Classic Choquequirao Trek 5 Days

Choquequirao Trek 5 Days is a package designed for tourists that wish to have more time to visit the beautiful Inca city of Choquequirao and discover at a more relaxed pace one of the last residences of the Inca. This marvel of history is not only famous for its Inca constructions but is also complemented by natural beauty in perfect harmony.

The walk from Cachora to Choquequirao has a distance of approximately 30 kilometers, and During these five days of walking, we will enjoy impressive landscapes. Our groups are small; for this reason, our service is personalized.

Just like Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca and other Andean communities, Choquequirao is organized into two halves or neighborhoods: the upper, or Hanan, and the lower or Hurin.

The upper unites various buildings related to religion, temples, and fountains grouped around a plaza, grand terraces irrigated by a series of channels, and deposits (or Collcas) to store the products used to supply the local population. Half of the lower area accommodates significant well-preserved buildings built around a wide-open space.

We also offer Choquequirao Trek 5 Days with the finish at Villa de Loros – Tambobamba (Available only from May to October)

Classic Choquequirao Trek 5 Days highlights:

• Trek to the hidden incan site that not many people go.
• Like Machu Picchu, Choquequirao has structures that mark solar events such as solstices and equinoxes.
• You will be practically alone with an archeological site very spectacular like Machu Picchu.
• The few tourists who visited Choquequirao agree that it was worth it.
• Learn a lot about the Inca culture.
• Discover the second lost city of the Incas.
• The Choquequirao ruins receive less than a dozen visitors a day.
• Explore Choquequirao more deeply
• Chance to see local flora and flora, including the Andean condor.
• You will savor the Peruvian cuisine prepared by our master chef.

Acclimatization:
We recommend you be in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek to be acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude so that you won’t have a problem during the tour.

About us:
We are Huaynas Expeditions, a direct local tour operator in Cusco; we do not share service with any other agency, as most of them do. We will make the Classic Choquequirao Trek 5 Days even if you are 2 people only. We won’t cancel your trip! We are a responsible company with vast experience in the tourism industry; we have the best professional team to make your journey unforgettable.

Pick up from the hotel at 4:00 am to have 4-hour driving to Capuliyuc 2,900m / 9,512 ft, the beginning of the trail. We’ll meet up our muleteers and horses at this place, where we’ll get ready for the trek.

We’ll start with our expedition, hiking for about 3 hours on a downhill trail to get to the lunch spot called Chikiska, located at 1,900 m / 6,213 ft, with stunning views of the snowcapped mountains of the Vilcabamba range and the grand Apurimac canyon. At Chikiska, we’ll enjoy our just prepared fresh lunch. After having lunch, we’ll hike for one more hour to get to the first campsite called La Playa Rosalina 1,500m / 4,920 ft, in which we’ll spend the first night. In the evening we have tea time, subsequently dinner. All meals included, except breakfast.

Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, 4 people made a tent for 2 people, allowing greater comfort).
Meals: Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours approx.
Hiking distance: 8.5 km / 5.28 miles.
Highest elevation: 2,760 m / 9.055 ft.

After early breakfast in Playa Rosalinas, we will start to ascend for about 5 hours on a switchback trail until we reach the Marampata community. Along the way, we will pass by some sugar cane farms, more great views of the valley from the opposite hill, possibly some condors above, and beautiful flora and fauna. This climb is one of the most challenging parts of the Choquequirao Trek.

Upon our arrival at Marampata, we will be done with the uphill portion. Then we will enjoy our just prepared fresh lunch enjoying the view of Choquequirao Inca ruins in a further direction.

We will have to spend the night at Marampata because of the new regulations from the Choquequirao Park (It is not allowed to camp at the Choquequirao Camping site anymore); after lunch, you will have a free afternoon to relax and if you wish for a hot shower the local people can offer you for 3 dollars.

In the evening we will have tea time and dinner.

Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, 4 people made a tent for 2 people, allowing greater comfort).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
Hiking time:  5-6 hours approx.
Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles.
Highest elevation: 2,950 m / 9,676 ft.

After breakfast, we will need to hike for 1 hour to reach Choquequirao Park, and we will start exploring the entire day. There is so much to see! 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 the beautiful areas of the temples, terraces, palaces, the llama’s area, 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.

At noon, our cook and horseman will bring us lunch to the Choquequirao Park, after lunch in the park we will have free time to relax and then continue exploring the lower part of Choquequirao, we will visit the lower part of Choquequirao, where we will find the terraces of Pacchayoc (not all of them go there), whose name corresponds to the extraordinary waterfall that is located in front and the middle of a deep ravine, the crystalline waters of the snowy Padreyoc whispers a beautiful symphony, coming from nature that seemed to want to enchant us with its infinite murmurs.

After visiting Pacchayoc, we will return to the Marampata campsite, where we will have our tea and dinner.

Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, 4 people made a tent for 2 people, allowing greater comfort).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
Hiking time:  4-5 hours approx.
Hiking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles.
Highest elevation: 3,050 m / 10,006 ft.

Today we say goodbye to the majestic Choquequirao and move onward to Chiquiska. After an early breakfast, we will start our hike back to Chiquiska. This will be along the Apurimac Canyon. On the way, you may be able to see the flight of the Andean Condors again. You will also be able to see exuberant vegetation and a variety of flowers and orchids.

