- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- Reviews
- FAQ
This Archeological Complex is very interesting and one of the most popular treks in the Cusco area. This trail is situated in the spur of the mountain range of Salkantay, over 3030m surrounded by the Apus of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo, and Panta, on the left bank of the Apurimac River. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. With a wide variety of flora and fauna, beautiful scenery, and a visit to a major Inca site. Now we have combined this important center with the Machu Picchu, to experience the connection between these.
What you need to bring?
- Original Passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us).
- Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
Private Service prices.
Important: Price is based on a DOUBLE room accommodation.
- 2 people US$ 975 per person
- 3 people US$ 875 per person
- 4 people US$ 775 per person
- 5 people US$ 685 per person
- 6 people US$ 645 per person
- 7 people US$ 615 per person
- 8+ people US$ 595 per person
Optional extras:
- Sleeping Bag US$35.00
- Walking Pole US$12.00
- Inflatable Mattress US$25.00
- Single Tent Supplement US$35.00
Zero plastic bottles on the Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 6:00 am
Cusco to La Playa.
This incredible adventure begins at 4:30 am when your guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive for the next 4 hours to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft) where the trailhead.
Along the way, there are picturesque views of villages, spectacular valleys, and snowcapped mountains. Once at Capuliyoc, we meet our horsemen and pack all of our equipment onto the horses. You will only carry a small daypack with the essentials you will need on the trail. The first four hours are downhill until you reach your lunch stop. Along the way, you’ll have great views of the Apurimac River, the valley, and the snowcapped peaks. After lunch, the weather gets much warmer since you have already descended quite a bit. It will be another two hours until we arrive at the bottom of the valley and see the famous Apurimac River. Soon after that you’ll pass a bridge and have a two-hour uphill hike to the choquequirao tour campsite at La Playa.
Day 2
Time : 6:00 am
Playa to Choquequirao
After an early breakfast, you’ll get ready to begin the day, we cross the bridge and hike for the next 4 hours all the way up to Marampata where we will have lunch enjoying the view of Choquequirao Inca ruins. Throughout the day, we will see a wide variety of bromeliads, orchids, and stands of bamboo; we will also hopefully see birds such as Quetzals, Toucans, and a variety of hummingbirds. After about a 5-hour walk we will arrive at our campsite close to Choquequirao (3050m / 10,005ft.) and settle in for the night - if the weather is clear the views of the sun setting from here are amazing and we may be lucky enough to spot Condors soaring over the valley below.
Day 3
Time : 6:00 am
Choquequirao !!!
After breakfast. we will visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao for the entire day. These ruins are three times the size of Machu Picchu and new sections, hidden under the dense jungle, are constantly being discovered. Enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful sections of the temples, terraces, palaces, the llamas’ section, and much more.
Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua Inca’s language although this is probably not its original name. It is another “Lost City of the Incas” rediscovered officially late in the 20th century. It is located high on a ridge spur almost 1750 meters above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and is surrounded by the towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks. Excavations and restoration of the 1810 hectares site began in the 1990s, and it is estimated that only 30% of the site has been restored to date. Every day archeologists are finding new things.
After our thorough explorations, we will return to our same campsite. Drinks and appetizers will be waiting for us and we can relax before dinner. Enjoy your last night next to these magical ruins, under an incredible sky of the southern stars.
Day 4
Time : 6:00 am
Choquequirao to Chiquiska
After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao. Waking up early you'll head off on a guided tour of the site during which you'll be shown the most important and interesting sections of the city and get to learn about the Inca culture and the close relation between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. Compared to Machu Picchu little is known about Choquequirao even though it has been known about for much longer. Originally discovered in the 17th century by the Spanish it lay abandoned and forgotten until recent years when tourism raised the profile of the city and exploration began. Even with this increased interest, only 25% of the city has been explored and many of its secrets still wait to be discovered. After your tour, you'll begin the trek back to Cachora along the route we came. Our campsite for tonight is Chiquiska (1800m/5905ft.) at the base of the valley by the Apurimac River.
Day 5
Time : 6:00 am
Chiquiska to Aguas Calientes
We will wake up very early in the morning to leave the last campsite, that way not to be hit by the sun heat, after a couple of hours hiking uphill, we will arrive at the viewpoint of Capuliyoc from where we will have the last views of the side of majestic Choquequirao and the great canyon of Apurimac. At this place, we will have our last lunch, and we will say goodbye to our muleteers, cooks, and horses. Next, we will drive for about 4 hours to the Ollantaytambo train station, from where we will take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the train journey is for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Once in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we will get to our hotel.
Day 6
Time : 6:00 am
Machu Picchu !!!
After a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We will have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have, permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco Hotel.
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to and from Cachora
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Afternoon Snacks and 5 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us
- know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
Note* About Choquequirao trek Campsites:
Campsites may change depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on
restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Goverment.
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip
- Tips
No Details Found
Related Trips
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N
The Classic 4 day Inca Trail is Peru’s number one trek and one of the most well-known
and popular treks in the world.
AUSANGATE TREK TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN 3D /2N
The Ausangate Mountain (6,350 meters/20,833 ft) considered an important sacred deity for the Cosmovision Andina and one of the most favorite trekking destinations in the Cusco area.
HUCHUY QOSQO TO MACHU PICCHU 2D/ 1N
The 2 days 1-night Huchuy Qosco trek takes you to fascinating Inca ruins, picturesque rural villages, magnificent snow-capped mountains, exotic vegetation, and extraordinary ecological variety.
There are no reviews yet.