

Maximum altitude: 3,100 metres/10,171 feet
Minimum altitude: 1,930 metres/6,332 feet
Duration of the trek: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm to temperate

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISQA (TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO)

• 6 am – pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
• 10 am – transport by a private vehicle to the trailhead at Cachora.
• Meet-up with your Cook, Horseman and horses.
• 10:10 am – a small ceremony with all the team before the hike.
• 10:30 am – the start of hiking.
• Lunch that includes local products.
• Observation of the snow-capped peak of Padrayoc and the awesome Apurimac Canyon.
• Arrive at our first campsite in Chiquisqa.
• Toast, dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: CHIQUISQA – PLAYA ROSALINA – SUNCHUPATA (TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO)

• 5 am – a tasty breakfast.
• Descending trek to Playa Rosalina to later ascend to Santa Rosa.
• Lunch and a brief rest.
• Ascend hike and visit to the native community of Maranpata.
• Continuation till Sunchupata – a place of our second overnight.
• Building a campsite.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 3: SUNCHUPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO – CHUQUISQA (TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO)

• Early breakfast.
• 1-hour walk to the majestic Inca citadel of Choquequirao.
• 4-hour guided tour of the citadel.
• Lunch served at Choquequirao.
• Return trek via Sunchupata, Santa Rosa, Playa Rosalina finishing at Chiquisqa.
• Camping at Chiquisqa.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 4: CHIQUISQA – CACHORA – CUSCO (TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO)

• 6 am – breakfast.
• Start of the hike towards Capuliyoc and from there to Cachora.
• Observation of the wonderful Andean scenery along with Apurimac Canyon on the way.
• 12 pm (approx.) – last lunch at Cachora.
• Farewell ceremony.
• Saying goodbye to your crew.
• Private transport back to the city of Cusco.
• Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
• End of the Choquequirao 4D/3N trek.

INCLUDED IN TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO:

• Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Private transport to the trailhead at Cachora.
• A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
• Guide Assistant (for groups of over 10 participants).
• Horses to carry camping and kitchen equipment.
• Horseman.
• Entrance ticket to the archaeological site of Choquequirao.
• Guided tour of Choquequirao.
• Camping and kitchen equipment (a dining tent, a kitchen tent, kitchen utensils, tables, seats, a toilet tent).
• Personal tents (a quad tent for two persons).
• Blanket.
• Mattress.
• Walking stick.
• Duffel bag.
• First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
• Two-way radio.
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 4x lunch, 3x dinner, hot beverages during main meals – a vegetarian option available upon request.
• Return private transport to Cusco.
• Drop off at your hotel in Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED IN TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO:

• Sleeping bag (you can rent it from X Travel Peru for USD 30).
• Breakfast on day 1.
• Beverages (apart of the main meals).
• Extra horse (which can carry up to 20 kg of your belongings – USD 30/day).
• Tips to local staff.
• Pocket money.
• Accommodation in Cusco.
• Any flight.
• Travel insurance.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU FOR OUR TOUR TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO?

• A copy of your ID (passport/DNI);
• Necessary stuff for a 4-day trek (We recommend you to take of up to 7 kg of your belongings which might be carried by an extra horse.);
• Sleeping bag (you can rent it from us if you do not have any);
• Personal medicines (if applicable);
• Small backpack;
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a sweater, long trousers (particularly for the nights);
• Light clothes such as shorts and a T-shirt (for sunny and warm days);
• Sufficient number of socks and underwear;
• Rainy coat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
• Trekking shoes;
• Camera;
• Extra batteries and/or power bank;
• Binocular (if you like);
• Flashlight;
• A peak/hat;
• Sunglasses;
• Sun protection cream;
• Insect repellent (we recommend 30 DEET or higher);
• Toiletries;
• Towel;
• Toilet paper;
• Bottled water;
• Canteen;
• Knife;
• Pocket money in Soles (to buy some souvenirs or refreshment).

The price depends on the number of participants, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.