It will be a 6 hours hike. We will be passing through the same small settlements as on the way up. We will stop in Playa Rosalina. Here we will have lunch and continue to Chiquiska. Here we will spend the night at our campsite.

Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, 4 people made a tent for 2 people, allowing greater comfort).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
Hiking time:  5 – 6 hours approx.
Hiking distance: 9 km / 5.59 miles.
Highest elevation: 2,950 m / 9,676 ft.

After breakfast, we start our last day hiking and leave the campsite as early as possible to avoid the midday sun, which is exhausting. It will be a 3-hour uphill hike until we arrive at the end of the expedition. Once we arrive, we will enjoy our last lunch and have a farewell time to our muleteers, cook, and tour guide, who were part of our team for a 5-day trek to Choquequirao.

After that, we’ll take our private transport back to Cusco for about 5 hours with some stop-offs on the way; one of them is a stop at Saywite, a unique place to see an amazing Incan monolith called the monolith of Saywite is a symbolic representation of our cosmos, where the Incas used a living granite rock to carve over 208 figures like geometric and zoomorphic figures, including reptiles, frogs, felines, irrigation channels, etc. The site is regarded as a center of religious worship for the Incan people, focusing on water. It’s a giant granite boulder whose circumference is about 11 m / 36.08 ft, 4 m / 13.12 ft in diameter, and about 2 m / 6.56 ft high. After learning about this site, we’ll take our picnic lunch close by to this site. We’ll then drive back to Cusco for about 3 hours. All meals included, except dinner.

End of the adventure.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Hiking time:  3 hours approx.
Hiking distance: 9 km / 5.59 miles.
Highest elevation: 2,350 m / 7,709 ft.

• Pre trek Briefing (briefing at the Hotel/Office).
• Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the hike by private car.
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide for groups over 12 people.
• Tents – 2 people.
• 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks
• Thermarest air-inflate Comfortable sleeping Mattress.
• Cook and assistance of the Cook.
• Cooking equipment.
• Daily tea service.
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables.
• Portable environmental Biodegradable toilet.
• Food service in the campsites (4 breakfast, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, 5 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu.
• You will savor the Peruvian cuisine which our master chef will prepare.
• Vegetarian and free gluten food for no extra cost.
• Horseman and Horses. (To carry our camping equipment, food and 8 kilos of your stuff like sleeping bag and mat as well as clothes) We Never overload our Horses (well Animal Welfare).
• Choquequirao entrance fees.
• Camping spots fees.
• First-aid kit.
• Emergency oxygen bottle.
• Private transportation (Tambobamba – Cusco).

• Extra expenses.
• Breakfast – on 1th Day.
• Dinner – on 5th Day.
• Not detailed meals.
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Sleeping bags (it can be rented from us for US$ 30 for the entire trip).
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 20 for the entire trip).
• Tips (optional).

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student).
• A travel insurance card is essential.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $ 2 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe at night if you want to take them.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Camera, films, and batteries.
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
• Sunblock.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 40% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Small towel.
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Classic Choquequirao Trek 5 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

• Extra Emergency Horse to ride and horse Controller.
• North Face 4 season tents.
• Sleeping bag / Silk Liner included.
• 02 Waking Poles per person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad, as well as your clothes.
• Private round trip transportation.
• Tour Guide to explore Choquequirao all day. And of course, we pay a little more to our Staff and Guide.

We offer 3 kinds of service, each with different price ranges and you can book in any of these services according to your convenience, we just need you to be a minimum of 02 people to organize your trip on the date that suits you, all our services are 100 % guaranteed.

We are a direct TOUR OPERATOR that never passes clients to other agencies as most agencies do it here in Cusco to save operating costs with poor quality.

We will make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.

Can I be picked up from the Sacred Valley?
Yes, let us know in advance to organize your pick-up time (there is an extra cost).

Do I need to book Choquequirao in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to book your trek to Choquequirao at least one week in advance. This would help us to organize things like muleteers, campsites, etc.

How far is Choquequirao from Machu Picchu?
It is roughly 44 kilometers from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu ruins. You can sign up for a nine-day hike from Cusco, which takes you to Choquequirao and Vilcabamba, and Machu Picchu.

How hard is the Choquequirao trek?
Choquequirao trek is challenging and requires you to be physically fit for the trek. It is also recommended to spend a couple of days in Cusco before the tour to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness.

How long is the Choquequirao Trek?
The shortest and the most common trek takes four days.

Is Choquequirao worth it?
If you are interested in the Inca history, it is worth trekking to Choquequirao. Primarily because, like Machu Picchu, Choquequirao served as a royal estate to Incas. However, it was not conquered by Spanish rulers due to its remote location.

What is the altitude of Choquequirao?
Choquequirao is 3033 metres above sea level.

Can I visit both Choquequirao and Machu Picchu on the same tour?
Yes, we have tours that combine both Incan sites.

Is there a cable car in Choquequirao?
The project to make a cable car that connected the town of Cachora to Marampata was not completed due to the frequent presence of landslides, and this plan was gradually lost.

What is Choquequirao?
Choquequirao is named after Quechua Chuqi K’iraw, the cradle of gold. Located just over 3,000 meters high, they are Inca terraces and buildings, very similar to the citadel of Machu Picchu in terms of its architecture. Some call it the “Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu” or “Second Machu Picchu.” The site is not as large as Machu Picchu, but travelers much less crowd it; since it can only be accessed on foot, it is the longest and most complete road in Peru with a tour operator.